For Those Considering An Online PhD
Often, when one considers a PhD program, the levels of the universities around them are not sufficient to meet their needs. Maybe you are settled in an area which does not have a university to present you with a doctorate program. One way around these obstacles is getting an online PhD. Considering the ways in which self-structured work is carried out by the PhD student, an online PhD is quite practical. Let's examine the benefits and deficiencies of an online PhD, as compared with a typical program: The Benefits An online PhD comes of great use if you are in a geographic location where you cannot easily apply for a degree program. With your online PhD, you can work from any remote place and that is a big plus. An online PhD is most convenient to foreign students seeking admission in a good university, as also physically challenged students. The course is flexible and classes can be taken any time, so working people can conduct their research and take classes whenever they have time. The Downside The lack of interaction with peers and colleagues is one factor which often discourages students from pursuing an online PhD. Pat Clemson cannot imagine "a more lonely prospect than taking a PhD online." Many colleges take pains with e-mails and phone calls to ensure the same amount of interaction for online students as residential students. However, to the reclusive researcher, long, lonely hours of work may be just what they are looking for. To such people, the regular week-long meetings and long class sessions may actually become a nuisance. Less access to a good school library is another factor that works against an online PhD, but access to interlibrary loans can often provide the necessary study material. Many live within driving distance of a school library and may gain access to it through library exchange programs. Unless even a public library is not within your reach, you should not have too much trouble overcoming this obstacle. An online PhD lacks the strict structure that regular PhD courses offer. To the serious researcher, however, this should not be a problem. This is because much independent study and effort must be taken when pursuing an online PhD. Accreditation is always a fear when looking for an online PhD. You don't want to spend countless hours and dollars on a piece of paper which won't get you the recognition you deserve. Every online PhD should be accredited with the Board of Education. So do enough research and see to it that you get into only an accredited online PhD program. The cost of procuring an online PhD degree is far more than taking a regular PhD course. About 4000 quarterly is the average tuition fee. Besides this, it often takes longer for those involved with an online PhD to get a degree than those who are residential students. Considering all the facts, if you are still confident that you have enough discipline to accomplish an online PhD, don't rule the online PhD out. Weigh the benefits and disadvantages and make a decision and you'll be on your way to an online PhD degree, sooner than you think! |
