Imagine framing a new masterpiece: your doctoral degree. Even if you’re a busy parent or working professional, it is possible to take your formal education to the highest level. Flexible and convenient online PhD programs help make it possible to balance school with other commitments. Explore the possibilities!
Which Ph.D.s are available online?
Online doctoral courses, if not full degree programs, can be found in virtually every major area of study. Some popular areas for 100% online doctoral programs are business, education, nursing, and psychology.
The U.S. Department of Education lists more than 20 research doctorate degree titles that are equivalent in content and level to the Ph.D. In addition to the Ph.D., some doctoral degrees that be earned online include:
- D.B.A. – Doctor of Business Administration
- D.Hum. – Doctor of Humanities
- D.P.A. – Doctor of Public Administration
- Ed.D. – Doctor of Education
- Eng.D. – Doctor of Engineering
- Psy.D. – Doctor of Psychology
Are online Ph.D. programs high quality?
Online learning has come of age. According to a study by the Sloan Consortium, the majority of large U.S universities (those with 10,000 or more students) were offering courses online by 2007. Fifty-five percent of chief academic officers surveyed identified online learning as critical to the long-term survival of their institutions’ doctoral programs. With four million Americans now learning online — and demand continuing to rise — schools are designing excellent programs in order to compete with one another for online learners. Many popular online PhD Programs can be found on the web. Do your research, check for accreditation, request free info and you can be on your way to furthering your career soon.
By 2009, the U.S. Department of Education and private researchers such as SkillSoft reported that online students outperformed or performed just as well as students from traditional classrooms. Additionally, a peer-reviewed study of online doctoral nursing students at the University of Northern Colorado found that students deemed online doctoral study rigorous and challenging, and they reported developing enriching relationships with professors through frequent emails and online course chat rooms.
Is financial aid available for online Ph.D. programs?
Yes. The federal government treats distance learners and traditional students equally when considering eligibility for financial aid. All students attending accredited colleges and universities are eligible for: low-interest Perkins loans; subsidized Stafford loans; grants; fellowships; scholarships; and other financial aid. Some employers offer assistance with tuition expenses too.
How much do online Ph.D. programs cost?
Online doctoral programs generally cost the same or less per credit hour as on-campus programs. Distance learners save money on transportation, books (if texts are online), child care, and other education-related expenses compared with residential students.
How many years does it take to earn a Ph.D. online?
Since doctoral programs were first created in the late 1800s, they have typically involved four to ten years of study, dissertation writing, and internships. Many programs are designed to last four or five years, but doctoral students’ busy lifestyles lead to their delaying graduation. Online doctoral students may complete their studies more quickly because of their ability to attend classes at any time of day or night — and without a commute! Additionally, some online programs let students work at an accelerated pace. Some online doctoral programs, such as Boston University’s transitional doctor of physical therapy program, can be completed in less than two years.
Are any campus visits required?
Many online Ph.D. programs take place 100% online. However, there are three important exceptions. First, some programs require on-campus attendance for events such as orientation, testing, and dissertation defenses. Second, depending on the field of study, professional certification may require an internship or residency. Depending on the program, a residency might be completed on campus or in a city of the student’s choosing. Third, some programs are more accurately called hybrid or blended programs rather than online programs. When schools advertise blended programs, they are typically referring to courses of study that are 30% to 80% online. These might require visiting the main campus or another location one night per week or one weekend every month.
Online students usually have the option to attend graduation on campus with friends and family.
How can I spot a bogus degree program?
Just as top-tier universities offer accredited online Ph.D. programs, low-quality institutions are bombarding potential students with advertisements for their own online degree programs. These “schools” are referred to as diploma mills. Their main interest is in accepting tuition checks – not in providing a meaningful education. Their degrees are worthless to employers, and other schools will not accept their credits as transfers. In some states, applying to a job with a degree from an unaccredited school is illegal.
To make sure that you’re applying to a legitimate online Ph.D. program, look for the university in the Council on Higher Education Accreditation’s database. The database includes thousands of schools that meet acceptable standards of education.
What should I look for in an online Ph.D. program?
Students should evaluate graduate programs differently than they evaluate undergraduate programs. When applying to undergraduate schools, people are generally attracted to prestigious university names. When considering graduate programs, it’s more important to consider prestigious individuals – specifically, faculty members in the student’s desired department. Since each graduate student is mentored by a faculty member, it’s important to find a department that has one or more professors who are studying the student’s area of interest and, of course, have the time and resources to provide the student with ample guidance.