Doctorate

A Doctorate is the highest earned degree awarded by a University. In the early days of the University movement, the title "Doctor" (Latin for "Teacher" was only honorary, and typically awarded for some achievement of note in the outside world, such as when Samuel Johnson was awarded a Doctorate in Letters (L.L.D.) by Oxford for his work on his Dictionary. In the nineteenth century, first in Germany and later in other nations in Europe and in the United States, the degree of "Doctor of Philosophy" (Latin "Philosophiae Doctoris", thus Ph.D.) was established as the final result of an program of advanced study, culminating in a dissertation or formal (not always published) work. Though originally awarded only in Philosophy, the Ph.D. is now also awarded in numerous fields of the Humanities and Sciences. Honorary Doctorates are still awarded, but are not considered the equivalent of "earned" doctorates obtained through study, original research, and gumption.

People who have earned their doctorate are entitled to use the honorific "Doctor", although using outside of situations where it is professionally appropriate (for instance, at a conference) can lead to confusion (with medical doctors) and is seen by some as rather pompous. At worst, some who have earned doctorates in a field will use it to attempt to confer respect or authoritativeness on work they do outside that field.