This is the list of the fields of doctoral studies in the United States used for the annual Survey of Earned Doctorates, conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago for the National Science Foundation and other federal agencies, as used for the 2015 survey. These are fields of research-oriented doctoral studies, leading mostly to Ph.D.s – in the academic year 2014–15, 98% of the 55,006 research doctorates awarded in the U.S. were Ph.D.s; 1.1% were Ed.D.s; 0.9% were other research doctorates. Professional degrees, though they are also considered doctorates (earned, not honorary), and do entitle the holder to call themselves "Doctor", such as D.D.S., D.Min., M.D., D.Pharm., D.V.M, J.D., Psy.D., and Th.D., are not included in the survey.

Life sciences

Agricultural sciences/natural resources

Biological/biomedical sciences

Health sciences

Engineering

Computer and information sciences

Mathematics

Physical sciences

Astronomy

Atmospheric science and meteorology

Chemistry

Geological and Earth sciences

Physics

Ocean/marine sciences

Psychology

Social sciences

Humanities

History

Letters

Foreign languages and literature

Other humanities

Education

Research and administration

Teacher education

Teaching fields

Other education

Business management/administration

Communication

Fields not elsewhere classified