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By University HQ Staff Writers
Edited by Evelyn Keener
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University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class, unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlight the best programs.

Completing a doctoral degree is increasingly expected in many fields due to the growing competition for jobs that require a master’s degree or higher. Doctoral programs help individuals stand out and qualify for leadership roles in industries such as science, law, education, and healthcare. Many top employers seek professionals with the highest degrees in their field, while certain jobs, like professors, judges, medical doctors, and mental health professionals, require advanced degrees due to the nature of the work.

Online doctorate programs offer the flexibility and accessibility needed for students to advance their careers while balancing other responsibilities. Whether you’re pursuing a degree in psychology, curriculum and instruction, or other specialized fields, online doctoral programs provide the opportunity to earn a high-level degree from top institutions, allowing you to achieve your career goals and gain a competitive edge. Explore the best online doctorate programs available to find the right fit for your educational and professional aspirations.

Luckily, these programs are offered in many forms including executive education, hybrid (with on-campus and online doctorate courses), and fully online programs for professional doctorate degree programs in medical science and biomedical sciences, neuroscience, healthcare, criminal justice, public health, business and public policy at the state or federal level in the United States. Both on-campus and online doctoral programs make the best use of renowned faculty and alumni in particular fields and allow current students and their fellows to be involved in and conduct real world research during the course of their degree programs.

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Understanding the Value of an Online PhD Program

The reasons for pursuing accredited online doctoral programs vary, but for fields like medical science, psychology, and academia, a doctoral degree is often required. However, nearly half of those pursuing these degrees do not succeed due to the significant time, dedication, and financial investment involved. Before committing, it's essential to organize your life to improve your chances of success, including setting aside daily time for coursework or research.

Most people pursue online doctoral degrees for career advancement and job security. These degrees position individuals as experts, making them stand out in resume piles over those with master’s or bachelor’s degrees, even with experience. Holding a doctoral degree offers flexibility in various areas of your field and ensures long-term job security.

Earning a doctoral degree advances your career by establishing you as an industry expert. You'll likely be invited to speak at events, serve as a panelist, or give keynote addresses, boosting your income. Additionally, publishing in reputable journals or media outlets will further elevate your status, making you invaluable to employers and increasing your pay.

The type of online doctoral degree you choose shapes your career. A professional practice doctorate is ideal for most, especially if you’re not aiming to be a professor or psychiatrist. These degrees typically take less time to complete, except for medical professionals, and help you specialize, making you valuable to employers. Most online doctoral degrees require at least two extra years, often longer if you're working while studying.

Many online doctoral programs require that you complete a master’s degree or an MBA for admission, though some, like MD or JD programs, accept only a bachelor’s degree. In some cases, you can complete both a master’s and a doctoral degree simultaneously, saving time and money. Consider your career goals when selecting your specialization and dissertation theme, and choose a higher learning institution that offers the doctoral program you need, such as a general graduate school, business school, or nursing school.

Consider whether you need the flexibility of online doctorate programs with minimal in-person requirements, especially if you live far from a traditional institution. Factor in the program's cost and explore scholarships, grants, or public universities. Ensure the program is accredited, as degrees from regionally accredited institutions carry more credibility. These are all essential considerations before making your decision.

Most Popular Online Doctoral Degrees

As you delve into the realm of higher education, you'll find that online PhD programs in specific fields offer a wealth of opportunities across diverse disciplines. These distance learning PhD programs are designed to provide you with the freedom to tailor your educational journey to fit your unique professional goals and intellectual passions.

Top online doctoral programs are now more accessible than ever, breaking down the barriers that once limited academic pursuits to physical classrooms. Whether you are a budding psychologist, a future education leader, or an aspiring business mogul, there is an online PhD program tailored to your aspirations.

Field of Study Recommended Program Duration
Accounting PhD in Accounting 3-7 Years
Business Administration PhD or Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) 3-5 Years
Psychology PhD in Psychology (PsyD) 4-6 Years
Clinical Psychology Doctor of Clinical Psychology (PsyD) 4-6 Years
Education Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) 3-5 Years
Educational Leadership Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D. in Leadership) 3-5 Years
Instructional Design Doctor of Education in Instructional Design (Ed.D. in Instructional Design) 3-5 Years
Healthcare Administration Doctor of Health Administration (DHA) 3-6 Years
Dental Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Medical Dentistry (DDS or DMD) 3-5 Years
Medicine Doctor of Medicine (MD) 3-7 Years
Pharmacy Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) 4-5 Years
Anesthesia Nursing Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) 3-4 Years
Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership (DNP) 2-3 Years
Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership (DNP) 2-3 Years
Engineering PhD in Engineering 3-7 Years
Information Technology PhD of Philosophy in Information Technology 3-7 Years
Cybersecurity Doctor of Cybersecurity (DSc) 3-7 Years
Criminal Justice Doctor of Criminal Justice (DCrimJ) 3-7 Years
Public Administration Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) 3-5 Years

These programs highlight just a fraction of the online PhD programs in specific fields that are molding the next generation of scholars and professionals. With a steadfast commitment to academic excellence, distance learning PhD programs maintain the same rigor and quality as their on-campus equivalents.

Ultimately, the success of top online doctoral programs lies in their adaptability, accommodating your schedule and life commitments without compromising on the quality of education you receive. With such versatility at your fingertips, the pursuit of knowledge has never been more aligned with the rhythms of modern life.

Common Testing & Exam Requirements

doctoral_degree_exam_requirementsYou will likely have to complete a graduate school testing exam prior to receiving admission to any doctoral programs, such as a GMAT or a GRE exam. The required exam will be dependent upon the type of advanced degree you intend to complete. The score you must achieve will be determined by your university or school. You will have to pay for these exams and complete them with an approved and designated monitor.

Once doctoral students begin the program, they will be required to complete traditional coursework that will lead to competency exams. After their educational foundation is complete, they will begin to focus on research or applied practices that they will incorporate into their defense and dissertation or thesis. They will be required to stand up and defend a dissertation or thesis to the designated committee in most cases. If the committee approves their dissertation or thesis, they will receive their professional doctorate degrees.

Find Your Online Doctorate Program

How to Choose the Right Online Doctoral or PhD Program?

The easiest way to select the right online doctoral or Ph.D. program for you is to determine which specialization is right for you. Ask yourself whether you want to teach at the college or university level or become an industry expert. You should then consider whether you wish to pursue research or practical applications in your field. Finally, determine the exact area in your field in which you wish to specialize.

What is a Doctor of Medicine (MD) Degree?

An M.D. degree is required to become a physician. This degree will allow recipients to diagnose illness and disease, prescribe medication and treat injury and illness. Many medical doctors will specialize further during their residency and fellowship training. During the courses and rotations, program participants will have exposure, training, and lessons on a wide variety of medical specializations.

Sample Online Courses for an MD:

  • Average Cost to Get - $143,200 (not including undergraduate degree costs)
  • Time to Completion - 4 years for medical school, 3-7 years additional training
  • Sample Courses - Internal Medicine, General Surgery and Surgical Subspecialties, Family Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Neurology, Emergency Medicine, and Psychiatry.

Popular MD Jobs:

  • Forensic Medical Examiner
  • Public Health and Safety
  • Medical Photographer
  • Sports and Exercise Medicine

What is a Juris Doctor (JD - Law) Degree?

The Juris Doctor degree is for practicing lawyers and other legal professionals in the US. It is achieved only by attending a law school approved by the American Bar Association. A law degree prepares program participants to become lawyers in a variety of industries. It is also important to note that people with a J.D. degree can pursue other professions within the legal industry.

Sample Online Courses for a JD:

  • Average Cost to Get - $36,300 (not including undergraduate degree costs)
  • Time to Completion - 3-7 years
  • Sample Courses Civil Procedures, Constitutional Laws, International Law, Business Law, Courtroom Procedures, and Property and Real Estate Law.

Popular JD Jobs:

  • Lawyer
  • Academia/Teaching
  • Compliance Management
  • Mediator

What is a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Degree?

A Pharm.D. degree is required to complete the pharmacist licensure process. Without this degree, you cannot become a pharmacist in the US. This degree specializes in medications. As a pharmacist, you will work with patients to help them manage their medication and you will work with physicians to help with medication therapy.

Sample Online Courses for a PharmD:

  • Average Cost to Get - $100,000 (not including undergraduate degree costs)
  • Time to Completion - 4 years undergraduate, 4 years Pharm.D. professional program
  • Sample Courses - Pharmacogenetics, Non-Prescription Therapies, Pharmacy Law, Therapeutics: Oncology, and Advanced Geriatrics

Popular PharmD Jobs:

  • Community Pharmacy
  • Geriatric Pharmacy
  • Governmental Agencies
  • Home Healthcare

What is a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) Degree?

A D.D.S. degree permits you to practice as a dentist and verifies that you graduated from an accredited dental college or university. It is important to note that a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (D.M.D.) is actually the exact same as a D.D.S. The title is simply determined by the college or university of the dental schools.

Sample Online Courses for DDS:

  • Average Cost to Get - $267,000 (not including undergraduate degree costs)
  • Time to Completion - 4 years undergraduate, 4 years dental school
  • Sample Courses - General and Oral Pathology, Pharmacology, Principles of Medicine, Oral Surgery, Radiology, and Practice Management.

Popular DDS Jobs:

  • Dental Consulting
  • Dental Products Development
  • Dental Insurance
  • Federal Services (Public Health)

What is a Doctor of Education (EdD) degree?

A Doctor of Education is uniquely catered to those individuals who wish to be a leader in education. Most Ed.D. holders influence education policy, obtain leadership positions and apply practice and knowledge to existing organizations. This degree path will focus on research that already exists; whereas, a Ph.D. in Education will create new research.

Sample Online Courses for an EdD:

  • Average Cost to Get - $40,000 (not including undergraduate degree costs)
  • Time to Completion - 3 years to 5 years depending on the program
  • Sample Courses - Changing Conceptions of Learning and Human Development: Research and Practice, Social Justice and Educational Equality, and Education Entrepreneurship

Popular EdD Jobs:

  • Academic Dean
  • Chief Academic Officer
  • Faculty Manager
  • Fundraising Director

What Can I Do With an Online Doctoral Degree?

A Ph.D. and Doctorate degree will increase your salary regardless of your industry or profession. Some careers and jobs will pay more than others.

  • Pharmacist: $115,200
    A pharmacist will be the CEO of the pharmacy working with both patients and physicians. They might work in a hospital, a general store or anywhere a pharmacy has a location. These medical professionals must have expertise in medications and medical care. It is important to note that this position can be highly stressful at times due to the fact pharmacists often work with sick people and people who may struggle to pay for their necessary medications.
  • Healthcare Consultant: $78,300
    Healthcare consultants are growing in demand. These medical professionals will be hired by various organizations, such as doctor office chains, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and more. They will work to create efficiency, cost savings, and proper organizational structure. In the end, they will make recommendations for improvements; however, it is up to the organization to implement the recommendations.
  • Hospital CEO: $153,500
    The chief executive officer of a hospital will provide overall direction for the company that manages the hospital. This person will also be responsible for the creation and implementation of policies and procedures. They must abide by the regulations and standards as set forth by the board of directors. And they have the often-challenging task of balancing patient care and financial budgets.
  • Public Policy Director: $81,900
    A public policy director is often part of the board or an executive in an organization. The organization might be a non-profit or a for-profit company. It is the responsibility of this individual to ensure their organization is following all regulations and policies implemented by the government of any country in which the organization operates.
  • Consultant:
    Legal consultants, who might also be called a legal advisor, will be hired on a temporary basis to provide legal advice in a non-courtroom setting. Many companies will hire a legal consultant rather than to pay the additional expenses of hiring an attorney on staff permanently. These legal professionals may work for one company or work for several.
  • Tax Lawyer: $102,400
    Tax attorneys are some of the highest paid attorneys. These individuals are responsible for ensuring that any business, government entity, or non-profit organization is following all tax laws at all times. These legal professionals may also be hired once the government has determined a problem exists. They can help save any organization money and jail time.
  • Child Psychologist: $68,300
    A child psychologist will work with children who have social issues, emotional development concerns, or mental challenges. It is highly important to note that you must also work with the parents or guardian of these children or their government worker if they are a ward of the state. Most children who see a child psychologist will have some intense struggles that can lead to volatile situations. Some children will have less severe challenges to overcome.
  • Professor: $88,400
    A college or university professor at an accredited higher learning institution will typically focus on teaching students, ground-breaking research, and publishing. The overall goal of most professors is to become a tenured professor so that they have greater flexibility in their research without fear of the loss of their job.
  • Faculty Development Specialist:
    A faculty development specialist works to create the best educational staff possible at colleges and universities. These individuals help to mold the instructors or professors to develop the ideal curriculum, to establish best practices, to implement continuous improvement policies, and to ensure students are the ones who benefit in the end.

Scholarships

  • The Educational Audiology Association Scholarship
    Amount: $5000-$1,000
    Deadline: Rolling Deadline (All year long)

    The Educational Audiology Association Scholarship is dedicated to doctoral candidates pursuing a degree in educational audiology. The selected recipient will also demonstrate their effort to promote and encourage awareness on the subject matter and research. The number of scholarships may vary each year. Applicants must be in pursuit of a fourth-year placement and be a student in good standing.

  • The Foundation for Physical Therapy Scholarships
    Amount: $7,500-$15,000
    Deadline: Varies (Previously January)

    The Foundation for Physical Therapy provides three scholarships each year to qualified students in pursuit of a Ph.D. The three scholarships are the Promotion of Doctoral Studies I Scholarship, the Promotion of Doctoral Studies II Scholarship and the Florence P. Kendall Post-Professional Doctoral Scholarships. These scholarships will be awarded to first-year students, those in the program phase of coursework and those who are in the post-candidacy stage of the degree.

  • The New Century Scholars Doctoral Scholarships
    Amount: $10,000 (Up to 15 Awards)
    Deadline: Varies

    The New Century Scholars Doctoral Scholarships are awarded by the Dreams and Possibilities Campaign sponsored by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation. As many as 15 scholarships will be awarded to applicants who are able to demonstrate strong academic results with an interest in an academic career within the field of communication sciences. Each scholarship will be valued up to $10,000.

  • The STEM Teachers for America’s Future Scholarship
    Amount: $2,500
    Deadline: Varies (Previously April)

    The STEM Teachers for America’s Future Scholarship is provided by the AFCEA Educational Foundation. Each scholarship is valued between $2,500 each. Applicants must be pursuing a doctoral degree or master’s degree that specializes in science, technology, engineering, or math. These are referred to as the STEM subjects. Qualified applicants must also express an interest and desire to work in young education or K-12 school environments. They must also take two courses each semester, be a US citizen, and maintain a 3.5 GPA.

Professional Organizations

  • AGSSC
  • AAJ
  • NAESP
AGSSC_logo

AGSSC

American Geriatrics Society Student Chapter

The American Geriatrics Society was developed to assist medical professions and those in training to have access to a variety of benefits to increase their success in the field of geriatrics. Members will have access to a network of like-minded professionals, relevant and helpful clinical tools and journals, discounts on educational resources, advocacy, career advancement opportunities, and recognition.

AAJ_logo

AAJ

The American Association for Justice

The members of the American Association for Justice, once titled the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, will be privy to a number of benefits. Members will be instantly connected to a large selection of similar practitioners. They will have access to experience and industry know-how, trial techniques, effective strategies, and more to be able to better represent their clients. The association also provides educational opportunities, access to countless documents, legal news, advocates, and online access to documents.

NAESP_logo

NAESP

The National Association of Elementary School Principals

The National Association of Elementary School Principals is an organization that supports all elementary administrators working in schools for Pre-K to year eight. Members will save money on office and school supplies, have access to webinars, receive travel discounts, advocacy, networking opportunities, and options for professional development. And all members will have access to $2 million in legal protection.

Choosing an Accredited College

If you pursue a doctorate degree, you must select a college or university that is regionally accredited. This will greatly impact your career opportunities and pay. The same is true if you choose an online degree. It is also important to note that if you wish to receive the best education with the best career and pay results, you should choose a degree program that is accredited too.

Many colleges and universities will offer career guidance in a variety of ways. They might offer networking opportunities to meet former graduates. Doctoral candidates will often have access to online job placement assistance. You might also work with highly selective career recruiters or speak with your professors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a PhD and a professional doctorate degree?

A PhD is nearly completely focused on research, whereas a professional doctorate is focused on teaching you how to make the best use of knowledge possible in your chosen field, such as medicine or law. A PhD graduate can easily fit themselves into a research position in which they create new research concepts, decide parameters, run surveys or simulations or double-blind experiments, and end up with an answer to their question or theory. Those who earn professional doctorates are in an excellent position to consider themselves experts in their field. They may testify in court, run an academic program, or find themselves otherwise at the top of their field, such as in education or medicine.

What do you need to apply to a doctorate?

If you plan to apply to a doctorate, you’re going to need admission materials just like for any other degree. At this level, you are likely going to be required to provide the institution where you are applying with a CV and/or resume to prove that you are an active part of the field in which you want to earn the degree. Other than that, the requirements are similar to those for a master’s degree including letters of recommendation, undergraduate and graduate transcripts, recent GRE or GMAT scores, a statement of purpose, and more.

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