5/4/10

Should you Get your Online PhD with an Online PhD Program?

Numerous accredited colleges offer online degree (also known as distance learning) PhD programs along with associate degrees, bachelor degrees and master degrees.



By conducting a Google search you will find accredited colleges that offer online PhD programs. Take your time to visit their websites and review the classes. Talk with an advisor to discuss the program and your previous education and what existing college courses will transfer for credit. Many times, you will find a link to a chat room where you can question a college employee in real time with an employee at the college who and get answers to your questions immediately or document your questions for a qualified individual to contact you at a later time to answer.

Obtaining a college education of any caliber online is very convenient in today’s busy world. Online programs make it possible for individuals to obtain their doctorate degree while they work full time, raise and support their families or live in remote areas where the nearest educational institution that offers your particular field of study would require a great deal of travel time.

Online degrees are also very appealing to the individual who has not been a student and sat in classroom for many years and is not anxious to repeat the experience.

Many colleges have programs that cater only to the full-time student making it very difficult for an individual already in the workforce to attend classes because they occur during the working day. Some employers are very supportive of employees wishing to further their education and allow for flexible working hours so classes can be attended. However, that is not always the case so online classes may be the only option.

Online classes permit students to earn their degrees in a flexible program while working full time. Students do not have to rearrange their entire lives to attend a class that is scheduled for a particular date and time because online classes can be taken any time of day.

Online doctoral programs are more accessible than traditional doctoral programs. Traditional doctoral programs can be very competitive, whereas the admission standards for online doctoral programs are less stringent.
Another benefit of an online doctoral program versus the traditional doctoral program is less exposure to department politics, fighting for department recourses and dealing with the sometime difficult egos of the professors face to face.

Along with advantages of obtaining an online doctorate come the disadvantages.
Online students do not get the interaction with their classmates or professor in the classroom or outside of the classroom. This lack of interaction cuts down of the online student’s ability to network with classmates and professors.

Online doctoral programs do not offer student opportunities to teach or become research assistants like the traditional programs. These experiences are beneficial when competing for a job in academia after graduation.

Though attitudes are changing, many employers believe that an online degree is inferior to a traditional degree and overlook these graduates as potential job candidates.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.