Indeed, online doctorate degrees are becoming more common — and even more accepted. It is possible to complete a substantial portion of your doctorate studies from the comfort of your home, and on your own time schedule. If you are interested in earning your doctorate degree online, here is a helpful guide to what you need to know:

Program Accreditation

The first thing you need to realize is that not all online doctorate degree programs are created equal. Some programs are obviously legitimate, such as those from well-known schools. An increasing number of traditional schools are offering advanced degree courses — and even whole programs — online. It is easy to know that these are legitimate online doctorate programs. Other programs, though, are not so cut and dry. You have to be on the alert for online degree scams from a variety of sources.

Before you sign up for a doctorate program from an online institution, make sure that it is properly accredited. An accredited institution meets certain requirements, and a degree from such an institution will accepted by most employers. Without a degree from an accredited program, you are likely to be dismissed as a serious contender in many workplace situations. You can find more information about accreditation, and accredited institutions, at the Council for Higher Education Accreditation web site, or at the U.S. Department of Education web site. Once you know a doctorate degree program is properly accredited, you can proceed.

Degree Types and Program Requirements

Next, you need to find out if your desired degree is offered. There are different types of doctorate programs. You can find degrees in the sciences, as well as in the humanities. If you get a PhD (doctor of philosophy), you will be expected to understand underlying principles, and be well-researched. You can also get a more specialized degree, such as a doctor of education degree (EdD) or doctor of engineering degree (DEng), or a professional degree, such as a doctor of business administration (DBA) or doctor of public administration (DPA).

Some types of doctorate degrees may not be offered completely online. It is difficult to earn your MD (doctor of medicine), DNP (doctor of nursing practice) and ScD (doctor of sciences) online, since there are usually hands-on components, and they are research intensive degrees. Before you sign up for a program, make sure you understand what degree you want, and make sure it’s practical to expect to be able to complete the requirements mostly online.

You should also research the program requirements. Different universities have different requirements for their online doctorate programs. You will want to go through the requirements carefully, since you don’t want surprises partway through your program. Realize that some requirements might include online chats, or attendance during webinars. You might also be required to visit the campus at various points during your program. You may have to take an evening class on campus, or visit the campus once a semester or once a year. Many doctorate degree programs — even those that take mostly online — require that you complete some sort of internship or practicum. Be clear on the requirements for different online doctorate programs.

Cost

One of the things to understand is that costs vary amongst online doctorate programs. While earning your doctorate degree online, you will want to make sure that the cost is something you can handle. You might need financial aid to help you cover the cost of your online degree program. If your school is properly accredited, you can fill out a FAFSA to possibly get graduate student loans to cover your program cost. You can also look for scholarships to help defray the costs related to your program.

There are usually two different methods of figuring tuition for online programs. In some cases, you might actually pay tuition by the semester. However, it is also quite common for you to pay by the credit hour. Paying by the credit hour provides some flexibility, since you can take classes one or two at a time, as you have the money. However, if you want financial aid and scholarships, you might need to look for a program that allows you to be considered “full time” and that charges by the semester, much like a regular, offline university might charge.

Can You Handle an Online Doctorate Program?

Once you have evaluated other aspects of earning your doctorate degree online, it is time to evaluate your own abilities to complete an online doctorate program. While an online degree program can be a great boon to some, an online degree isn’t right for everyone.

If you want to succeed with an online doctorate degree, you will need to make sure you are ready to complete your studies. Here are some items that are helpful if you want to successfully earn your doctorate degree via the Internet:

• Self-motivation: You need to be self-motivated. You need to be able to get yourself going, and keep going — even when things are tough. It’s important to be a self-starter if you are going to earn your degree online.
• Self-discipline: Sometimes, it’s a little easier to complete assignments when you have set deadlines throughout the semester, and if you are required to attend a class. In order to earn your degree online, you will need to have the discipline to do what you need to, and create a schedule for yourself.
• Adequate workstation: Make sure you have what you need to complete your requirements. This usually means a computer at your disposal, as well as a reliable high speed Internet connection. Make sure you have an area that provides you some freedom from distractions so that you can accomplish your work.
• Ability to work with minimal guidance: It’s true that some online instructors are quite interactive, and willing to provide a great deal of guidance. However, not all instructors will provide you with a great deal of feedback. You will need to be able to work on your own, with minimal guidance.

As long as you honestly feel you are capable of completing an online doctorate degree program, and as long as long the program is properly accredited, you are likely to find success — and perhaps a more rewarding career.

Almost no subject is too obscure for a Ph.D. If you are willing to put in the time and effort, you can earn a doctorate in an area that represents a passion of yours. So before assuming your favorite subject is off limits for advanced study, consider these 20 doctorate degrees you might not know about:

1. Ph.D. in Somatic Psychology: Most psychologists find their degree choices broadly defined as “experimental” or “clinical”. However, there is a Ph.D. offered in Somatic Psychology at the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute. This degree deals with the interaction between body and mind.




2. DMA in Conducting: At Boston University, you can get a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in conducting. Yes, there is a doctorate degree in leading music.




3. Ph.D. in Food Technology: Learn how to package food, learn about nutrition, and learn about how food and technology fit together. If you want to be an expert in food packaging, as well as nutrition for humans and animals, this might be the degree for you, offered by Clemson University.




4. Ph.D. in Industrial Hygiene: A number of universities actually offer you the chance to get a doctorate degree in industrial hygiene. The area of expertise is disease and injury prevention in the workplace.




5. Ph.D. in Animal Husbandry: If you want to work with animals, and gain expertise in raising animals, you can get a Ph.D. in animal husbandry, including proper breeding. A number of agricultural based schools still offer this degree, including the Royal Agricultural College in the U.K.




6. Ph.D. in Folklore: It’s true: You can get a Ph.D. in storytelling. Become an expert in theoretical knowledge of old stories, and learn how to tell them, interpret them, and preserve them. A fascinating degree choice for many.




7. Ph.D. in Pastoral Care and Counseling: This degree from Liberty University is about integrating modern behavioral sciences and practices with Christian worldview.




8. Doctor of Metaphysical Humanistic Science: You can specialize in Ufology, or in some other metaphysical area of expertise. These courses offered by the Metaphysics Institute can enhance your understanding of the paranormal.




9. Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies: Earn a degree that can help you show your expertise in this Eastern religion. UC Berkeley offers a Ph.D. for those interested in Buddhism.




10. Ph.D. in Mythological Studies: Pacifica Graduate Institute provides a doctorate degree for those who have extensive expertise and knowledge in mythology. Delve into the origins of many of our cultural stories, and learn more about what makes us human. Includes hybrid programs and other opportunities. 




11. Ph.D. in Acoustics: You might be surprised that there is a doctorate available just for those interested in studying acoustics. Penn State offers this interdisciplinary degree that can help you showcase your extensive knowledge and skill when it comes to sound and other areas related to acoustics.




12. Ph.D. in Cinema and Media Studies: Explore different films and media in a scholarly manner. By the time you finish your Ph.D. from UCLA, you will have a firm understanding of how film and other media have influenced art, how they are art, and how they function as social communication. Plenty of scholarly research to go around.




13. Ph.D. in Astrobiology: Study life from other planets, and develop theories about extraterrestrial civilizations. Become an expert in the life that may live out there beyond the stars. Or even the evidence of bacterial life found in meteors that crash on Earth. An interesting field with many possibilities.




14. Ph.D. in Digital Media: A lot of students entering this doctorate program are actually doing so in order to essentially get a Ph.D. in video game design. However, you can become an expert in many different types of digital media, including performing scholarly studies, as well as practical applications.




15. Ph.D. in Agricultural Education: Learn how to teach about agriculture. Many people choose this doctorate program in order to teach at university, work with 4-H and FFA youth, or become educational outreach specialists. It’s an interesting degree that many people don’t think about in a society that is less agricultural every year.




16. Ph.D. in Kinesiology: This is the study of the way the body moves. Many universities actually offer this degree. You can learn about ergonomics, exercise, sports injuries and motor control. Specialize in different areas that could lead to you being able to work with a number of interesting people, in a number of interesting fields.




17. Doctoral Program in Manga: Kyoto Seika University in Japan is offering the world’s first doctorate in Manga Studies. If you like the comic/animation artform known as Manga, you can become an official expert on the subject. Learn about the theory, and become an ambassador of the culture of Mango.




18. Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine: There are different institutes that allow you to become a doctor of naturopathy. You can become an expert in the use of this holistic healing technique, and get your ND. An interesting — and growing — field related to medicine.




19. Ph.D. in Thanatology: Calumus International University offers a doctorate designation in the study of death and dying. Become a knowledgeable expert on different cultures’ death rituals, and how society, in general, treats its dying and its dead. This is a distance course, so you can earn your Ph.D. in Thanatology from anywhere.




20. Ph.D. in Recreation and Leisure Studies: A career in having a good time? The University of Georgia offers a doctorate degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies. Other universities also offer similar doctorate degrees in Parks and Recreation, Outdoor Recreation, and Recreation Management. It’s a great way to embark on a career in fun.

List of All Available Online Doctorate Degree Programs:
Below are listed our regularly updated list of all available accredited online doctorate degree programs.

What Else is an Online Doctoral Degree Called?

A doctoral degree is also referred to as a PhD degree. The PhD degree is derived from the Latin “philosophiae doctor,” which means “teacher in philosophy.” Also known as a Ph.D. or doctorate degree, a PhD is the highest level of educational document that can be earned in the United States and many other countries.

In addition, anyone who earns a PhD online degree or the via a campus college or university earns the title of “doctor.” This is true even if they are not a medical doctor. Someone with a PhD online degree is a doctor in English, history, math, or whatever subject it is awarded in.


What Sort of Skills Does A PhD Online Degree Teach?

Because a PhD is the highest degree you can earn online, students will be immersed in whichever subject matter they choose. For example, an English major can spend loads of credit hours on Shakespeare alone. Those seeking an online PhD degree in other arts will spend tons of time on paintings, music, poetry, etc.

For scientific PhD online degrees, a student begins by studying reference works and text books. Other items include scholarly journals, research papers, scientific publications, and even one or more thesis statements of their own. Loads of lab time is also one of the skills taught in a science online PhD degree.



What Kind of Career Can I Have With An Online Doctorate Degree?

Careers for those with an online doctorate degree are identical to students with a traditional campus phd degree. Careers can vary from research to leadership to teaching. For example, an online doctorate degree in the sciences can lead to a career in the lab for a research facility, corporation, or university. Those with a online doctoral degree in business can move to a management position fairly quickly. Another career for students who earn a doctoral degree online is to turn around and help others obtain an undergraduate or graduate degree.

Although when people think of a PhD, they often consider it the final degree that a student will obtain, however, increasingly this is not the case. Those with an online doctorate degree can also move on to get other degrees. For example, those who want to go into law can obtain a juris doctor (JD). Students who want to go into medicine and have the title of medical doctor can obtain a degree which is known as an M.D. If you have a online doctorate degree and would like a more advanced degree and career, a test may be called for. For example, a JD and license to practice law involve passing the BAR exam. Medical doctors in the United States and Canada are required to pass a similar exam called the MCAT before they begin their career.

What Types of Classes Are Given With The PhD Online Degree?

A PhD online degree typically requires anywhere from two to six years of additional study beyond the master’s level. To get a doctoral degree the student must complete a lengthy course of study, do research, and write or publish a dissertation. Because the PhD degree is so prestigious, it is estimated that only one out of one hundred Americans are doctors.

There are loads of credit hours involved in obtaining a PhD online degree. The four years and 120 credit hours involved in getting a bachelor’s degree are just the beginning. However, a plus of graduate classes is the smaller size and more intimate setting. PhD online degree students are also granted more freedom to stray from the standard curriculum and learn what interests them.

What is the Average Salary for Someone With an Online Doctorate Degree?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, professionals with doctorate degrees earn approximately $37,265 more each year than workers with bachelor’s degrees. Popular areas of study for PhD online degrees include education, engineering, business, and psychology.

A quick search on Payscale.com shows a snapshot of professionals and average salaries in each area. Those with a doctorate degree in education who work for a college or university can start at about $40,000 as a postdoctoral research associate or even move up to professor with an average salary of $80,000. The average salary for someone with a online doctorate degree in engineering is $85,000 and careers involve anything from researcher to mechanical engineer.

Those with an online doctorate degree who go into business or psychology can look to break the six figure average salary mark. A doctorate in business carries an average salary of $92,010 or even $116,889 if they work for the federal government. The average salaries for those in general or child psychiatry is $152,639 and $162,684 respectively. Other career choices for those with an online PhD degree in psychology include forensic psychologist, clinical, and other areas.

What Are the requirements for obtaining an online doctorate degree?


Each university or institute establishes the guidelines to earn a doctorate degree from their institution. Subsequently, each college or department in the university sets specific standards by which it awards an online doctorate degree which can vary degree by degree within the same institution. This can involve minors, second languages, or other requirements.

Usually obtaining an online doctorate degree involves students earning or studying for the equivalent of a bachelor’s and master’s degree in the same area or related one. A online doctoral degree student may also be asked to take specific graduate-level courses, keep grade average of 3.0 or higher, and even take one or more specialty tests. There are even universities and institutions that ask for all three.