Earning a doctorate degree online can improve your earning potential and qualify you for a variety of prestigious career options, all while learning from the comfort of your own home. As the highest degree attainable in the United States, a doctorate degree can prepare you to work in leadership positions, university-level professorships, or other highly skilled professions. But, how do you choose a doctorate degree online program? How much work does an online PhD require? And, what payment options are available for online doctorate students? Read on.
Who Should Earn a Doctorate Degree Online?
Earning a doctorate degree online requires a significant commitment of time and money. The best students are those who are able to set aside study time each day and balance their studies with family and work responsibilities. Because most online doctorate degree programs are reading and writing focused, doctorate students should be highly literate. They should have advanced research skills, be articulate, and have the ability to comprehend complex texts. Additionally, students should be self-motivated and able to work independently.
Keep in mind that earning a doctorate degree online may not automatically improve your salary. Most jobs requiring a doctorate degree offer a decent salary and a certain amount of prestige. However, many academic jobs such as professorships may pay less than jobs in the non-academic sector. When contemplating earning a doctorate degree online, research your future employment options to determine whether a new degree in your field will be worth it.
Online Doctorate Degree Program Accreditation
Many diploma mill schools offer the promise of “quick and easy” online doctorate degrees. Don’t fall for their tricks. Earning a doctorate degree online from an unaccredited school will be worthless. Many former diploma mill “students” have lost their jobs and their reputations by listing a diploma mill school on their resumes.
Because the doctorate is a culminating degree, proper accreditation is especially important. When selecting an online doctorate degree program, your best bet is to choose a school accredited by one of the six regional accreditation organizations. These are the same organizations that accredit reputable brick-and-motor schools. If your school is accredited by one of the regional organizations, your degree should be accepted by most employers and your credits should be transferable to most other schools.
What Else to Look for in an Online Doctorate Degree
In addition to selecting an accredited program, study potential online doctorate programs to determine which suit your needs. How are classes held? Are there multimedia components? Must the degree be completed in a certain amount of time? Will you be assigned a mentor to help you through the difficult years ahead? Create a list of questions and interview a representative from each online doctorate program.
In addition to completing courses, doctorate programs generally require students to pass in-depth subject-matter exams, write a dissertation, and defend their dissertation in a meeting with university faculty. Before enrolling in any online doctorate program, ask for a list detailing the college’s specific graduation requirements.
Types of Doctorate Degrees Online
Not all doctorate degrees can be earned through the internet. Some training, such as that received by medical doctors, must be highly supervised. However, many other doctorate degrees can be earned virtually. Some of the most popular online doctoral degrees include: Doctor of Education (EdD), Doctor of Public Health (DPH), Doctor of Psychology (PhD), and Doctor of Business Administration (DBA).
Online Doctorate Degree Residency Requirements
Most online doctorate degree programs require students to spend time taking classes or attending lectures on an actual campus. Some online programs require only a limited residency, asking students to attend a few weekend lectures or meetings. Other programs, however, may require a year or more of on-campus residency. Residency requirements are generally non-negotiable, so be sure that the online PhD program you select has requirements that fit your schedule.
Paying for a Doctorate Degree Online
Earning a doctorate degree online can cost tens of thousands. While many brick-and-mortar schools offer doctorate students paid teaching fellowships, online students are not afforded this luxury. If your new doctorate degree will help you be a better employee, you may ask your employer to pay for a portion of your doctorate degree costs. Many graduate students qualify to take out government subsidized student loans with lower-than-average interest rates. Additionally, private student loans are available from banks and lending institutions. Your online school’s financial aid advisor can help you determine which options are right for you.
Don’t Give Up
Earning a doctorate degree online can be a challenge. But, for the right student, the rewards are definitely worth it.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Benefits of Online Education
Perhaps nowhere has the Internet's impact been greater than in the world of online education and distance learning. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the number of students taking distance education classes more than doubled between 1995 and 1998 and is expected to continue growing at a phenomenal rate. Why are so many people flocking to online classes? What advantages do Internet-based courses offer?
Convenience
Probably the greatest benefit of online education is the incredible convenience that it offers. Unlike a traditional class, online courses usually don't have regular meetings (though there are still due dates for assignments and exams, and you may have scheduled meetings or "chats" occasionally). As a result, you can do your schoolwork and studying based around your schedule. No more 8am classes, no more 4-hour lectures... heck, you could wear your underwear to "class" and no one will ever know. After all, it all takes place in front of your computer, on your time.
This obviously has huge implications for students who have jobs, a family to take care of, or both. Instead of trying to juggle your classes around a 9-to-5 job or your son's soccer practice, distance learning gives you the flexibility to take your classes when you can fit them in. It's still a challenge, no doubt -- but at least now you'll have options.
Probably the greatest benefit of online education is the incredible convenience that it offers. Unlike a traditional class, online courses usually don't have regular meetings (though there are still due dates for assignments and exams, and you may have scheduled meetings or "chats" occasionally). As a result, you can do your schoolwork and studying based around your schedule. No more 8am classes, no more 4-hour lectures... heck, you could wear your underwear to "class" and no one will ever know. After all, it all takes place in front of your computer, on your time.
This obviously has huge implications for students who have jobs, a family to take care of, or both. Instead of trying to juggle your classes around a 9-to-5 job or your son's soccer practice, distance learning gives you the flexibility to take your classes when you can fit them in. It's still a challenge, no doubt -- but at least now you'll have options.
Unlimited Offerings
When it comes to local schools and colleges, a student in New York City has far more programs to choose from than someone living in Bismarck, North Dakota. But when you're taking classes online, geography doesn't matter anymore! If a course or program isn't offered in your area, you can almost always find an online school that offers a comparable distance learning program. You no longer have to be at a disadvantage because you live in a remote or less-populated area; thanks to the Internet, everyone (around the world, even!) has the same opportunities at their fingertips.
Greater Communication
"Wait -- how can there be more communication in an online class if I never actually see my teacher?" It may sound strange at first, but you'll often have more opportunities for more direct communication with your teachers (and classmates) in an online classroom.
Instead of being limited to asking questions during class or office hours, you'll have direct access to your instructors via email or message boards. This can be especially helpful for students are normally a bit shy or reserved in a traditional classroom setting -- online, you can take the time to develop articulate questions and responses without worrying about your nerves getting in the way. It's important that you use this opportunity to speak up -- if you don't speak up when you need help in an online class, it's a lot easier to fall behind and slip through the cracks.
In just a few years, the Internet has turned online education into a multi-billion-dollar-a-year industry; the majority of colleges and universities now offer some form of distance learning as part of their curriculum. And with the benefits we've listed here (and a host of others), it's easy to see why online education has become so popular.
When it comes to local schools and colleges, a student in New York City has far more programs to choose from than someone living in Bismarck, North Dakota. But when you're taking classes online, geography doesn't matter anymore! If a course or program isn't offered in your area, you can almost always find an online school that offers a comparable distance learning program. You no longer have to be at a disadvantage because you live in a remote or less-populated area; thanks to the Internet, everyone (around the world, even!) has the same opportunities at their fingertips.
Greater Communication
"Wait -- how can there be more communication in an online class if I never actually see my teacher?" It may sound strange at first, but you'll often have more opportunities for more direct communication with your teachers (and classmates) in an online classroom.
Instead of being limited to asking questions during class or office hours, you'll have direct access to your instructors via email or message boards. This can be especially helpful for students are normally a bit shy or reserved in a traditional classroom setting -- online, you can take the time to develop articulate questions and responses without worrying about your nerves getting in the way. It's important that you use this opportunity to speak up -- if you don't speak up when you need help in an online class, it's a lot easier to fall behind and slip through the cracks.
In just a few years, the Internet has turned online education into a multi-billion-dollar-a-year industry; the majority of colleges and universities now offer some form of distance learning as part of their curriculum. And with the benefits we've listed here (and a host of others), it's easy to see why online education has become so popular.
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