Are you interested in academia? Does research appeal to you? Do you find university teaching challenging? If so, you might want to consider pursuing a Ph.D.
The primary goal of doctoral programs is to train researchers—that is, individuals capable of generating new knowledge. However, there is much more to learn about them. In this article, Dr. Denise Vaillant, Director of ORT’s Doctoral Program in Education, shares her insights on this topic.
What is a doctorate? How would you define it?
From a formal standpoint, a doctorate is the highest academic degree that can be earned within a discipline. This degree signifies not only advanced knowledge but also the ability to conduct independent research and contribute new insights to the development of our societies. Thus, for example, a doctorate in the field of education provides the skills and tools to investigate, analyze, and interpret educational phenomena. Pursuing a doctorate, beyond being the highest academic degree one can earn, is a profound life experience—an intellectual challenge that can radically transform our lives.
What is the process of pursuing a Ph.D. like, if I had to explain it to someone who is thinking about doing one?
Pursuing a Ph.D. is a unique opportunity to contribute knowledge and solutions to the challenges facing various academic fields. It is a process that requires a high level of commitment and during which strategies and routines are developed. You must choose a topic to study, submit a thesis proposal, investigate a phenomenon, and then publicly defend that research. The skills acquired during a doctoral program form the foundation upon which a researcher’s career is built.
What is your current view on the role of doctoral degrees in professional and academic settings?
I believe it is important to examine the true meaning of a doctorate and to initiate a social dialogue on the importance of the “love of knowledge” that doctoral candidates embody. Doctoral degrees play a fundamental role at both the professional and academic levels. Education at this level is the foundation of solid, high-level research. Thus, for example, graduate programs in education are crucial because it is at this level of training that new educational researchers are academically accredited, and it is one of the key places where systematic and rigorous knowledge is produced for the field of education.
Would you recommend pursuing a Ph.D.? In what situations, and why?
I would definitely recommend pursuing a Ph.D., as it involves highly motivating and rewarding challenges. It is a unique opportunity to develop research skills, gain access to specialized academic positions, and explore new knowledge and intellectual challenges.
What questions should someone considering a doctoral program ask themselves to determine whether it’s a good idea?
I believe there are three key questions: How strong is my motivation to pursue a Ph.D.? How much time do I have available? And how well can I handle frustration when facing the obstacles that naturally arise during the process?
A doctoral degree requires a great deal of dedication and stepping outside your comfort zone most of the time. It takes three or four years to complete a doctoral dissertation, so you need to be highly motivated, willing to invest time, and prepared for the ups and downs of the process.
What benefits does society as a whole derive from having academics with doctoral degrees?
Having academics with doctoral degrees helps raise the standard of national research and enhances our visibility in the region and around the world. This visibility fosters connections and exchanges that have a very positive impact on society, creating a “ripple effect” that benefits the training of future academics.