Thanks for the edits I am not aware of any split in the US between higher doctorates and others The PhD DPhil not awarded here in my experience is typically a 5 or 6 year degree but as that time period often includes MS level classwork it seems parallel to your PhD When awarded in the US the DSc is the precise equivalent of the PhD The ranking you list Divinity Laws or Civil Law Medicine and Letters and above Music is at least not well known in the US It would be helpful to include the degree names in the above list since I certainly don t know them all MD is as you say a professional degree as is DrPH in public health I think the general attitude is to regard all doctoral degrees as on par and honorary degrees as strictly honorary and not pertaining to academic work This is something of a mess isn t it talk