A doctoral degree remains a “must-have” for being appointed to a professorship. While there are exceptions to this standard requirement depending on the department, a doctoral degree with a minimum grade is a basic requirement for most professorships.
What is a doctorate?
A doctorate refers to the conferral of a doctoral degree. It serves as proof of in-depth academic work and is based on an independent academic thesis, the dissertation, and an oral examination covering the dissertation’s topic.
Requirements for a Doctorate
To be admitted as a doctoral candidate, certain basic requirements must be met. Admission is granted to those who have successfully completed a master’s program, a degree program at a university, a college of education, or an art college with a standard duration of at least four years, or a program building upon an undergraduate degree at a university, a college of education, or another institution of higher education authorized to grant doctoral degrees, culminating in an examination. There is also the option to pursue a so-called direct doctoral program. This means that particularly qualified graduates of bachelor’s or state examination programs can pursue a doctorate directly. The requirements for this are outlined in the respective doctoral regulations of the universities.
Doctoral Degrees at a University of Applied Sciences
On September 21, 2023, the universities of applied sciences in Baden-Württemberg were granted the right to award doctoral degrees. It will therefore soon be possible to pursue a doctorate at a university of applied sciences. Further information will follow shortly.
