What Is a Terminal Degree? Areas of Study, Benefits, and More
Learn what earning a terminal degree entails and which areas you can study if you're interested in this advanced education, as well as whether pursuing one could be right for your career goals.
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A terminal degree is the most advanced education you can earn in a given area, and typically requires significant time, dedication, and intellectual rigor to complete. Obtaining a terminal degree is often a requirement for certain professions, such as doctors or professors.
Learn more about terminal degrees, including what it takes to earn them and reasons you would want to do so, as well as whether it's the right choice for your career goals. Afterward, keep developing your skill set with a Coursera Plus subscription and gain access to over 10,000 courses.
What is a terminal degree?
A terminal degree is the highest degree you can earn in an academic field or professional discipline. Most commonly, this refers to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or professional doctorates like a Medical Doctor (MD), Juris Doctor (JD), and Doctor of Education (EdD).
Terminal degrees are often required to pursue certain careers, especially those in medicine, law, academia, and research. While they typically require a significant amount of time and effort to earn, they often lead to higher salaries, subject matter expertise, and other benefits.
Which degrees are terminal?
Although there are many degrees considered terminal around the world, the following are typically considered the major terminal degrees in the United States:
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM)
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
Master of Architecture (MArch)
Is a master's degree a terminal degree?
In many areas, a master's degree is not considered a terminal degree. If you're interested in studying a particular subject or in pursuing a specific career, it's best to research the educational requirements for that field.
Requirements can change over time. For instance, it's now possible to earn doctorates in the fine arts and architecture. That being said, many universities and professional employers still consider the Master of Architecture (MArch) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) to be terminal degrees unless otherwise stated.
Learn more: Learn about the difference between an MA and MS.
Requirements to earn a terminal degree
As with other types of advanced education, you'll need to possess certain degrees and, in some cases, experience before pursuing a terminal degree. These will often be program-specific and it's a good idea to research what it takes to apply to the terminal degree program you're considering.
However, generally speaking, for admission to a terminal degree program, you often need the following:
Master's degree (for specific areas)
Strong academic record
Research or teaching experience (sometimes)
As with prerequisites, the requirements to earn a terminal degree will depend on what you intend to study and the institution where you intend to study it. But, generally, terminal degree programs will involve the following components:
Coursework (2-3 years)
Comprehensive exams
Dissertation or research
Teaching requirements
Original research
Defense of work
How long does it take to earn a terminal degree?
The time to complete a terminal degree varies between different fields of study. While law and medicine tend to have standard times to completion, doctoral degrees often vary by area.
For instance, according to the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics [1], the median time it took 2019 recipients of doctorate degrees to obtain their degrees by subject was as follows:
Law: 3 years
Medicine: 4 years
Physical science and earth sciences: 6.3 years
Engineering: 6.8 years
Life sciences: 6.9 years
Mathematics and computer sciences: 6.9 years
Psychology and social sciences: 8.0 years
Humanities and arts: 9.5 years
Education: 11.9 years
If you’re thinking about pursuing a terminal degree, then it’s a good idea to factor in the time it takes to obtain your doctorate before committing.
Is a terminal degree right for me?
Whether or not you should earn a terminal degree will depend on your career goals. If you want to pursue a career that requires a terminal degree, then the answer is likely that this level of education will be right for you because you'll need the degree to apply for relevant positions.
However, if you don't need this degree and have other reasons for pursuing it, such as becoming an expert in your field, then you may want to consider factors like cost and time commitment versus the benefits of career advancement before deciding.
Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Whether a terminal degree is right for you or not will depend on your own unique life circumstances, personal aspirations, and resources.
Income and educational level
Obtaining a terminal degree has a wide range of potential benefits. In addition to demonstrating the holder’s expertise, knowledge, and dedication to their field, terminal degree holders often command a higher earning power than others.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median earnings of full-time wage and salary workers in 2020 increased with their education level [2].
| Educational level | Median weekly income | Median annual income |
|---|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | $1,885 | $97,760 |
| Professional degree | $1,893 | $98,436 |
| Master’s degree | $1,545 | $80,340 |
| Bachelor’s degree | $1,305 | $67,860 |
| Associate degree | $938 | $48,776 |
| Highschool diploma | $781 | $40,612 |
| No HS diploma | $619 | $32,188 |
As the above table illustrates, individuals with higher educational levels tend to command a higher income than those with lower educational levels, and experience fewer periods of unemployment If you are motivated by increasing your earning power, then obtaining a terminal degree may be worth considering.
Alternatives to terminal degrees
A terminal degree isn't necessary for every individual or career. As you consider whether a terminal degree might be a worthwhile investment, consider some alternative ways to build job-ready skills:
Bachelor's degree: A bachelor's degree is the most common entry-level educational requirement for many roles, according to the BLS [3].
Certifications or certificates: Earning an industry credential, such as a certification or Professional Certificate, can expand your skill set while enhancing your resume.
Online courses: Focus on a particular skill with a flexible online course. Learning online often means learning at your own pace.
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Article sources
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics. "Survey of Earned Doctorates, https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf21308/report/path-to-the-doctorate." Accessed July 14, 2025.
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