How to Search for PhD Programs

Searching for a PhD program requires extensive research and careful consideration.

Searching for a Ph.D. program is not as simple as determining a degree program at the bachelor's-degree level. You should search for a Ph.D. program in the same diligent way that you select which university to attend. Significant research is required to uncover a program that meets your vocational and research needs. Ph.D. programs are research-oriented and require that their applicants be able to make a significant, original ,scholarly contribution.

Instructions

1. Determine your research interests. Searching for a Ph.D. program requires that you significantly narrow your research interests and find a program that has scholars who work in that field. Rather than conducting an Internet search, however, you should undertake a significant amount of reading in that field.

2. Create a list of scholars whose work interests you and is similar or nearly identical to your own. Attempt to locate these scholars by either reading about them in the biographical material provided in their books or in journal articles they may have published. You can also conduct a general Internet search to see if their names come up in conjunction with a university website. Determine which scholars are still working and actively publishing.

3. Contact each scholar individually to inquire about their work and determine whether or not they are currently mentoring new Ph.D. students. By contacting them you can potentially accomplish two different tasks. First, make sure that their work is compatible with yours so that they can guide you through the Ph.D. program and the research process. Second, by introducing yourself and your work, the scholar to whom you write, can become familiar with both you and your work. This should increase the likelihood of getting into the Ph.D. program.

4. Visit the website of the graduate programs you have selected as potential destinations for your graduate studies. Carefully examine the entrance requirements, curriculum and degree requirements that are necessary to complete the program. If you have any hesitancy about any part of the program, it may be in your best interest to move on with your search until you have narrowed your choices down to only those programs about which you are absolutely certain.