Online Business PhD Programs
In the business world, a doctoral degree represents the ultimate educational achievement. Because a PhD program includes considerable amounts of research, many students choose to pursue this degree in a virtual environment that allows them to minimize classroom time and conduct research at their own pace. Online business PhD programs can offer a number of advantages in terms of cost and convenience, but students should exercise caution when selecting a school.
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Function
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Online business PhD programs function much like their live, face to face counterparts, according to the education website Degree Directory. Instead of physically going to class and listening to a lecture, though, online PhD business students read material in text books, watch online videos, read online documents and follow along with digital presentations. At some schools, online PhD business students may watch videos of professors teaching live classes, and some professors provide audio programs for student review. Many courses require online students to interact with the professor and other students through online message boards, and students may electronically submit assignments.
Prerequisites
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Prerequisites for online PhD business programs vary from school to school, but most schools require students to hold at least a bachelor's degree before entering the program. If the student holds a four year degree in a discipline other than business, the school may require the student to complete basic business classes such as microeconomics and algebra. In addition, many schools require students to complete the Graduate Management Admission Test during the enrollment process.
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Requirements
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Completing an online business PhD program takes about four to six years of study, according to the distance learning website About ELearning. Depending on the educational institution, a student may need to complete a thesis, dissertation or both. As in a traditional business PhD program, online students typically must complete at least 60 credit hours at the graduate level to receive a PhD.
Accreditation
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Prospective business PhD students may encounter a number of offers from unfamiliar institutions. The distance learning information website eLearners cautions that students should be wary of schools with unfamiliar accreditation, as a degree from these schools may not hold any legal authority. eLearners recommends verifying a school's accreditation with the United States Department of Education, and especially if the accreditation is not from a major regional accrediting agency or the Distance Education and Training Council.The best online business schools hold accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, according to a 2005 "Business Week article," but high professor-student interaction requirements mean that few online schools have achieved this recognition.
Benefits
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An online PhD in business allows students to achieve the highest degree in the business field while minimizing the amount of time spent on campus and commuting. Online students can often study from anywhere, and some schools charge lower tuition for distance learners.
Considerations
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Some students may experience difficulty with motivation in an online environment, even though online PhD programs do not differ significantly from their brick and mortar counterparts, says Degree Directory. In addition, some online PhD students may need to appear on campus to consult with professors, and most distance learners must complete exams under a proctor's watch. Finally, online business students should exercise caution and verify accreditation when selecting a learning institution because some online business PhD programs may not hold legal validity.
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