Doctor of Computer Science: Difference between revisions

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==Relationship to the Ph.D.==

Structurally the Doctor of Computer Science differs from the PhD in that the DCS has, as noted above, a three year duration, with only one year equivalent on the dissertation, while an American Ph.D. normally requires a minimum of five years (often longer), with at least three years spent on the dissertation.<ref name=DCS/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2014/11/25/analysis-says-humanities-phds-get-take-longer-coursework-dissertations|work=[[Inside Higher Ed]]|date=2014-11-25|title=Where the Time Goes|author=Colleen Flaherty}}</ref>

The Doctor of Computer Science and the Ph.D in Computer Science, although structured differently are equivalent degrees. Both doctorates are research doctorates representing the highest academic qualification in computer science in the United States. As such, both D.C.S. and Ph.D programs require students to develop original research leading to a dissertation defense. Furthermore, both doctorates enable holders to become faculty members at academic institutions. The D.C.S and Ph.D in Comptuer Science are terminal degrees, allowing the recipient to obtain a tenure-track position. Distinguishing features are that the DCS focuses on applied research, and the DCS program requires completion of a master level degere prior to entry into the program, while a master level degree is typically included in the longer Ph.D. program.

There are two active definitions of what comprises a research doctorate or similar in the U.S. The [[National Center for Education Statistics]] defines a ''Doctor's degree-research/scholarship'' as "A Ph.D. or other doctor's degree that requires advanced work beyond the master's level, including the preparation and defense of a dissertation based on original research, or the planning and execution of an original project demonstrating substantial artistic or scholarly achievement." The awarding institution defines which degrees meet this description themselves.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/ipeds/VisGlossaryPopup.aspx?idlink=941|title=Doctor's degree-research/scholarship|work=Glossary|publisher=National Center for Education Statistics|accessdate=2017-04-23}}</ref> The [[National Science Foundation]] defines a ''research doctorate'' as "a doctoral degree that (1) requires completion of an original intellectual contribution in the form of a dissertation or an equivalent culminating project (e.g., musical composition) and (2) is not primarily intended as a degree for the practice of a profession."<ref name=SED2015/> Under this definition, the

DCS, which (as noted above) is intended for professionals in the field of computer science,<ref name=AppDoc/> is not recognized by the National Science Foundation as a research doctorate equivalent to a Ph.D in Computer Science.<ref name=SED2015list/>

==References==