does a PHD. require the dr. to become a MD. first?

Question

im just wondering if the phd doctor has to take as many years of medical school as the medical doctor and if they become a doctor first?

Answer 1

A PhD (philosophy doctorate) is an entirely separate degree from MD. It can be obtained in a variety of fields ranging from English literature to art history to science and math. It requires completing an undergraduate degree (typically 4 years of college), then completing graduate training (various lengths) in the field. A thesis (original research publication) is required to obtain the final degree.

A medical doctorate (MD) is a separate tract. This likewise requires an undergraduate degree and is followed by medical school (typically 4 years). This is the usual way to become a physician (allopathic medicine). There are many medical specialties and subspecialties which require additional training (internship/residency/fellowship) of 3-10 years, depending on the field.

Another way to practice medicine is through osteopathic medicine. Through a similar path to the MD degree, students obtain a DO degree (doctorate of osteopathic medicine) and train in similar residency programs to allopathic medicine.

Another note on the term "doctor" is the JD degree--juris doctorate. In that case your lawyer is also a doctor!

The word "doctor" comes from Latin "doctorem" which means, "to teach." Having a doctorate degree means you have established yourself as an expert in your field, whatever that may be.

Answer 2

A PhD is a doctor of philosophy. A person with a PhD can be involved in doing research and making discoveries that an MD can use in his practice (ie drug discovery, etc). Once you have finished your undergraduate work and go to grad school you can get an MS first or go directly to a PhD program. Unlike medical school which is 4 years there is no time frame for a PhD. I have seen people obtain a PhD in as little as 4 years and as long as 8 years. It all depends on your research topic. Once you decide to get a PhD there is usually at least 2 years of class work. Once that is finished you have to take a series of written exams and oral exams before you are admitted to a PhD program. Next there is several years of original research then write a dissertation (basically write a book) After that you have to defend your research in front of a committee of professors. Then you are awarded a PhD. After that you might need to do postdoctoral research for 1-4 years before you enter the workforce. I think medical school is more structured and you know when you will graduate but a PhD program is less structured and you have no idea when you will graduate. Both programs are very rigorous and require a lot of discipline and determination.

Answer 3

"Doctor" IS the Latin noun for teacher. (The "em" would make it a verb)
As many have told you a PhD (Note the little h) is a doctor of philosophy.
At my medical school in Miami, FL there was a PhD to MD program in which the PhD's took a shortened course to an MD with the anticipation that they would go into research.
Some PhD programs are as strenous as medical school or worse. Several PhD's who had already proven themselves by earning a PhD became MD each year.
Old MD and Latin Scholar

Answer 4

Both PhD and MD share common thing- a title of being a doctor. However both are of different entities. Any degree can lead to having PhD. You graduate on a certain degree and complete the Masters degree then obtain more higher studies and complete the requirements to attain the doctorate degree called PhD.Once it is successfully completed, the person is thenon called a "doctor" which is different fro a doctor of medicine.

However a medical doctor who intends to have doctorate degree, obviously has to graduate as a medical doctor first, have masters degree or its equivalents, and then pursue more on having a doctorate degree. That would make a medical doctor a double doctor, being a doctor as an MD and a doctor for having a PhD in a certain specialty.

Answer 5

No, a PHD can be a doctorate in anyting from psychology to arts/education to basket weaving lol. An MD is a medical Dr. & requires much more school, time & training, internship, etc.

Answer 6

A doctor of philosophy, or PhD, is awarded to someone who has defended a dissertation at the PhD level. This can be in the humanities (e.g. you can get a PhD in Anthropology, Literature, and of course Philosophy), education, nursing, etc. It is not necessary to go to medical school to become a doctor (i.e. doctor of philosophy). Some medical doctors (MDs) also have PhDs.

A small minority of students go to medical school after obtaining a PhD in a non-medical field (but this is not the norm); the term MD/PhD describes someone who has not only received a medical degree, but also a masters degree (usually an MSc.) then a PhD (separately or in combination) in an area of science (usually a biological science, such as physiology, pharmacology ... though exceptions exist).

Combined MD-PhD programs do exist. Typically, one is accepted into medical school (usually after having completed a baccalaureate (or undergraduate, e.g. BSc, BA degree), completes the first 2 years of med. school then "defends" his or her masters and doctoral theses before completing the final two years of medical school. From then, the person does a residency in a particular field but usually ends up with a career in medicine with a heavy research focus.

After a PhD (in anything), one can choose to persue a post-doctoral fellowship. These individuals can become professors or can work as highly specialized professionals in industry.

In short answer to your question, a PhD typically takes 4y + 2y (masters) + (2 to 6)y = 8y to 12y of university. An MD typically takes 4y (baccalaureate degree) + 4y (medical school) = 8 years and a medical student is still considered an undergraduate student in his or her final year of medical school. In Canada, most MD programs take 4y, but the University of Calgary had a condensed 3y program and accepts only those with an undergraduate degree. Other MD programs in Canada allow some exceedingly talented students in after only 2 or 3 years of an undergraduate degree, making it possible for some to become medical doctors after only 6 years of university education.

Answer 7

I'm not sure.....but it is my understanding that an MD/PhD finishes medical school, does their PhD work, then does their medical residency.

Oooh, scratch out the above.... Here is a good site. It differs from program to program, but most are 2 years of medical school, get your PhD, then finish medical school and go into residency...

http://www.aamc.org/research/dbr/mdphd/applicantfaq.pdf

Answer 8

You get a PhD after receiving a masters degree. Usually it's in an academic topic.

Answer 9

A Ph.D. is a doctor of philosophy. It requires 7-10 years of college but there is no medical school, as you become a different kind of doctor. You can earn your Ph.D. in a multitude of subjects ranging from topics such as Psychology and Philosophy to Russian Literature. Basically you can earn a Ph.D. in many different kinds of areas whereas a doctor such as a pediatrician earns their MD in a medical field or fields.

Answer 10

a Phd isn't a medical doctor. it's a doctor in education.