Online PhD Degree Programs

by Sandra Wrangell

online phd degree programsSearching for Online PhD Degree Programs?

Online PhD Degree Programs allow you to earn a Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D.), the highest degree one can attain in a variety of academic fields.

If you are like most students, you have a number of questions about earning a PhD Degree Online:

  • What is a PhD?
  • How are Online PhD Degrees different from traditional doctorate programs?
  • Are Doctoral Degrees earned online reputable?
  • Am I required to attend any classes on campus when enrolled in an Online Doctorate Program?

What is a PhD?

A PhD is an abbreviation for Doctor of Philosophy. The PhD degree is an advanced degree that requires around 2 to 4 years of study beyond the Bachelor’s degree, depending on the university (and whether or not you enroll in a Fast Track PhD Program).

A PhD degree is a research degree that includes coursework, independent research, analysis of data, and instructional theory. Earning a PhD degree doesn’t necessarily mean you will study philosophy either – in fact, most students study science or engineering or any of the wide variety of liberal arts fields.

How are Online PhD Degrees different from traditional doctorate programs?

In terms of intensity and the length of studies, online doctoral programs are very similar to traditional, campus-based Ph.D. programs. You will still be learning advanced concepts in your field and will be required to put forth your best effort in order to complete the degree.

Are Online Doctoral Degrees reputable?

In terms of reputation, Online PhD Programs are every bit as reputable as traditional, campus-based programs. In fact, the majority of accredited universities offering PhD degrees online have well-known campus programs. The only difference is that these universities also offer doctorate degrees online as well. The quality and reputation of the degrees, however, are identical.

Am I required to attend any classes on campus when enrolled in an Online Doctorate Program?

It depends.

Most of the PhD Degrees offered online no longer require any on-campus attendance, unless, of course, you want to participate in graduation ceremonies. That said, each university offers a free Online PhD Program Information which will describe each PhD Program in-depth, including any on-campus requirements. You can request this free information by performing a PhD program search using the degree search tool below.

Capella University – 10-Week Online Classes

online phd programs

Capella University offers accelerated classes: 10 week online classes.

Many higher education faculty positions require a PhD, which can also prepare you for leadership, research, or consulting positions in a variety of fields. For students of business, the Doctor of Business Administration is also available. Career paths for people with DBAs include business leadership, consulting, and teaching positions.

Online Doctoral Programs are also available in a wide-range of fields including:

  • PhD – Accounting
  • PhD – Counselor Education and Supervision
  • PhD – Criminal Justice
  • PhD – Curriculum and Instruction
  • PhD – Educational Psychology
  • PhD – Emergency Management
  • PhD – General Advanced Studies in Human Behavior
  • PhD – Business
  • PhD – Human Services
  • PhD – Information Technology
  • PhD – Organization and Management
  • PhD – Psychology
  • PhD – Health Care Administration
  • PhD – Human Resource Management
  • PhD – Industrial/Organizational Psychology
  • PhD – Information Security
  • PhD – Information Technology Management
  • PhD – Information Technology Project Management
  • PhD – Instructional Design for Online Learning
  • PhD – IT Education
  • PhD – K-12 Studies in Education
  • PhD – Leadership
  • PhD – Leadership for Higher Education
  • PhD – Leadership in Educational Administration
  • PhD – Management Education
  • PhD – Nonprofit Management and Leadership
  • PhD – Nursing Education
  • PhD – Post-secondary and Adult Education
  • PhD – Professional Studies in Education
  • PhD – Project Management
  • PhD – Public Safety Leadership
  • PhD – Social and Community Services
  • PhD – Special Education Leadership
  • PhD – Training and Performance Improvement
  • DBA – Business Intelligence
  • DBA – Global Operations and Supply Chain Management
  • DBA – Strategy and Innovation
  • DHA – General Health Administration
  • DHA – Health Care Leadership
  • DHA – Health Policy and Advocacy
  • DPA – General Public Administration
  • DrPH – Epidemiology
  • DrPH – Health Advocacy and Leadership
  • DSW – General Social Work
  • EdD – Educational Leadership and Management
  • EdD – Reading and Literacy
  • EdS – Curriculum and Instruction
  • EdS – Leadership in Educational Administration

Read more or get a program guide from Capella University.

How to Compare Online PhD Programs

Universities are not created equal. No surprise there, eh?

Online PhD Degrees

We all have different academic goals and career aspirations, so it pays (literally) to take the time to compare each and every university offering a PhD Degree Program online.

Some important points to keep in mind: What programs of study are available? How much is tuition? Does the university offer financial aid? Are there any on-campus residency requirements?

To find out this information (and more), we recommend requesting free information from each school of interest. Next, review the information from each college carefully, especially the sections related to accreditation, financial aid and scholarships, course descriptions, tuition, and other important factors.

Online PhD Degree Programs

If you want to compare some of the most popular online PhD degree programs being offered right now, check out these informative posts:

Once you’ve located a few programs that match your goals and interests, request free information from each college that interests you. In the long run, you’ll be glad you compared each school before making a final decision!