Guide to Online PhD Programs

Overview of Online PhD Degree Programs

One of the oldest academic degrees in existence, a doctorate degree is a postsecondary credential, also known as a terminal degree, that is awarded to students who have achieved the highest level of education or training in a given area of study. Doctoral programs train students to create, apply, and research original knowledge. They take multiple years of graduate study to earn, with students completing a varying mix of coursework, exams, and practicums. 

The challenging nature of these requirements is perhaps the reason why a large number of doctoral students — roughly 50% — drop out. However, those who achieve their degree are equipped with expert-level knowledge in a given subject area as well as transferable research, writing, and communication skills. These qualifications typically prepare doctoral degree holders for advanced positions in academia, government, or vocational settings where professionals require specific expertise.

While they are primarily offered on-campus, many colleges and universities include the option to pursue a doctoral degree online. Prospective doctoral students can choose from programs offering exclusively online courses as well as hybrid models with a mix of distanced and on-campus learning.

What Are the Types of PhD Programs Online?

Not all types of doctoral degrees serve the same purpose. Many prospective students may be thinking of a PhD — also known as a Doctor of Philosophy — when referring to a doctorate. While correct, a PhD is a research doctorate in which the primary goal is to advance new knowledge. For instance, individuals who pursue a PhD degree in physics conduct original research, typically with the goal of working in academia.

By contrast, professional doctorate programs prepare students to practice a vocation. Examples include the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctor of Psychology (PhD), Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), Doctor of Education (EdD), or Juris Doctor (JD). These degree holders are trained to apply field-specific knowledge in settings such as hospitals or courtrooms.

How Long Does It Take to Earn An Online Doctoral Degree?

Depending on individual program requirements and the type of degree, most doctoral degree programs can be completed in 3-8 years, though it may take over 10 years in some circumstances. The average time to completion is 7.5 years, and accelerated or online programs are designed to be completed in 3-5 years. It is important to note that schools may place a time limit on the number of years students have to complete their doctoral coursework and defend their dissertations or capstone projects.

What Will You Learn in an Online PhD Program?

Like their on-campus peers, students in an online PhD degree spend the first few years completing advanced coursework, focusing on research, writing, and data analysis to expand or apply existing knowledge in their chosen field of interest. 

This rigorous study demands a deep commitment, as it challenges students intellectually and personally. However, online PhD students benefit from the flexibility to balance professional and personal responsibilities. 

Pursuing a terminal degree is not only about career advancement but also about personal growth, as it fosters critical thinking, resilience, and a deeper connection to one's discipline, making the journey intrinsically rewarding.

Popular Subjects at the Doctoral Level

Below, we highlight some of the online PhD programs mentioned earlier, offering additional details on career opportunities and the roles students can pursue based on their chosen specialization. This overview provides insights into the specific career paths and professional responsibilities associated with each program.

Choosing an Online Phd Program

Prospective online doctoral students should practice their due diligence when choosing the best online PhD program. Beyond exploring program specifics and student services, students will want to select a school that has earned institutional accreditation. This means that the school has been reviewed by an independent agency and proven to meet nationally accepted standards. To determine whether the institution you're considering is accredited, visit the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.

Earning a doctorate takes years of intensive study in graduate school, so it's important for potential applicants to choose the right subject, school, and format. When researching options, it may be helpful to ask these key questions:

Applying to a Doctoral Program

Doctoral programs typically admit only a handful of new students each year, so competition for spots can be fierce. While admission requirements vary by school, most have similar requirements and these remain constant across online and in-person degree options. Prospective students typically need to meet the following requirements to get accepted into a doctoral program:

• Some graduate programs require doctoral students to have completed a master's in the same or a related field, while others accept students with a bachelor's or an unrelated master's degree.

• Usually, a GPA of 3.0 or higher is required across all previous degrees. Schools want to train scholars who are serious about advancing their field of study, so the academic standards are usually higher than for other degrees.

• There are often competitive entrance exam scores with thresholds that vary by school. These exams include the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admissions Test.

• Letters of recommendation are useful to include, especially from professors, coaches, or mentors that speak to the student's academic and personal merit and likelihood of success in the particular program.

• A personal essay is often required that expresses the student's reasons, motivation, and desire to complete a high-level degree in their chosen field.

• Many doctoral programs, especially in research-heavy fields like psychology or the sciences, highly value prior research experience. Demonstrating involvement in academic research or having publications can strengthen an application. 

• Some programs, particularly in clinical fields or selective disciplines, may require an interview as part of the admissions process to assess the applicant’s fit for the program and research alignment. 

In addition to these standard requirements, some disciplines require professional work experience or language proficiency. For example, students pursuing online doctoral studies in nursing may need a minimum number of clinical hours or years of full-time employment. By contrast, applicants to PhD programs in classics may need to demonstrate some familiarity with Latin or Ancient Greek.

Careers and Job Outlook

An online doctorate can lead to career opportunities that may otherwise be unavailable to bachelor's and even master's degree holders. For instance, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a JD is typically required to become a practicing attorney, and doctorates are needed to become a physician, dentist, or psychologist. 

Aside from expanding job opportunities in specific areas, an online doctorate also offers general career advantages. Students who successfully earn this degree typically gain considerable experience with relevant skills for government organizations, nonprofits, and startups. In particular, their ability to interpret different kinds of data, translate complex problems for wide audiences, identify unique funding opportunities, and evaluate multiple sources of information can make graduates valuable assets for employers in these industries.

Overall, the BLS projects that a doctoral degree comes with better pay and a favorable job outlook through 2030, particularly in the education, healthcare, and law sectors. 

Benefits of Earning a PhD

It's clear that doctoral degrees may open doors to higher-paying career opportunities. Nevertheless, earning a doctorate is an expensive, demanding, and time-consuming process. Before enrolling in an online PhD program, it's worth examining the pros and cons. Below are some of the benefits: 

Practical and Life Skills: Doctoral students often gain valuable life skills like financial management, career planning, and self-motivation, in addition to deep professional expertise.

Recognition and Expertise: With fewer individuals holding PhDs, graduates are typically recognized as experts or leaders in their fields.

Personal Enrichment: For those who value continual learning, personal growth, and career advancement, earning a doctorate can be a deeply rewarding experience.

So, Is an Online Doctorate Worth It?

Like any educational investment, the worth of an online doctorate depends, in part, on personal circumstances, career goals, familial responsibilities, finances, and learning style. However, as a highly specialized and advanced degree, a doctorate comes with distinctive benefits and challenges of its own.

There are a limited number of professions that require a doctorate. However, those that do, such as doctors or lawyers, tend to be well compensated, so pursuing a doctoral program in these fields may yield a high return on investment. By contrast, the outlook for academic doctoral candidates is less promising with both salaries and the number of full-time positions decreasing for individuals who want to work in academia. But a PhD may still be worth it for those who love conducting academic research, writing, and teaching. 

Additionally, students who enroll in an online doctorate may benefit from accelerated learning models and complete their degree in as little as three years — considerably sooner than traditional programs. However, online learning may not always offer adequate support. Furthermore, by studying online, students may forgo important sources of financial aid such as research and teaching assistantships.

FAQs on PhD and Doctoral Programs