Many people choose to further their education by going back to school to obtain their PhD. Although there are many traditional schools that provide various PhD degrees, online programs are becoming increasingly popular recently. However, are these programs different than traditional PhD programs? Are online PhD programs well respected?
Why Choose an Online PhD program?
Online PhD programs are becoming more and more popular because they allow the student to obtain a degree on his or her own schedule. Unlike traditional programs, a student can take classes and do research from the comfort of his or her home or office.
This allows many people to continue working while gaining their PhD. All they need is a laptop and they can begin the process of obtaining their degree. A PhD can be great for career advancement but is also necessary if you want to teach in higher education. According to US News & World Report, more students are considering online PhD programs.
But, are online PhD degrees respected?
The reputation of a particular school depends on a number of factors, including, but not limited to the quality of the faculty, admissions process and strength of the degree programs. There are a variety of well-respected public and private schools that offer top online PhD programs. These schools offer a wide variety of challenging courses and have world-renowned faculty who will guide and support the student through the entire degree program. They offer online platforms that are user friendly and conducive to learning.
When deciding to choose a program that is more respected, consider the degree opportunities available. Are there certain degrees that receive more attention and are higher ranked? Are there some that are more selective than others?
Also, look at their application process. Most respected online PhD programs have a similar application process than other traditional ones. The school should require transcripts and GED scores for admission. Every year, US News and World Report ranks the online programs using a complex methodology and they believe that there are a number of quality online PhD programs available.
In most cases, your dissertation is a very important factor when achieving your PhD. If you write a strong dissertation, it will look very impressive to employers even if you enroll in an online program. A well-respected program will support you through this arduous, yet exciting process. You may want to ask the perspective school if they have past dissertations available for your perusal.
If you go to a quality school, many employers recognize and value an employee who obtains a PhD, no matter if it is online or at a traditional school. However, if you are still wary about the reputation of a particular school, then ask the students who have graduated from the program. Did they have trouble finding a job in their desired career? Do they think the PhD program enhanced their lives?
If I decide on an online PhD program, which schools should I avoid?
When deciding on a PhD program, make sure to check the accreditation of the school. If the school is not accredited by any governing body, then you should be very wary of that particular school. Also, make sure to check other important statistics, such as graduation rates and student reviews. If everything checks out and these numbers are high, then consider the online program. There are some quality PhD programs but there are also some that are scams so be very careful and do your research.
Ultimately if you are considering a PhD program, there is no reason why you should not obtain one online. Since the world is changing, more and more employers understand that not everyone has the time to go to a traditional university. Many PhD programs can provide you with a challenging education that will help you succeed in the future.
FAQs
Are Online PhDs Respected? - Online Phd Programs? ›
The short answer is yes, they can be credible and that is very good news for busy professionals who want a doctoral degree, but can't accommodate a traditional course of study. However, a few factors make all the difference.
How hard is an online PhD? ›One of the biggest myths about online doctorate programs is the amount of work involved. Contrary to this widespread myth, online courses can be just as difficult as classes offered in a traditional college setting. Many requirements for an online doctorate degree are the same as those for a PhD earned on campus.
Is Walden University PhD program respected? ›Walden is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
What is the difference between online and in person PhD? ›The main difference is the delivery method. Online doctoral students complete coursework virtually, while in-person students take classes face-to-face. Doctoral students may also notice a cost difference between online and in-person programs. An online format can help doctoral students save money on their degrees.
What is the fastest PhD to get online? ›- Doctorate in Behavioral Health. ...
- Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision. ...
- Doctorate Ethereal Degree in Grief Counseling. ...
- Doctor of Occupational Therapy. ...
- Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy. ...
- Doctor of Nursing Practice. ...
- Doctorate in Social Work.
Yes, much of the coursework offered by Harvard Extension school is offered online.
How credible are online PhD programs? ›One of the most frequent questions they ask is: “Are online doctorates credible?” The short answer is yes, they can be credible and that is very good news for busy professionals who want a doctoral degree, but can't accommodate a traditional course of study. However, a few factors make all the difference.
Can you be a professor with an online doctorate? ›Consider a doctoral degree
While a master's degree can qualify you to work as an online professor at some private and community colleges, most major universities prefer professors who have doctorates. Online professors usually earn their doctorate in a subject specific to their area of interest.
To be sure, at the Ph. D. level, no program could be considered “easy,” but there are certain programs designed to be “easier” than others. Generally, education, humanities, and the social sciences are considered the easiest fields in which to pursue degrees.
Why is Walden University under investigation? ›“Walden lured Black students and women into their doctoral programs under the pretense of a social justice mission, then essentially held their degrees hostage for ransom. It's a particularly egregious scheme, even by predatory college standards,” said Student Defense President Aaron Ament.
What is the hardest PhD to achieve? ›
1. Boarded Medical Doctor: After spending about eight years to earn your first degree, you are faced with between three and six years of residency. This is the most competitive field in education which means you must have passed through a very rigorous process to earn this certificate.
Can someone with a PhD call themselves Doctor? ›A doctoral degree (PhD) is a degree that one earns after a master's degree. A PhD entitles a person to use the title doctor.
Can I call myself a PhD candidate? ›Once you have passed your qualifying exams, you will officially become a PhD candidate. After that, it's time to dig into your research and make a new contribution to your field.
Should PhD students have a website? ›PhD students DO have valuable knowledge to share. Especially if early career researchers do not have many publications to their name yet, a personal website might be a good outlet to showcase their work.
Can you get a PhD without doing a dissertation? ›Not always. In the past a dissertation was required for a PhD, but a growing number of institutions have started to offer online doctoral programs no dissertation. Instead, students may complete a capstone project to demonstrate their knowledge and provide new contributions to the field.
What percent of Americans have a PhD? ›Less than 2% of the world's population has a doctorate. According to the US Census Bureau, only 1.2% of the US population has a PhD.
How long does it take to complete an online PhD? ›As we have seen, online doctorates typically feature accelerated courses that allow students to graduate within three or four years. Online programs also often offer multiple start dates that let students begin as soon as they are ready.
Is online PhD valid in USA? ›Online degrees are not credible as traditional degrees.
The key is to understand the accreditation of the online program. If the institution you choose is regionally accredited, the degree carries just as much weight as a degree from a traditional program.
A few Ivy League universities do offer such online doctorate programs, which is wonderful news. However, only 2 of the 8 Ivy League institutions offer online PHD programs to graduate students. The two universities where you can get online PHD programs are Yale and the University of Pennsylvania.
Does Yale offer online PhD? ›While students are able to complete various courses via online learning, Yale degree programs still require campus attendance and cannot be completed entirely online.
Will my online degree be respected? ›
According to the experts, degrees earned from accredited online schools are taken just as seriously as degrees earned at brick-and-mortar institutions. Although, it's also important to remember that hiring managers look at other aspects of your job application or resume before extending an offer.
Are online PhD programs APA accredited? ›Which online doctoral programs are APA-accredited? The APA Commission on Accreditation currently does not accredit online-only doctoral programs. Some accredited programs may offer online courses or other content via distance education in an adjunctive role.
Is a PhD more prestigious than an EDD? ›The Ph. D. is generally considered more prestigious than the Ed. D., especially at highly selective research institutions.
Do you direct a PhD professor as doctor in an email? ›If you are writing to an instructor or professor, address them as “Professor [Lastname].” If your instructor or professor who has a PhD or DA, you may address them as Dr. [Lastname],” but using “Professor” is also fine.
How do online PhD programs work? ›Online doctoral students receive and complete their coursework online; therefore, they must have a computer with high-speed Internet access in order to complete the program. Many programs allow students to work at their own pace and submit coursework as they complete it.
How do you become a professor without a doctorate? ›- Choose your specialty. ...
- Earn your degrees. ...
- Gain relevant experience. ...
- Build a network. ...
- Consider earning a Ph. ...
- Look for a mentor. ...
- Maintain a good reputation. ...
- Prepare accordingly.
Not having a Master's degree may prove to be a hindrance during your application process. This is because many other students will also apply to the same research projects, and it's likely that the majority will hold a Masters. This will put you at a disadvantage to them.
What is the lowest GPA to get a PhD? ›While there are no hard limits, we suggest a minimum GPA of 3.5 for serious contention, especially at top schools. If your GPA is below 3.0 then you will likely not get admitted into any PhD programs. The reason for this is that PhD programs are a lot of work.
What is the hardest part of a PhD program? ›- #1 Maintaining motivation. Every PhD student will agree that the hardest part of the degree is maintaining motivation. ...
- #2 Writing (a lot) Usually it's during the writing-up period that people's motivation starts to dwindle. ...
- #3 Receiving criticism. ...
- #4 Isolation. ...
- #5 Knowing what to do next.
Walden University is an accredited institution offering PhD degree programs online. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life. Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.
Is Walden losing accreditation? ›
“We are cooperating fully with the inquiry and Walden continues to operate as an accredited institution,” a Laureate spokesperson wrote in an email.
Is Capella University under investigation? ›Attorneys general in Minnesota and New York announced a settlement Tuesday with Minneapolis-based Capella University after an investigation found that financial aid officers received money, trips, gifts, golf and other entertainment from companies making student loans.
Which PhD has highest salary? ›Streams | PhD Specialisations | Average Salary |
---|---|---|
Engineering | PhD Bioinformatics | Rs 3,00,000 – Rs 15,00,000 |
Medical | PhD Neuroscience | Rs 4,00,000 – Rs 11,00,000 |
PhD Pathology | ||
PhD Physiotherapy |
Doctor of science
It is considered to be the highest terminal degree in many countries and is often a requirement for academic positions within universities and research institutions. The Doctor of Science requires 6-8 years after obtaining a PhD, and involves rigorous coursework, research, and examinations.
Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | |
---|---|---|
Top Earners | $322,500 | $26,875 |
75th Percentile | $171,000 | $14,250 |
Average | $141,097 | $11,758 |
25th Percentile | $80,500 | $6,708 |
People who have earned a Ph. D. or any other academic, nonmedical doctoral degree have the choice of whether to use "Dr." both professionally and socially. If, when meeting people with doctorates, you're unsure how to address them, "Dr." is always correct. If they'd rather the title be dropped, they will let you know.
Do doctors respect PhDs? ›If someone holds a PhD, they are able to call themselves Doctor. The doctor title is very prestigious and often projects expertise and respect in those who decide to use it. A person with a PhD can be called Dr.
What do you call a doctor without a PhD? ›Medical Doctor Degree Types
They earn not a Ph. D. but rather one of these doctor degree types: M.D. or D.O.
Show off your previous lab experience. “What should stand out is the enthusiasm for the topic (embryo development in my case), and more specifically for the project itself. Explain your motivation more generally and say why are you interested in this kind of PhD project.
What are PhD students called? ›During the studies that lead to the degree, the student is called a doctoral student or PhD student; a student who has completed any necessary coursework and related examinations and is working on their thesis/dissertation is sometimes known as a doctoral candidate or PhD candidate.
How do you verify if someone has a PhD? ›
- Contact the school. Most college registrars will confirm dates of attendance and graduation, as well as degrees awarded and majors, upon request. ...
- Research the school on the Internet. ...
- Ask the applicant for proof of the degree and the school's accreditation.
- When will you graduate? ...
- Are you still writing your thesis/dissertation? ...
- What's the point of your research? ...
- How do you plan to get a job with that? ...
- When is your research going to be published? ...
- What year are you in?
Most dissertations are 100 to 300 pages in length. All dissertations should be divided into appropriate sections, and long dissertations may need chapters, main divisions, and subdivisions.
Is PhD or doctorate higher? ›No, a PhD is not a higher degree than a professional doctorate. If you're wondering what's better than a PhD, both PhDs and professional doctorates are the highest level of college education that can be earned. Both degrees are doctoral degrees.
What percentage of PhD students finish? ›If you ever faced this kind of thoughts, you are not alone. Not at all. In the research literature about students dropping out of doctoral programs (or “attrition”, as they call it), very often the ballpark of 40–60% attrition rate is mentioned 1. Imagine you are in a classroom with your peer Ph.
What is the unemployment rate for PhD in us? ›United States - Unemployment Rate - College Graduates - Doctoral Degree, 25 years and over was 0.90% in March of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve.
What is the average age for a PhD in the US? ›The average age of a PhD student varies depending on the field of study and individual circumstances but generally ranges from late 20s to early 30s. The average age upon graduation across multiple fields, in the US, is 31.5 years old.
What nationality has the most Phds? ›- Slovenia. Slovenia is the highest-ranking country in the number of Ph. ...
- Switzerland. Switzerland has the second-highest rate of Ph. ...
- Luxembourg. ...
- United States. ...
- Sweden. ...
- The United Kingdom. ...
- Germany. ...
- Australia.
1. Boarded Medical Doctor: After spending about eight years to earn your first degree, you are faced with between three and six years of residency. This is the most competitive field in education which means you must have passed through a very rigorous process to earn this certificate.
What is difference between PhD and doctorate? ›One of the main differences is that a PhD is typically an academic degree, while a doctorate can be either academic or professional. Additionally, a PhD is highly theoretical and research-focused, while a professional doctorate is practical and geared toward applying research to specific professional settings.
How long is a PhD if you have a Masters? ›
It takes five to eight years to get a Ph. D. after a master's. This is the case for traditional on-campus P.h.D. programs.
Which Ivy League is easiest to get into for PhD? ›Cornell is considered the "easiest" Ivy League to get into because it has the highest Ivy League acceptance rate.
How long does an online PhD take? ›As we have seen, online doctorates typically feature accelerated courses that allow students to graduate within three or four years. Online programs also often offer multiple start dates that let students begin as soon as they are ready.
What is the hardest PhD degree? ›1. Boarded Medical Doctor: After spending about eight years to earn your first degree, you are faced with between three and six years of residency. This is the most competitive field in education which means you must have passed through a very rigorous process to earn this certificate.
Is it really hard to get into a PhD program? ›What are my odds of acceptance? This depends on both your field and program. Generally, however, it is quite difficult to gain admissions to a PhD program, and admission rates hover around 10%. Only the best students get accepted, and this is even more the case at the top schools and programs.
Are PhD programs difficult? ›Getting a PhD can be a very challenging process that requires several years of intensive research, coursework, and writing. However, the difficulty of obtaining a PhD can vary depending on factors such as the specific program and field of study.