What is the difference between MD and PHD when it comes down to time and money?

Question

I’m 26 years old and I’m not sure if it’s too late. My plan is to get a head start into the medical field. I believe that it takes 4 years for both the MD and PHD. But I’m not quite sure on which one to go for. I mean which one is harder? I not sure which one would be well worth it .But one thing is that I would like to be a pediatrician. I know that this may sound kind of silly of a question, but I really need some guidance. I don’t know where to even start; any suggestion will be tremendously appreciated.

Answer 1

At 26, it isn't too late for anything. The MD does take exactly 4 years, but then is followed by residencies, depending upon the area of medicine you go into. You could probably expect a general residency (internship) for another year, and then three more years of a pediatric residency, if that is the field you decide to go into. Medical schools often are very expensive, and most physicians graduate with a lot of debt, but their salaries tend to be very high and they pay this back relatively quickly.



A Ph.D. is usually designed to take four years, but a lot of doctoral students take quite a bit longer than that to finish. Because a lot of it involves writing a dissertation, there is not the clear timeline of a professional school. Most Ph.D. students are on full financial aid, including scholarships, grants, and teaching or research assistantships, so it doesn't result in the indebtedness of medical school, but most of the jobs are not nearly as well paid.



As to which is harder, that can be very variable. I've never heard a medical student say that their program was NOT a challenge. On the other hand, it has a clear end point and clear expectations. There is a great variance among Ph.D. programs. Some seem to be much easier than others, depending on both the discipline and the school. Some are painfully difficult, and others seem to allow a lot of free time and flexibility.

Answer 2

First, MD and PhD are both doctorate level degrees. An MD is not a master's degree (a master's degree is an MA or MS, maybe others). The difference is that those with an MD go through medical school and medical residency and those with PhDs do not.

Answer 3

I agree with Ranto above. First of all it is never too late to go to school. This will be entirely based on what you want to do in life.



There are differenes with between a PhD and MD. However if you want to be a pediatrician or practice medicine then you will want to obtain a MD. Depending on whether or not you wish to do research as a pediatrician then you may want to do a MD/PhD program. Either way in order to practice medicine you must obtain a MD.



As to differences:

You cannot necessarily say one is harder than the other. They are different. Doing an MD can be very physically draining. There is a lot of information that most be crammed into your head over the entire time of study. Generally this will take you four years. MDs work generally with the "known".



A PhD doesn't necessarily cram information into their head over the entire time of study. They take about 2 years of mandatory coursework and then spend the rest of the time in the lab. It involves creation of knowledge and critical thinking. PhDs work generally with the "unkown". It can take anywhere from 4-8 years to obtain. You do not "need" to get a masters to obtain a PhD. This is something that will depend on the school and program you are in. There are PhD programs in which you just do a PhD and don't have to do a masters. Often times if you fail out of a PhD program you will just end up with a masters being given to you (as long as you can fulfil the requirements).



Time:

Another thing to consider is that after you complete your coursework (4 years) for an MD you will have earned the title Dr. You then go off to do residency and then get certified.



This is different for PhDs. You don't get the title Dr. until you finish your coursework, research, and pass an examination. This is not unlike doing the residency and certification BEFORE you get the title. Hence PhDs can take as long a 8 years (but can be as short as 3-4 years). After all research is not necessarily predicable.



Again doing a PhD or MD should be based on what you want to do and your type of personallity. If you are good with critical thinking and like research and creating knowledge then a PhD will be a good fit. If you are good with holding massivie amounts of information and recalling it and of course want to practice medicine (and hopefully good with people too) then an MD is good for you.



Money:

MDs on average make more than PhDs. HOWEVER, a MD will have a lot of bills to pay off after schooling (and med school is not cheap).

PhDs (often in the sciences and engineering) will have their schooling payed for by the university AND will be payed a stipend throughout the schooling process. So PhDs often can finish school with only the debts they had from undergraduate study.

Answer 4

others are correct, a pediatrician would get an MD. In addition, if the MD wanted to get a higher degree, he'd first have to get his master's and then could begin a PhD.



MD is actually not the "real" doctor. The word means teacher (nothing more and nothing less) and that is the PhD. What the MD really is - a "real" physician.



MDs tend, on average, to earn more than do PhD holders. This, of course, depends on the specialty of each.

Answer 5

If you are asking which is harder -- then you shouldn't get either an MD or a PhD. It is COMPLETELY the wrong attitude to have.



Most PhDs take between four and eight years after getting a bachelor's degree



To become a pediatrician, you need a BS, then four years to get an MD then a year as a medical intern, followed by three years as a resident in pediatrics. After that, you take a Board Examination to get certified.



Both are hard -- and you need to change your attitude.



As for money -- PhDs in the professional fields pay well -- but in most academic fields the pay isn't great. MDs make lots of money.

Answer 6

Well, if you want to be a pediatrician, or any kind of medical doctor, you need an MD degree.



Bear in mind it's a tough road. 4 expensive years of exacting courses, a couple years' residency making very little money, and you're finally there.



The entrance requirements are a bit steep as well. You typically need a science degree plus a decent score on the MCAT test to get into a good medical school.



So think carefully - it's a pretty long process you'd be signing up for!

Answer 7

It's never too late. But, you have to ask yourself realistically if you want to spend the next 10 years of your life in school. One thing you have to realize is that to be a pediatrician, you will need at least 4 years for your bachelor's, 4 years med school and then at least a 2-year residency. I was about your age when I decided that having a family meant more to me than becoming a veterinarian. I chose another career path and I could not be happier now. Good luck!

Answer 8

Phd dis after MD and naturally it takes time where as MD is the Post Graduation in Medicine and Phd is the Doctrate Degrees which will take more time and money.

Answer 9

If you'd like to be a pediatrician get your M.D.



Just for your reference:



MD= Doctor of Medicine

PhD = Doctor of Philosophy



Psychologists and archaeologists get PhDs, Physicians get MDs

Answer 10

If you want to get a head start in the medical field, especially if you desire to be a pediatrician, then you must work toward an M.D.



An M.D. is more physically demanding; one must be able to stay awake for over 24 hours if necessary. A PhD makes less money, and is generally achieved by those who want to teach themselves. Someone working toward the medical field would most likely not get a PhD. The M.D. is "harder;" more physically, mentally demanding.



The M.D. would most likely be your best choice if you desire to make money.

Answer 11

An MD. That's a doctorate of medicine.

A Ph.D is a doctorate in philosophy, and is usually for the arts and humanities or sciences.



Do you have a BA already or studies in Medicine already? A medical degree is not a four year program, more like 6-8, and then you have to spend your time doing residency.



I would go to the school of your choice, and make an appointment with a counselor to get a plan of action going.

Answer 12

You get your Masters Degree before you get your PhD. PhD gets the higher salary since it takes longer and more learning to obtain it. You get to be called Doctor when you get your PhD--I believe it is a Physiological or Psychological degree...or something like that. Good luck. Regardless, if you want a degree more than your Bachelors, the Master's Degree would be your target and then PhD if you want to go that far but it is A LOT of money and takes a lot of diligence and effort. :)

Answer 13

a phd would not allow you to be a pediatrian. if you want to be a medical dr. you have to get an md.

Answer 14

Yeah, a the only differance is that one is a medical doctorate.