Doctorate

High school (ages 12+)
Thinking & Learning

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/doctorate

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the core function?Prepares individuals for advanced academic teaching, independent research, and specialized professional practice
2. Why do people get a doctorate?People get a doctorate to become experts in a field. They can do advanced research, teach at universities, or work in jobs that need deep knowledge. Doctorates help society by creating new ideas and solving big problems.
3. How did the doctorate start in the Middle Ages?Doctorates began in Europe during the 12th and 13th centuries. At that time, universities started giving special degrees in subjects like theology, law, or medicine. The word doctor comes from Latin meaning "teacher."

Terminal Degree: The highest degree achievable in a particular field of study or profession.
Licentia Docendi: An ancient Latin phrase meaning 'license to teach,' the historical precursor to the doctorate.
Dissertation/Thesis: A lengthy scholarly document presenting original research findings, a requirement for most doctoral degrees.
Research University: An institution of higher education that emphasizes research alongside teaching, often offering doctoral programs.