Doctor of Science

D.Sc, Sc.D., ScD, or S.D. is the abbreviation of the Latin Scientiae Doctor, which means "'Doctor of Science". It is a doctoral degree above par with the Ph.D and is referred to as a higher doctorate in Europe.

The Doctor of Science degree is earned with the approval of a committee on the basis of a research, publication record, and extensive applied professional contributions. The Sc.D. is awarded predominantly in doctoral level science programs such as engineering, information systems, and public health sciences.

Notably, the Doctor of Science degree has long been awarded by Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University's schools of public health, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, often as an alternative to the Ph.D. for outstanding research.

The Doctor of Science degree is also historically older than the Ph.D. In Europe, the Doctor of Science degree is often regarded as the highest doctoral degree and highest honor and recognition any researcher can attain.