Affordable Online PhD & Doctorate Programs

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Best Online Doctorate Programs

Achieving an online doctorate degree can set graduates apart from other candidates in this highly competitive marketplace by proving expertise in their field. However, choosing the best program can be a taxing process for students. To help eliminate some of this stress, we have ranked the best online doctorate degrees with factors like cost, class size, and financial aid opportunities in mind. See what schools made our list for the top online doctorate degrees for 2016-2017 here.

Rank University Location ScoreTuition# of Online Programs Financial Aid % Student-Teacher Ratio Grad Rate Credit for Experience Placement Services Counseling Services University Information
1 University of Colorado Denver Denver, CO 99.82$7,8164 48% 16:1 45% No Yes Yes
2 University of Mississippi University, MS 99.81$7,1023 61% 18:1 60% No Yes Yes
3 Indiana State University Terre Haute, IN 99.69$7,0403 75% 20:1 43% Yes Yes Yes
4 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR 99.60$7,8224 38% 19:1 60% No Yes Yes
5 Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, TX 99.51$8,55416 54% 20:1 80% No Yes Yes
6 Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX 99.45$7,2154 39% 22:1 62% No Yes Yes
7 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA 99.14$9,7104 78% 18:1 46% Yes Yes Yes
8 University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, AL 99.10$9,1803 66% 16:1 47% No Yes Yes
9 University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO 98.92$10,4265 79% 17:1 45% No Yes Yes
10 University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia, SC 98.42$12,4248 47% 18:1 72% No Yes Yes
11 Penn State World Campus University Park, PA 98.40$19,74613 37% 17:1 86% Yes Yes Yes
12 University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY 98.35$12,3923 61% 13:1 71% No Yes Yes
13 The University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, TX 98.26$8,5434 N/A 24:1 N/A No Yes Yes
14 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE 98.17$8,3503 69% 21:1 65% No Yes Yes
15 The University of Montana Missoula, MT 98.13$5,7652 67% 18:1 49% No Yes Yes
16 Wilmington University New Castle, DE 97.99$7,8622 20% 14:1 34% Yes Yes Yes
17 University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN 97.85$16,8535 54% 17:1 73% Yes Yes Yes
18 University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AK 97.73$8,9672 43% 14:1 33% Yes Yes Yes
19 University of Florida Gainesville, FL 97.73$12,6827 29% 21:1 85% No Yes Yes
20 Hampton University Hampton, VA 97.67$9,8092 47% 9:1 59% Yes Yes Yes
21 The University of Texas at Tyler Tyler, TX 97.57$6,1422 39% 21:1 41% Yes Yes Yes
22 University of Michigan-Flint Flint, MI 97.54$9,6793 50% 15:1 36% No No Yes
23 University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC 97.52$7,1632 49% 17:1 54% No Yes Yes
24 Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS 97.50$7,0402 68% 19:1 58% Yes Yes Yes
25 Amridge University Montgomery, AL 97.36$13,9003 100% 10:1 N/A Yes No Yes
26 University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, LA 97.05$7,2762 56% 21:1 37% No Yes Yes
27 Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL 97.01$7,5242 47% 18:1 52% No Yes Yes
28 Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ 96.69$8,6322 66% 18:1 49% No Yes Yes
29 Clemson University Clemson, SC 96.54$8,8662 59% 16:1 82% No Yes Yes
30 University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg, KY 96.53$5,5382 100% 16:1 45% No No Yes
31 Union Institute & University Cincinnati, OH 96.48$18,8163 15% 8:1 27% Yes No Yes
32 Texas A & M University-Commerce Commerce, TX 96.41$5,2092 52% 18:1 36% Yes No Yes
33 Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL 96.37$22,2002 77% 12:1 60% Yes Yes Yes
34 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC 96.23$10,5942 45% 13:1 89% No Yes Yes
35 University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND 96.23$8,2252 30% 19:1 52% No Yes Yes
36 Kansas State University Manhattan, KS 95.92$9,6332 65% 19:1 58% No Yes Yes
37 Allen College Waterloo, IA 95.90$15,4692 100% 9:1 82% Yes Yes Yes
38 Temple University Philadelphia, PA 95.84$15,1802 76% 14:1 66% Yes Yes Yes
39 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, TN 95.70$11,6022 53% 17:1 66% No Yes Yes
40 Colorado State University-Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO 95.68$10,9252 48% 16:1 63% No Yes Yes
41 The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL 95.59$9,8262 53% 21:1 67% Yes Yes Yes
42 Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY 95.56$11,8012 67% 16:1 70% No Yes Yes
43 Harding University Searcy, AR 95.47$12,5762 91% 16:1 61% No Yes Yes
44 Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA 95.45$12,3992 41% 17:1 56% No Yes Yes
45 University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 95.21$11,7232 77% 20:1 61% No Yes Yes
46 University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA 95.18$14,0512 60% 17:1 70% Yes Yes Yes
47 University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA 95.12$12,9712 53% 17:1 91% No Yes Yes
48 Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ 95.04$17,9222 47% 16:1 79% No Yes Yes
49 University of Delaware Newark, DE 94.97$30,0422 54% 15:1 80% No Yes Yes
50 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR 94.83$13,3792 55% 19:1 61% No Yes Yes

Many colleges offer online doctoral programs in a range of disciplines. Get closer to your goal of earning an advanced degree by learning what to expect in an online doctoral program and see what the best schools have to offer in the rankings below.

Explore PhDs by Field

Online PhDs: The Inside Scoop

Online PhD programs attract students and working professionals who need maximum flexibility while earning an advanced degree. Although less popular than undergraduate and master’s programs, online doctorates now exist at a wide range of institutions, from fully online schools to traditionally campus-based colleges and universities. The latter already have top faculty and resources to handle PhD-level coursework, and are adding tech resources and other support services to accommodate online learners. This gives online PhD students the best of both worlds.

PhD programs with distance-learning elements use two different types of delivery methods: real-time and self-paced. Real-time, or synchronous, online PhDs include discussion sessions and professor and peer-based communication on a set schedule. Students may also be asked to take exams or submit materials on a specific timetable. This method gives students many of the communicative elements of a campus-based education, but in conjunction with the remote aspects of the program. In contrast, self-paced, or asynchronous, programs yield the most flexibility, with a majority of work done and exams submitted at a student’s own page. For online PhDs, however, synchronous programs may be more common simply due to the amount of collaboration needed, especially before and during the dissertation process. Like campus programs, online PhDs involve comprehensive examinations and the creation and defense of dissertations, all depending on subject and specialization.

The Campus Visit

As mentioned above, some online PhD programs may require real-time communication. What’s more, others may ask students to visit campus periodically to coordinate with professors, meet fellow classmates and take care of necessary administrative issues. While this essentially makes the program “hybrid” in nature, campus visits tend to be limited to once per semester, with the rest of coursework performed remotely. Highly collaborative programs, such as business administration, can fall into this hybrid bucket. Before enrolling in any online program, no matter the level or the subject, be sure to check for any in-person requirements. The travel expenses will likely be on your own dime.

Local Hands-on Training

Although many professionals degrees earned online have a hands-off, academic slant, some may necessitate tactile training. If that’s the case, a good online PhD program will work with the candidate to find local companies or other appropriate facilities at which to learn. The most notable subjects for these local visits include education (visiting schools), nursing (hospitals) and anything tech-related (labs or companies).

The Online PhD Timeline

Anyone thinking about earning a doctoral degree online should take the time to seriously consider the commitment, not just in monetary cost, but also in terms of time and effort. The time between earning a master’s degree and completing a PhD can vary significantly depending on the school, subject matter and the full- or part-time status of the student. However, some studies indicate that the average student in the United States today requires over eight years to obtain his or her PhD, the biggest hurdle being completion of the dissertation.

Colleges have begun to respond to this tail-dragging problem by placing a maximum time limit for earning a doctorate, averaging from seven to nine years from initial registration to degree completion. Notwithstanding average completion times, most schools outline their campus and online PhD programs across a three- or four-year time span for completion of coursework, followed by several years for the successful defense of the dissertation. The following timeline lays out the academic requirements for an online PhD program based on a typical six- to nine- year completion plan.

Application and Admission

Regardless of degree type or subject, anyone interested in beginning an online doctoral degree program must, of course, first apply and be admitted to that program. Admission requirements vary by school, but some programs require conferment of a master’s degree from an accredited institution in the same, or a closely related, field of study as the sought-after doctorate.

It is also important to distinguish between admission to an online PhD graduate school program and admission to candidacy for the PhD degree. Admission to the graduate school allows a student to begin the coursework that must be completed before he or she is considered for candidacy. Admission to candidacy typically requires completion of all required coursework, passing a series of comprehensive exams, the recommendation of the student’s department or program, and approval of the graduate faculty.

Year 1

  • Coursework and Residency:

    Most doctoral degree students spend their first academic year focused on required coursework. Many graduate schools mandate a minimum number of course credits or hours that must be earned through the degree-granting institution itself (in other words, non-transferred credits.)

  • RA’s and TA’s:

    Many doctoral degree programs mandate that a student fulfill some form of service as a research or teaching assistant. RA and TA requirements may or may not begin in a student’s first year of study, but normally must be completed prior to admission for degree candidacy. Online PhD students should work with the university to see exactly how these work in a distance learning environment. Some may have very different parameters, while others work much in the same way (leading a discussion group) but online.

  • Exams:

    Online doctoral students may also be required to complete year-end qualifying examinations in order to proceed to their second year of studies.

Year 2

  • Coursework and Residency:

    Students continue in online coursework and fulfillment other academic requirements, as needed. Coursework can take on a wider range of forms, including digital seminars, workshops and methods electives.

  • RA’s and TA’s:

    If a particular program includes the fulfillment of a RA or TA requirement, participation will most likely begin no later than the student’s second year of studies.

  • Exams:

    Again, students may be required to successfully pass year-end qualifying examinations to move on to year three of their degree program.

Year 3

  • Completion of coursework, RA’s and TA’s:

    Generally, all coursework associated with the doctoral program must be completed by the end of year three. Additionally, degree RA/TA requirements must be met by the end of the third year of studies.

  • Exams:

    At the end of year three, students will be required to take and successfully complete a series of comprehensive examinations (both oral and written) in order to advance to candidacy for the online PhD degree.

  • Admission to Candidacy:

    In addition to passing the comprehensive exams, students must also fulfill all requirements for advancement, and be admitted to, degree candidacy. Admission to candidacy for a doctoral degree program is typically granted by the major department based upon faculty judgment that the student has the potential to successfully complete the remaining degree requirements (including the dissertation.) Candidacy is commonly valid for a stated number of years (often five or six) and all degree requirements must be completed before the candidacy expires.

  • Dissertation:

    The dissertation process, in some cases, may begin during the third academic year (particularly for those degree programs that require completion of the dissertation by the end of year four) and may include submission of the dissertation prospectus.

Year 4

    In many cases, the dissertation process begins in earnest in the fourth year of studies, following the completion of coursework and the passing of the qualifying comprehensive exams. Some elements of the process may begin earlier, however.

  • Dissertation Prospectus:

    The dissertation process starts with the student’s selection of the subject of his or her dissertation, usually with the input of a faculty advisor. Once the subject has been selected, the student prepares a dissertation prospectus. The prospectus includes the statement of the thesis, an extensive description of the intended contents, proposed methodology, list of expected source materials and bibliography.

  • Prospectus Colloquium:

    Once the prospectus is completed, the student schedules a dissertation colloquium. The colloquium is typically a public event in which the student presents his or her prospectus to a department advisory committee, as well as other faculty members and fellow students. During the colloquium, the student is questioned and must defend his or her thesis to the committee. If the prospectus is approved, the student then begins work on the dissertation itself.

Year 5

  • Dissertation Preparation:

    Following approval of the dissertation prospectus, the student spends one to several years preparing, researching and writing the dissertation under the supervision of a faculty advisor. The dissertation is an extensive work of significant original scholarly research and analysis. Once completed and approved by the faculty advisor, the dissertation is submitted to the department for reading and review.

  • Final Oral Examination/Defense of Dissertation:

    In most cases, the student must again face an advisory board in a public lecture and defense of his or her dissertation. The results of the lecture and defense are then conveyed to the graduate school.

  • Completion of Degree and Graduation:

    The notice of degree completion and approved dissertation must be submitted to the graduate school on a specified date prior to the end of the semester in which the student intends to graduate.

Online PhD Q&A

What technology is required to take an online PhD program?

Distance learning degree programs typically employ a number of course delivery technologies, including online tutorial systems, web-enabled synchronous conferencing and voice tools, and popular distance education systems such as Blackboard. Students are normally required to provide their own computers and access to a variety of common online services including high-speed internet and a supported internet browser. Specific programs may also require software such as Microsoft Office or other more specialized tools. However, some institutions provide all necessary technologies to their students as part of the degree program. A few even supply students with laptop computers for use during their period of enrollment.

How do online PhD programs handle residency requirements?

Both primarily online providers and colleges with physical campuses that offer online degree options typically mandate that students complete some form of residency. In many cases, residency for an online doctorate degree will require students to attend a minimum number of classes or seminars at an actual campus location. The duration of the residency can vary significantly from program to program, some lasting a semester or longer. On the other hand, there are a few institutions that have done away with physical residency requirements entirely for distance learning students. It is very important that an individual fully understand the residency requirements of any specific online degree program before signing up.

How is the dissertation process handled for online doctorates?

The dissertation process for distance learners is commonly handled in much the same ways as it is for students pursuing a doctorate on a traditional campus. Presentation and defense of the dissertation, however, may require the student’s presence at an institution’s physical campus. Again, check the details of all degree programs under consideration before enrolling.

Should I consider an online J.D. degree program?

There are a small number of distance education providers that offer J.D. degree programs. Such programs with regional accreditation are rare, however, and a student should be very careful to make sure that an online J.D. program provides the necessary eligibility to sit for the bar exam in the state where he or she intends to practice.

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