The Elitism of the PhD: Not All It's Cracked Up to Be

The Elitism of the PhD: Not All It's Cracked Up to Be

For decades, the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) has been seen as the gold standard of academic achievement. It represents years of research, intellectual rigor, and an original contribution to knowledge. However, the structure of PhD programs, their insular nature, and the elitist attitude many PhD holders exhibit towards other doctoral and professional degrees raise serious questions about their real-world value.

In contrast, degrees like the JD (Juris Doctor), MD (Medical Doctor), DBA (Doctor of Business Administration), and MBA (Master of Business Administration) often require just as much—if not more—intellectual rigor while demanding real-world accountability. Yet, many PhD holders look down on these professional doctorates, dismissing them as "less academic." This raises a fundamental issue: Does the PhD system lack the checks and balances that other degrees require?

The Structural Flaws in PhD Programs

1. Lack of External Oversight

Unlike professional degrees, where graduates must pass standardized exams (e.g., bar exams for JDs, board certifications for MDs, CFA exams for finance professionals), PhD students are primarily judged by a small committee of professors from their own university. There’s little external accountability to ensure consistency or fairness in the evaluation process.

• Who judges the PhD? A dissertation committee of 2-5 professors—often from the same school.

• Who judges a JD? A state bar exam that thousands of legal professionals must pass.

• Who judges an MD? Nationally recognized medical boards that ensure competency.

This means that a PhD’s success often depends on whether a small group of academics agrees with their research, creating a system prone to bias and intellectual gatekeeping.

2. Power Dynamics and Politics

PhD students are often at the mercy of their advisors and dissertation committees, leading to power imbalances where academic politics—not the quality of research—can determine success.

• If a student’s research contradicts the views of their advisor, they risk rejection.

• Personal conflicts or ideological biases can derail a dissertation, regardless of its merit.

• Many students must "please" their committee rather than pursue groundbreaking research.

3. Limited Practical Application

Most PhD dissertations explore hyper-specialized topics with little real-world impact. While theoretical knowledge is valuable, many PhDs spend years working on research that few people will ever read, let alone apply.

• A JD’s legal research shapes laws, court rulings, and public policy.

• An MD’s medical research directly affects patient care and medical treatment.

• A DBA’s business research influences corporate strategies and financial decisions.

• A PhD’s dissertation? Often buried in an academic journal with little real-world consequence.

4. Academic Inbreeding and Echo Chambers

PhD holders frequently stay within academia, perpetuating an echo chamber where theory is valued over practice. This leads to an elitist attitude where PhD holders look down on professionals with practical doctorates, such as JDs, MDs, and DBAs.

The Hypocrisy: Looking Down on JDs, MDs, and DBAs

Despite these flaws, many PhD holders dismiss professional doctorates as "less rigorous." But when comparing PhDs to other high-level degrees, it's clear that professional doctorates often require just as much intellectual effort—if not more—while holding graduates to higher standards of accountability.

DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) vs. PhD in Business

• PhD: Focuses on publishing theoretical papers that may never be applied in real-world business.

• DBA: Requires solving real-world business problems, often affecting multi-million-dollar companies.

• Which is harder? The DBA, because it must actually work in practice.

JD (Juris Doctor) vs. PhD in Law (Usually Calls a SJD Doctor of Juridical Science)

• PhD: Spends years researching a niche legal topic with no obligation to practice law.

• JD: Must master multiple areas of law, pass the bar exam, and apply legal principles in real cases.

• Which is harder? The JD, because if a lawyer makes a mistake, someone can go to jail.

MD (Medical Doctor) vs. PhD in Medical Sciences (Assuming there is something similar)

• PhD: Researches diseases but may never treat a single patient.

• MD: Diagnoses and treats real people, often making life-or-death decisions.

• Which is harder? The MD, because mistakes cost lives.

MBA (Master of Business Administration) vs. PhD in Management (See Also DBA comparison)

• PhD: Produces academic research on management theory.

• MBA: Must lead teams, manage companies, and create financial strategies that drive real business success.

• Which is harder? The MBA, because business failure has real financial consequences.

Why the Bias Exists: Academic Gatekeeping

The preference for PhDs over professional doctorates is not based on merit, but on academic politics and gatekeeping. Many universities and research institutions are controlled by PhDs, leading to:

1. Preference for Theoretical Research – Applied research is often dismissed as "less intellectual."

2. Control Over Hiring & Promotions – Many universities require a PhD for tenure-track positions, even if a DBA, JD, or MBA would be more relevant.

3. Fear of Real-World Accountability – Unlike JDs, MDs, or MBAs, PhDs never have to prove their theories work in practice.

What Needs to Change?

To address these issues, academia needs more accountability and inclusivity in recognizing professional doctorates. Some possible solutions include:

1. Require External Reviewers for PhD Dissertations – Introduce mandatory external examiners to reduce bias and ensure fair evaluation.

2. Broaden the Definition of "Doctorate-Level Expertise" – Universities should recognize DBAs, JDs, and MDs as equivalent to PhDs in hiring and research funding.

3. Encourage Applied Research – Prioritize studies that have real-world impact, not just academic relevance.

4. End the "Publish-or-Perish" Model – Reward academics for solving real-world problems, not just writing papers.

Final Thoughts: Who Really Has the Higher Standard?

If we compare the levels of real-world accountability, it’s clear that JDs, MDs, DBAs, and MBAs face far more pressure to perform than PhDs:

• JDs must pass the bar and argue cases in court.

• MDs must diagnose and treat real patients.

• DBAs must prove their research improves business outcomes.

• PhDs? They just need their committee’s approval.

The elitism of PhD culture is misplaced. The true test of intellectual ability is not writing obscure research papers but applying knowledge to solve real-world problems. If academia truly values rigor, it should recognize that professional doctorates are just as—if not more—challenging than PhDs.

Maybe it’s time to rethink who really deserves the title of "Doctor."