Doctorate Degree Online Programs

For an accredited doctorate degree online in areas that include education, religion and divinity, counseling, psychology, business, and management.

Doctoral degrees online are the ideal option for people who want to return to school but need the flexibility. Distance Learning PhD programs are available by colleges that are traditional campus-based or fully online. Online doctoral degrees are research-based, and are usually the highest degree you can earn for graduate study, and is thus a terminal degree for most disciplines. The doctoral degree classification includes degrees like the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Doctor of Public Health, Doctor of Education (Ed. D.), Doctor of Nursing Science (D. NSc.), and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in many field (e.g. arts, business, engineering, education, engineering, humanities, public administration, sciences, etc.).

PhD Specializations and Concentrations

Universities with Doctoral Programs

University of Phoenix

University of the Rockies

Capella University

Walden University

The University of Liverpool

Grand Canyon University

Liberty University

Northcentral University

Doctoral Education and Training

Doctoral degrees online are the ideal option for people who want to return to school but need the flexibility. Distance Learning PhD programs are available by colleges that are traditional campus-based or fully online. Online doctoral programs are research-based, and are usually the highest degree you can earn for graduate study, and is thus a terminal degree for most disciplines.

Online doctorate education depending on the particular area of specialization. In the US, doctoral studies often include the following components: Coursework, residency, internship or practicum, original research (dissertation or thesis). On average programs may take four to eight years to complete depending on whether one is a full-time or part-time student. The following are common doctorate degree online programs.

Education (Ph.D.; EdD)

The PhD in Education is designed to prepare graduate candidates for academia, teaching, educational research, and administration. The Ed. d. focuses on preparing primary and secondary school (K-12) for administration and teachers careers in academic departments of education.

Psychology (Ph.D.; PsyD)

The PhD in Psychology and the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) are available through online colleges. This is viewed as a research and teaching degree. Some areas of focus are organizational psychology, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, and educational psychology (Ed Psych).

Business (Ph.D; DBA)

A PhD in business and a Doctor of Business Administration degree is designed to prepare students in various areas of business practice for research and teaching careers. A doctorate degree online is also a viable option for busy business professionals.

Engineering (PhD; DCS)

Engineering distance learning options are available in many areas including computer science (Doctor of Computer Science or DCS), civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, environmental engineering etc. Sometimes referred to as a Doctor of Engineering degree (D.Eng).

Public Health (Ph.D.; DPH)

Graduates with a doctorate in public health work in administration and research careers. The focus is usually in community health, social health, including epidemiology. The Doctor of Public Health degree (DPH) tends to have a focus on public health policy studies.

Nursing (Ph.D; D.N.P)

Students working toward Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P) and Nursing PhD programs may concentrate in various areas including: Nursing education. Graduates can move into teaching in academia, or continue working in clinical setting, research, and administration.

Doctorate Careers

Careers with a doctoral degree vary depending on the industry and the specific doctorate degree online program graduated from, but most PhD candidates upon graduation elect to go on to careers either in research or teaching.

Most colleges and universities require gradates to have earned a doctorate degree online or on campus in order to teach or conduct research. Some job positions in higher education are: assistant professor, associate professor, and full professor.

At the college and university administrative level positions include: dean, provost, president, and chancellor. Since the PhD degree is a research degree, many college professors are also involved in research. Other professionals with a doctorate degree online work in independent or private research firms, as independent consultants, for government agencies such as NASA, the CDC, department of education, and other professions and positions that require highly specialized personnel.

Estimated Income and Projected Career Growth

The Bureau of Labor Statistics in the United States reports that doctorate holders earn around $74,000 a year. In many career paths such as business, income levels go well over $100,000 annually. Payscale.com reports the following salary scales as of 2011. Salaries vary significantly by discipline, city where one works, level of experience, and employment sector.

• Assistant Professor, Postsecondary - $40,457 - $87,652
• Associate Professor, Postsecondary - $49,448 - $102,499
• Research Scientist - $44,372 - $114,277
• Physical Therapist (PT) - $49,982 - $74,504
  Professor, Postsecondary - $50,717 - $152,669
• Postdoctoral Research Associate - $32,927 - $60,393
• Veterinarian - $45,590 - $99,907

A doctorate degree online or on campus will provide you with the opportunity to keep your current job will you pursue your degree due to its general flexibility. Those with families can also pursue the degree while still attending to their other obligations.