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Posts Tagged ‘online phd degree’

Online PhD Degrees: You Too Can Earn One

When people hear of online degrees they normally think of an associates or bachelor degree being attained.  However, in the past couple of years master level course and even PhD online degrees are now being offered.  This makes perfect sense.  Most people looking to attain a PhD are older and with a life of there own.  Plus, there is the nature of study while earning a PhD – it is hard, time consuming, and also take full-time dedication.  This is why PhD online degrees are becoming very popular.  In this short article we will explore the overall schema of an online PhD degree.

The Pluses and Cons of an Online PhD Degree

Of course the most obvious advantage to online college work is that you stay right in your own home.  You don’t have to deal with traffic, long lectures, and just finding a parking spot.  Even though the programs are flexible they are not total chaos.  A student does have to meet some time requirements when enrolled in a course; however they do not have to graduate in four or six years like most PhD programs.  Online PhD programs off that great advantage called, flexibility.  So you can earn a highly respected level of education while still being a parent and provider of an income.  We all have a life outside our studies.

The Cost of an Online PhD Program

When comparing the tuition from an online degree program and the tradition college, everything even outs.  Some people do not like this fact; however here are some of the reasons why t happens this way.  First, you are earning a PhD you will be considered an expert you’re your chosen specialization.  You are no long an undergraduate student.  Secondly, when it comes to providing the proper documentation to prove your doctoral status, the certificate is identical.  Meaning there is no difference where you earned you PhD, you are given the same treatment as every other expert.  Lastly, there is a enormous amount of text and reading to be accomplished to earn your online PhD degree.  All of those materials cost money – no matter if you are sitting in a classroom or reading the books online.  So yes the cost is the same; however the education is the same.  If you are trying to earn your online PhD degree this is a very important element.

Overall there are some great conclusions.  No matter how you look at it you can accomplish the highest level of education recognized in the world from the comfort of your own home.  Also, lets not forget that the education your receive from a traditional university when compared to a online PhD degree program is identical.  You are not being cheated with you knowledge or work load.  Lastly, the cost might be the same, however; there are some simple ways you are saving money.  Think about the four to ten year commute or all the books you don’t have to pay shipping on.  There are many advantages and few disadvantages, so if you can think about an online PhD degree program,

Online PhD Degree – Is It Right For You?

Going back to graduate school is an investment that takes time and commitment; make sure you’re ready.

Graduate school is not for the faint of heart. Some people choose to attend right after their undergraduate years, others go after gaining the recommended work experience, and still others go while working a full-time job. For all of these situations, an online PhD degree could be something to consider as you weigh your choices with your lifestyle, finances and career goals. Below are some questions to ask yourself when considering returning to school for your online PhD degree.

Do you have the discipline to commit?

Be honest with yourself. An online PhD is earned in an entirely different way compared to a traditional ground school. You need to be able to juggle many things at once; assignments, discussions, lectures and readings, without the normal structure of a classroom. Since nearly all of it is online, barring the required clinicals or research in a lab, you need to keep tabs of dates and times, participate in a meaningful way in online discussions or chats, and schedule your own time around the clinicals and research.
If you have commitments to jobs or family, this can be a struggle if you are not 100 percent committed to the online PhD degree program and it can be easy to put aside and forgotten for family time and job needs. Motivation is just as important in the discipline equation. If you are not motivated enough, committed enough and don’t have the discipline to commit to this kind of schooling environment, then a traditional ground school program might be your best fit.

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Can you afford it?

Graduate students are given different financial aid options to offset the high cost of tuition. They either student teach an undergraduate class or are hired as research assistants in the university labs. Both of these options ensure that colleges can keep their expenses down and have a workforce that doesn’t need to be paid as much as a more highly skilled teacher or researcher. Both online PhD degree programs and traditional programs offer grants and low-interest bearing loans to students. If they still can’t afford the tuition, then many students turn to private loans.
Regardless of how the student reaches out for aid, they find that with the rigor of a PhD degree program, there is not much room for a regular job because of physical classroom commitments. In many cases an online PhD degree can be less expensive per credit than the traditional schooling method. Not only that, online PhD degree programs are flexible to the student needs; if they have to work to support family, they can take classes that are convenient to their work schedule.

Have you planned your career goals?

Take some time out to seriously plan out your career goals. Don’t be general; be as specific as possible. Having these goals in mind will give you direction in a doctorate program. Since a lot of the PhD programs require you to do your own research and in order to graduate, you need to write a publishable dissertation, then it would serve your best interests to start day one with your career goal in mind.
The undergraduate years are designed for students to explore many different fields and interest areas; the graduate years are for narrowing in on a particular subject, question and sub-question. Anonline PhD degree program is one that caters to students who have a job or project already in mind. They don’t want to stop gaining work experience in their field, but also want to up their education credentials to position themselves for a better job within their company or in another one entirely.

Getting your graduate degree is enough of a commitment in itself. Make sure you are ready to commit your time, finances and a lifestyle change if you decide to pursue one in a traditional setting or in an online PhD degree program. Seriously considering these questions can put you on the right track to the right degree program option. Don’t be fooled by those that would say an online PhD degree is easier to obtain. It is just as rigorous, and more so considering that you may still be working full-time and with a family, as a traditional PhD program.