How to Compare Doctorate Programs

Comparing doctorate programs is vital before you commit to a program.

Deciding to further your education and obtain a doctorate degree in your field of choice is the first step towards choosing a doctorate program to participate in. The second step is deciding which program best fits your needs within the subject area you are interested in. Before deciding on the exact doctorate program to enroll in, there are certain steps that need to be taken in order to compare the doctorate programs that are available to you.

Instructions

1. Compare program rankings. Depending on the particular publication, the rankings can be based on surveys from students and faculty that actually attend the school, or they can be based on a number of factors such as the schools' libraries' volume numbers and the average entrance exam scores for the students.

2. Look at the location and the costs of each doctorate program you are considering. Take into consideration the type of place you would be living while you are completing your studies and determine if this is something you would want to do. Do not discard your personal budget when comparing the cost of tuition. Think ahead of what you will be able to afford and what you are willing to pay in terms of tuition.

3. Consider the performance and success levels of graduates from each program. Although the actual success each graduate has does not directly reflect on the program itself, it does have some weight when it comes to decision-making. Check with the particular school to determine their individual statistics with job placement after graduation.

References

• The National Academies: Assessment of Research Doctorate Programs
• DegreeDirectory.org: How Do I Compare Doctorate Degree Programs?