Research doctorate in the United StatesThe most common research doctorate is the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). This degree was first awarded in the U.S. at the 1861 Yale University commencement. The University of Pennsylvania followed shortly thereafter in 1870, while Harvard (1872) and Princeton (1879) also followed suit.
The requirements for obtaining Ph.D.s and other research doctorates in the U.S. typically entail successful completion of pertinent classes, passing of a comprehensive examination, and defense of a dissertation.
Other fields of study also have their own research doctorates, including the doctorate of theology and the doctor of juridical science, among many others
Professional doctorates in the United States
In the United States, there are numerous degrees which incorporate the word "doctor" and are known as "professional doctorates." Such fields include audiology, chiropractic, dentistry, law, medicine, occupational therapy, optometry, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, podiatry, practical theology, psychology, veterinary medicine, and many others that usually require such degress for licensure, including several in development such as that for medical physics. Generally, these degrees are considered "first professional degrees."
Professional doctorates were developed in the United States in the 19th century during a movement to improve the training of professionals by raising the requirements for entry and completion of the degree necessary to enter the profession. Although not true academic doctorates, these First professional degree clinical doctorates were created to help strenghten professional training programs. The first professional doctorate to be offered in the United States was the M.D. in 1807,which was nearly sixty years before the first Ph.D. was awarded in the U.S. in 1861.The Juris Doctor was subsequently established by Harvard University for the same reasons that the M.D. was established