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Online PhD Programs

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Regardless of academic field or discipline, doctoral degrees are considered terminal; they demand the highest standards of rigorous academic study and research.

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Students who earn an online Ph.D. or professional doctorate fall into an elite category of highly educated professionals. Doctoral students acquire broad understanding of their discipline, specialized expertise in their field, and advanced research and writing skills. Many students opt to complete Ph.D. programs online instead of on campus.

Doctoral programs demand several years of challenging academic work, but they prove valuable for many aspiring academics, researchers, and working professionals seeking career and salary advancement. Doctoral degrees help many professionals become professors or administrators in sectors such as healthcare or education. Many doctoral programs only accept students with related master's degrees or related professional experience.

This page surveys some of the doctoral degree types and career paths available. See below for information on Ph.D. online program quality, pricing, and length. This information, plus our ranked list of top online Ph.D. programs, helps readers determine whether an online doctoral program aligns with their career goals, qualifications, and strengths.

What is a Doctoral Degree?

Certain prestigious and specialized career paths require doctoral-level degrees, the most advanced degrees available in most fields. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the number of doctoral students has increased steadily in recent years, making doctoral degrees necessary for competition in certain career paths.

Qualified candidates for many positions in higher education, research, or law hold a Ph.D. or another doctoral-level professional degree such as a doctor of education (Ed.D.), juris doctor (JD), or various medical doctoral degrees.

Doctoral-level medical careers include veterinarians, who need doctor of veterinary medicine (D.V.M.) degrees; physical therapists, who earn doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degrees; and medical doctors, who hold doctor of medicine (MD) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) degrees.

Doctoral degrees often take 3-8 years to finish. Practicum or professional experience requirements influence doctoral program length in many health and education fields. Exam-based professional programs such as the JD often require just 3-4 years to complete. Ph.D. programs involving independent research projects often take 6-9 years to finish.

Depending on industry, career path, and level of success, graduates often see a valuable return on their time investment. The College Payoff, a report produced by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, indicates that doctoral degree-holders' lifetime earnings average $3.3-$3.6 million. This figure puts doctoral graduates' lifetime earnings 61% above bachelor's degree-holders' earnings. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data indicates that doctoral graduates enjoy median weekly earnings of $1,883 — nearly double the $969 median weekly wage for all workers.

Best Online Ph.D. and Doctoral Programs

What's the Difference Between a Ph.D. and a Professional Doctoral Degree?

Both Ph.D. and professional doctoral degrees typically require advanced skills in research, writing, and oral defense. Many disciplines offer both Ph.D. and professional degree options. Note key differences between these degree types and choose wisely based on personal preferences, talents, and career goals.

The Ph.D. constitutes a more academic study path focused on theory, data analysis, and original research. Ph.D. programs typically prepare students for academic teaching or research careers by teaching enrollees to evaluate, analyze, and present academic theory and research literature.

Professional doctoral programs such as doctor of business administration (DBA) and doctor of public health (Dr.PH.) focus on research applications for professional practice and usually serve working professionals seeking career advancement.

Ph.D. students usually write dissertations, while professional doctoral students usually complete practical projects such as research studies or problem-solving initiatives at real-world sites.

The Most Popular Types of Doctoral Degrees

NCES data shows that healthcare professionals earn 43.63% of all doctoral degrees — more than twice the number found in law, which boasts the second-highest rate of doctoral degrees at 18.77%. Data from the same source indicates that only 4.47%-6.94% of professionals in the remaining disciplines of education, engineering, and biological sciences hold doctoral degrees. See below for descriptions of some of the most common doctoral degrees, including the Ed.D., Ph.D., and MD.

• Health professions and related programs–43.63%

• Legal professions and studies — 18.77%

• Education — 6.94%

• Engineering and engineering technologies — 5.99%

• Biological and biomedical sciences — 4.47%

Source: NCES

Continue reading for a list of some of the most common doctoral degrees:

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

Many aspiring education administrators, curriculum designers, and other educators interested in developing practical solutions for modern education concerns choose to earn an Ed.D. Common concentrations include higher education leadership, early childhood education, or elementary STEM education.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Ph.D. programs offer an opportunity for research that students often tailor to their individual interests and career goals. Though different than the Ed.D. degree, Ph.D. concentrations often include a variety of education options, as well as specializations in business, marketing, and public health, among other research fields.

Doctor of Theology (ThD)

The Doctor of Theology offers a research degree comparable to the Ph.D. Optional concentrations often include history of Christianity, world church and world religions, and liturgical studies.

Medicinae Doctorate (MD)

Medical doctors and primary physicians hold an MD in order to practice general medicine in the U.S. Common concentrations include women's reproductive health, integrative medicine, and medical education.

Is an Online Doctorate Degree as Good as an On-Campus Degree?

An increasingly popular education choice, online programs offer academic rigor and reputations similar to on-campus equivalents. Most schools offering both online and on-campus versions of their degree programs award diplomas that do not differentiate between these degree types.

Recent research suggests that online and on-campus learning elicit similar student satisfaction levels. According to a 2016 report generated by The Learning House, Inc. and Aslanian Market ResearchData, nearly 65% of today's online students evidence prior online learning experience.

The same source reports that 90% of college students rate their online education experience as equivalent or better than their on-campus course experiences. The report also indicates that around 70% of students deem their online programs worth the time and financial investment.

The sections below discuss the benefits of online Ph.D. programs, including lower cost and greater attendance flexibility.

Is It Cheaper to Get a Doctoral Degree Online?

Pursuing an online Ph.D. often results in less student debt than on-campus options. Online programs often allow out-of-state students to pay cheaper in-state or online tuition rates, and many schools also waive various university service fees. Online students also save money by avoiding the residency and commuting costs of full-time, on-campus programs. Many homeowners and residents of rural areas who enjoy low living expenses attend online programs without relocating to more expensive urban or suburban areas.

Online doctoral degrees also frequently feature flexible attendance options that enable working professionals to maintain their current income while pursuing an advanced degree. Many online programs permit students to participate during evenings, weekends, or whenever proves convenient. Online students also enjoy equal access to financial aid, including federal grants and loans and university scholarships. The College Board's 2019 report on higher education trends indicates that full-time graduate students receive financial aid averaging $28,140.

How Much Does an Online Ph.D. Program Cost?

The College Board's 2019 report on college pricing indicates that public universities charge a fraction of the tuition and fees found at private nonprofit schools. The following comparative table below highlights the $34,000 difference in average doctoral program pricing between public and private higher education institutions.

Source: College Board

How Long does it Take to Get a Doctorate Degree Online?

Doctoral program length varies widely based on factors including degree type, discipline and field, and student pacing. NCES data from 2018 indicates that doctoral students' median finish time as 7.3 years since starting graduate school and 5.8 years since starting their doctoral programs. This discrepancy suggests that students with transferable graduate work, such as from a master's degree, finish their doctoral programs about 1.5 years faster.

NCES statistics also suggest that time-to-degree varies substantially by discipline of study. Doctoral degrees in physical science, mathematics, computer science, and engineering boast median completion times at least one year faster than social science degrees. Humanities, arts, and education doctoral programs take the longest.

How to Choose an Online Doctoral Degree

After deciding to earn a doctorate online, prospective students select a program. Though online programs generally share many of the same benefits, they often vary in their ability to meet your needs. First, make sure the program you choose fits your career needs, and that it offers preparation for any certification or licensing exams required in your particular area of study.

Some programs require campus visits in combination with online study. In this case, consider your proximity to campus. You may even enjoy certain campus perks, like gym access or tutoring centers, if your program requires you to complete some coursework there. Though all online programs offer flexibility, consider your learning style and what you need from the learning environment. If you are looking to study at your own pace, consider programs that offer asynchronous classes. The price of earning your doctorate online varies depending on whether your program is offered by a nonprofit or for-profit, private or public school.

Is it Better to Attend an Online Doctoral Degree Program in My State?

Your location plays a role in the cost of your online degree. Many schools charge different amounts for in- and out-of-state tuition, for both online and on-campus programs. Even if your online program does not require campus visits, many schools request proof of residence for cheaper in-state rates.

Students should check their own school's residency policies and look for state authorization or a school's State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), which implements interstate, regional standards of postsecondary courses and programs. Many students prefer to enroll in an online program within their home state to pursue career counseling or other on-campus services.

Many doctoral-level career paths in fields like law or psychology require state licensure as well as a doctoral degree. Licensure requirements include professional experience hours, education credit requirements, and licensure examinations. Doctoral programs for these careers usually include coursework and internship or practicum experiences tailored to fulfill licensure requirements. Many professionals looking to practice in a new state transfer their license by taking advantage of reciprocity agreements maintained between state boards.

Why Accreditation is Key

When researching online doctoral programs, consider institutional and programmatic accreditation standards. The Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) recognizes various regional and national accrediting organizations that evaluate schools' academic quality. Many online schools receive their accreditation from the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.

Institutions and programs undergo the accreditation process voluntarily to ensure academic rigor. Accreditation matters because the federal government only grants federal financial aid to students at accredited schools. Schools also usually only recognize credits and degrees from schools with equivalent or superior accreditation standards.

Consider institutions accredited by CHEA-approved regional accreditors. Degrees from regionally accredited schools garner more respect from peers, other schools, and prospective employers.

High-quality professional programs also hold programmatic accreditation from field-based accrediting agencies recognized by CHEA. Prospective students can consult program websites or the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs to determine accreditation status.

Careers that Require a Doctorate

Most careers requiring a doctoral degree fall into three general arenas: education, research, and healthcare. Aspiring professors and researchers in most nonmedical disciplines usually earn Ph.D. degrees. Ph.D. students often begin teaching and conducting research during graduate school, but candidates typically need their degree in hand to acquire full-time professorships or research positions.

Healthcare professions requiring doctoral degrees include veterinarians, physical therapists, medical doctors, and pharmacy directors. Psychiatrists and psychologists usually need doctoral degrees also. Most doctoral-level healthcare professions also require state licensure.

Professor, Postsecondary/Higher Education: Higher education professors teach undergraduate or graduate courses in their discipline or related disciplines. Aspiring professors typically need to earn terminal degrees in their field to obtain secure, full-time teaching jobs at universities and colleges. According to the BLS, postsecondary teachers made a median annual salary of $79,540 in 2019. The BLS projects job growth at a rate of 11% for 2018-2028.

Senior Research Scientist: Often working in laboratory and/or university environments, senior research scientists focus primarily on conducting research or experiments and gathering, analyzing, and presenting results or findings. PayScale salary data indicates that senior research scientists average $101,244 annually, although salaries depend on employer, field, and industry.

Psychiatrist: These professionals provide consultation and medication to patients struggling with mental health issues and disorders. Psychiatrists hold MD or DO degrees and earn a substantial mean annual wage of $220,380, according to the BLS.

Physical Therapist: Physical therapists assist elderly, injured, and disabled people to manage pain, increase mobility, and improve quality of life. The BLS projects 22% job growth for physical therapists during 2018-2028, and earnings data indicates that these professionals made a median annual salary of $89,440 in 2019. These professionals hold DPT degrees.

Hospital Pharmacy Director: These directors oversee all pharmacy operations. Major responsibilities include staff supervision, compliance assurance, customer service, and decision-making. Hospital pharmacy directors require doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degrees from accredited schools, plus licenses from their states of practice. PayScale indicates that hospital pharmacy directors average $146,293 annually.

Veterinarian: Often working in private clinics or animal hospitals, veterinarians provide preventative medical care and treatment for animals. Duties include examining, assessing, and testing animals; advising owners and prescribing treatments; and performing surgeries and euthanizations. BLS salary data shows that these professionals earned a median annual salary of $95,460 in 2019.

Applying to a Doctoral Degree Program

The application process for doctoral degree programs typically entails researching potential programs, studying for and taking standardized tests, and submitting application materials. Graduate applications typically require official transcripts, standardized test scores, recommendation letters, and a personal statement or essay. Many graduate programs also require a resume or portfolio, as well as an interview.

Graduate admissions typically prove far more competitive than undergraduate admissions. Invest time to produce high-quality application materials. This helpful guide provides a general overview of the application process and timeline for U.S. graduate schools.

1. Testing: Many doctoral program admissions committees expect applicants to submit graduate-level standardized tests. The graduate record examination (GRE), a commonly required standardized test in the United States and Canada, tests verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. Many programs require students to take the general GRE and a GRE subject test.

Other possible standardized tests include the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Try a few practice tests several months in advance of application deadlines, to see whether their scores approach the score minimums stipulated by their prospective doctoral programs.

2. Letters of Recommendation: Doctoral program admissions usually require 2-4 recommendation letters from relevant professors and mentors. Applicants typically approach their recommenders 1-2 months prior to their deadline and make sure that the recommender can write a positive recommendation.

Many applications allow online submission of recommendations. Check in with recommenders regularly to encourage and verify timely submission of the letter.

3. Resume/Portfolio: To assess an applicant's professional accomplishments, most doctoral programs require submission of a resume or curriculum vita and/or a writing sample or portfolio. Ph.D. admissions teams look favorably upon applicants who produce compelling and original master's theses, projects, or similarly competitive achievements.

Meanwhile, demonstrated success and experience in relevant professional roles often improves the prospects of doctoral candidates in disciplines such as business, education, or law.

4. Purpose Statement/Essay: Doctoral programs typically require some kind of purpose statement or essay. At the doctoral application level, a purpose statement outlines the applicant's specific research and professional goals during and after their doctoral program. A clear, focused purpose statement evidences an applicant's ability to direct their own research.

5. Official Transcripts: Most programs require applicants to submit official transcripts from all prior undergraduate and graduate schools attended. Several weeks before your application deadlines, contact each prior institution's registrar's office to fill out and submit a transcript request form (which usually involves a small fee).

Previous schools send official, signed, and sealed copies of your transcripts to whichever prospective programs you specify on your transcript request form. Students submitting applications at the last minute or while still in school often ask prospective schools to accept unofficial transcript copies while waiting for official transcripts to arrive.