Online PhD Degrees and Programs- Options for Doctoral Studies

If you are considering an online PhD degree, there are a few things to consider. A doctorate degree is often referred to as a "terminal degree" as it is the highest level of education available for most fields of study. Those who possess doctoral degrees are considered experts in their area. There are different kinds of doctorate degrees. The research doctorate (Ph.D.) is the most common, but professional doctorates are awarded in professions of law and medicine for example. Other popular doctorate degrees are the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and Education Doctorate (EdD). Online PhD and doctorate programs are available in many areas, for example business (management and information technology), engineering, sciences (chemistry and biology), education, and many science and arts areas. In general doctorate programs begin with gaining broad knowledge in the field and then developing research project, taking comprehensive exams, and writing a thesis or dissertation.

Capella University

• Ph.D. in Education
• Ph.D. in Ed./Leadership for Higher Education
• Ph.D. in Education/Training and Performance Improvement
  Ph.D. in Human Services
• Ph.D. in Organization & Management
• Ph.D. in Organization & Management/Human Resource Management

Walden University

• Doctor of Ed. in Teacher Leadership
• Ph.D. in Applied Management & Decision Sciences
• Ph.D. in Applied Management and Decision Sciences/Information Systems Management
• Ph.D. in Applied Management and Decision Sciences/Leadership and Organizational Change
• Ph.D. in Education
• Ph.D. in Health Services

A. T. Still University

• Doctor of Health Education
• Doctor of Physical Therapy

Argosy University

• Doctor of Business Administration
• Doctor of Education in Community College Executive Leadership
• Doctor of Education in Counseling Psychology
• Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
• Doctor of Education in Instructional Leadership
• Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership

Concord Law School

• Executive JDsm Program
• Juris Doctor Program

Boston University

• Doctoral of Physical Therapy

Fielding Graduate University

• EdD in Educational Leadership and Change
• PhD in Clinical Psychology
• PhD in Human Development
• PhD in Human and Organizational Systems
• PhD in Media Psychology

George Washington University

• Education Specialist (EdS)

Northcentral University

• Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration
• Ph.D. in Criminal Justice
• Ph.D. in Health Care Administration
• Ph.D. in Homeland Security
• Doctor of Philosophy in Education
• Ph.D. in Education / Educational Leadership

Clayton College of Natural Health

• Doctor of Natural Health
• Doctor of Naturopathy
• Ph.D. in Holistic Nutrition
• Ph.D. in Natural Health

University of Florida

• Working Professional Doctor of Pharmacy

Liberty University

• Doctor of Ministry
• Ph.D. in Counseling

Where an online PhD or on campus, the PhD degrees take a while to complete but this varies from program to program. Requirements include coursework, internships, and independent work in learning and direction, staff development, supervising, evaluation, and research synthesis. The Ph.D. program is a research degree and includes coursework, internships, and independent work in research designing, data analysis, and instructional theory. Ph.D. graduates tend to work in universities and research-based environments. Therefore a Ph.D. is based on original research. Even with full time studies few people complete a program of study in less than four years, and part time students can take up to seven years. As with the masters degree ensure that you do not take too long to or you will start to lose credit hours. Doctorate programs require the completion of residency requirements (each school will define their residency requirements). Candidates are also required to work on a dissertation after completion of the coursework. This phase of the program is often referred to as ABD (all but dissertation). Several universities offer a broad selection of online programs, and the offerings are diverse.