Online PhD Degrees

Also known as a Ph.D., a doctorate is considered to be a terminal or final degree. There is no higher degree in a particular field of study than that of a Ph.D. To obtain a Ph.D., the student has to first earn a bachelor's and then a master's degree.

A doctorate usually culminates with an original research paper called a dissertation, a longer form of a thesis for a master's degree. In some cases, a dissertation can take years to write and number in the hundreds of pages.

Once a doctorate has been awarded, the person who earned it will then be referred to as "doctor." However, a Ph.D. should not be confused with a M.D. (Doctor of Medicine). University professors, school principals, research scientists and many other professionals often hold doctorates, and while they are referred to as "doctors," they may not practice medicine.

To earn a doctorate, you must have significant persistence and invest a great deal of time and money. It is not uncommon for it to take more than eight years to earn a Ph.D.

Online PhD Degree Programs

Associate's

Bachelor's

Certificate

JD

Master's

MBA

PhD

Featured Online Colleges

Kaplan University Online
Choose from over 70 programs, online or at one of over 75 campuses.

American InterContinental University Online
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Everest University
Everest has many convenient online degree programs.