British Columbia Doctoral Degree Programs
Many accredited graduate schools offer both Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Doctorate degrees as residential, or on-campus programs. It's worth spending some time actually thinking about how to choose a graduate school program so that when it comes time to sorting through doctoral degrees you can marry the two components: the university and the program.
Doctorate Degrees and PhD Degrees: Choosing a Doctoral Program
Essentially, doctorate degrees are not all created equal in that some are geared to students who want to practice their profession and need a doctorate to do so (Medical Doctor: MD) and others are oriented to students who want to conduct research in their field. Choosing a doctoral program is often a reflection of both career goals and personality. You may love psychology but would prefer to stay in the laboratory than see patients in a clinic.
The Professional Doctorate Degree
While usually considered equivalent in academic status and challenging coursework to a PhD, a professional doctorate degree is oriented to those pursuing professional, rather than academic, careers.
Professional doctorate degrees can take 4 years of study past the Bachelor’s degree. In fact, many students prefer to skip a Master’s degree and apply to a doctoral program straight from college. This may be an option for you, however you may have to make up some Master’s level qualifications and have more years of professional experience. As a professional doctorate student, you are expected to take courses and conduct research. The research you do is typically to take existing knowledge and acquired skills and apply it to a specific topic or issue. This is done through a dissertation, a paper or innovation.
Some examples of professional doctorate degrees include:
- Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
- Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
- Doctor of Education (EdD)
- Doctorate of Medicine (MD)
- Doctor of Engineering (EngD)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Juris Doctor (JD)
- Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
- Doctor of Social Work (DSW)
What Is a Doctor of Philosophy?
The Doctor of Philosophy, popularly referred to as the PhD, is as you may notice also a ‘doctor’ degree. However, the PhD degree is a little different. In some cases, there is less coursework, with more time devoted to research methodology. This is to a certain extent because the dissertation is the central focus. And, unlike the professional doctorate, PhD candidates are expected to produce an original theory or concept to solve an issue or address a problem in their field of study. Their body of research needs to be published in a peer-reviewed journal and defended in front of others. Typically, the entry point to a PhD is a Master’s degree. Also common is that a PhD could take about 3 to 4 years to complete after that. Some universities do let students ‘fast-track’ their master’s to a PhD, but you need the grades, skills, and research abilities in place.
Some examples of doctor of philosophy degrees are:
- PhD in Economics
- PhD in Computer Science
- PhD in Psychology
- PhD in English
- PhD in Nursing
- PhD in Social Work
What Should I Look for in a Graduate School?
First off, there is no one answer to what makes a great graduate school or doctorate degree program, since everyone has unique tendencies and needs. That being said, factor in whether you are looking for a professional doctorate or a PhD degree as that may be useful in your search for a university.
5 Things You Must Know Before You Go!
- Location! Location! You can certainly search for doctorate degrees by location (city, state, country). When evaluating, you should factor in whether you are free to re-locate, and if so, whether you prefer a university in a large urban city, or a quieter suburban town. If you are unrestricted in where you go to graduate school, you may want to consider studying abroad for the international perspective. In any case, scheduling a campus visit should be on your ‘to-do’ list.
- Interaction: Attending a residential program gives you that face-to-face component that online programs can’t really mimic. Your future classmates are people you will be brainstorming with or discussing journal articles with. You may want to choose a program where you sense there will be good collaboration or support.
- Advisors and Advice: Your advisor is someone who will be guiding you through the phases of your doctoral degree. In the beginning of your research, he or she may suggest topics, while later on, your advisor should be someone who inspires you to think creatively, poses interesting research questions and is well-funded in their own research.
- Coursework and Accreditation: Choosing a graduate school means evaluating the course curriculum with a critical eye. Some programs, such as law and psychology need to be accredited by specific accreditation organizations. Make sure you know what to look for in terms of industry standards.
- Research: Some universities have research grants and amenities that may make them stand out to you. Think, as well, that you will be spending a lot of time doing research so if you do need to be affiliated with a laboratory of other type of facility you factor this in.
How Do I Search for Accredited PhD Programs?
Finding accredited graduate schools for a professional doctorate degree or PhD is easy on GradSchools.com. There are diverse program listings that might include residential Pharm.D, Doctorate of Social Work. Doctor of Philosophy in Textile Engineering and Science, Doctor of Education – Educational Leadership. In fact, you can look for doctorate degrees-Campus programs in these broad categories to filter your search results:
- Business
- Criminal Justice
- Education
- Fine Arts
- Health and Medicine
- Liberal Arts
- Science, Technology, Engineering, Math
- Public Affairs & Social Sciences
- Religious Studies
- Technology
Get Started Now!
Once you have found the category of doctorate degree program you are interested in, you can scroll through the sponsored listings or filter by the location settings mentioned above. The next thing to do is to open a spreadsheet so you can put the name of the graduate school, the date you requested information, the date the admissions office responded, program specifics and application deadline date.
The application itself usually entails some advance preparation, so start looking for accredited graduate schools well in advance. It is not a last minute decision, but one that might set you up for personal and professional success.
Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctorate
Sponsored Listings
- Associated Canadian Theological Schools of Trinity Western University Langley, BCLangley, BC
Associated Canadian Theological Schools of Trinity Western University
Graduate programs in Theology
- University of Victoria Victoria, BC
- Victoria, BC
- Victoria, BCVictoria, BC
Biochemistry and Microbiology - Doctorate
The Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology at the University of Victoria offers a unique program that combines the two disciplines central to the modern sciences of molecular biology and biotechnology.
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Victoria, BCVictoria, BC
Mathematics and Statistics - Doctorate
There are two distinct types of Master's programs: a conventional program which emphasizes the theory and foundations necessary for contemporary areas of research, and an applied program which focuses on the application of theory to problems in the math...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Victoria, BC
- Victoria, BCVictoria, BC
Graduate Program in Economics
The M.A. program combines strong training in core economic theory and econometrics, with electives in applied areas and a co-operative option. The Ph.D. program commences in September 2000 and also emphasises core macroeconomics, microeconomics and econ...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Victoria, BCVictoria, BC
English - Doctorate
The Department of English offers the M.A. (with or without thesis) and the Ph.D. in English, Canadian, American, and Postcolonial/Commonwealth Literature, as well as Critical Theory.
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Victoria, BCVictoria, BC
Health Information Science - Doctorate
Health Information Science is the study of how health data is collected, stored and communicated; how that data is processed into health information suitable for administrative and clinical decisions making; and how computer and telecommunications techn...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Victoria, BCVictoria, BC
Graduate Program in Psychology - Doctorate
The Department of Psychology at the University of Victoria consists of 24 full-time faculty members, and an additional 15 professionals in the community who are affiliated with the Department in a teaching, research, or consulting capacity. We have 80 g...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Victoria, BC
- Victoria, BCVictoria, BC
Biology
The Department of Biology offers graduate programs leading to an M.Sc. or a Ph.D. Both degrees are basedpredominantly on independent research carried out by the student under the guidance of the research supervisor. The Department of Biology does not of...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Victoria, BC
- Victoria, BCVictoria, BC
Faculty of Humanities - Doctorate
The Department offers both M.A. and Ph.D. programs. Graduate students will take several courses including a course in Historiography. These courses will be tailored to fit both student interest and the diversity of the discipline. Resources are particul...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Victoria, BCVictoria, BC
Graduate Studies in Physics and Astronomy - Doctorate
Astronomy and Astrophysics; Condensed Matter Physics; Geophysics and Ocean Physics; Medical Physics; Nuclear and Particle Physics; Theoretical Physics...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Victoria, BC
- Victoria, BCVictoria, BC
Computer Science - Doctorate
The Department offers programs leading to the degrees of Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science. Applicants for a Master's Program should have a Major or Honours degree in Computer Science (or the equivalent) or...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Victoria, BCVictoria, BC
Biology - Doctorate
The Department of Biology offers graduate programs leading to an M.Sc. or a Ph.D. Both degrees are basedpredominantly on independent research carried out by the student under the guidance of the research supervisor. The Department of Biology does not of...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Victoria, BCVictoria, BC
Graduate Program in Economics - Doctorate
The M.A. program combines strong training in core economic theory and econometrics, with electives in applied areas and a co-operative education option. The Ph.D. program also emphasises core macroeconomics, microeconomics and econometrics, and also has...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- University of British Columbia Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
University of British Columbia
Biomedical Engineering
UBC Biomedical Engineering offers MASC, MENG and PHD degrees.
- Vancouver, BC
- Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Human Nutrition - Doctorate
UBC Human Nutrition offers MSC and PHD degrees.
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Zoology
The graduate program in the Zoology Department is nationally and internationally respected for the quality of its students. Because the Department is large and has numerous interdisciplinary interests, a wide range of research programs has evolved.
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Oceanography - Doctorate
Oceanographers investigate both fundamental and applied problems relating to the physics, mathematics, biology, chemistry, and geology of the sea, often working across traditional academic disciplines. Research carried out both independently and in coll...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Vancouver, BC
- Vancouver, BC
- Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
School Psychology
UBC School Psychology offers MA, MED and PHD degrees.
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Curriculum Studies - Doctorate
UBC Curriculum Studies offers MA, MED and PHD degrees.
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Vancouver, BC
- Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Hispanic Studies - Doctorate
UBC Hispanic Studies offers MA and PHD degrees.
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Waste Treatment - Doctorate
Bioresource engineering combines biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics, the foure fundamental science disciplines, in one field of study. It applies engineering principles to biologically based systems, focusing on production, processing and utili...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Botany
The Ph.D. degree is for people who intend a career as an independent researcher, whereas an M.Sc. degree is a useful qualification for a less independent role in science or teaching. Both degrees involve a research project plus some coursework.
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Educational Studies - Doctorate
UBC Educational Studies offers MA, MED, PHD degrees.
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Materials Engineering - Doctorate
Research focus: Composites, Microstructure Engineering, Extractive Metallurgy, Solidification, Biomaterials & Ceramics Related study areas: Biomaterials, Ceramics, Composites, Hydrometallurgy, Microstructure Engineering, Corrosion Facilities: Re...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Physics - Doctorate
UBC Physics offers MSC and PHD degrees.
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Vancouver, BC
- Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Art History
UBC Art History offers MA, MA (Critical Curatorial Studies) and PHD degrees.
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Special Education
UBC Special Education offers MA, MED and PHD degrees.
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Neuroscience - Doctorate
UBC Neuroscience offers MSC and PHD degrees.
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Medical Genetics Graduate Program - Doctorate
The Department of Medical Genetics offers advanced study and researchleading to the M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in a variety of areas of human andmedical genetics. The Department has particular strength in human moleculargenetics, genome analysis, developme...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Doctor of Pharmacy
UBC Pharmaceutical Sciences offers MSC and PHD degrees.
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Reproductive and Developmental Sciences
UBC offers a MSC and PHD in Reproductive and Developmental Sciences.
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Vancouver, BC
- Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Soil Science - Doctorate
UBC Soil Science offers MSC and PHD degrees.
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
English - Doctorate
UBC English offers MA and PHD degrees.
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Kelowna, BC
- Kelowna, BCKelowna, BC
Psychology
The Department of Psychology offers graduate education leading to the MA and the PhD degrees. The detailed requirements for these degrees can be found in the Psychology Graduate Program Handbooks Clinical & Experimental (links at bottom of this page),...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Kelowna, BCKelowna, BC
Mathematics
The mathematics graduate program offers students the research-based degrees of Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Mathematics and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Mathematics. Research interests of mathematics faculty members include mathematical biology and d...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Kelowna, BCKelowna, BC
Nursing
The Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) program offers opportunities for baccalaureate nurses to develop and advance their professional knowledge, practice and scholarship. Graduate students will engage in scholarly inquiry within a chosen area of nursi...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Kelowna, BCKelowna, BC
Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies
UBC's Okanagan campus offers interdisciplinary graduate degrees across a wide range of program options from the humanities and creative arts to social and natural sciences. Interdisciplinary studies are thesis-based programs. Students may chose to compl...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Kelowna, BCKelowna, BC
Social Work
Informed by a vision of social justice, the School of Social Work promotes social well-being, change, healing, and growth at multiple levels. We are committed to fostering the integration of varied and diverse theoretical perspectives which contribute t...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Kelowna, BCKelowna, BC
Environmental Sciences
The Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences offers M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Environmental Sciences. Graduate studies in Environmental Sciences at UBC's Okanagan campus are interdisciplinary in nature, and designed to address the global need for e...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Kelowna, BCKelowna, BC
Chemistry
The Chemistry graduate program offers the research-based degrees Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Chemistry and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Chemistry. The program offers a variety of research areas including analytical, environmental, inorganic, organic...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Kelowna, BCKelowna, BC
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Graduate Programs are designed to enable and support students as they conduct original research, develop teaching and mentoring skills and become engaged in the scientific community at large. Students le...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Kelowna, BCKelowna, BC
Biology
The Biology Graduate Program at the University of British Columbia Okanagan offers research-based degrees to students in a collegial, dynamic setting. Our vibrant faculty and students are engaged in a variety of research projects, many in collaboration...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Kelowna, BCKelowna, BC
Management
The Master's of Management offered at UBC's Okanagan campus is a one year, full time professional development program ideally suited for individuals with a Bachelor's degree in non-business disciplines such as arts, sciences, and engineering. The Int...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Kelowna, BCKelowna, BC
Engineering
The School of Engineering on the UBC's Okanagan campus is recruiting Master of Applied Science and Doctor of Philosophy graduate students to study in our world-class research programs in Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering.
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Simon Fraser University Burnaby, BCBurnaby, BC
Simon Fraser University
Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
The program emphasizes independent research and operates in a modern new laboratory building having excellent facilities. Major areas of research include developmental biology and genetics, using model invertebrate model systems and in structural and co...
- Burnaby, BC
- Burnaby, BC
- Burnaby, BCBurnaby, BC
Graduate Program in Experimental Psychology
The program in experimental psychology is intended for students desiring academic and researchcareers. There are five areas of research specialization within the experimental program: BiologicalPsychology, Developmental Psychology, Evolutionary Psycholo...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Burnaby, BCBurnaby, BC
Department of Economics
The Department of Economics integrates a strong emphasis on research with a commitment to excellence in teaching. Programs in economics provide a balance between theory and practical application. Students will receive instruction from distinguished facu...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Burnaby, BC
- Burnaby, BCBurnaby, BC
Department of Archaeology
The Graduate Program is one of the traditional strengths of the Department.
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Burnaby, BCBurnaby, BC
Educational Leadership
This program is designed for educational administrators who are working full time. This degree looks beyond educational leadership as the application...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Burnaby, BCBurnaby, BC
Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology
The clinical program places equal emphasis on training in both research and clinical practice, and isaccredited as a doctoral training program in clinical psychology by both the Canadian PsychologicalAssociation and the American Psychological Associatio...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Burnaby, BC
- Burnaby, BC
- Burnaby, BC
- Burnaby, BCBurnaby, BC
Kinesiology
The School of Kinesiology has extensive modern facilities supporting graduate and faculty research. Graduate students are provided with a highly interactive and personalized environment and faculty research is well funded by both external and internal g...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Burnaby, BCBurnaby, BC
Graduate Program in Law and Psychology
The Law and Psychology stream is based on the traditional experimental psychology graduate training model. The traditional model is enhanced by providing students with additional course work, research, and applied experiences.
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Burnaby, BC
- Burnaby, BC
- Burnaby, BCBurnaby, BC
Computing Science
Provides students with graduate studies in the following areas: theoretical computing science; computer graphics; database systems; artificial intelligence; distributed systems; computer design and organization; programming languages and systems.
Program: Hybrid
Degree: Doctorate
- Burnaby, BC
- Burnaby, BCBurnaby, BC
Psychology of Education
It is designed for students interested in studying theories, basic and applied research, and research method in the psychology of education.
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Burnaby, BCBurnaby, BC
Communication
Communication is a new academic discipline which is engaged in the study of information and how it is created, shared, distributed, consumed and used. It includes the study of culture as well as the media ofcommunication. And it includes the study of th...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Burnaby, BCBurnaby, BC
Engineering Science
The M.Eng. program is designed for part-time study by practicing engineers and is based on a set of courses, normally offered in the evenings, plus a project performed in industry. The principal areas of study offered in the M.Eng. program are electroni...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Burnaby, BC
- Burnaby, BCBurnaby, BC
Resource and Environmental Management
The School provides a focus for interdisciplinary research on natural resource problems of local, national and international interest, and offers a program of graduate education in resource and environmental management. The degree programs are intended...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Vancouver, BC
- Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Business Administration
Accessible. Well designed. Knowledgeable professional staff. Simon Fraser University's Harbour Centre Campus is a highly functional education and meeting complex. The campus, largely financed by the private sector, is comprised of more than 135,000 squa...
Program: Hybrid
Degree: Doctorate
- Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Graduate Business Programs
The Faculty of Business Administration at Simon Fraser University is a recognized leader in management education, responding effectively to the changing educational needs of the business community. Graduate and management studies are based at the dow...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Vancouver School of Theology Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Vancouver School of Theology
Master of Theology degree
A post-graduate degree allowing for a choice between two streams of study: a thesis or a general research option. The program requires specialization but allows for diversity in the selection of courses. It is offered in any field in which a student's i...
- Vancouver, BC
- Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Master of Divinity degree
The Master of Divinity is a program with two tracks: ordination or lay ministry. This is a program that is both academic and experiential. While the degree may be completed in three years, some denominations require additional training for ordination, w...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Graduate Programs in Theology
The mission of the Vancouver School of Theology (VST) is to be a multidenominational community of learning on the Pacific Rim preparing clergy and lay leaders for ministry with passionate commitment to Jesus Christ for a changing church in diverse cultu...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Diploma in Christian Studies
A general program that is designed to provide theological enrichment and a solid base for lay ministry. Diploma seekers my use their study time as a retreat; taking time away from busy lives to seek further spiritual development. Others may choose to co...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Master of Arts in Theological Studies
This program is for those seeking further development in their spiritual journey in relation to other professions, for those interested in further academic study and for those wishing to develop further perspectives in theological thought for personal e...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Doctor of Ministry degree
The Doctor of Ministry program is designed to improve your leadership abilities in interpreting and communicating the Gospel in ministerial contexts.Whether your strengths or interests lie in preaching, teaching, liturgical ministry, evangelism, soci...
Program: Campus
Degree: Doctorate
- University of Northern British Columbia
- Adler University Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Adler University
Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology
Our Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology program prepares students to be culturally competent clinicians who empower individuals and strengthen communities around the globe.
- Kootenay Columbia College of Integrative Health Sciences Nelson, BCNelson, BC
Kootenay Columbia College of Integrative Health Sciences
Doctor or Practitioner of Chinese Medicine
With a written history of over 2500 years, Chinese medicine encompasses a truly vast field of knowledge. Those individuals who choose to study Chinese medicine will find that their study will last an entire lifetime...