A PhD is a terminal academic degree students typically pursue when they’re interested in an academic or research career.

A PhD is the highest possible academic degree a student can obtain. PhD stands for “Doctor of Philosophy,” which refers to the immense knowledge a student gains when earning the degree. While you can actually get a PhD in philosophy, “Doctor of Philosophy” doesn’t always refer to someone who has a terminal degree in that discipline. You can get a PhD in a number of fields, such as science or economics, and the word “Philosophy,” translated from original Greek to mean “lover of wisdom,” can refer to the degree holder’s dedication to understanding a subject.

Students typically pursue a PhD when they’re interested in an academic or research career—or if they want to take their education as far as it can go.

This article goes beyond the definition of a PhD, and touches on important information you’ll need to know about the degree, so you can decide whether pursuing one at Royal Priest College of Divinity and Humanity is the best choice for you.