Online PhD Degrees

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is the highest academic honor a person can earn in many fields. Doctoral programs are intensive, requiring years of reading and research, usually culminating in a doctoral thesis or dissertation of original research. The burgeoning field of distance education now includes many online Ph.D.s in a growing number of fields.

Types

Online Ph.D.s are available in dozens of academic fields, including education, business, management, criminal justice, information technology, human services and psychology.

Features

Like their traditional, classroom-based counterparts, online Ph.D. programs require a combination of coursework and research. They also require students to complete a dissertation.

Time Frame

Most online Ph.D.s require between 2 and 4 years of full-time study, following completion of a master's degree.

Benefits

A Ph.D. makes it possible to pursue careers in higher education, research and consulting. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, people with doctorates earn on average $37,000 a year more than people with bachelor's degrees.

Warning

Because only accredited institutions can grant a Ph.D., students should check into a particular program's accreditation status before pursuing an online Ph.D.

Resources

• Online Doctorates

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