Doctor of Science

== North America ==

=== United States ===
In the United States, the formally recognized traditional ''Doctor of Science'' is an academic research [[doctorate|doctoral]] degree awarded by research universities. The academic research ScD (or DSc) is considered by both the [[United States Department of Education]] and the [[National Science Foundation]] to be equivalent to the more commonly awarded PhD and not higher than a PhD as is the case in some European countries.<ref name="degrees">{{cite web|url=http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/doctorate.doc |title=Structure of the U.S. Education System: Research Doctorate Degrees |work=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=2012-02-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127015732/http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/doctorate.doc |archive-date=January 27, 2012 }}</ref>

The first North American ScD was inaugurated by [[Harvard University]] in 1872, when graduate studies first began at Harvard, and where the PhD and ScD degrees were introduced in the same year.<ref name="firstdrscience">{{cite web| url = http://www-hugsas.harvard.edu/publications/handbook/history.html| title = History and Organization| work = Harvard and Radcliffe and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences| access-date = 2007-11-07| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070727053138/http://www-hugsas.harvard.edu/publications/handbook/history.html| archive-date = 2007-07-27}}</ref> The Doctor of Science research degree is earned with the formal dissertation defense and approval of a committee on the basis of original research and publications, and it is awarded predominantly in doctoral-level science programs, such as engineering, medical and health sciences, and [[health economics]].<ref name="equivalent">{{cite web|url=http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-research-doctorate.html |title=Research Doctorate Programs |work=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=2007-11-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107093349/http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-research-doctorate.html |archive-date=November 7, 2007 }}</ref>

Although rarer than the Doctor of Philosophy, the Doctor of Science is awarded by institutions including the following:

* [[Harvard University]]<ref name="harvarddegrees">{{cite web|url = http://www.harvard.edu/on-campus/commencement/degree-abbreviations|title = Degree Abbreviations|work = Harvard University|access-date = 2015-10-23|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151030081032/http://www.harvard.edu/on-campus/commencement/degree-abbreviations|archive-date = 2015-10-30}}</ref>
* [[Columbia University]]<ref name="columbiadegrees">{{cite web|title=Doctoral Degrees: Eng.Sc.D. and Ph.D.|url=http://bulletin.engineering.columbia.edu/doctoral-degrees-engscd-and-phd|url-status=live|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20120831205656/http://bulletin.engineering.columbia.edu/doctoral-degrees-engscd-and-phd|archive-date=2012-08-31|access-date=2012-08-30|work=Columbia University}}</ref>
* [[Middle Georgia State University]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Doctor of Science in Information Technology (DScIT) General Information: Middle Georgia State University|url=https://www.mga.edu/computing/doctorate-information-technology.php|access-date=2021-09-03|website=www.mga.edu|archive-date=2021-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903125227/https://www.mga.edu/computing/doctorate-information-technology.php|url-status=live}}</ref> 
* [[Johns Hopkins University]]<ref name="jhudegrees">{{cite web| url = http://www.jhsph.edu/academics/academicprograms/doctoral/| title = Doctoral programs at the school| work = Johns Hopkins University| access-date = 2007-11-07| url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071102235519/http://www.jhsph.edu/academics/academicprograms/doctoral/| archive-date = 2007-11-02}}</ref> 
* [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]],<ref name="aeroastro.mit.edu">{{cite web|url=http://aeroastro.mit.edu/graduate-program/doctoral-degree|title=Doctoral Degree - MIT AeroAstro|website=aeroastro.mit.edu|access-date=28 April 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003204511/http://aeroastro.mit.edu/graduate-program/doctoral-degree|archive-date=3 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="mitdegrees">{{cite web|url=http://web.mit.edu/CHEME/resources/gradstudents/handbook/doctoral-degrees.html |title=Doctoral degrees |work=MIT |access-date=2010-03-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604161127/http://web.mit.edu/CHEME/resources/gradstudents/handbook/doctoral-degrees.html |archive-date=June 4, 2011 }}</ref> 
* [[Capitol Technology University]]
* [[Bowie State University]]<ref name="doctorofscienceincomputerscience">{{cite web|title=Doctor Of Science in Computer Science|url=https://bowiestate.edu/academics/colleges/college-of-arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science/graduate/dsc-computer-sci/|access-date=2018-08-27|archive-date=2020-10-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024070405/https://bowiestate.edu/academics/colleges/college-of-arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science/graduate/dsc-computer-sci/|url-status=dead}}</ref> 
* [[Towson University]]<ref>Information Technology Doctor of Science. ''Towson University.'' 2013 {{cite web |url=http://grad.towson.edu/program/doctoral/ait-scd/index.asp |title=Information Technology Doctor of Science(D.Sc.) - Towson University |access-date=2013-09-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054148/http://grad.towson.edu/program/doctoral/ait-scd/index.asp |archive-date=2013-09-21 }}
</ref> 
* [[Tulane University]]<ref name="tulaneuniversity">{{cite web| url = http://www.sph.tulane.edu/hsm/pages/programs/scd.htm| title = Tulane University Executive Doctor of Science (ScD)| work = Tulane University| access-date = 2010-05-25| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100611173526/http://www.sph.tulane.edu/hsm/pages/programs/scd.htm| archive-date = 2010-06-11}}</ref> 
* [[University of Baltimore]]<ref name="universityofbaltimore">{{cite web| url = http://www.ubalt.edu/cas/graduate-programs-and-certificates/degree-programs/ds-in-information-and-interaction-design/| title = University of Baltimore Doctor of Science in Information and Interaction Design (D.S.)| work = University of Baltimore| access-date = 2015-05-14| url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150418141213/http://www.ubalt.edu/cas/graduate-programs-and-certificates/degree-programs/ds-in-information-and-interaction-design/| archive-date = 2015-04-18}}</ref> 
* [[Marymount University]]<ref>" Catalog 2019-2020" http://marymount.smartcatalogiq.com/2019-2020 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923030707/https://marymount.smartcatalogiq.com/2019-2020/ |date=2022-09-23 }}</ref>
* [[Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions]]<ref name="RMUdegrees">{{cite web|title=Doctorate of Science in Health Science|url=https://rmuohp.edu/academics/doctor-of-science-in-health-science/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113003511/https://rmuohp.edu/academics/doctor-of-science-in-health-science/|archive-date=2017-11-13|access-date=2017-11-12|work=Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions}}</ref>
* [[Aspen University|Aspen University in Computer Science]]<ref name="aspendegrees">{{cite web|title=Doctorate of Science in Computer Science|url=http://www.aspen.edu/degrees/doctoral-degree/doctorate-of-science-in-computer-science|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909022615/http://www.aspen.edu/degrees/doctoral-degree/doctorate-of-science-in-computer-science|archive-date=2017-09-09|access-date=2017-09-24|work=Aspen University}}</ref> 
* [[Jacksonville State University]] in [[emergency management]]<ref name="jacksonvillestatedegrees">{{cite web|title=DSc in Emergency Management|url=http://www.jsu.edu/graduate/programs/emergencymgt_dsc/index.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925035808/http://www.jsu.edu/graduate/programs/emergencymgt_dsc/index.html|archive-date=2017-09-25|access-date=2017-09-24|work=Jacksonville State University}}</ref>  
* [[Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership]] in [[Jewish studies]].<ref name="spertusinstitutedegrees">{{cite web|title=Spertus Institute's Doctor of Science in Jewish Studies|url=http://www.spertus.edu/jewishstudies/doctor-science-jewish-studies|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925132655/https://www.spertus.edu/jewishstudies/doctor-science-jewish-studies|archive-date=2017-09-25|access-date=2017-09-24|work=Spertus Institute}}</ref>
* [[The George Washington University]]<ref name="gwudegrees">{{cite web|title=GW Graduate Programs Near You - Programs - Doctor of Science in Computer Science - Program Curriculum|url=http://nearyou.gwu.edu/cs-dsc/curriculum.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620080835/http://nearyou.gwu.edu/cs-dsc/curriculum.html|archive-date=2013-06-20|access-date=2013-03-06}}</ref> (although as of 2011 the university decided to offer only the more widely recognized PhD degree)

A few university doctoral research programs offer both the ScD and PhD degrees in the same academic field, such as [[Johns Hopkins University]] and [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]],<ref name="aeroastro.mit.edu"/><ref name="mitdegrees"/> with identical requirements for obtaining either. Currently, research programs that offer the formal research ScD but not the PhD degree for a given field include several doctoral programs at [[Harvard University]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2008/06.05/42-degrees.html |title=357th Commencement: Harvard confers 6,966 degrees and 104 certificates — the Harvard University Gazette |access-date=2009-04-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090120034617/http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2008/06.05/42-degrees.html |archive-date=2009-01-20 }}</ref> [[Boston University]], [[Capitol Technology University]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.capitol-college.edu/academics/graduate-academics/information-assurance-dsc |title=Information Assurance (DSC) &#124; Capitol College |access-date=2011-11-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111130071202/http://www.capitol-college.edu/academics/graduate-academics/information-assurance-dsc |archive-date=2011-11-30 }}</ref><ref>Capitol Technology University {{cite web |url=http://captechu.edu/node/112 |title=Graduate Academics &#124; Capitol Technology University |access-date=2017-07-02 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724065509/https://www.captechu.edu/node/112 |archive-date=2017-07-24 }} .  Accessed 2017 July 2.</ref><ref>The Doctor of Science (DSc) degree is offered in Information Assurance.  ''Capitol College 2012—2013 Catalog'', p. 56.</ref> Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and [[Dakota State University]].<ref name="dsudegrees">{{cite web | url = http://www.dsu.edu/doctor-of-science/index.aspx | title = Dakota State University D.Sc. Program: Information Systems | work = Dakota State University | access-date = 2011-11-06 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111109004927/http://www.dsu.edu/doctor-of-science/index.aspx | archive-date = 2011-11-09 }}</ref> The [[University of Baltimore]], School of Information Arts and Technologies offers an ScD degree in Information and Interaction Design, a program focused on usable design/user experience (UX) and Human Computer Interaction (HCI).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ubalt.edu/cas/graduate-programs-and-certificates/degree-programs/ds-in-information-and-interaction-design/|title=D.S. in Information and Interaction Design - University of Baltimore|website=www.ubalt.edu|access-date=28 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928025820/http://www.ubalt.edu/cas/graduate-programs-and-certificates/degree-programs/ds-in-information-and-interaction-design/|archive-date=28 September 2017}}</ref>

There are programs where the ScD and PhD have different degree requirements, though the two degrees are officially considered equivalent. The Engineering school at [[Washington University in St. Louis]], for example, requires four more graduate courses, which can be completed in one year in conjunction with research duties, in the DSc program than the PhD degree, while the PhD requires teaching assistance services. The [[Johns Hopkins University]] also offers both PhD and ScD in certain programs,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jhsph.edu/academics/academicprograms/doctoral/|title=Doctoral Programs|first=Carlos|last=Ballena|website=Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health|access-date=28 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618124633/http://www.jhsph.edu/academics/academicprograms/doctoral/|archive-date=18 June 2012}}</ref> with only minor differences in university administration of the degrees. In some institutions, the ScD has been converted to the PhD.<ref name="harvardbiostats">{{cite web | url = http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/now/jun13/biostatistics.html| title = HSPH Department of Biostatistics Now Offering PhD Degree | work = Harvard School of Public Health | access-date = 2007-11-07 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070816010534/http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/now/jun13/biostatistics.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-08-16}}</ref> For instance, the doctoral degree in [[biostatistics]] at Harvard recently converted from ScD to PhD, even though the doctoral degree structure and requirements have remained identical.<ref name="harvardbiostats"/>

=== Mexico ===
{{see also|List of universities in Mexico}}

In Mexico the PhD level is considered a doctoral degree (level 8) similar to the doctorate degrees in Canada and the United States. The ''Doctor of Sciences'' degree is instead recognized as a ''Higher Degree'' (Grado Proprio).