A doctorate degree is the highest degree awarded in most academic disciplines. If you’re seeking to advance your career, contribute to a growing body of research, become an expert in a certain subject, or genuinely thrive in academic settings, pursuing a doctorate degree could be the right step for your future career. Doctoral programs are available for a variety of subjects, from sciences to humanities. However, the time to completion for a doctorate degree can vary significantly between programs and disciplines. While it typically takes four years of full-time study to earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD), it could take around eight years to earn a research doctorate, perhaps even longer if you’re studying part time. For certain professions, including professor, dentist, and veterinarian, having a doctorate degree is a requirement. In other professions, having a doctorate degree is considered a merit, and could even launch you into a higher salary bracket. According to Pay Scale, the average salary for people holding a doctorate degree is $10,000 US per year, which is about 30% higher than the average yearly salary for people educated to a master’s level.