Reply #33: JD and MD's are more than masters [View All]

Physicians and Attorneys (at least in the "old" days) have to work much harder and learn much more than in any masters program (in America) than I can think of. I'm currently in an MPH (Masters of Public Health) program- which is one of the toughest masters there is- from what I can tell- and it's not nearly on the same level. Of course, today's students are not as bright either- in any of the programs- that I can assure you of, too.

Some of the docs in my program are- well, let's just put it this way- they have "specialized" rather than broad knowledge. It's truly shocking to me how little they know about law, for example- or even basic civics!

As far as being equivalent to a PhD- the only real difference I see is the thesis- and since there are no boards or bar exams for PhD candidates, the thesis is sort of a substitute there... and maybe a springboard into publishing for academia.