Best Online PhD Programs

The PhD, or Doctor of Philosophy, is arguably the most prestigious degree anyone can earn in academia. It usually takes about five years to earn a PhD, either through a traditional campus-based program or by taking an online PhD program, but the financial payoff makes it well worth the effort.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, professionals with doctorates earn approximately $37,265 more EACH YEAR than workers with bachelor’s degrees.

To get a doctoral degree a graduate student must complete a course of study, do original research and write a publishable thesis or dissertation, consequently only one out of every hundred Americans can call themselves “doctor”.

Walden University – Best Online PhD Programs

Walden University offers accelerated classes: 8 week online classes.

Walden University’s doctoral programs have a unique blend of theory, research, and practical application to help you make an immediate and significant change in your life and in the lives of others.

Online Doctoral Programs:

Each doctoral degree listed below offers numerous specialization options.

• Business Administration
• Management
• Education – both PhD and Ed.D. available
• Counselor Education
• Health Services
• Human Services
• Psychology
• Public Health
• Public Policy
• Doctor of Nursing Practice

As a doctoral student, you will work closely with faculty in areas of study that are most meaningful to you. Faculty members serve as mentors and partners, offering both guidance and a fresh perspective on your research.

Read more or get a program guide from Walden University.

Capella University – Best Online PhD Programs

Capella University offers accelerated classes: 10 week online classes.

Many higher education faculty positions require a doctoral degree which can prepare you for leadership, research, teaching, or consulting positions in a variety of fields. Capella’s online doctoral programs offer advanced theoretical and practical knowledge in a wide-range of fields.

Online Doctorate Degrees:

• Business / Accounting / Leadership / Project Management / Business Intelligence / Management
• Criminal Justice
• Education / Counselor Education
• Health Administration
• Human Behavior / Human Services
• Information Technology / IT Management / Information Security
• Organization and Management
• Psychology / Educational Psychology / Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• Health Care Administration
• Nursing Education
• Public Administration / Public Health
• Social Work / Social and Community Services
• Training and Performance Improvement

Read more or get a program guide from Capella University.

What is a PhD?

Doctoral students take advanced courses in their chosen field, usually in small seminars or independent studies, but this depends upon whether the student is going through an online PhD program or campus-based one. Typical coursework takes three to four semesters of full-time study, and once this is complete the doctoral candidate must pass written and/or oral qualifying exams, thus proving that they have acquired sufficient background to proceed with their independent research.

Qualifying exams are given by a candidate committee, usually three to five professors in the student’s online PhD or brick-and-mortar-based program. These professors work to guide the candidate’s original research and provide support to the student as they write a book-length thesis or dissertation. Once the dissertation is complete, candidates must orally defend their conclusions before the committee. A successful defense entitles candidates to hand over the dissertation to the university and graduate from their program with the title of “doctor”.

PhD Accreditation

Because the doctorate is a prestigious degree, program accreditation is a legitimate and serious concern. Businesses, universities, and even the government have been taken in by online PhD diploma mills posing as legitimate advanced degree-granting institutions. Any prospective student should carefully research the credentials of a university before committing to a program of doctoral study. If a school is offering a quick and easy PhD they shouldn’t be taken seriously as a legitimate accredited university.

Only accredited online PhD and campus-based programs of study can grant a degree that meets minimum standards that is recognized by professional organizations, board of licensure, and potential employers. The US Department of Education has a list on its website of recognized accreditation bodies and recommends that every student reference that list when deciding on a school.

Fields of study

The doctorate has many forms and variations, with online PhD programs requiring as much as a year of residency and field work or other clinical experience. There are a number of popular online doctoral fields.

A PhD in psychology can be earned online and is often considered a research and teaching degree, with specialties in clinical psychology, counseling, educational psychology, or abnormal psychology.

Engineering is another popular online program, with specialties in computer, civil and mechanical engineering. Perhaps the most popular online PhD is in business, which prepares graduates for research and teaching positions in business.

Conclusion

Regardless of the chosen field of study, an online PhD program can be both challenging and deeply satisfying. A doctoral degree holder creates new knowledge through research and study and shares it with the world, helping to shape the world in which we live and help us understand it.