<p>How common is it for someone to seek a second Ph.D? (No, I'm definitely not in the process of trying to do that. I'll be starting on my first grad degree, an M.S., this fall.) Some people do have more than one field that they're strongly interested in, and though I don't know anyone personally who has tried to follow that route, I'm sure it's not unheard of. Some people try to get a Ph.D. and a law degree, but that might be treated a bit differently.
But how do graduate schools look on that, on someone who already has one Ph.D. trying to go on for another? I know some schools, such as UC-Davis, don't admit students to a Ph.D. program if they already have one Ph.D.
Is that typical?
Would having one Ph.D. already be more likely to help or hinder someone from being accepted into another Ph.D. program?</p>
<p>I was under the impression that you aren't allowed to get a second PhD. The PhD is the highest non-professional degree awarded and I know you can couple a PhD with a professional degree (i.e. JD, MD), but don't think you can get the second PhD at most schools.</p>
<p>If you are interested in a related field, I believe the better thing is to get publications under your belt and start collaborating with those in the related field to develop a reputation in both fields.</p>
<p>it is possible, but thats a hellava lot of school (nowhere will let you do them concurrently). plus, why would you spend 6 years slaving away in one subject to skip over to the next subject? if i were an adcom, that would be a HUGE red flag.</p>
<p>Only do a second PhD if you are a (tenured) professor who can afford to do sabbaticals OR if the second PhD is related to the primary program (i.e. History and Education) and can be completed at the same institution.</p>