Online Ph D Programs

Online Ph D Programs: Separating Truth from Fiction

Are there legitimate online Ph D programs available?

Yes.  If by legitimate, you mean fully accredited by regional institutions, and considered acceptable as a prerequisite for careers that require a Ph D, then yes, there are legitimate Ph D programs available online.   You also need to realize that there are a large number of advertised Ph D programs which are not legitimate, on the Internet.  Not that these sort of scams were born with the internet, not at all.  On the contrary, diploma mills have been around as long as there have been mailboxes.  Before that, there was just plain lying.  Being available online, in and of itself, doesn’t discredit a Ph D program, but you do need to do adequate research into that program’s qualifications before you apply and enroll.

Are there legitimate and respected online Ph D programs available?

This is a tougher question to answer because respectability is somewhat in the eye of the beholder.  But online Ph D programs are gaining in respectability on a daily basis, as more fields receive contributions from leading edge researchers and educators who got their own Ph D qualifications online.  Really, since Ph D study is primarily research, having an online format doesn’t change much in a practical sense.  Academia, however, has always been somewhat traditionalist in practice, even if it embraces new ideas fairly easy.

How do I choose an online Ph D program?

Define your goals and choose a program that will help you meet them…  make sure it’s accredited, and research the alumni, and faculty to see if it’s a good fit for your future plans.  And make sure that the program’s structure is something you can live with.  An online Ph D program may be more accessible and more convenient, but it’ll still be a challenge.