phd part time education

25 Best Part Time PhD Programs [2024 Guide]

Explore part time PhD programs. Compare schools and see why you should consider earning your doctorate part time.

If work or other responsibilities have been holding you back from diving headfirst into doctoral studies, consider part time PhD programs instead.

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You may enroll in an on-campus or online PhD program to earn your doctoral credentials on a schedule that fits your busy lifestyle.

Universities Offering PhD and Other Doctorate Programs Online

Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.

1. Andrews University

Andrews University is a private university in Berrien Springs, Michigan, that is affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Founded in 1874, Andrews has a current annual enrollment of 3,366.

Students can pursue 130 undergraduate and 70 graduate majors across eight schools and colleges. Degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels are available.

• PhD in Curriculum and Instruction
• PhD in Educational Leadership
• PhD in Higher Education Administration
• PhD in Leadership

Andrews University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

2. Clemson University

Clemson University is a public research university located in Clemson, South Carolina. Founded in 1889, Clemson boasts an annual student enrollment nearing 30,000. U.S. News & World Report ranks Clemson University in 24th place among all public universities.

Students can pursue bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across Clemson’s seven schools and colleges.

• PhD in Healthcare Genetics
• PhD in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
• PhD in Rhetorics, Communication and Information Design

Clemson University  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

3. George Washington University

Chartered in 1821 by an act of the United States Congress, George Washington University stands today as a private research university with an annual enrollment of more than 27,000. GWU is divided into 14 colleges and schools offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs.

The Princeton Review consistently ranks George Washington University as a top college in a number of categories. In addition, GWU has been ranked as one of the Top Universities for Producing Billionaires by the Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings.

• PhD in Nursing
• PhD in Systems Engineering

GW  is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

4. Hampton University

Hampton University is a private, historically black university located in Hampton, Virginia, that was founded in 1868. The university is comprised of 10 accredited schools and colleges offering 50 bachelor’s programs, 26 master’s programs, and seven doctoral programs. The Alumni Factor has named Hampton one of the best colleges in Virginia.

• PhD in Business Administration
• PhD in Educational Management

Hampton University  is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

5. Indiana State University

Indiana State University is a public university located in Terre Haute, Indiana, with a history dating back to 1865. ISU offers more than 100 undergraduate majors and 75 graduate. Students can pursue 20 bachelor’s degrees, 22 master’s degrees, and seven doctoral degrees on campus and online through ISU’s six academic colleges.

• PhD in Educational Administration – Higher Education Leadership
• PhD in Educational Administration – School Administration
• PhD in Technology Management

Indiana State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

6. Keiser University

Keiser University is a private university based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Founded in 1977, Keiser offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs available both on campus and online. Money magazine has rated Keiser University one of the top colleges for the money in Florida. Nearly 20,000 students study at Keiser.

• PhD in Criminal Justice and Criminology
• PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
• PhD in Instructional Design and Technology

Keiser University  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

7. Liberty University

Liberty University is a private evangelical Christian university founded in Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1971. The school consists of 17 distinct colleges offering a wide variety of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. Programs are divided between 366 on-campus options and 280 online options.

• PhD in Bible Exposition
• PhD in Communication
• PhD in Criminal Justice
• PhD in Criminal Justice – Homeland Security
• PhD in Criminal Justice – Leadership
• PhD in Education – Curriculum and Instruction
• PhD in Education – Instructional Design and Technology
• PhD in Education – Organizational Leadership
• PhD in Education – Special Education
• PhD in Higher Education Administration – Educational Leadership
• PhD in History
• PhD in Nursing – Nursing Education
• PhD in Psychology – Developmental Psychology
• PhD in Psychology – Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• PhD in Psychology – Social Psychology
• PhD in Public Policy
• PhD in Public Policy – Economic Policy
• PhD in Public Policy – Education Policy
• PhD in Public Policy – Foreign Policy
• PhD in Public Policy – National Security
• PhD in Public Policy – Social Policy
• PhD in Strategic Media
• PhD in Theology and Apologetics

Liberty University  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

8. Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University is a public research university located near Starkville, Mississippi, that is classified among RI Doctoral Universities for very high research activity. MSU’s more than 22,000 enrolled students can pursue more than 180 areas of study for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The school was founded in 1878.

• PhD in Community College Leadership
• PhD in Computational Engineering
• PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering
• PhD in Engineering – Aerospace Engineering
• PhD in Engineering – Civil Engineering
• PhD in Engineering – Mechanical Engineering
• PhD in Industrial & Systems Engineering

Mississippi State University  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

9. North Carolina A&T State University

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is a public, historically black university located in Greensboro, North Carolina. The school was founded in 1891 by the North Carolina General Assembly. It is ranked among the top historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) by U.S. News & World Report.

A total of 54 bachelor’s, 29 master’s, and nine doctoral degrees are offered through the school’s eight colleges.

• PhD in Leadership Studies

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

10. Texas Tech University

Established in 1923, Texas Tech University is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas, featuring 13 colleges and 60 research centers. The Princeton Review has ranked Texas Tech among the 125 best colleges in the Western United States.

Texas Tech offers 150 options for bachelor’s degrees, 110 options for master’s degrees, and 59 doctoral degree programs.

• PhD in Curriculum and Instructions – Curriculum Studies and Teacher Education
• PhD in Curriculum and Instructions – Language, Diversity & Literacy Studies
• PhD in Curriculum and Instructions – STEM
• PhD in Educational Leadership Policy
• PhD in Family and Consumer Science Education
• PhD in Special Education

Texas Tech University  is accredited with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

11. University at Buffalo

Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo a public research university with campuses in Buffalo and Amherst, New York. Nearly 32,000 students are enrolled in what is considered to be the largest public university in New York. UB offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across 13 academic schools and colleges.

• PhD in Information Science

The  University at Buffalo  is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

12. University of Alabama – Huntsville

The University of Alabama in Huntsville was founded in 1950. It is one of three members of the University of Alabama System. UAH school awards 44 bachelor’s, 30 master’s and 15 doctoral degrees across nine colleges to a study body of nearly 10,000.

UAH is a space-grant university with a large focus on engineering and science programs.

• PhD in Civil Engineering
• PhD in Engineering Management
• PhD in Industrial Engineering
• PhD in Joint Nursing Science

UAH  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

13. University of Colorado – Denver

A member of the University of Colorado system, the University of Colorado Denver is a public research facility offering hundreds of degree programs for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral studies across dozens schools and colleges.

Total annual enrollment stands at 24,910. Forbes places the University of Colorado Denver 34th on the its list of best public colleges.

University of Colorado – Denver is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

14. University of Florida

The University of Florida is a public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university with a main campus in Gainesville, Florida. This senior member of the State University System of Florida offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs to the more than 56,000 students that enroll annually.

The list of notable UF alumni includes Erin Andrews, Emmitt Smith, Faye Dunaway, and Marc Rubio.

• PhD in Classical Civilization
• PhD in Latin and Roman Studies

The  University of Florida  is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

15. University of Kansas

The University of Kansas is a public research university based in Lawrence, Kansas. Founded in 1865, KU offers more than 345 degree programs for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral studies. KU has an annual enrollment of more than 28,400 students.

The school’s faculty and alumni list includes four NASA astronauts, seven Pulitzer Prize winners, 27 Rhodes Scholars, and 325 Fulbright Scholars.

The  University of Kansas  is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

16. University of Missouri

The University of Missouri was founded in 1839 as the flagship of the University of Missouri System. Mizzou currently offers more than 300 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs across 13 major academic divisions for its more than 30,000 enrolled students.

• PhD in Architectural Studies

The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

17. University of North Carolina – Greensboro

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a public research university located in Greensboro, North Carolina, that dates back to 1891. This school with an annual enrollment topping 20,000 is part of the University of North Carolina system.

More than 100 bachelor’s, 61 master’s, and 26 doctoral programs are offered at UNCG.

The  University of North Carolina at Greensboro  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

18. University of North Dakota

Located in Grand Forks, the University of North Dakota offers 90 bachelor’s majors, 54 master’s programs, and 27 doctoral programs. UND was founded in 1883. Currently, UND has an annual enrollment of 13,581 students spread across its 10 academic divisions. The school’s athletic teams compete in the NCAA’s Division I.

• PhD in Aerospace Sciences
• PhD in Biomedical Engineering
• PhD in Chemical Engineering
• PhD in Electrical Engineering
• PhD in Energy Engineering
• PhD in Environmental Engineering
• PhD in Indigenous Health
• PhD in Petroleum Engineering

The University of North Dakota is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

19. University of South Carolina

The University of South Carolina is a public research university located in Columbia, South Carolina. The more than 35,000 students enrolled at USC today can study toward bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. The school’s history dates back to 1801.

• PhD in Computer Engineering
• PhD in Computer Science
• PhD in Mechanical Engineering
• PhD in Nuclear Engineering

University of South Carolina is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

20. University of South Dakota

The University of South Dakota is a public research university in Vermillion, South Dakota, with an enrollment of nearly 10,000 students. The university is divided between seven colleges offering hundreds of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. USD’s campus is home to the National Music Museum. The school was founded in 1862.

• PhD in Health Sciences

USD  is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.

21. University of Southern Mississippi

The University of Southern Mississippi is a public research university with a main campus located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Southern Miss awards bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across more than 189 programs. Founded in 1910, the school boasts an annual enrollment of more than 14,00 students.

Southern Mississippi’s academic offerings are divided across four colleges and schools.

• PhD in Nursing Leadership

The  University of Southern Mississippi  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

22. University of Tennessee – Knoxville

Founded in 1794, the University of Tennessee is a public research university located in Knoxville, Tennessee. UT offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across 10 undergraduate colleges and eleven graduate colleges. Annual enrollment stands at close to 29,000 students.

Established two years before Tennessee officially became a state, the University of Tennessee is one of the oldest public universities in the country.

• PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering – Engineering Management

The  University of Tennessee – Knoxville  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

23. University of the Cumberlands

The University of the Cumberlands is a private university located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, dating back to 1888. Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in a variety of specialties in the arts and sciences are offered across four colleges. Total annual enrollment is 13,476.

University of the Cumberlands  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

24. Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University is a public research university located in Richmond, Virginia, with a history dating back to 1838. VCU offers more than 217 programs for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across 11 schools and three colleges.

U.S. News & World Report has classified VCU as a Tier 1 University that ranks in 84th place among all public colleges and universities in the United States.

• PhD in Health Related Sciences

VCU  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

25. West Virginia University

Founded in 1875, West Virginia University is a public research university with a main campus in Morgantown, West Virginia. More than 350 academic programs for bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees are offered through 14 schools and colleges for the nearly 30,000 students who enroll at WVU annually.

Designated among the R1 Research Universities for very high research activity, WVU boasts research partnerships with the Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

West Virginia University  is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Do Part Time PhD Programs Exist?

Yes, part time PhD programs do exist. Universities know that many people have packed schedules. To accommodate busy students, some schools give the option of part-time enrollment in PhD programs online or on-campus.

The idea is that you may work your way through one of these programs while still living at home and holding a regular job — no uprooting your life required.

Many part-time PhD programs are offered online, which can be particularly convenient. Online college allows you to attend the university of your choice without having to move away from your hometown.

You may take classes online, chat digitally with your academic advisors, and work on your dissertation from the comfort of your own home. Even still, there may be some in-person residencies or practicums required.

Finances are one of the best reasons to enroll in a part-time online program. The paycheck that you bring in each week can help you afford your grad school tuition without living on ramen noodles for five years straight.

Of course, being able to hold a full-time job while going through your doctoral program is more than just a way to make money. Particularly if your field of study is relevant to your job, you may find many opportunities to connect your classroom studies to real-world experiences.

It’s even possible that a situation at work may provide inspiration for the topic of your doctoral dissertation. If you feel that a dissertation may prevent you from finishing your PhD, then a professional doctorate may be a better choice.

For example, doctor of education programs don’t require dissertations in many cases. Instead, students may complete a final capstone project to demonstrate subject mastery.

Part-time students don’t make up the majority of doctoral candidates; even still, you certainly won’t be the only one if you choose to go this route. In the past year, approximately 44% of doctoral students were enrolled in part-time programs .

What Are the Most Popular PhD Programs?

Doctorates are available in practically any field, but some are more common than others. The following table shows some of the top PhDs that you may be able to earn online.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some related careers and their average salaries include:

Getting your doctorate may certainly increase your earning potential. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for PhDs is $110,200. That’s a large jump from $78,210, the average annual earnings for those with a master’s degree.

How Do Part Time PhD Degree Programs Work?

To graduate from a part-time doctoral program, you’ll need to do the same work that you would for a full-time course of study. You’ll simply spread the work out over a longer stretch of time.

The first portion of your program will likely be devoted to classes. If you’re enrolled on a part-time basis, you’ll probably keep your course load light instead of taking multiple classes at once.

You may be able to take the classes online, but your school may require a few in-person residencies as well.

Some classes will focus on the research methods that are essential for all doctoral candidates to know, such as analyzing data and writing scholarly reports. At this point, you may also start thinking about a topic for your upcoming research project.

Other courses will be related to your field of study. While some classes may be required of every student in your PhD department, others may be electives. That way, you may build a course of study that is tailored to your career goals and research interests.

After completing your classes, your school may require oral or written testing as a way of assessing your knowledge.

Next, you’ll turn your attention toward your dissertation or another final project. This usually requires completing original research and reporting your findings in a detailed paper.

Even for full-time students, it may take several years to complete a dissertation. On a part-time basis, you may be working on this project even longer.

Once you finish your dissertation, the school’s faculty will need to approve it. Then, you’ll answer questions during a defense of your research. If the faculty determines that you have successfully defended your dissertation, you’ll then be awarded your PhD.

How Long Does It Take to Do a PhD Part Time?

How long it takes to complete your PhD through a part-time schedule is largely up to you and how much you can commit to your studies at any point in time.

You may find that there are some seasons in which you’re able to invest a good portion of your time and other seasons when you’re only able to do the bare minimum to keep going.

As a general rule, though, you should expect your part-time studies to last for several years. Being a part-time student won’t exempt you from any of the program’s requirements.

You’ll still need to earn just as many credit hours, complete any residency or internship experiences, and do the same final projects. The work will just be spread out over a longer period of time.

You should probably plan to work on your doctoral program for six to eight years. Some students take even longer. There may be a maximum duration allowed by your program, so be sure to discuss that with your faculty advisor.

Although part-time schooling is convenient, being enrolled in the same program for years on end may start to feel tedious. It’s important to choose an area of study that you really care about.

Your passion for your studies can keep you motivated even when graduation still seems a long way off.

Admission Requirements for a PhD

No matter what type of doctoral program it is, whether it is a part time or an online accelerated doctoral program , they can be competitive and you’ll want to make sure that your application stands out to the admissions committee. The first step is making sure that you meet the requirements and include all necessary documentation.

• Application and fee: Filling out this form gives the committee basic information about you, so be sure to complete it thoroughly. The fee will be non-refundable, even if you aren’t admitted.
• College transcripts: These demonstrate whether you have the appropriate academic background. You will need to hold a bachelor’s degree, and you may need a master’s degree as well. There may be minimum GPA scores required.
• Test scores: Many schools use GRE or GMAT scores to determine whether you have what it takes to succeed in a PhD program. If you’re an international applicant, you may also need TOEFL scores to demonstrate your proficiency with the English language.
• Letters of reference: These should come from academic or professional colleagues who can attest to your commitment and character. Two or three letters may be required.
• Personal statement or research proposal: This is your chance to communicate your study goals. That way, the school can determine whether your interests align with the expertise of the faculty.

Pay close attention to application deadlines. It’s smart to submit your materials a few weeks before the cutoff since schools don’t usually take late applications.

Accreditation for PhD Programs

Accreditation is a process in which an independent organization evaluates a college’s programs and results to determine whether the school is doing a good job of educating students. If the college is up to par, then it receives approval from an accrediting body.

The primary type of accreditation to consider is regional accreditation . There are seven U.S. organizations that have the right to grant regional accreditation.

There are fairly high standards for regional accreditation. As a result, this type of accreditation is well-respected, and employers are often more inclined to select candidates whose degrees come from regionally accredited schools.

Financial Aid for PhD Students

Paying for a doctorate out of pocket can be an overwhelming prospect, but there are a number of options for funding your PhD.

• Fellowships: Based on your personal merits, your school or a private organization may give you fellowship money intended to further your research goals.
• Government grants: If your income qualifies, you may get free tuition help from the state or federal government.
• Government loans: You may have the option to take out low-interest loans from the federal government or your state.
• Private loans: To supplement your financial package, you may also need private loans. Just be aware that these can come with high interest rates.
• Scholarships: You can apply for gift money from a scholarship-granting organization, such as a professional association in your field.
• Stipends: Some schools grant PhD candidates a small stipend. There are usually stipulations to this, and the rules may differ for part-time students.

To find out more, talk to your school’s financial aid department. Be sure to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) .

Also, if getting a doctorate could benefit your performance at work, you may be able to request tuition assistance from your employer.

Can You Do PhD Part Time?

Yes, you can do a PhD part time. Studying for a PhD doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. Just as there are part time masters programs , you can likewise enroll in a doctoral program on a part-time basis.

With that approach, you may be able to go to work during the day and take classes or write papers in the evening. It may even be possible to complete the coursework online.

Is PhD Full Time or Part Time?

Both full-time and part-time PhD programs are available. Some people choose to earn their doctorates as quickly as possible by going to school full-time. Others opt to enroll part-time so that they may keep up with work or family responsibilities.

Keep in mind that not all schools give you the choice between full-time and part-time study; their traditional or online doctoral programs may be specifically designed for one or the other.

Is a PhD Worth It?

Yes, a PhD is worth it for many students. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected a 5.9% job growth for doctoral or professional degree holders over the next 1o years, faster than the average for all occupations.

Getting a PhD may open new doors. Earning this top degree may grant you entrance into academia as a researcher or a professor.

It may also prepare you to assume high leadership roles and earn more money in your field. Plus, there’s often a sense of personal satisfaction that comes from accomplishing a huge goal like earning a PhD.

If you’re ready to put those three letters after your name, then it’s time to think about enrolling in a doctoral program. Apply to part-time PhD programs so you may pursue your degree without putting your life on hold.

Part-time PhD Programs

Tufts School of Engineering’s part-time PhD Program helps working professionals achieve their education and career goals. Conduct cutting-edge research and develop new technologies with our world-class faculty, all while maintaining your employment in industry.

Our part-time PhD program is tailored for industry professionals who receive full financial support from their employers. Financial arrangements between the employee and employer must be agreed upon in advance. Tufts University does not offer stipends, scholarships, discounts, or financial support for this program. Part-time PhD students are not eligible for TA/RA positions, grading roles, or any other paid positions within the university. We strongly advise applicants to seek employer permission before considering external work. It's essential to adhere to employment agreements and program policies to ensure compliance.

Qualified domestic students who are interested in continued learning, developing their skill set, or expanding their career path are encouraged to apply. This program is not available to international applicants unless they are currently working for a U.S. company. No visas can be issued for part-time PhD students.

How to Apply

All applicants must submit the following materials: Contact an advisor or faculty member Contact the advisor or faculty member with whom you would like to study to talk about the specific requirements. Before applying you must first have a discussion with a faculty member to confirm that there is mutual interest in the research the applicant intends to pursue. A successful discussion and any agreement among the candidate and faculty member does not supersede the formal application process. All applicants must formally apply. The application will be reviewed following all the processes and guidelines established for SOE graduate applicants.

Online Application for Admission  Note: An application fee of $85 is payable through the online application by credit card or e-check (drawn on a U.S. bank). The application fee is not refundable. Your credit card or e-check statement is your receipt. Applications cannot be reviewed until this fee has been received. Check our website to see if you are eligible for a fee waiver. Start or resume your application here .

Academic Records  Applicants are required to upload a copy of transcripts received from each accredited college or university attended, where credit was earned toward an undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree. Transcripts for study abroad or transfer programs are not required if the course titles, grades, and credit hours are included on the transcript of the degree-granting institution. If the transcript is in a language other than English, you are required to provide a certified, official translation into English. If you are admitted and decide to enroll, you will be required to request the official hard copy transcripts from all of your degree granting institutions be sent directly to our Office of Graduate Admissions, from that institution, before you can matriculate. 

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) GRE scores are no longer required for candidates with an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited U.S. institution. Letters of Recommendation Most programs will require three letters of recommendation. Current Tufts students and alumni are only required to submit two letters. If an applicant submits three letters, one letter may be a commitment letter from your company that your studies will be supported. Letters of recommendation should be submitted through the online application system. If that is not possible, you may have your recommender email their letter as an attachment to [email protected], from a company/institutional/organization/professional email account. Personal Statement  Applicants are required to upload a personal statement describing your reasons for wanting to pursue graduate study at Tufts in the program to which you are applying. Please limit your personal statement to a maximum of five pages. Refer to the Requirements and Deadlines  to determine if the program to which you are applying has specific prompts.  Résumé / CV A current résumé or CV that includes information about, and dates of your educational history, employment, academic honors, scholarships, publications, and other activities is required to be uploaded as part of your completed application.

> Spring applications need to be completed and submitted by September 15th .

> Fall applications need to be completed and submitted by December 15th .

Some exceptions may be made by the faculty member you will be working with.

Tuition and Fees

Students who enroll part-time in an engineering PhD program will be responsible for all tuition and fees charged at a per semester rate. No scholarships, financial aid, or stipends are available for these programs. Please visit  https://asegrad.tufts.edu/tuition-aid/tuition-and-fees  for more details.

Financial Aid and Employer Tuition Reimbursement

Low-interest Federal Direct Loans and Federal Perkins Loans are administered by Tufts Student Financial Services which maintains information on all federal programs as well as alternative forms of financing such as non-need-based loans. Federal aid is available for U.S. citizens and permanent residents only. To apply for Federal Direct loans, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The form is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov, and the Tufts University Institution code is 002219. We recommend that you file the FAFSA by December 1 for spring admission and by March 1 for fall admission.

Tuition reimbursement/Tuition assistance is an employee benefit through which an employer pays for a predetermined amount of continuing education credits or college coursework to be applied toward a degree. These programs are intended for employees looking to advance their careers and educational goals by increasing their industry knowledge and developing advanced skills.

PhD Programs

Faculty members.

Below you will find faculty members who are eager to receive part-time PhD applications. Click on the department heading for a list of available faculty members.

Biomedical Engineering

Chemical and biological engineering, civil and environmental engineering, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering.

Department of Education

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The PhD in Education is available to be studied in 3 modes: part-time, full-time, and  distance learning

In order to apply for a PhD place, we ask that you first submit an application form.  We cannot accept a CV or any other documentation in place of a formal application.  When you apply for a PhD place, you must submit a research proposal about 1,500 words in length. More information about the PhD application and admissions process can be found on the How to apply and FAQ  pages . Apply now for the PhD in Education

The PhD in Education is designed to enhance specialised knowledge through academic study and research.

The programme aims to enable students to gain a solid grounding in research methodology, and to successfully carry out a substantial piece of academic research.

Our PhD research students in recent years have come both from the United Kingdom and from many overseas countries. Many of our overseas students have chosen to conduct studies which involve collecting fieldwork data in their home country. Proposals to conduct a study which involves collecting fieldwork data overseas are welcomed.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to have a good honours degree or a master's degree (MA, MSc or MEd) in a relevant discipline although candidates with other evidence of ability to succeed at PhD level will also be considered.

If English is not your first language, we do expect you to be able to demonstrate a high level of proficiency.  The minimum requirement for PhD in Education is IELTS 7.0 withno less than 6.5 in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.  For further information please see  English language requirements .

Information on the application procedure can be found at the  University postgraduate pages .

Apply now for the PhD in Education

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Doctoral programs.

The goal of the GSE PhD in Education is to prepare the next generation of leading education researchers. The cornerstone of the doctoral experience at the Stanford Graduate School of Education is the research apprenticeship that all students undertake, typically under the guidance of their academic advisor, but often with other Stanford faculty as well.

In this apprenticeship model, doctoral students are provided with a multi-year funding package that consists of opportunities each quarter to serve as teaching and research assistants for faculty members' courses and research projects. By this means, and in combination with the courses they take as part of their program, students are prepared over an approximately five-year period to excel as university teachers and education researchers.

The doctoral degree in Education at the GSE includes doctoral program requirements as well as a specialization, as listed below, overseen by a faculty committee from one of the GSE's three academic areas.

Doctoral programs by academic area

Curriculum studies and teacher education (cte).

• ‌ Elementary Education
• ‌ History/Social Science Education
• ‌ Learning Sciences and Technology Design
• ‌ Literacy, Language, and English Education
• ‌ Mathematics Education
• ‌ Science, Engineering and Technology Education
• ‌ Race, Inequality, and Language in Education
• ‌ Teacher Education

Developmental and Psychological Sciences (DAPS)

• ‌ Developmental and Psychological Sciences

Social Sciences, Humanities, and Interdisciplinary Policy Studies in Education (SHIPS)

• ‌ Anthropology of Education
• ‌ Economics of Education
• ‌ Education Data Science
• ‌ ‌Educational Linguistics
• ‌ Educational Policy
• ‌ Higher Education
• ‌ History of Education
• ‌ International Comparative Education
• ‌ Organizational Studies
• ‌ Philosophy of Education
• ‌ Sociology of Education

Cross-area specializations

Learning sciences and technology design (lstd).

LSTD allows doctoral students to study learning sciences and technology design within the context of their primary program of study (DAPS, CTE, or SHIPS).

Race, Inequality, and Language in Education (RILE)

RILE trains students to become national leaders in conducting research on how race, inequality, and language intersect to make both ineffective and effective educational opportunities. RILE allows students to specialize within their program of study (DAPS, CTE, or SHIPS).

Other academic opportunities

• ‌ Concentration in Education and Jewish Studies
• ‌ PhD Minor in Education
• ‌ Stanford Doctoral Training Program in Leadership for System-wide Inclusive Education (LSIE)
• ‌ Certificate Program in Partnership Research in Education
• ‌ Public Scholarship Collaborative

“I came to Stanford to work with faculty who value learning in informal settings and who are working to understand and design for it.”

Doctoral graduates were employed within four months of graduation

of those employed worked in organizations or roles related to education

For more information about GSE admissions and to see upcoming events and appointments:

To learn more about the Academic Services team:

Stanford Graduate School of Education

482 Galvez Mall Stanford, CA 94305-3096 Tel: (650) 723-2109

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Teaching, learning, and teacher education, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.), you are here, a doctoral program preparing education researchers, teacher educators, curriculum specialists, and instructional leaders..

The Ph.D. in Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education focuses on the preparation of researchers and teacher educators in universities and colleges. Focal areas include teaching and learning, research and practice in teacher education, mathematics education, science education, and the study of urban education and urban contexts. 

What Sets Us Apart

About the program.

The Ph.D. in Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education focuses on the preparation of researchers in education. The program includes formal courses, mentored research, and informal seminars.  The program is designed to draw together coursework, research apprenticeship, and other professional academic activities to build a complete professional program that is tailored to your interests and needs.

Fall: 3; Spring: 3

Culminating experience Dissertation

Coursework and research experiences address a range of practice-based and theoretical problems in schools and community settings from sociopolitical, cultural, philosophical, psychological, and historical perspectives. Taking an interdisciplinary stance, faculty and students explore issues of equity, social justice, and educational change in a range of formal and informal educational settings. You will build a program of study that includes courses in teaching and learning, social foundations, and research methods.  Applicants interested in the focal area of literacy are encouraged to consider the doctoral program in Literacy Studies .

Field-based research and collaborative projects with practitioners in schools or other educational settings are key components of the program. The program is designed to draw together coursework, research apprenticeship, and other professional academic activities to build a complete professional program that is tailored to your interests and needs.

As a full-time Ph.D. student, you are expected to be in residence and participate in practicum activities, courses, and other academic experiences throughout the first two years, where you will be enrolled in 3 course units per semester. Coursework and experiences are arranged around three areas or strands, including specialization courses, research methods courses, and electives/professional experiences, as well as a set of core courses. For more information about courses and requirements, visit the  Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education Ph.D. program in the University Catalog .

Research Apprenticeship Course (RAC)

The RAC is part of the Professional Experiences strand and is designed to assist you in developing, conducting, and presenting your own original research. The course focuses on the research interests of the students and requires participation in the scheduling of activities, presentations, and directing part of the RAC agenda as it pertains to the collective needs of the group. Students from the different stages of the doctoral program will serve as mentors to one another, with faculty oversight. You will participate in the RAC beginning in the spring of your first year and continue participation until the completion of your dissertation.

Annual Self-Evaluation : Each year, doctoral students complete a Professional Self-Evaluation that is used as part of the ongoing evaluation and planning process. You are introduced to the evaluation form in the proseminar and will work on it in the spring Research Apprenticeship Course (RAC). The deadline for the Professional Self-evaluation falls in mid-autumn or mid-spring.

Qualifying Examination : The Qualifying Examination is taken by all doctoral students, most often at the end of the first year. Passing this exam is an important step in being admitted to program candidacy. In order to take the qualifying exam, you need to have completed the Doctoral Proseminar, Doctoral Foundations of Teaching and Learning, Education, Culture, and Society, 1 RAC, and 1 research methods course.

Program Candidacy : You are assessed for program candidacy after successfully completing the  Doctoral Proseminar, Doctoral Foundations of Teaching and Learning, Education, Culture, and Society, 1 RAC, and 1 research methods course, and passing the Qualifying Examination. You must be in good academic standing to receive program candidacy.

Preliminary Examination : The Preliminary Examination is taken after you have completed all courses and before you begin work on your dissertation. Passing the Preliminary Exam allows you to be admitted to doctoral candidacy. You may submit a Preliminary Exam from the start of the fall semester through April 1. A description of the Preliminary Exam is available from the Division Coordinator. 

Dissertation : To complete the Ph.D., you must design and undertake an original research study under the direction of your dissertation committee. Students should see Penn GSE and Penn-wide policies and speak with their advisor about the requirements of the dissertation.

Our Faculty

Affiliated Faculty

Ryan S. Baker Professor Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University

Bodong Chen Associate Professor Ph.D., University of Toronto

Matthew Duvall Lecturer Ph.D., Drexel University

L. Michael Golden Executive Director, Catalyst @ Penn GSE Ed.D., University of Pennsylvania

Zachary Herrmann Adjunct Assistant Professor Ed.L.D., Harvard University

Charlotte E. Jacobs Director, Independent School Teaching Residency Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania

Michael C. Johanek Senior Fellow Ed.D., Teachers College, Columbia University

Yasmin B. Kafai Lori and Michael Milken President’s Distinguished Professor Ed.D., Harvard University

Andrea M. Kane Professor of Practice, Education Leadership Ph.D., Northcentral University

Rand Quinn Associate Professor Ph.D., Stanford University

Sharon M. Ravitch Professor of Practice Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania

Susan A. Yoon Graduate School of Education Presidential Professor Ph.D., University of Toronto

"Penn taught me, Penn GSE especially, that if you have the right combination of ingredients—commitment from the structure, mentors, and colleagues—then risk-taking, innovation, and progress will for sure ignite."

Justice Toshiba Walker

Our graduates.

Our graduates are prepared for research and academic careers in education, psychology, and related human services fields.

Alumni Careers

• Adjunct Professor, Moore College of Art and Design
• Assistant Professor of Special Education, Villanova University
• Assistant Professor, Montclair State University
• Assistant Professor, Utah State University
• Director, Out of School Time Resource Center
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Temple University

Admissions & Financial Aid

Please visit our Admissions and Financial Aid pages for specific information on the application requirements , as well as information on tuition, fees, financial aid, scholarships, and fellowships.

Contact us if you have any questions about the program.

Graduate School of Education University of Pennsylvania 3700 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 (215) 898-6415 [email protected] [email protected]

Noemí Fernández Program Manager [email protected]

Please view information from our Admissions and Financial Aid Office for specific information on the cost of this program.

All Ph.D. students are guaranteed a full scholarship for their first four years of study, as well as a stipend and student health insurance. Penn GSE is committed to making your graduate education affordable, and we offer generous scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships.

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Collaboratory for Teacher Education

The Collaboratory for Teacher Education at Penn GSE is a laboratory for the design, implementation, and study of experimental approaches to teacher education.

Core Practice Consortium

The Core Practice Consortium brings together teacher educators from across institutions, disciplines, and theoretical perspectives to grapple with questions about how better to prepare novice teachers. 

Our Students

Current students in the Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education program are researching a range of topics including mathematical practices, teacher education, maker-based project education, culturally responsive pedagogy, science education, and media making. 

View Doctoral Student Profiles

You May Be Interested In

Related programs.

• Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education Ed.D.
• Reading/Writing/Literacy Ph.D.
• Reading/Writing/Literacy Ed.D.
• Learning Sciences and Technologies M.S.Ed.
• Teaching, Learning, and Leadership M.S.Ed.
• Education, Culture, and Society Ph.D.

Related Topics

• Part Time PhDs – Everything You Need To Know
• Types of Doctorates

Introduction

Whilst the core activities of a part time PhD are identical of that to a full time PhD, its arrangement is different. This difference is not only in programme duration but also in fees and funding opportunities. In addition to this, part time study also has different benefits and challenges. Therefore, whilst your personal situation may not be ideal for a full time PhD, it could be perfect for a part time one. We’ve outlined these differences as well as the pros and cons of part time study to help you decide whether it’s right for you.

Why Do a Part Time PhD?

Undertaking a part time PhD can be a great option for you if you fall into one of the four categories:

• Financial – a part time PhD provides the opportunity to earn whilst you study. Although you could secure a full time studentship, the stipend it offers may not be enough in all cases, for example, if you’re financially responsible for multiple family members.
• Career – working individuals, especially those who have already advanced several stages in their career, may opt for a Professional Doctorate. A Professional Doctorate is equivalent to a part time PhD, but focuses on a specific professional practice relevant to the individual. It’s usually undertaken when you wish to apply research skills in a professional environment or become more specialised in your industry.
• Caring obligations – part time study offers a greater deal of flexibility compared to its full time equivalent. This can be desirable in situations where the individual has considerable caring obligations, such as a young family.
• Intensity – many students feel that a pursuing a research degree over a longer period of time drastically lowers the intensity of postgraduate study. Part time PhD hours per week are typically around half that of its full time equivalent. This can come with a wide range of physical and mental health benefits.

Part Time PhD Fees

The average tuition fee for part time PhD study in the UK is approximately £2,356 per academic year for home students, and between £8,000 to £12,500 for international students.

This is typically 50% of the fee charged for an equivalent full time doctorate. However, a handful of universities use a prorated fee of up to 60% so it’s important to check the individual fees for each university you are applying to. These additional costs usually cover the admin/overhead fees associated with your time at the university.

Besides the tuition fee, there are several other costs which you need to account for. You can learn about these costs in our full cost breakdown of UK PhDs .

Part Time PhD Funding and Scholarships

As a part time student, most universities will expect you to fund your own studies. This is because nearly all part-time students will work a paying job alongside their studies which can be used to support their education.

However, you may still apply to department or university funding opportunities such as subject-specific bursaries. Besides this, external bodies such as Research Councils , research charities and industrial institutions also offer grants and PhD studentships for research projects related to their field. It’s worth remembering these opportunities are usually very limited and are awarded based on a candidates strength and not their personal situation.

One benefit of selecting a research project related to your employer is that it opens an additional opportunity for funding. It’s not uncommon for an employer to contribute to an employee’s tuition fee if there is a mutual benefit to be had.

How Long Is a Part Time PhD?

The average duration of part time PhDs in the UK is between 6 to 7 years. This is double a full time doctorate.

Universities also set registration periods which limit the minimum and maximum amount of time you can be enrolled in a course. For doctorates, the minimum duration is usually 4 years and the maximum 8 years.

How Many Working Hours per Week?

You will be expected to work half the number of hours of a full time student. Although full time students are expected to work 35 hours a week, in reality, most will work closer to 40 – 45 hours. Therefore, you’ll be expected to dedicate approximately 20 hours each week towards your degree.

However, you won’t always be able to achieve this many hours due to your other commitments. Therefore, working to a frequent and consistent schedule will be more important. Working on your research in irregular intervals or whenever time permits will be an inefficient approach – it’s far better, plus psychologically easier, to commit to a consistent schedule. Though your PhD supervisor may be able to offer guidance in this regard, ultimately the PhD is yours to shape.

Most part time programmes will also have some doctoral training courses with fixed dates, especially those which are organised by industry experts or visiting lecturers. There may also be time restrictions to be aware of if you are a postgraduate researcher involved in laboratory work, particularly where special equipment is needed as this may be rented by the university research centre and only available during certain times in the year.

Part Time PhDs for International Students

If you are an international student wishing to undertake a part time PhD programme in a foreign country, you will need to meet additional requirements.

For example, to study in the UK, you will need to secure both a work visa and a stable job. This is to prove that you can support yourself throughout the full length of your course. Unfortunately, even if you’re able to secure departmental or external funding, you won’t be able to use this to prove an income. Additionally, an international PhD student in the UK will need to demonstrate English proficiency as part of the application process. These entry requirements apply whether the overseas student is pursuing a PhD part-time or for full-time studies.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

Challenges of a Part Time PhD

It’s generally accepted that undertaking a PhD part time is more challenging than undertaking it full time.

Age – although this shouldn’t be a factor, we know it can cause concern for some. If you have already been working for several years, you may find that some of your research colleagues or academic staff members are the same age or younger than yourself. This could cause apprehension or cultural issues if you fail to keep an open mind.

Detachment – as a research student, you’ll often doubt whether you’re working on the right thing or making sufficient progress. You can expect this feeling to be compounded if you’re studying on a part time basis. This is because you’ll have less interaction with your department, peers and supervisor given you won’t always be on campus.

Time management – juggling a career or significant family obligations with the demanding requirements of a doctoral degree can take its toll. Over the 6 to 7 years, you’ll no doubt encounter periods when your external commitments require more of your time, whether its intensive projects or the need for frequent travel associated with part time courses. During these times there is potential for your research to slip, or worse, become an unwanted burden.

Motivation – having to balance your time and focus with your other commitments can make it difficult to immerse yourself in your research. This often results in a lack of ‘momentum’, which coupled with a journey that’s twice as long, increases the risk of your passion fading out. Unfortunately, because of this, many supervisors observe the drop-out rate of part time students to be greater than that of their full time peers. This isn’t due to a lack of dedication or commitment, but due to the individual no longer being able to balance several demanding obligations without jeopardising their mental or physical well-being.

Funding opportunity availability – as mentioned earlier, since part-time applicants are able to work alongside their studies, there are fewer funding opportunities available to them.

Relevancy – as your doctoral study will take 6 to 7 years to complete, there is a risk that your research will no longer be relevant. This could be for several reasons. For example:

• An individual may be working on a research project very similar to yours. Assuming they are working full time and complete their project before you, it could render your project ‘unoriginal’ depending on the amount of overlap between your findings. It is important to discuss this with potential supervisors who may be aware of similar PhD projects being undertaken.
• New technology or knowledge may be developed which renders your original research question obsolete if the premise it was built on becomes ’outdated’.
• New observations could be made which have the potential to jeopardise your work. For example, a new study may be published which identifies significant limitations behind a method outlined in your research proposal. This would cast serious doubt into the validity of your research findings, and in some cases, may require you to start over with an alternative method.

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Professionals seeking to obtain a Ph.D. may enroll in a part-time program to meet their educational goals. Part-time studies allow working professionals to obtain their degree without accepting a reduction in salary.

The program of study requires that students fulfill the same requirements as their full-time peers. Students who are enrolled part-time are afforded between 7 and 10 years to complete the program of study. Full-time students pursuing a Ph.D. may complete their program of study in 2 to 3 years depending upon the curriculum.

Many universities will place restrictions on the number of courses a student can complete part-time. However, most universities will require that professionals enroll each quarter to complete their program of study.

About Part-Time PhD Programs

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), half of the students enrolled in graduate school are enrolled part-time. Between 2007 and 2018, the National Center for Education Statistics expects a 10 percent increase in graduate student enrollment.

Ph.D. programs differ based upon the desired curriculum the student wants to study. Some Ph.D. programs, such as the Executive Doctoral program, require professionals obtain a specified amount of work experience prior to enrollment. Academic teaching Ph.D. program requirements vary from program to program. All Ph.D. programs require students complete a Master’s degree prior to entering a Ph.D. program.

Some academic programs place other limitations on students enrolled part-time. These restrictions may include limited financial aid awards and limited insurance benefits for part-time students. Part-time students must be approved by the school’s administration prior to enrollment into any academic program. These students may take longer to finish their programs. However, part-time students do not tolerate a pay reduction. Doctoral degrees may offer advancement for executives. Alternatively, doctoral degrees may offer advancements in the academic arena.

Part-time doctoral programs may take place online or in a traditional classroom setting. Distance-learning classes may consist of Web 2.0 technology to disseminate tasks, case studies, video instruction, and other instructional tools.

Experts at the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) state that academic institutions award more Doctorate degrees in engineering, education, health professions, biomedical sciences and psychology. Individuals who receive doctoral degrees in these areas have earned a Doctor of Education, Doctor of Philosophy or a Doctor of Medicine.

Part-Time Doctoral Degree Curriculum

Ph.D. curriculum varies depending upon the course of study chosen. In general, however, students will be required to learn critical thinking skills that may be applied to their chosen professions. Some of the curriculum may be centered on the following concepts:

• Strategy / Strategic Thinking
• Research Methodology
• Data Analysis
• Management Skills
• Leadership Skills
• Dissertation Thesis Seminar

Online Part-Time Doctoral Programs

Kansas state institute.

www.ipfp.k-state.edu

Kansas State Institute of Personal Financial Planning possesses a Ph.D. program that is conducted largely online. The program allows individuals who wish to remain in their careers to enroll in a Ph.D. program. The program is offered by the School of Family Studies and Human Services.

Most students may complete this program of study in as little 5 years. This program involves primarily online courses with intensive summer courses for 10 days. The final summer session will take place abroad to allow students to witness global markets in action. Students will learn how the global economy affects financial planning in the United States.

Students of this program will be given case studies to assist them in solving practical problems in the workplace. Knowledge of personal finance and relationships will be imparted. Teaching, researching, publication, professional groups, and leadership skills will all be taught as a part of the curriculum. Those who complete the program will be qualified to become a registered financial consultant, certified retirement counselor, registered financial associate, or an accredited financial counselor.

Syracuse University

ischool.syr.edu

Syracuse University offers professionals access to a part-time online Ph.D. program for working professionals. This program focuses on developing the skills of working professionals who would like to advance in the executive world. Promoting positive change through executive leadership is the goal of the doctoral program. Executives learn to manage, evaluate, and implement strategies that direct change in organizations.

Information management is a primary focus of the doctoral program. Syracuse University believes that organizational change relies upon efficiency of information management. The university trains professionals to direct change and implement programs to improve the flow of information in the organization and to clients. These skills are necessary in the field of public administration, network management, library management, military, and information management.

Sixteen courses are required to complete the Executive Doctoral program. The 16 courses consist of 6 residential seminars, 4 methods courses, 4 online doctoral seminars, and 2 master’s level practical courses. The 2 master’s level courses will be in one of the following areas: Network Management, Library Science, Information Management, and Telecommunications.

Offline Part-Time Doctoral Programs

Massachusetts school of professional psychology.

www.mspp.edu

The Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology offers students a part-time program in the Doctor of Psychology (PSYD) in Clinical Psychology Program. The academic school accepts students on a limited basis part-time. Students will be admitted into the Doctoral Clinical Program with an option of initial part-time enrollment. These students require special permission and will be accepted on a space available basis. Students desiring enrollment must indicate this request on their application.

The first year of this program must be completed in a maximum of two years. The remainder of the program must take no longer than 7 years to complete. Massachusetts requires students take a minimum of three academic courses per semester. Two of the courses must be either theory-based or clinically focused courses.

The first year will primarily consist of academic coursework. The second-year students are required to enroll in Clinical Seminar I and Practicum I, in addition to another course. In the third year, students are required to enroll in Clinical Seminar II and Practicum II.

Students must also enroll in an internship that must be completed in two consecutive years. The two half-time internships are integrated with coursework from classes during those same years. Students must work with their advisors in order to establish a program tailored to their specific needs.

Waiting lists are available for part-time academic programs. Students may be placed on the list until a space opens up for the student to matriculate into school.

The University of Western Ontario

www.fims.uwo.ca

The Faculty of Information and Media Studies is offering a part-time doctoral program in Library and Information Science. This particular program admits between 1 and 2 students per year. Students should meet the same requirements that are required of full-time students for enrollment. Students must complete a four-year academic degree with Honors. This requires that students have a B average or higher upon graduation.

Applicants must also possess a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science. Those students with Master’s degrees in another program of study must complete five courses in the Library and Information Science Master’s program. Additionally, the students must complete six doctoral programs as well.

Students enrolled in this program of study part-time are not eligible for the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies funding. Part-time students also may not hold external scholarships that require full-time status, if enrolled part-time. Part-time fees are simply the full-time rate divided in half.

New York University

www.nyu.edu

New York University offers students desiring a part-time Ph.D. program the opportunity to pursue the computer science course of study. These students are required to complete two courses per semester. Students who enroll in this program of study are not eligible for insurance through the school or financial aid.

Students have 10 years to complete the computer science Ph.D. program part-time. Some courses may be exempted from the curriculum if students pass an exam with a minimum of an A-.

New York University is located in Manhattan. The school has educated several Pulitzer Prize winners and Nobel Laureates. Last year, 400 students were awarded their doctoral degrees from the university. The school has also had the opportunity to have educated 70 graduate students on the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship in the past 17 years.

Job Opportunities for Part-Time Doctoral Programs

The majority of doctoral graduates are employed in health services and academia. In fact, according to a 2000 study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 28 percent of doctoral graduates were employed in academia and 21 percent of doctoral graduates were employed in health services. The remaining graduates are employed in a variety of fields. The industries include Business, Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Legal Services, Education and Public Administration.

The unemployment rate for doctoral graduates is one of the lowest. According to a 2004 study, the unemployment rate for doctoral graduates is 2.1 percent. The same study indicated that the rate for people with an Associate’s degree is 4.0 percent. Of course, these studies were conducted before the recession. However, that is traditionally the case. Doctoral graduates also tend to earn more in the work place. Median earnings for a doctoral graduate can be as much as 62 percent higher.

Executives that earn their doctoral degrees may be employed in the following professions:

• Chief Executive Officer
• Chief Operating Officer
• Chief Financial Officer
• Professional Consultant
• Vice President of Finance
• Vice President of Marketing
• Academic Professor

Their salaries are some of the highest of all professions. The median salary of executive doctoral candidates is $167,280. Some areas such as the New York Metropolitan area, San Jose Metropolitan area, Bridgeport Metropolitan area and Durham, NC each have a median salary between $217,080 and $210,380. States with the highest median salaries for executives with Doctorates are Delaware, New Mexico, California, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Individuals with Professional Doctorates will primarily focus on applied use of the theory obtained during their studies. Doctor of Health Sciences, Doctors of Education, Doctor of Business Administration, Doctor of Professional Studies, Doctor of Dental Medicine, and Juris Doctor are all professional doctorates that apply their studies within their field rather than teach full-time. Some of these professionals also choose to teach in addition to their studies. However, their primary focus is applied use of the theoretical knowledge obtained during their course of study.

In 2009, the number of applicants applying to doctoral programs rose. However, recent graduates are accepting public service jobs, such as Teach for America and other public service jobs. At Ivy League schools, like Harvard, employer recruitment is down 19 percent. Employers expect to hire 22 percent less graduates from schools nationwide in all fields. In the Northeast, employers expect to hire 39 percent less graduates from all schools nationwide.

Currently, many areas are experiencing a shortage of doctoral graduates. Health care fields, computer science, and accounting are seeking doctoral graduates to replace executives and academic professors that are retiring. Professionals enrolling in these professions are more likely to find a position despite the current economic decline.

Top Ranked Doctoral Programs

Search for other great programs, 18 responses to “part time doctoral programs”.

Are there any “classroom” part time doctoral (PhD) programs in Massachusetts?

Dear, I would like to admitt into PhD in History. I am rigorous poor. Thanks.

Can I please get more info on the phd part-time programs? Also, enrollment info would be appreciated.

I am looking the worldwide accredited university where I can take PhD by monthly expending on $10. Thanks

Hi, I am a tech journalist with over 8 yrs o exp. I am very much interested in pursuing a PhD Program in New age Media. May I know what systems do you have for working pros?

I am based out of New delhi, India.

executive phd detail

I wish tpo pursue an online programme with Phd in SAP Business systems.Please advise suitably.

Thanks and Regards Saswati Chakraborti

Trying to find an online history PH.D program..

Sean I would like to find a Phd online program in history also. If you find one, please let me know.

I have done masters in Library and Information Science and masters in Information Technology. I want to go for Ph.d in Library/Information Science with scholarship.

Pls send details

Wish to pursue any doctoral program that enhances my skills in sustainable development work

I am interested in furthering my education on a part time basis.

I am completing my MIRHR at University of Toronto.

I am looking at a PHD in organizational behavior, business management or leadership.

Can you provide me with some options ?

I’m looking for PhD part-time program in clinical health psychology and I wonder Is it possiple to conduct the reseach at my work place?

sir my wife finish m.sc.,m .phil statistics she has 7 years experience now she is working engineering college she want to part ph.d statistics sir pls guide me i am tirunelveli distict tamilnadu state i am also middle class family

I am a post graduate dgree holder in food safety management and 21 years industry experienec in food safety. I am looking for for a part time Phd programme any where in the world in food safety.

plz tell me, is it worth doing online PhD in science? will i be getting post doc jobs after getting online PhD. please reply, that would be of kind help.

i am M.Sc chemistry i am from afghanistan i am interested Ph.D program this time i am in Finland as asylum saker please help me mujeeb

Looking fora online part time phd

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10 Best Part Time PhD Programs for 2024

Here we’ll explore part-time PhD programs, compare schools, and see what earning your doctorate could do for you.

If you’d like to earn your doctoral degree but don’t really have much time to spare, you might want to consider enrolling in one of the many available part-time PhD programs.

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A part-time PhD program requires less of a time commitment, and there are both online and on-campus options.

Types of Part Time PhD Programs

The following are ten of the most popular part-time PhD programs people are enrolling in right now. Click on one to jump to that part of the page.

Business Administration

Healthcare administration, nurse practitioner (rn required), public administration, public health.

PhD graduates in these fields often enjoy very rewarding careers as professors, researchers, or industry experts.

If you’re looking for part time graduate school programs in business, taking courses toward your PhD in Business Administration may be an excellent choice. In addition to being the gold standard of business degrees in America, this degree is often recognized globally as the highest possible business administration degree.

Some universities also offer the option to select an area of concentration in a part time PhD program. For example, you could opt to get your online PhD in Accounting , or a similar field of business, like marketing, human resources, or project management.

Depending on whether you take this degree online or at an on-campus university, your curriculum may be a little different, but the basic admissions requirements and courses will likely be quite similar whichever you choose.

For example, you’ll likely need, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree in business administration, and a master’s degree in this field or another business-related field is usually preferred.

Some programs also have specific GMAT or GRE score requirements as well, though a growing number of universities are waiving this requirement.

A part time doctoral program in Business administration usually has some lecture courses and written coursework. Classes are mostly comprised of upper-level business classes in accounting, human resources management, project management, leadership, business innovations, and strategy.

Your primary focus, though, will probably be on independent research toward your final dissertation. This, along with a final exam, is usually the last step before earning a PhD. After receiving your PhD, you could potentially become a professor of business, a consultant for private companies or the government, or even a CEO or president of a company.

If you have an empathetic nature, a curious mind, a good listening ear, and the desire to genuinely help people, you might pursue a PhD in Counseling. PhD courses in the counseling field have been specifically tailored to do two things:

• Help students obtain the skills needed to become counselors in practically any environment, including K-12 schools, institutions of higher learning, private practices, prisons, mental hospitals, and more.
• Help students obtain the skills and knowledge needed to teach counseling skills to others as professors of counseling at institutes of higher learning.

The course curriculum for a counseling program is typically designed to educate students in a holistic, entire body approach to treating patients. Specific courses usually include higher-level classes in psychology, as well as counseling theories and techniques.

Other courses may cover holistic health and wellness, psychological techniques, and research. A heavy focus is often put on understanding patients of all races, backgrounds, genders, sexualities, and cultures.

In addition to lectures and seminars, you’ll probably be required to complete a lot of coursework and research.

If your ultimate goal with your PhD is to teach psychology at the post-secondary level, you may even be required to design and teach your own curriculum as part of a hands-on internship experience.

Your original dissertation will likely be your final step toward earning this PhD, after you which you could potentially teach or continue on in counseling.

If you’re considering a doctoral program in the education field, there are three different paths you can take. There’s the PhD path, which we’ll discuss here, and then there is the D.Ed. path and the Ed.D path, which are the Doctor of Education and Doctor in Education, respectively.

Earning a PhD in Education literally means you’ve received a Doctor of Philosophy in Education. (All PhDs are Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Only the specific field is different. This is why so much of their coursework focuses on research.)

Deciding whether or not a PhD is the right choice for you depends on what you want to do with it after you earn it. If you want to teach at the post-secondary level or work in educational research, then a PhD may be perfect for you.

The typical course format is a mixture of seminars, lectures, and coursework. As with practically any other PhD, your primary focus will likely be on independent research toward your dissertation, which should be a completely unique project of your choice relating to the field of education.

Your final project will probably consist of this dissertation presented before a panel of professionals in the field. You’ll likely be asked to deliver it and then defend it.

Some programs may also require you to pass a final exit exam. After you’ve earned your degree, you could potentially use it to become an educational researcher, professor of education, school administrator, superintendent, or other board of education member.

If you have a mind for numbers, money, and budgeting or work on the books and assets side of a company, a doctoral degree in finance may help further your career.

Online coursework in a finance PhD program typically focuses most heavily on a wide variety of financial and budgetary classes. Some of these include:

• Global Marketing
• The Behavior of Finance Locally, Nationally, and Globally
• Decision-making of Firms and Other Financial Institutions
• Assets Pricing
• Assets Valuation

For many, this is considered one of the best possible PhD programs to take online, and if you already have a background in finance, it could potentially be one of the shortest doctoral programs online for you. It also works well as an on-campus program.

In a typical finance program, most work is done through lectures, seminars, and hands-on experience, first developing and then rigorously testing theoretical models.

Upon earning your PhD in Finance, you should be able to pursue many different careers. You might become a compensation and/or benefits manager, chief financial officer, director of securities or commodities, financial manager, or budget analyst.

You may also be eligible for promotions of the highest level in budgeting, acquisitions, and sales. A PhD in Finance can help prepare you for a career as a high-level sales agent in almost any field.

As with most PhDs, what this degree is really designed to do is help you obtain the skills to teach a program in your subject of expertise, in this case, finance. For that reason, after earning your PhD, you may consider becoming a professor.

If you’re planning to get your PhD in Healthcare Administration, there’s a strong possibility that you’re already working somewhere in the healthcare field, possibly even in healthcare administration.

This is because most PhD in Healthcare Administration programs are only open to those who already have master’s degrees in this same field or one that’s closely related to it.

There are even some programs that require you to already be working in healthcare administration before you can be accepted into their program.

If none of these things apply to you, this might not be the degree for you. If you do have your heart set on it anyway, then you’re probably going to have to put in quite a bit of extra work first.

In addition to the desire to help and heal people, possessing a good head for business, a love of research, and excellent people skills are beneficial for pursuing this degree. Being comfortable with economics, finance, accounting, and grant-writing is helpful as well.

This degree is usually sought by those who want to become professors of the subject at a university or those who want to move into upper-level management and leadership roles within large healthcare organizations.

Some of the most commonly shared classes between different healthcare administration PhD programs are related to research, communication, and organizational strategies. There are also seminars on healthcare reform and legislation, as well as the role of politics in healthcare.

If your goal is to earn your PhD in Management, you have so many options. Other than doctoral programs in business and business administration, programs in management are some of the most numerous programs out there right now.

You likely have plenty of choices, whether you want to go the online or on-campus route.

Another great thing about a PhD degree program for management is that it has such wide-reaching possibilities. Whether you work in retail, factory work, or engineering, chances are you have a management team.

That’s because every field needs managers and supervisors. Therefore, a PhD in Management can appeal to many different types of people.

Possessing any of the following traits can help you in this path:

• Hardworking
• Research-minded
• Good communicator
• Multitasker
• Fair leader

Courses in management are usually pretty fast-paced, and the subject matter is just as varied as the types of people who pursue the degree. Courses commonly incorporate classes on research skills, human resources management, social sciences, economics, strategic planning, and networking.

You’ll likely be required to research, put together, deliver, and defend a unique dissertation before you can officially earn your degree. Most programs require an exam, as well.

Once you’ve received your PhD in Management, though, potential job paths include management consultant, professor, CEO, entrepreneur, and more in a variety of different fields.

If you’re a nurse practitioner looking to become a better and higher-paid nurse, then you might not want to pursue your PhD in Nursing. Instead, you may want to work toward your Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

However, if you’re a nurse practitioner who wants to transition into pure research, nursing theory, or the education and training of future nurses and nurse practitioners, a PhD may be the right choice for your needs.

Although a PhD in Nursing usually takes fewer years to earn than a DNP and requires almost no clinical work—unlike the DNP—you’ll likely be required to do massive amounts of research into the field of nursing, nursing theory, and nursing education processes.

The goal of most PhD in Nursing programs, in addition to teaching students what they need to know to educate future nurses, is to prepare students for careers in clinical research and education strategy. The aim is for them to be able to improve upon the research processes and education methods to make the training of future nurses more innovative and all-encompassing.

Less often, graduates of this program go on to work in advanced clinical practice or even healthcare administration, but this isn’t the most common career path for people receiving this particular degree. Many of the courses do focus on leadership and best management practices for those who do want to take this route, though.

If your goal is to pursue a PhD in Public Administration, you have a wide variety of programs from which you can choose. Because regulations governing this type of degree program are looser than some other degree programs, each public administration program is structured differently.

However, despite their differences, there are a few things that almost every public administration program, whether online or on-campus, has in common. The admissions requirements for the programs are one example.

While not all programs require you to have a master’s degree before enrolling, most prefer it. For those that don’t require it, you’ll probably still be required to have a bachelor’s degree in either public policy or public administration.

When it comes to the actual curriculum, though, the programs all seem to differ slightly. The classes taught in one program are often different from the classes taught in another program at a different university.

In almost every public administration program you are likely to take courses on public vs. private budgeting, advanced communications, and policymaking. The electives and other classes from program to program can vary, though.

However, despite the courses, the end goals of these programs are all usually very similar: They typically aim to educate doctoral students on the best practices governing the use and overseeing of public assets.

With a PhD in Public Administration, you could potentially find a career as a purchasing agent, budget analyst, human resources manager, auditor, financial manager, or something similar.

Working in public health requires certain specific qualities. For instance, being able to keep calm under pressure is important. Being intelligent, analytical, and comfortable with the research and testing of potentially deadly viruses and diseases are also beneficial traits.

Public health isn’t entirely about diseases and outbreaks, though, no matter how it may seem.

The number one goal of most public health PhD programs is to educate students in all aspects of public health and how to present information and findings in a way the public can easily understand.

Another goal is to give doctoral students the knowledge and skills needed to help improve the overall public health of American citizens.

This includes instructing students on research skills and theory, particularly how to use research and the scientific method to improve upon methods already being used in the public health sector.

It’s also imperative to be able to present crisis-level information to the public in a way that keeps people from panicking.

The most common concentrations for a public health degree program are the following:

• Biostatistics
• Environmental Health
• Health Management and Policies
• Social Sciences
• Chronic Diseases
• The Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases

After graduation, jobs with the CDC and federal, state, and local governments are common. Other potential jobs include environmental scientist, biostatistician, epidemiologist, and safety engineer.

Part-time psychology PhD programs are also very popular choices for PhD seekers. This means there are plenty of online and on-campus programs available from which you can choose.

Although it can often be taken as an on-campus program very easily with excellent results, most people tend to take it online for the simple fact that it’s more convenient. This means there are many accredited online options for psychology.

Although a PhD in Psychology is typically meant for those who want to move out of practicing psychology and into the realms of psychological research and secondary education, some people do take it to become better, higher-paid psychologists. If you’re one of these people, being empathetic, curious, and non-judgmental are three helpful qualities to have to succeed in this career.

If you’re pursuing this degree in order to teach or move into pure research, an analytical mind, enjoyment of research, and a good grasp of the scientific method and process will serve you well. This degree depends heavily on independent research.

You’ll likely have coursework, lectures, and case studies, but most of your time will probably be spent researching your dissertation.

If you’re successful in earning your PhD in Psychology, you may continue to work in the field of psychology as a counselor, psychologist, or something similar, but that isn’t all you might do. You may also teach or work as a psychological researcher.

In addition to part-time PhD in Psychology programs, some universities offer part time PsyD programs . A PsyD is a Doctor of Psychology. This degree may be a good option for practitioners more interested in providing psychological services to clients.

Accreditation for Online Part Time PhD Programs

The specific accreditation for your online program will depend on the degree field. Different fields have different boards certifying them as accredited programs. You should be able to check any program’s accreditation on the school’s website.

Regional accreditation is the most accepted and recognized by employers and other schools, should you want to transfer. National accreditation is acceptable as well, but it only accredits your program within a specific region of the U.S. Regional accreditation is typically recognized throughout the entire U.S., no matter where you relocate.

Schools without accreditation may not be accepted at all, so it is important to check your program’s accreditation status.

Financial Aid for PhD Part Time Students

There are a few main types of financial aid to pursue as a PhD student: loans, grants and fellowships, and assistantships.

Loans are available to both online and on-campus students. Loans have to be repaid, so it is important to use them responsibly and only take out what you need. The best place to start looking for loans is usually the federal government. You can apply for loans by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA .

Fellowships and grants are similar to scholarships and are also available to both online and on-campus students. They’re usually given out to students who need financial aid who have completed applications proving they’re also deserving of the grants.

Many of these may be listed on your school’s specific website. Others can be found on Fastweb and other similar sites.

Finally, assistantships are available only to on-campus students. These are similar to work-study programs. You may work as either a teacher’s assistant, research assistant, or something similar. Working in the lab or as a teacher to undergrads are both typical assistantship duties.

Can You Do PhD Part Time?

Yes, many students work on their PhD part-time. When asking how long does it take to get a doctorate degree , it’s important to keep in mind that there are several programs, both online and on-campus, that allow doctoral students to take part-time PhD classes.

Is PhD Full Time or Part Time?

Depending on your budget and available free time, you can take either full-time or part-time PhD classes. The only difference is that it will take you longer to graduate if you only take part-time classes.

Is a PhD Worth It?

Yes, a PhD is worth it for many professionals. Earning your PhD can help open up new doors of opportunity and advancement in your current field. If you’ve ever considered teaching in your career field, a PhD can also help give you that opportunity.

You can do some research to find an online PhD program or campus-based program that’s right for you.

You now have the option to take PhD classes either online or on campus, and some programs are more affordable than they’ve ever been. Now may be the time for you to take the next step toward an advanced degree.

Studying for a part-time PhD: the challenges and the benefits

A part-time phd yes, it can be done and it can be incredibly rewarding writes, arthur krebbers.

Arthur Krebbers

I’ve experienced many unexpected hurdles while doing my PhD part-time and I’m sure that you will too. It is often difficult to keep your spirits high while doing a part-time PhD but the reward is substantial. 

It is also helpful to hear about other people's challenges before you embark on your own journey. 

One of my biggest challenges was finding a PhD supervisor. I had contacted a professor at a well-established London business school. She seemed supportive and agreed to meet. The conversation flowed well – until I mentioned the “P-word”. “Seriously, part-time?” she said, surprised. “Look, what you are looking to do is simply impossible. I tried to oversee a part-time PhD degree, with a brilliant student. It all began very well, but after a few months they just couldn’t keep up. Too much pressure from their work.” I’d hit my first dead end.

Fortunately, after persistent searching I found an ideal match. All in all, this took about two months. I cast my net wide, reviewing the full faculty of all the top 20 European finance schools. My goal being to find those that were 1) interested in my field of study (the European debt markets) and 2) open to part-time PhD degrees. Arriving at a shortlist of supervisors, I emailed and spoke to potential supervisors until I had made a final decision. Supervisor, check!

What is a PhD? Advice for PhD students

My next hurdle was in my place of work. I had heard of managers who wouldn’t consider a degree valuable if it wasn’t chartered. And other old-school types who, on hearing about an employee’s desire to “learn more”, simply dish out extra work assignments for them. They seem to live by the attitude that they don’t need any doctors in their workplace. 

I had to therefore sow the seeds carefully. My sales pitch was full of corporate-speak, linking my degree to my division’s strategic objectives and the competitive international landscape. Did you know, for instance, that two-thirds of German CEOs have a PhD? Last time I checked, their economy is doing pretty well. 

With employer support in the bag, I was ready to start juggling a research degree with a professional career. I became a compulsive planner; the PhD felt like a constant guilty conscience and I always felt like I could be studying more. The bulk of my research was done on Saturdays, which I occasionally topped up during the evenings, Sundays or dedicated holidays.

My work chipped in too, granting me two weeks of research leave a year – as part of a tailor-made support agreement that I had negotiated with my managers. They became very supportive of my endeavour, with the understandable condition that my job remained my priority. Banker first, researcher second.

Despite my limited free time, I realised that moderation was important and tried to pace myself. Long bouts of study would leave me insufficiently energised for the work week or put excessive pressure on my social life.

I wasn't in a rush. Being a part-timer, I did not have the same money stresses as my full-time peers. Living expenses were paid for through the day job and tuition fees were covered by my employer. I intended to enjoy both the process and the outcome. “What is a few months delay in a lifetime anyway?”

With corporate support and sponsorship in the bag, I was ready to be initiated into the academic community. This did not happen overnight. I only had one foot in the faculty, while using the other to run the rat race. The secluded professorial life seemed idyllic, spending days researching and working. However, when I heard esteemed lecturers conferring about the “quickest ways to get to British Airways Platinum status” or the “most lucrative visiting scholar jobs” I grew disheartened.

Realising that academics were also human was an important step for me. My interaction had to go beyond just talking about my thesis. A pint and a chat about the Premier League did wonders for my research collaboration. This interpersonal approach helped to solidify my academic relationships, both with my supervisors and other researchers.

And of course you won’t just be speaking to academics day in and day out. You’ll still have to make time for socialising with your family and friends, and often they may not quite understand how a part-time PhD works. 

For example, asking “what will the research be about?” can be like asking a new parent “what will your child be like when he is five years old?” The doctoral process is highly iterative – it involves constant rewriting and refocusing.

Or wanting to know “when will you be done?”. This is not too different from asking an entrepreneur “when will you raise £1 million?” It depends on many factors. Not least the opinion of the supervisor, being your gatekeeper to that gold-plated doctoral certificate.

And, crucially, it also depends on your ability to be able to overcome all these hurdles and dedicate yourself to your research. 

Read more:  The romance versus the reality of a PhD

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Imagine using your degree to influence educational policies and create instrumental courses in programs across the country. By earning a 100% online Ph.D. in Education degree from Liberty University, you can. With the variety of degree concentrations we provide, you have the flexibility to focus your studies on an area that matches your unique career goals.

Here are some of the benefits of partnering with Liberty University to pursue your Ph.D. in Education online:

• Our online Ph.D. in Education can prepare you for careers in various schools and administrative settings within the field of education.
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Pursue a degree that inspires you. With a Ph.D. in Education online from Liberty, you can learn how to shape and design new curriculums. Not only that, but your courses can equip you with effective management principles so you can lead administrations at all levels. As a Christian university, our online Ph.D. programs in education also examine relevant topics and current events in light of a Christian worldview.

Receive advanced training in education, organizational leadership, and research so you can gain invaluable communication and problem-solving skills. This knowledge can help you lead your students and organization to success. Our online Ph.D. in Education program can provide you with the skills you need to oversee an educational administration at the county, state, or national level.

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As you begin our online Ph.D. in Education degree, you will study core curriculum critical to leadership in K-12 and higher education settings.

You will analyze pedagogical concepts and approaches based on research and knowledge of the discipline.

Our Ph.D. in Education online specializations allow you to acquire a robust knowledge of educational theories and practices. This awareness is vital in addressing the current teaching challenges found in your respective discipline.

Your doctorate in education can help you add value and fresh ideas to the field of education.

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• Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.

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17 Part time PhD Degrees in Education in USA for 2024

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Part time PhD Degrees in Education

Those who pursue education as a career will undergo courses that are designed to train future educators. Fortunately, there is a wide variety of courses designed for students who wish to supplement any teaching credentials. These courses are offered at various institutions across the globe.

The USA remains the world’s most popular destination for international students. Universities in the US dominate the world rankings and the country also offers a wide variety of exciting study locations. State university systems are partially subsidized by state governments, and may have many campuses spread around the state, with hundreds of thousands of students.

Requirements for the PhD program often involve the student having already obtained a Master’s degree. Additionally, a thesis or dissertation primarily consisting of original academic research must be submitted. In some countries, this work may even need to be defended in front of a panel.

Part time learning allows one to obtain part-time degrees even if one cannot attend school on a full-time basis. One can learn at his or own pace, gradually accumulating credits which count towards final qualification.

Are you seeking one-on-one college counseling and/or essay support? Limited spots are now available. Click here to learn more.

15 Best Online Doctoral Programs/PhD Programs – 2024

April 24, 2024

If you’re looking to attain a terminal degree but want to skip the commute to campus, an online doctoral program might be a great option for you. As our world becomes increasingly digital, many top universities have branched out into online learning, offering online PhD and doctoral programs that are just as rigorous as their in-person counterparts. Online graduate education can offer aspiring doctoral students flexibility, a high-quality education, and the option to continue working while pursuing a degree.

Many of the universities below in our round-up of the best online doctoral programs offer degrees in education—a common track for teachers looking to advance their careers. But universities across the country offer a wide range of degrees in everything from engineering management to library science. Read on for everything you need to know as you consider applying.

The Best Online Doctoral Programs – How Long Does It Take to Get a Doctoral Degree Online?

Online doctoral programs are often designed with full-time professionals in mind, prioritizing flexibility so that you can complete your degree at your own pace. Program lengths will vary, but most will take four to seven years. For students who need to take things slower, many programs offer options to spread degree requirements out over time. When applying, here are a few good questions to ask your admissions officer:

• How long do most graduate students take to complete their degrees?
• Are there flexible options for how many courses you’ll take per term?
• Will you pay tuition per semester or per credit hour? If paying by credit hour, will you able to choose how many classes you take each semester?
• Will you be required to write a dissertation? If so, how long do students usually take to write them?

The Best Online Doctoral Programs – Is an Online PhD Program a Good Fit for Me?

There’s no denying it: online doctoral programs are different than traditional ones. Many traditional PhD programs are designed for future academics, aka for graduate students who intend to apply for jobs as university professors after graduation. Traditional PhD programs are full-time, research-focused, in-person, and often offer graduate students funding in exchange for teaching or research assistant responsibilities. Online doctoral programs do also involve research, but most online graduate students are not full-time students. Rather, many students enrolled in online doctoral programs are working professionals who attend classes in the evenings or asynchronously. With that in mind, an online program can be a fantastic opportunity to further your current career.

An online doctorate program could be a great fit for you if:

• You want to advance your career. A doctorate can lead to further opportunities for promotion and certain fields offer automatic pay increases for people with advanced degrees.
• You love research and want to develop expertise in a topic that fascinates you.
• You learn well in online settings, including asynchronous classes.
• You plan to continue working while you study.

Online doctoral programs typically do not offer their students funding, though there may be scholarships and grants available to you.

The Best Online Doctoral Programs – What to Consider When Choosing an Online Doctorate Program

Since a doctorate can take 4-7 years or more to complete, choosing the right school for you is a huge decision. Our list below dives into many details you’ll need to know like acceptance rate, retention rate, and cost of tuition. It’s important to consider big-picture factors such as:

• Time to complete degree
• Professors and mentors—you’ll want to make sure you can study with faculty who have expertise in your academic interests
• Flexibility—does the program fit with your schedule? Do they require any in-person meetings?
• Graduation rate—ask your admissions officer for the most recent figures

You’ll also want to consider whether you want to pursue a PhD or a doctorate degree. If you’re pursuing a PhD, you can expect to focus more significantly on academic research and you’ll need to complete a dissertation. A doctorate is an equivalent degree that is less focused on academic research and may not require a dissertation. Doctorates can often involve more career development or hands-on practicum experience.

The Best Online Doctoral Programs – Are Online PhDs Respected?

Yes, online doctoral programs are just as rigorous and respected as their in-person counterparts. If you hope to earn a tenure-track faculty position at a university, it’s likely a traditional PhD program will be a better route. However, if you’re seeking a doctorate for career advancement and further learning, an online doctoral program can be a great fit. Many of the most prestigious universities offer online programs, and your diploma will likely not specify whether you completed an online or traditional degree.

The Best Online Doctoral Programs – What Do I Need to Apply?

Application requirements will vary depending on the program you’re applying to. All programs will require your academic transcripts, many require letters of recommendation, and some require GRE scores. On top of that, some programs will require a personal statement or writing portfolio. Contrary to what you might think, Master’s degrees are not always required for admission to online doctoral programs.

The Best Online Doctoral Programs/PhD Programs

1) university of florida.

Located in Gainesville, the University of Florida offers 10 different online doctoral programs . Well known for its graduate programs in education, educators can pursue PhDs in educational leadership, special education, computer science education, among other options. UF also offers online programs in nursing, Latin and Roman studies, microbiology, and a few other fields. Established in 1853, UF is a flagship state university with a strong reputation.

• Graduation Rate: 89%
• Acceptance Rate: 31%
• In State Tuition: $6,380
• Out of State Tuition: $28,658
• Application Requirements: Application portfolio (sample essays or projects), GRE scores, minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.4 or graduate GPA of 3.5, letters of recommendation

2) George Washington University

George Washington University ’s Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering leads the way with the university’s most comprehensive online PhD offerings . Through them, students can pursue doctoral degrees in cybersecurity analytics, engineering in artificial intelligence, systems engineering, or engineering management. Educators can also pursue well-respected degrees in education leadership and human and organizational learning.

• Graduation Rate: 85%
• Acceptance Rate: 43%
• Tuition: $31,770
• Application Requirements: GRE scores, personal statement, letters of recommendation, academic records

3) Johns Hopkins University

• A ten-year-old program , Johns Hopkins ’ online PhD in education allows students to specialize in digital age learning, entrepreneurial leadership, urban leadership, and other topics. Note their high graduation rate: Johns Hopkins is a competitive program , but admitted students are well-supported on their path to graduation.
• Graduation Rate: 94%
• Acceptance Rate: 11%
• Tuition: $57,010
• Application Requirements: Master’s degree, minimum GPA of 3.0

Best Online Doctoral Programs/PhD Programs (Continued)

4) texas tech university.

Texas Tech University offers a wide range of online and hybrid PhD programs that provide their students flexibility as they work toward completing their terminal degree. An affordable university in Lubbock, Texas Tech is a great place for future doctors of education, consumer science, technical communication, engineering management, and financial planning.

• Graduation Rate: 63%
• Acceptance Rate: 70%
• In State Tuition: $6,788
• Out of State Tuition: $14,968
• Application Requirements: Academic transcripts, portfolio and personal statement varies by program

5) Iowa State University

Although Iowa State University ’s online doctorate programs require some in-person meetings, ISU may still be a good fit for online students. With more uncommon online doctoral programs in hospitality management and apparel, merchandising, and design, ISU offers flexible routes to completing your dissertation.

• Graduation Rate: 75%
• Acceptance Rate: 88%
• In State Tuition: $9,758
• Out of State Tuition: $24,720
• Application Requirements: Academic records, minimum 3.0 GPA

6) University of Alabama

Online University of Alabama students may miss out on a lively campus culture and football games, but they can still take advantage of UA’s top-notch academics. Well-known for its online education graduate programs, UA also offers programs in social work, communication and information sciences, and engineering.

• Graduation Rate: 72%
• Acceptance Rate: 80%
• In State Tuition: $11,940
• Out of State Tuition: $32,300
• Application Requirements: GRE scores, academic records

7) University of Missouri

One of the most robust in terms of online offerings, the University of Missouri ’s online PhD classes are taught by the same professors who teach Mizzou’s in-person classes. Mizzou offers programs in education and nursing. They also allow students to pursue doctorates in harder-to-find subjects like health sciences, agriculture, architecture, and library science.

• Graduation Rate: 73%
• Acceptance Rate: 82%
• In State Tuition: $9,478
• Out of State Tuition: $25,946
• Application Requirements: Academic record, minimum GPA of 3.0, portfolio and personal statement varies by program

8) University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

One of the oldest public universities in the U.S., University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill is known as a leader in education. UNC Chapel Hill offers just three online PhDs: public health, nursing, and education. Although some online classes require in-person or proctored final exams, doctoral requirements can mostly be completed online.

• Graduation Rate: 91%
• Acceptance Rate: 25%
• In State Tuition: $9,208
• Out of State Tuition:  $36,891
• Application Requirements: GRE scores, academic records, letters of recommendation, personal statement

9) Georgia Southern University

Located in Savannah, Georgia Southern University works hard to create an environment of support and collaboration, even online. One of the more robust programs out there, GSU offers respected online programs in public health, nursing, education, and engineering.

• Graduation Rate: 54%
• Acceptance Rate: 91%
• In State Tuition: $4,986
• Out of State Tuition: $19,890
• Application Requirements: Minimum GPA of 3.0

10) Indiana University

Indiana University allows students to study at their own pace through flexible online doctoral programs. One of the only schools to offer online programs in music therapy and philanthropy leadership, IU also allows students to pursue tracks in health sciences, education, and computing and technology. Most classes are asynchronous and students can take courses through any IU campus.

• Graduation Rate: 41%
• Acceptance Rate: 92%
• In State Tuition: $9732
• Out of State Tuition: $21,160
• Application Requirements: GRE scores, academic record

11) Mississippi State University

A solid option for future doctors of philosophy, Mississippi State University is a research-focused and inclusive university. An especially strong option for those looking to study engineering or computer science, MSU offers 9 different majors within those fields.  MSU also offers tracks in plant science and education leadership.

• Graduation Rate: 64%
• In State Tuition: $9,398
• Out of State Tuition: $25,444
• Application Requirements: Academic record, letters of recommendation, personal statement

12) Appalachian State University

Although Appalachian State University is known for its beautiful setting in Boone, North Carolina, App State still has much to offer online students. This school offers only one part-time PhD program in education leadership , but its affordability compared to other programs makes this school stand out.

• In State Tuition: $4,839
• Out of State Tuition: $18,271
• Application Requirements: Academic record, GRE scores or 3.0 minimum GPA, Master’s degree

13) Purdue University

An online doctoral program that maintains a high standard of excellence, Purdue is a great place for future doctors of technology, educational leadership and policy, and higher education. Purdue graduate students can expect to co-author papers with faculty and gain hands-on experience in research.

• Graduation Rate: 38%
• Acceptance Rate: 30%
• Tuition: $420 per credit

14) Concordia University Chicago

Concordia University ’s online doctoral programs allow students to complete their degree in three to five years. Through their shortened term system, students take 8-week classes and then write their dissertation in their final three semesters. A leader in online doctoral programs, Concordia offers paths in strategic innovation, healthcare management, education leadership, and organizational leadership.

• Tuition: $9,090
• Application Requirements: Academic record, Master’s degree with minimum 3.0 GPA, letters of recommendation, portfolio and personal statement varies by program

15) Clemson University

A public school in South Carolina, Clemson aims to prepare online doctoral students for diverse career paths. Proudly offering programs that are difficult to find elsewhere, Clemson graduate students can study healthcare genetics and parks, recreation, and tourism management. Education professionals can complete degrees in education systems, learning science, and teaching, literacy, language, and culture.

• Graduation Rate: 84%
• Acceptance Rate: 49%
• In State Tuition: $10,600
• Out of State Tuition: $22,050
• Application Requirements: Academic record, letters of recommendation, portfolio and personal statement vary by program

The Best Online Doctoral Programs – Additional Resources

Looking to learn more about graduate school admissions? We’ve got you covered.

Admissions Tips

• What is a Good GRE Score?
• Write a Grad School Statement of Purpose in 12 Simple Steps
• How to Get into Grad School with a Low GPA
• Do You Need a Master’s to get a PhD?

More about Online Learning

• Best Online MSW Programs
• Best Master’s in Public Health Online Programs
• Hybrid and Online DBA Programs 
• Graduate School Admissions

Christina Wood

Christina Wood holds a BA in Literature & Writing from UC San Diego, an MFA in Creative Writing from Washington University in St. Louis, and is currently a Doctoral Candidate in English at the University of Georgia, where she teaches creative writing and first-year composition courses. Christina has published fiction and nonfiction in numerous publications, including The Paris Review , McSweeney’s , Granta , Virginia Quarterly Review , The Sewanee Review , Mississippi Review , and Puerto del Sol , among others. Her story “The Astronaut” won the 2018 Shirley Jackson Award for short fiction and received a “Distinguished Stories” mention in the 2019 Best American Short Stories anthology.

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"Every child has the right to read well. Every child has the right to access their full potential. This society is driven by perfectionism and has been very narrow-minded when it comes to children who learn differently, including learning disabilities."

RIT graduate pursues Ph.D. across time zones

Nastaran Nagshineh, center, defended her Ph.D. thesis at RIT in April. Faculty from RIT’s Rochester and Dubai campuses served on her thesis committee and include, from left to right, Kathleen Lamkin-Kennard, Steven Weinstein, Nathaniel Barlow, and David Kofke (a professor at the University at Buffalo). Mohamed Samaha participated remotely and appears on the video screen behind the group and alongside Nagshineh’s picture.

Nastaran Nagshineh is one of the first Ph.D. candidates to bridge RIT’s Rochester and Dubai campuses. Her accomplishment creates a path for future students at the university’s international campuses.

Nagshineh completed her Ph.D. in mathematical modeling while working full time as a mathematics lecturer at RIT Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, teaching as many as five classes a semester. She described her Ph.D. journey as “an exercise in perseverance” due to competing demands and long days. Rochester is eight hours behind Dubai, and the time difference meant many late-night classes and meetings.

“I saw this collaboration as an opportunity, rather than as a challenge, because my primary adviser, Dr. Steven Weinstein (RIT professor of chemical engineering), and my co-adviser, Dr. Mohamed Samaha (RIT Dubai associate professor of mechanical engineering), both have the same area of research interest,” she said. “They both worked toward my success.”

Nagshineh is one of 67 RIT Ph.D. students who defended their thesis this academic year and who will earn their doctorate. RIT awarded 63 Ph.D. degrees in 2023.

In 2020-2021, RIT’s Graduate School met and surpassed the university’s goal of conferring 50 Ph.D. degrees during an academic year. That number will continue to grow as students cycle through the seven new Ph.D. programs that RIT has added since 2017, said Diane Slusarski , dean of RIT’s Graduate School.

Meeting these goals puts RIT on a path toward achieving an “R1,” or research-intensive designation, from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Learning. RIT is currently ranked as an R2 institution . Many factors go into changing a university’s status, including research investment and maintaining a three-year average of 70 Ph.D. degrees awarded per year, according to Slusarski.

“We have met the goals of the strategic plan, and now we look forward to contributing to the research innovation in the future,” Slusarski said. “We want to help the new programs thrive and win national research awards.”

RIT’s emphasis on high-level research is seen in Nagshineh’s Ph.D. work. She applies mathematical modeling to the field of fluid dynamics. Her research has been published in top-tier journals and has gained notice, said Weinstein, her thesis adviser.

Weinstein describes Nagshineh’s accomplishments as “a testament to a fantastic work ethic and commitment” and is inspirational to younger students at Rochester and Dubai.

“The collaboration between RIT Dubai/Rochester has continued,” he said. “Another paper was submitted a few weeks ago with Mohamed Samaha and Nate Barlow (RIT associate professor in the School of Mathematics and Statistics) as co-authors, as well as Cade Reinberger, a younger Ph.D. student in my research group.”

Mathematical modeling is one of RIT’s newer Ph.D. degree programs, and Nagshineh is among its earliest graduates. The program has doubled in size since it began accepting students in 2017, Slusarski said. This past fall, the mathematical modeling program had 35 students, with two graduating this year.

Altogether, RIT has 13 Ph.D. degree programs currently enrolling 438 students, with computing and information sciences accounting for the largest with 117 students. RIT’s other Ph.D. programs include astrophysical sciences and technology , biomedical and chemical engineering , business administration , color science , electrical and computer engineering, imaging science , mechanical and industrial engineering , microsystems engineering , and sustainability .

New programs in cognitive science and physics will launch in the fall.

The growth in RIT graduate education—with more than 3,000 master’s and doctoral students—reflects a demographic change in the student population, Slusarski said. “We have a higher percentage of women in the graduate programs than we have for RIT undergraduate programs.”

RIT’s graduate programs enroll 42 percent women, according to Christie Leone , assistant dean for the Graduate School.

Nagshineh, who also holds an MS in electrical engineering from RIT Dubai, welcomes her role as a mentor to other women students on both campuses.

“As a young woman in an Arabic country, the power of women is often underestimated and undervalued, and I hope to serve as a role model to female students, especially those that question their path,” Nagshineh said.

She plans to continue in her career as a professor and a researcher. “I would like to pursue a research program where I can advise my own students and teach them more deeply.”

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Each year, in what has become a tradition as part of Spring and Fall commencement, the University Communication and Marketing team highlights Lobos who have inspired us through their exceptional leadership, courage, and perseverance during their time at UNM.

It is exciting for the entire campus community to watch graduating Lobos walk across the stage to receive their diplomas, which for many culminates their education at UNM. These inspirational graduates come from all walks of life – they are from different colleges, programs and extracurriculars comprising the fabric of the University. Your time here has truly helped make UNM a place where each of us defines all of us.

Although it is impossible to showcase every student, we hope these stories provide a snapshot of the Class of 2024's diversity, innovation, and personality.

Congratulations Lobos; you've earned this day!

Moody will graduate this month with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and Digital Media with a focus in Screenwriting with plans to illuminate Hollywood’s misrepresentation of nontraditional storylines through satirical film and TV projects.  Read more...

Martin Vasquez | Doctor of Philosophy You wouldn’t believe that after spending an afternoon with Martin Vasquez, he wasn’t heading for ‘So You Think You Can Dance?’ or Major League Baseball. Still, that energy and entertainment are what he carries into his actual  career–teaching .   

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Monica Etsitty-Dorame | Doctor of Philosophy T'áá hó'ájitéégóó, t'éiyá- there isn’t any other term that perfectly encapsulates the tenacity, humility and sheer awesomeness that is Inspiring Graduate Monica Etsitty-Dorame. 

The College of University Libraries & Learning Sciences (CULLS) Library Operations Manager is getting her Doctorate in Philosophy in  Organization, Information, and Learning Sciences  (OILS.) She is so accomplished, University Communication and Marketing (UCAM) has been ready to tell her story for three semesters now.  Read more...