Quote:
Originally Posted by Jake
So a Ph.D. is on the same level as a chiropractor degree. Right.
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Having a PhD myself, I always marvel at the plethora of professions that have co-opted the term Dr as a professional designation.
Registered medical practitioners hold the degree of Bachelor of Medicine (usually also with surgery). Though they are holders of bachelor-level degrees, history has allowed the use of the title doctor by physicians, however, it is recognised that it is in essence an honorary or courtesy title.
Healthcare professions for which members may be called by the title of doctor are: Medicine, Dentistry, Chiropractic, Optometry, Veterinary medicine, Podiatry and, more recently, Pharmacy.
While such degrees are considered professional doctorates and are entitled to use the title of "doctor," they are not "equivalent" to the PhD in that PhD students generally complete a longer program that includes the production of a dissertation that adds to the knowledge in the student's field, according to the U.S. Department of Education (2008).
In no way do "first professional degrees" equate to PhDs. They are chalk and cheese.
My apologies for derailing the original tack of the thread.