Most difficult doctorate?

Since we have an "easiest doctorate" thread, how about a "most difficult doctorate" thread?

I suspect the answer involves a field where a research doctorate must be preceded by an initial professional doctorate -- e.g. law, medicine (human or veterinary), theology.

Any thoughts?


Incidentally, here's an interesting web-site that has information (albeit incomplete) on doctorates in different countries: http://doct.cepes.ro/cgi-bin/doctoratT.plx

 

But only in the USA

The 'professional doctorate' is a very North American credential (e.g. JD. MD, DDS, OD and so forth). In most other countries, and especially Britain) credentials such as an MD are seen as being higher than a PhD. If you are a medic you could go straight to an MD but, by and large, people would do a PhD and then an MD. Likewise with dentistry. You qualify with a BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) but equivalent to a DDS in the USA. You general question is good! Which is the hardest doctorate? I'd say probably the higher doctorates in UK universities because, by and large, they are earned for no additional work but in recognition of outstanding scholarship. This means, in essence, they are limited to the few! I know one or two people who have such awards and they do stand head and shoulders (academically) above everyone else and they rightly deserve these accolades. They are 'the tops' in their field and unless we can match them then we don't deserve the awards - especially via taught programmes!!

 

It's got to be the Ph.D. in aquaculture taught by the University of Br!kracz on Mercury. It is pure hell, I hear.

The most difficult single course is the one-credit course in humility taught by Harvard Law School.

 

The easiest: The Union Institute and University.
The hardest: The Union Institute and University.

Because of its learner-centered design, the mature, prepared, experienced learner can really fly through the process, assuming he/she learns the process well. But the unprepared learner, accustomed to having things laid out in front of him/her, used to having the institution dictate what will be done for the degree, that person is in for a surprise. That person often ends up in a dark place, feeling alone and bewildered. And some don't make it out.

 

In his DL book, Rick Walston made a pretty good argument that the Th.D. was the most difficult degree to obtain in terms of time and work. I forget the exact reasons, but I remember thinking it made sense when I read it.


Bruce

 

I completed this course in 1994, Bill, and I am very proud of it.

 

You want me to spend my valuable time, energy and money on a lousy, one-credit course in humility? Oh, the indignity!

 

ThD and me

The reason why the ThD is the hardest is that one generally who must finish four years of grad work first before admittance has much determination and one who works in an area with such copious and contradictory opining has much discernment and as the subject is God one has the biggest Promoter of all to please and besides this area requiring only those with very high IQs, we also are known for our great humility!

 

The most difficult may be any doctorate that takes more than 10 years to finish.

John

 

A candidate: The Dalai Lama earned his title of Geshe Lharampa (roughly equivalent to doctorate) following 16 years of study, by taking an 8-hour oral exam in Buddhist metaphysics on the Potala terrace in front of 40,000 monks and lamas.

 

Sounds tough! Can't help but wonder how he responded to the questions posited by Lorenzo.

 

But it's open-book, multiple-choice, and submitted to an old bank building in Santa Ana for grading.