2027 Best Online Health Education Doctorate Programs for Government and Public Sector Careers
Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist
Choosing an online Health Education doctorate is a high-stakes decision if your goal is public service leadership, policy, evaluation, or population health strategy. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a May 2024 median annual wage of $62,860 for health education specialists, but senior public sector roles often require stronger research, management, and systems-level skills.
This guide helps working government, nonprofit, healthcare, and public health professionals compare program quality, accreditation, cost, flexibility, doctoral format, and career relevance so they can choose a degree that fits real advancement goals.
Key Things You Should Know
- The strongest online Health Education doctorate programs for public sector careers are regionally accredited, clearly connected to public health or health promotion, and built around policy, evaluation, leadership, epidemiology, community engagement, and applied research.
- Program costs vary widely: NCES data released in 2024 shows average graduate tuition and required fees were about $12,600 at public institutions and roughly $30,000 at private nonprofit institutions in 2022-23, before doctoral fees, residencies, and dissertation costs.
- A doctorate can support roles in federal, state, local, nonprofit, university, and health system settings, but it does not automatically lead to promotion; government employers still weigh experience, veteran preference where applicable, civil service classification, specialized skills, and evidence of measurable public health impact.
What Are the Best Online Health Education Doctorate Programs for Government and Public Sector Careers?
The best online Health Education doctorate is not always the highest-ranked or fastest program. For government and public sector careers, the best fit is usually the program that combines accredited doctoral study with applied public health leadership, population-level health education, program evaluation, policy literacy, and a realistic format for working professionals.
Because "Health Education" doctorates may be offered under several names, students should compare degrees by purpose rather than title alone. The table below summarizes the main doctorate types and where each tends to fit best in public sector career planning:
| Doctorate type | Best public sector fit | Typical academic emphasis | Good choice if your goal is |
| DrPH in Health Education, Health Promotion, or Community Health | Public health agencies, health departments, CDC-style applied work, nonprofit systems | Leadership, applied research, policy, epidemiology, program evaluation | Senior practice leadership, public health strategy, health promotion administration |
| PhD in Health Education, Health Promotion, or Public Health | Research agencies, universities, policy institutes, evaluation units | Original research, theory, methods, publication, dissertation | Research leadership, academic roles, principal investigator pathways |
| EdD in Health Education, Health Professions Education, or Community Health Education | Government training divisions, public university systems, workforce development, health education administration | Educational leadership, curriculum, adult learning, organizational change | Training leadership, public health education administration, workforce development |
| DHSc or health sciences doctorate with health promotion courses | Health systems, military health, public agencies, interprofessional leadership roles | Health systems, leadership, evidence-based practice, applied projects | Administrative advancement with a broad health systems focus |
The most career-aligned programs usually have several features in common. They include faculty with public health practice or government research experience, courses in health equity and policy, rigorous methods training, and dissertation or capstone options that can be tied to a public agency problem.
For a government-focused applicant, a "best" program should usually meet these standards:
- It is offered by an institution with recognized regional accreditation and, when applicable, public health accreditation or strong public health school infrastructure.
- It lets students study real public sector topics such as chronic disease prevention, emergency preparedness communication, maternal and child health, tobacco prevention, rural health access, school health, behavioral health promotion, or health equity.
- It offers online delivery that matches a full-time work schedule without hiding mandatory campus visits, practicum hours, or synchronous meeting expectations.
- It has faculty, alumni, field partners, or advisory boards connected to health departments, federal agencies, public universities, nonprofit coalitions, or public hospitals.
- It requires a dissertation, applied doctoral project, or capstone that can demonstrate measurable value to a government employer.
Students who want a faster path to direct public health practice may also compare doctorate programs with an MPH first. If admission flexibility is a priority before doctoral study, reviewing the easiest MPH online programs to get into can help clarify whether a master's-level route is the better immediate step.
How Should You Compare Online Health Education Doctorate Programs for Your Public Sector Career Goals?
Start with your intended public sector role, then work backward to the degree design. A program that is excellent for academic research may not be the best fit for a county health department administrator, and a leadership-focused doctorate may not be enough for a research scientist role that requires advanced quantitative training.
The most useful comparison starts with five decision questions. These questions help you separate attractive marketing language from features that actually affect government career readiness:
- What public sector role do I want within three to seven years: agency leadership, research, evaluation, policy, workforce training, health promotion management, or teaching?
- Does the curriculum include the technical skills that role requires, such as biostatistics, epidemiology, program evaluation, policy analysis, grant writing, implementation science, or health communication?
- Can I complete the dissertation, capstone, practicum, or doctoral project using a real problem from my workplace or a public agency partner?
- Will the online schedule fit my job, family responsibilities, travel limitations, and possible emergency response duties?
- Does the total cost make sense compared with my likely career path, employer tuition support, public service loan options, and promotion rules?
Students often compare programs too narrowly by tuition or speed. The table below shows how common program choices line up with different government and public sector goals:
| Program choice | When it makes sense | Trade-off to consider |
| PhD instead of DrPH | You want research-intensive, faculty, policy institute, or investigator roles | May be longer and more theory-driven than needed for practice leadership |
| DrPH instead of PhD | You want senior applied public health leadership or agency-level problem solving | May offer less preparation for tenure-track academic research roles |
| EdD instead of public health doctorate | You want health education leadership, curriculum design, or workforce training roles | May not provide enough epidemiology or population health methods for some agencies |
| Public university instead of private university | You need lower tuition, state agency recognition, or public health school connections | May have more competitive admissions or less flexible cohort timing |
| Private university instead of public university | You need multiple start dates, structured online support, or flexible pacing | Total cost may be higher, so outcomes and employer recognition deserve closer review |
| Dissertation instead of capstone | You need research credibility, publication potential, or academic mobility | Can extend the timeline if data access, committee feedback, or analysis stalls |
| Capstone instead of dissertation | You want an applied project tied to agency improvement or health education practice | May be less useful for research faculty or investigator roles |
Common mistakes can be expensive at the doctoral level because changing programs may mean losing credits, time, and committee progress. Before enrolling, watch for these red flags and choose a better alternative.
- Choosing a program before verifying institutional accreditation; instead, confirm accreditation directly through recognized accreditor directories and the school's official accreditation page.
- Focusing only on per-credit tuition; instead, calculate total credits, fees, residencies, dissertation continuation costs, books, technology, and travel.
- Assuming any doctorate will unlock senior government jobs; instead, compare the curriculum with actual job announcements and civil service requirements.
- Ignoring faculty expertise; instead, look for faculty who publish, consult, or practice in public health education, policy, health equity, prevention, or government evaluation.
- Choosing the shortest program without checking doctoral project expectations; instead, ask how long working students actually take to finish after coursework.
If your interests overlap with nutrition, food policy, WIC programming, school meals, or chronic disease prevention, an online dietitian degree may also be relevant earlier in the education pathway, especially for students who still need foundational nutrition credentials before doctoral study.
Are Online Health Education Doctorate Programs Accredited and Respected by Government Employers?
Online doctoral programs can be respected by government employers when they come from appropriately accredited institutions and produce credible evidence of doctoral-level competence.
In most public sector hiring systems, the delivery format matters less than institutional legitimacy, degree relevance, transcripted coursework, experience, and whether the applicant meets the specific qualification standard for the job.
Accreditation is the first quality screen. Institutional accreditation confirms that the university meets recognized standards for governance, academic quality, student support, and financial stability. For public health doctorates, programmatic accreditation can also matter, especially when the degree is housed in a school or program of public health.
Students should understand the main accreditation signals before comparing online Health Education doctorate programs. The table below explains what each signal can mean for a public sector applicant:
| Quality signal | Why it matters | What to verify |
| Regional or institutional accreditation | Often essential for employer recognition, transfer credit, federal aid, and graduate credential review | The university is accredited by a recognized institutional accreditor |
| Public health accreditation | Can strengthen credibility for DrPH, MPH-linked, and population health programs | The school or program is accredited by a recognized public health accrediting body when applicable |
| State authorization for online education | Confirms the school may enroll online students in your state | Your state is approved for enrollment and any required fieldwork |
| Faculty qualifications | Doctoral students need research, practice, and committee mentoring depth | Faculty backgrounds match health education, public health, policy, evaluation, or community health |
| Transparent outcomes | Useful for judging completion support and career alignment | The school can discuss completion rates, dissertation support, alumni roles, and student services |
Government employers may also review whether the degree meets a specific occupational series, classification, or minimum qualification. Federal jobs, for example, may distinguish between education, specialized experience, and combinations of both.
State and local agencies often use their own classification systems. That means an online doctorate may strengthen an application, but it may not replace required public health experience, supervisory history, licensure, or subject-matter expertise.
Respect also depends on the work you produce. A doctoral project that improves a county immunization campaign, evaluates a diabetes prevention program, or analyzes health communication gaps can be more persuasive than a generic dissertation topic with little public sector connection.
Admission requirements vary by institution and degree type, but most online Health Education doctorate programs expect applicants to show graduate-level readiness, professional maturity, and a clear reason for doctoral study. Competitive applicants usually connect their experience to a public health, health education, community health, policy, or health systems problem they want to address.
Programs commonly ask for several application materials. These requirements help admissions committees judge whether the applicant can succeed in advanced coursework, research, and independent doctoral work:
- A master's degree in public health, health education, health promotion, education, health sciences, nursing, nutrition, social work, public administration, or a related field.
- Official transcripts showing graduate academic performance, often with a minimum GPA requirement set by the school.
- A resume or CV documenting public health, education, healthcare, nonprofit, military, government, or community leadership experience.
- A statement of purpose explaining career goals, research interests, public sector relevance, and fit with the program.
- Letters of recommendation from academic, professional, or supervisory references who can evaluate leadership and doctoral readiness.
- Writing samples, scholarly papers, interview participation, or research interest statements in programs with stronger research expectations.
- Prerequisite coursework in statistics, research methods, public health foundations, or health education theory when the applicant's master's degree is outside the field.
Some doctorate programs admit students with a bachelor's degree, but government-focused applicants should be cautious. A master's degree such as an MPH, MPA, MS in health education, or related graduate credential often provides the policy, methods, and field vocabulary needed to succeed at the doctoral level.
Applicants coming from nutrition, community wellness, or chronic disease prevention backgrounds may need additional academic preparation before a doctorate. For students still building eligibility for food systems, community nutrition, or dietetics-related public health work, comparing the best online registered dietitian programs can help clarify whether credential-focused preparation should come before doctoral study.
A strong application should also explain why the doctorate is necessary. Admissions committees are more likely to understand your fit if you can name the population, agency problem, policy area, or education system you want to improve.
Government and public sector employers need professionals who can translate evidence into programs, policy, communication, and measurable health outcomes. For that reason, the strongest doctorate curriculum usually blends health education theory with public health methods, leadership, equity, and implementation.
The curriculum areas below are especially useful for students who want to move into agency leadership, program evaluation, policy, or public health education roles:
- Health behavior and health education theory: Helps students design interventions that account for motivation, culture, risk perception, social determinants, and community context.
- Epidemiology and biostatistics: Supports evidence-based decisions, surveillance interpretation, needs assessments, and evaluation of population health trends.
- Program planning and evaluation: Prepares students to design logic models, set measurable outcomes, analyze program performance, and report impact to funders or agency leaders.
- Health policy and advocacy: Builds understanding of law, regulation, public financing, legislative processes, and intergovernmental decision-making.
- Leadership and organizational change: Supports advancement into supervisory, director, training, or cross-agency coordination roles.
- Health equity and community engagement: Helps students work with underserved communities, coalitions, tribal or rural partners, and culturally specific health education initiatives.
- Grant writing and fiscal management: Useful for public agencies and nonprofits that depend on federal, state, foundation, or local funding streams.
- Health communication and digital strategy: Increasingly important as agencies use social media, dashboards, telehealth education, and emergency communication tools.
Specialization choice should reflect the public problem you want to solve. The table below connects common specializations with public sector career applications:
| Specialization or emphasis | Public sector application | Best-fit student profile |
| Community health education | Local health departments, nonprofit coalitions, school and community prevention programs | Students who want direct community impact and program leadership |
| Health promotion and disease prevention | Chronic disease units, wellness initiatives, aging programs, workplace health in public agencies | Students focused on prevention, behavior change, and long-term population outcomes |
| Health policy and advocacy | Legislative analysis, agency policy units, nonprofit advocacy, public affairs | Students who want to influence rules, funding, and systems |
| Program evaluation and implementation science | Grant-funded initiatives, federal demonstrations, state pilots, quality improvement units | Students who enjoy data, measurement, and applied research |
| Health equity and social determinants of health | Equity offices, minority health initiatives, rural health, tribal partnerships, urban health programs | Students committed to reducing disparities and improving access |
| Public health leadership | Agency management, emergency preparedness, cross-sector coordination, strategic planning | Experienced professionals preparing for director-level responsibility |
AI and digital transformation are also changing the curriculum conversation. Public health agencies increasingly use dashboards, automated reporting, geospatial tools, and data visualization, but they still need leaders who can interpret evidence ethically, explain uncertainty, and protect community trust.
Students should look for programs that teach data-informed decision-making without treating technology as a substitute for community engagement.
Applicants focused on nutrition policy, SNAP-Ed, WIC, school meals, or chronic disease prevention may also compare doctoral options with the cheapest online master's in nutrition if they need more nutrition-specific graduate preparation before committing to a doctorate.
Online Health Education doctorate programs are usually designed for working adults, but "online" does not always mean self-paced or fully remote. Students should review delivery details carefully because residencies, synchronous classes, practicum experiences, and dissertation milestones can affect work schedules and travel budgets.
Most programs use one or more online learning formats. Understanding these formats helps you choose a structure that fits your public sector job responsibilities:
| Format feature | What it means | Best fit |
| Asynchronous courses | Students complete weekly modules, readings, discussions, and assignments on their own schedule | Professionals with unpredictable agency, clinical, military, or emergency response schedules |
| Synchronous sessions | Students attend live online meetings at set times | Students who want real-time discussion, faculty access, and cohort connection |
| Short residencies | Students attend campus or virtual intensives for research, writing, networking, or doctoral advising | Students who can travel occasionally and benefit from structured milestones |
| Cohort model | Students move through courses with the same peer group | Students who value accountability and professional networks |
| Self-paced or flexible pacing | Students may accelerate or slow down within school limits | Experienced independent learners with strong time management |
The dissertation or capstone is often the biggest difference among programs. A PhD generally requires an original research dissertation. A DrPH may require an applied dissertation, doctoral project, or integrated learning experience. An EdD often emphasizes a problem of practice, while a DHSc may use an applied project focused on leadership or systems improvement.
Before enrolling, ask schools direct questions about doctoral milestones. These questions can reveal whether the program is realistic for a full-time public sector professional:
- Can the dissertation or capstone use data from my agency, nonprofit, school system, or health department if approvals are obtained?
- How are committee chairs assigned, and how often do students meet with them?
- Are research methods courses sequenced before the proposal stage?
- What happens if a student needs more time after coursework ends?
- Are residencies required, optional, virtual, or in person?
- Does the program provide IRB support, statistical consulting, writing support, or dissertation boot camps?
- Can practicum or applied project requirements be completed at my current workplace?
A dissertation can be valuable for research credibility, but it can also extend the timeline if the project depends on difficult data access or slow approvals. A capstone may be more practical for agency improvement, but students should confirm that it is rigorous enough for their intended employer or academic path.
Most working students should plan for a multi-year commitment. Online Health Education doctorate programs commonly require coursework, comprehensive exams or qualifying assessments, proposal development, research or applied project work, and final defense or presentation.
The exact timeline depends on degree type, credit load, transfer policy, research design, and how quickly the student completes the dissertation or capstone.
The table below gives a practical timeline view for full-time professionals comparing doctorate formats. Individual programs may be shorter or longer, so students should confirm average completion time with each school:
| Enrollment path | Typical pacing pattern | Best fit | Main risk |
| Full-time doctoral study | Heavier course load with faster coursework completion | Students with flexible work, employer support, or reduced outside obligations | Burnout if job duties remain intense |
| Part-time doctoral study | One or two courses at a time with steady progress | Most full-time government and public sector professionals | Longer total timeline and possible tuition increases |
| Accelerated online format | Short terms, year-round courses, condensed assignments | Highly organized students with strong writing and research backgrounds | Less time for reflection, networking, or complex project design |
| Dissertation-intensive pathway | Coursework followed by extended independent research | Students seeking research, publication, or academic credibility | Delays during proposal, data collection, analysis, or committee review |
| Applied capstone pathway | Coursework integrated with a practice-based project | Students focused on agency improvement or leadership practice | Project scope can become too broad without careful planning |
Working students can improve completion odds by treating the doctorate like a long-term professional project rather than a set of classes. The most successful plans usually include a protected weekly writing schedule, early topic selection, supervisor awareness when appropriate, and realistic limits on outside commitments.
Before choosing an accelerated program, ask whether the school reports separate time-to-completion data for working adults. A program can advertise a short minimum timeline while many students take longer because dissertation, employment, and family responsibilities overlap.
Cost is one of the biggest differences among online Health Education doctorate programs. Public universities may charge lower tuition for in-state or online students, while private universities may offer more flexible calendars but higher total costs.
NCES data released in 2024 shows average graduate tuition and required fees were about $12,600 at public institutions and roughly $30,000 at private nonprofit institutions in 2022-23, which gives students a useful benchmark but not a final doctoral price.
When schools publish cost information, compare the full program price rather than a single per-credit number. Doctoral students should look for these cost categories:
- Graduate tuition per credit or per term.
- Total credits required after transfer or advanced standing.
- Online learning, technology, library, graduation, dissertation, or continuation fees.
- Residency travel, lodging, meals, parking, and time away from work.
- Books, software, statistics tools, transcription, survey platforms, or data access costs.
- Professional membership, conference, certification, or publication expenses.
- Lost income or reduced overtime if the program requires schedule changes.
Published tuition benchmarks can help students build a first estimate before requesting a personalized financial aid review:
- Public graduate tuition and required fees benchmark: about $12,600 per academic year.
- Private nonprofit graduate tuition and required fees benchmark: roughly $30,000 per academic year.
- Doctoral total cost: school-specific and highly dependent on credits, fees, residency requirements, and dissertation timeline.
Funding options are often different for working public sector professionals than for traditional full-time doctoral students. The most relevant sources may include employer tuition assistance, union or professional development funds, military or veteran education benefits, federal student aid, scholarships, fellowships, graduate assistantships, and public service-related loan repayment or forgiveness programs when eligibility rules are met.
Use a return-on-investment lens, but do not reduce the decision to salary alone. For some students, the doctorate is worth it because it supports leadership eligibility, policy influence, research credibility, teaching opportunities, or long-term public service goals.
For others, a lower-cost master's certificate, MPH, MPA, CHES or MCHES preparation, or specialized analytics credential may provide a better near-term payoff.
An online Health Education doctorate can support advanced roles across government, nonprofit, academic, healthcare, and public health systems. It is most useful when paired with relevant experience, strong communication skills, data literacy, and a record of managing programs or evaluating outcomes.
Career outcomes vary by agency, geography, occupational classification, and prior experience. The table below shows common public sector pathways and how a doctorate may strengthen readiness without guaranteeing advancement:
| Career path | Typical responsibilities | How the doctorate may help |
| Health education specialist or senior health educator | Designs, implements, and evaluates community health education programs | Adds advanced theory, evaluation, and leadership preparation |
| Public health program director | Oversees staff, budgets, grants, partnerships, and program outcomes | Supports strategic planning, fiscal awareness, and systems-level leadership |
| Program evaluator or evaluation scientist | Measures effectiveness of interventions, grants, campaigns, and pilot programs | Builds research design, statistics, implementation, and reporting skills |
| Health policy analyst | Analyzes regulations, legislation, evidence, community impact, and funding proposals | Strengthens policy interpretation and evidence translation |
| Community health or health equity director | Leads initiatives addressing disparities, access, and social determinants of health | Supports equity frameworks, coalition leadership, and community-based research |
| Public health faculty or lecturer | Teaches health education, community health, or public health courses | Provides doctoral credentialing and scholarly preparation |
| Federal, state, or local prevention specialist | Works on tobacco, obesity, injury, infectious disease, maternal health, or chronic disease prevention | Supports evidence-based intervention design and cross-agency coordination |
| Training and workforce development leader | Builds public health workforce curricula, continuing education, and competency programs | Connects adult learning, health education, and organizational change |
Salary should be evaluated by role, not by degree title. The BLS May 2024 median annual wage of $62,860 for health education specialists is a useful occupational anchor, but doctorate holders may pursue roles classified under management, education, public administration, research, or policy categories. Those classifications can have different pay scales, qualification rules, and promotion pathways.
The broader public sector environment also matters. State and local agencies continue to manage workforce turnover, emergency preparedness needs, chronic disease prevention, health equity initiatives, and digital modernization.
Doctoral graduates who can combine community trust, data interpretation, grant accountability, and clear public communication may be better positioned for complex leadership roles than applicants with technical knowledge alone.
This degree is generally a strong fit for experienced professionals who want to lead programs, evaluate systems, teach, publish, or influence policy. It may be a weaker fit for someone seeking entry-level public health employment, a quick salary increase, or a clinical credential that the doctorate does not provide.
Which Online Health Education Doctorate Programs Offer the Best Public Sector Career Support and Professional Networks?
The best career support for public sector students goes beyond generic resume reviews. Doctoral students need mentoring, applied project access, publication support, conference exposure, and networks that connect them with agencies, coalitions, universities, and public health employers.
When comparing programs, look for evidence that career support is built into the doctoral experience rather than offered only as an optional service.
Strong programs often provide the following:
- Faculty mentors with public health agency, government grant, nonprofit, military health, or community coalition experience.
- Dissertation or capstone support that helps students turn workplace problems into rigorous doctoral projects.
- Connections to state health departments, local health agencies, public hospitals, school systems, policy organizations, or federal contractors.
- Opportunities to present at public health, health education, health promotion, or evaluation conferences.
- Support for publishing applied research, policy briefs, evaluation reports, or practice-based case studies.
- Alumni networks that include public health directors, program managers, faculty, evaluators, consultants, and health education leaders.
- Career advising that understands government hiring language, USAJOBS-style resumes, civil service classifications, and public sector interview expectations.
Professional networks are especially important in public health because many leadership opportunities emerge through coalitions, grant partnerships, advisory boards, and cross-agency initiatives.
A program with active practitioner faculty and connected alumni may provide more practical value than a program with a polished website but limited public sector visibility.
Before applying, ask admissions representatives for examples of recent doctoral projects, alumni roles, faculty practice partnerships, and student conference activity. If a school cannot explain how its doctorate connects to public health practice, government leadership, or community health systems, keep comparing.
A good final shortlist should include no more than three to five programs. For each, confirm accreditation, total cost, delivery format, dissertation or capstone expectations, faculty fit, and public sector career support before submitting applications or paying deposits.
Other Things You Should Know About Health Education
Yes, it can be useful if your work centers on health education practice. CHES and MCHES credentials can signal professional competency, but they are separate from a doctorate and have their own eligibility and exam requirements.
It can, especially if you want to move from direct service or operations into prevention, population health, education strategy, policy, or program evaluation. Check whether the curriculum fills gaps in public health theory, statistics, and community-based practice.
It can be a strong choice if your employer supports the project and data permissions are clear. You should confirm confidentiality, IRB requirements, supervisor approval, and whether the project remains feasible if your job changes.
Publication is not always required, but it can strengthen credibility for academic, research, policy, or consulting roles. If publishing matters to your goals, choose a program with faculty mentorship, methods support, and conference opportunities.
- Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) | Claremont Graduate University https://www.cgu.edu/academics/program/doctor-public-health/
- Client Challenge https://www.springermedizin.de/analysis-of-the-doctor-of-public-health-drph-training-and-identi/26274958
- 2025 Most Affordable Online Doctorates in Education https://www.onlineu.com/most-affordable-colleges/education-doctoral-degrees
- 25 Best Doctor of Public Health Programs - MPH Online https://www.mphonline.org/top-public-health-phd-programs/
- Ed.D. in Public Health Education | ACE https://ace.edu/degree-programs/doctoral-degrees/doctoral-healthcare/doctor-of-education-in-public-health-education/
- Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.) https://www.nymc.edu/shsp/programs/drph/
- Top Roles for Graduates of an EdD in Healthcare Education & Leadership https://blog.methodistcollege.edu/top-roles-for-graduates-of-an-edd-in-healthcare-education-leadership
- 25 Best Online EdD Programs of 2025 https://www.eddprograms.org/schools/best-online-doctor-of-education-programs/
- Online Doctorate in International Public Health https://www.euclid.int/online-doctorate-international-public-health/
- Average Cost of a Doctorate Degree [2026]: Ph.D., Psy.D. & More https://educationdata.org/average-cost-of-a-doctorate-degree
