An academic or professional degree known as a Doctorate is in most cases referred to as a group of degrees, which can qualify the individual to become a professor of a certain field, such as literature, philosophy, medicine, or law. Examples include a Doctor of Medicine, or M.D., Doctor of Chiropractic, or D.C., a Doctor of Philosophy, or Ph.D., a Doctor of Dental Medicine/Doctor of Dental Surgery or DMD/DDS., or a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, or D.V.M.