has a doctoral degree

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has a doctoral degree" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who has completed their doctoral studies and earned a PhD or equivalent degree. Example: "Dr. Smith has a doctoral degree in psychology, which qualifies her to teach at the university level."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

In North America and Europe, Catholic Priests may be verbally addressed as "Reverend Last Name" or "Reverend Doctor Last Name" (if he has a doctoral degree).

WikiHow

Mr. Plecki, who has a doctoral degree, lost his job.

The New York Times

She has a doctoral degree in population genetics from Universiti Putra Malaysia in Serdang.

The New York Times - Style

FIONA ROSE-GREENLAND Ann Arbor, Mich., Jan . 28 2013 The writer has a doctoral degree in classical archaeology.

The New York Times

He graduated with highest honors from Purdue and has a doctoral degree in electrical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.

The New York Times

She has a doctoral degree in Latin American history from Indiana University and taught at Bowdoin College in Maine early in her career.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Applicants must have a doctoral degree from an accredited institution.

Yale University

By 2017, all professors must have at least a master's degree, and many will be required to have a doctoral degree.

The New York Times

All qualified applicants must have a doctoral degree (PhD, MD/PhD, or equivalent), postdoctoral experience and an appropriate publication record.

Harvard University

Doctoral Gowns - Students who already have a doctoral degree are eligible to order the doctoral gown with three stripes on the sleeves and an MPH hood.

Yale University

Applicants should have a doctoral degree in public health, sociology, demography, anthropology, psychology, political science or related fields by the start of appointment.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When stating someone "has a doctoral degree", ensure you also mention the field of study for clarity. For example: "She has a doctoral degree in astrophysics".

Common error

Avoid using "Dr." before the name if you explicitly state the person "has a doctoral degree" in the same context. It's redundant. Choose one or the other.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has a doctoral degree" functions as a statement of fact, indicating that an individual possesses a high-level academic qualification. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Academia

41%

News & Media

36%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has a doctoral degree" is a grammatically sound and commonly used way to indicate that someone has attained a PhD or equivalent qualification. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. While found in various contexts, it appears most frequently in academic, news, and scientific domains. When using this phrase, consider specifying the field of study for added clarity. Alternatives like "holds a doctorate" or "possesses a doctorate" can be used for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has a PhD

Uses the abbreviation for Doctor of Philosophy, which is very common.

holds a doctoral degree

Replaces "has" with "holds", emphasizing possession in a more formal tone.

possesses a doctorate

Uses "possesses" instead of "has", which is slightly more formal and emphasizes ownership.

is a doctor

Simplifies the phrasing to the core meaning, implying the doctoral degree.

is a PhD graduate

Specifies the type of doctoral degree and emphasizes the completion of the program.

earned a doctoral degree

Focuses on the achievement of obtaining the degree rather than just possessing it.

obtained a doctorate

Similar to "earned", but with a slightly more formal tone.

completed a PhD

Highlights the completion of the PhD program.

is a doctor of philosophy

Specifies the full title associated with a PhD.

is a doctoral recipient

Focuses on the person as the receiver of the degree.

FAQs

What is another way to say someone "has a doctoral degree"?

You can use phrases like "holds a doctoral degree", "possesses a doctorate", or simply "has a PhD".

Is it necessary to specify the field of study when saying someone "has a doctoral degree"?

While not always necessary, including the field of study provides context and clarifies the person's expertise. For example, "He has a doctoral degree in economics" is more informative than just "He has a doctoral degree".

What's the difference between "has a doctoral degree" and "is a doctor"?

"Is a doctor" can refer to medical doctors or those with a doctorate. "Has a doctoral degree" specifically indicates the person has earned a PhD or equivalent, regardless of their profession.

When should I use "has a doctoral degree" versus "holds a doctorate"?

"Holds a doctorate" is generally more formal than "has a doctoral degree". Use "holds a doctorate" in academic or professional contexts where a higher degree of formality is appropriate.