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Online PhD and Doctorate Degree Programs
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The PhD, or doctoral degree, is the highest degree it is possible to earn. With a master’s degree completed, it usually takes between four and six years to achieve a doctoral degree whether it is a research Ph.D. (DPhil to the Brits), a D.A. (Doctor of Arts) or some other variant. In order to achieve this type of degree, a graduate student must complete the required course of study, do original research in his/her area of expertise and write a publishable thesis or dissertation. Due to the time and effort involved, it is not surprising that only one in 100 Americans achieve the title of “doctor”, but those who do certainly deserve the respect of their peers.
Many candidates for a doctoral degree have family and professional responsibilities, so the required courses are usually available through independent study or small seminars. The required courses generally take three to four semesters of full-time study. Once the coursework is completed, each candidate must prove his/her ability to conduct independent research. This is usually done with written exams and/or oral exams. A small committee of professors usually administers the exams.
Upon successful completion of the required coursework and exams, PhD candidates will conduct an independent research project. A book-length thesis or dissertation is written to explain the research and the results achieved. Upon completion, the PhD candidate meets with an assigned committee to discuss the research and the conclusions, thus proving his/her worthiness to obtain the title of “doctor” within the chosen field of study. Upon successful completion of each phase of study, the completed dissertation is filed with the university, and the PhD program is completed!
Ph.D. and Doctorate Degree Programs by Category
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