Editing Doctor (title) (section)

====Italy====
The first university of Western civilization, the [[University of Bologna]], is located in Italy, where until modern times the only degree granted was that of the doctorate,<ref name="Catholic Encyclopedia">Herbermann, et al. (1915). [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05072b.htm Catholic Encyclopedia]. New York: Encyclopedia Press. Accessed 26 May 2008.</ref> and all other Italian universities followed that model. During the 20th century Italian universities introduced more advanced research degrees, such as the PhD.

Italian academia is part of the [[Bologna Process]], and has standardised its degrees as part of the 3+2+3 formula. The undergraduate degree "[[Laurea#First cycle: Laurea|laurea]]" was reduced to 3 years (making it equivalent to a Bachelor's degree). This is followed by a 2 year "[[Laurea#Second cycle: Laurea magistrale|laurea magistrale]]" (literally "magistral degree", equivalent to a Master's degree). The old-system "laurea", which lasted about 5–6 years and is now discontinued, were made equivalent to a "laurea magistrale". Few fields retain the 5-6 year system (such as law and medicine) but are called "laurea magistrale a ciclo unico" and are an integrated master's degree. Finally, the Italian system also introduced a doctorate ("[[dottorato di ricerca]]"), which lasts 3 years and is the terminal degree of the educational hierarchy, corresponding to a PhD.

For historical reasons, the title of doctor is awarded to all university degree holders. "Laurea" holders are awarded the title of doctor (dottore/dottoressa), "laurea magistrale" holders are awarded the title of magistral doctor (dottore magistrale/dottoressa magistrale), and doctorate holders are called [[Laurea#Third cycle: Dottorato di ricerca|research doctors]] (dottore di ricerca/dottoressa di ricerca).<ref>L. n. 240 – 30 December 2010, G.U. n. 10–14 January 2011, Art. 8-bis.</ref>