“PhD schools” concept is differently interpreted by United States citizens in comparison with the European acceptance of the notion.
Therefore, in United States, phd schools (Doctor of Philosophy courses) are generically referred to as doctoral programs developed by accredited universities and colleges for master’s graduates who are willing to continue a research career in their field of interest. In Europe, “PhD schools” concept broadly designates seminars, workshops or summer schools held for students who are already enrolled in doctorate programs.
In United States a doctoral course takes at least 3 years for successful achievement, although, the majority of attendants choose to expand the program up to 5 years in order to accomplish the doctoral thesis. Yet, some PhD degrees are earned after 8 years of intensive study and thorough research. Since, we examine the most performant level in academic education, it is worth mentioning that the admission requirements are extremely rigorous and universities give credit to applicants who truly possess special research skills and are able to bring forth innovative concepts that, later on, might be assessed from a revolutionary and original standpoint. Nevertheless, phd schools require full commitment and devotion, which, are going to be rewarded with important academic rankings, national and international reputation and last but not least significant financial recompense. As per BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), it has been indicated a substantially higher financial ranking for Doctors, irrespective of their area of activity.
European PhD schools have a slightly different meaning, as they have been designed to gather PhD attendants to share, exchange the latest methodologies within their fed of interest. These seminars, workshops and summer schools are actually complementary short-term courses of the classic on-campus attendance. This phenomenon has become very popular, since an international approach seems to govern the latest European PhD schools as European Doctoral Programmes Association in Management and Business Administration (EDAMBA) or EMES – European Research Network and Garnet.
Obviously, both European and American notions refer to various kinds of highly academic methods and procedures to facilitate and subsequently improve complex research activities.