Specialty vs. Specialism — What's the Difference?

Specialty often denotes a particular branch of professional practice or study that an individual or entity focuses on, offering services or expertise in that area. For instance, in medicine, a doctor might specialize in cardiology, making it their specialty. On the other hand, specialism implies a concentration within a field, possibly suggesting a deeper level of expertise or narrower focus. For example, within the specialty of cardiology, a specialism might be interventional cardiology.

While the term specialty is widely used, especially in the United States, to indicate a practitioner's main area of expertise, specialism might be used more in academic or professional contexts to denote a specific area of study or expertise within a larger discipline. The distinction between these terms is subtle and often varies by regional English usage.

Specialties are recognized across various professions and industries, from healthcare to culinary arts, indicating a broad area of focus. Specialisms, however, delve into specifics, detailing the practitioner's particular skills or knowledge area within their specialty. This distinction highlights the depth versus breadth of expertise.

In the context of education and career development, choosing a specialty might involve deciding on a major field of study or professional path, while adopting a specialism could come later, as one gains experience and seeks to distinguish themselves further within their chosen specialty.

Despite these nuances, in everyday language, the terms are often used interchangeably. The choice between them can depend on the speaker's preference, the context in which they are used, or regional variations in English.