how to find a good phd program

IT Lombardy

Recently viewed courses

Recently viewed.

Find Your Dream School

This site uses various technologies, as described in our Privacy Policy, for personalization, measuring website use/performance, and targeted advertising, which may include storing and sharing information about your site visit with third parties. By continuing to use this website you consent to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use .

   COVID-19 Update: To help students through this crisis, The Princeton Review will continue our "Enroll with Confidence" refund policies. For full details, please click here.

• Find a Grad School
• Grad School Advice

Find Your Grad School

Graduate schools are seeking students like you, find your fit with our featured schools explore your matched schools, filter your results.

• Enrollment Size Select an enrollment size... 0-100 100-250 250-500 500-750 750-1000 1000-1500 1500-3000 3000+
• Institution Type Private Public
• Featured Schools Show Only Featured Schools

Showing 1 - 25 of 1,910 results

• Sort by name
• Sort by size
• Sort by location

Chatham University

Creighton University

• Best Online MPH Degree Programs

Emerson College

• 819 Enrolled

Hofstra University

• 4,606 Enrolled

Institute of World Politics

• 183 Enrolled

LIM College

• 231 Enrolled

Ramapo College of New Jersey

• 342 Enrolled

Regis University

• 5,552 Enrolled

Southern California University of Health Sciences

• 651 Enrolled

Springfield College

• 1,190 Enrolled

Suffolk University

• 3,112 Enrolled

University of the Southwest

• 953 Enrolled

University of Utah

• 8,531 Enrolled

Adler University

• 1,313 Enrolled

Samuel Merritt University

• 1,094 Enrolled

SIT Graduate Institute

• 508 Enrolled

University of South Dakota

• 7,105 Enrolled

Vanguard University of Southern California

• 353 Enrolled

Colorado State University-Global Campus

• 3,371 Enrolled

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• 7,355 Enrolled

Southern New Hampshire University

• 24,644 Enrolled

Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences

• 542 Enrolled

St John's University-New York

• 5,266 Enrolled

St Thomas University

• 1,880 Enrolled

Stevens Institute of Technology

• 4,414 Enrolled

Carnegie Mellon University

• 7,088 Enrolled

College for Creative Studies

• 59 Enrolled

Enrollment Advisor

1-800-2REVIEW (800-273-8439) ext. 1

1-877-LEARN-30

Mon-Fri 9AM-10PM ET

Sat-Sun 9AM-8PM ET

Student Support

1-800-2REVIEW (800-273-8439) ext. 2

Mon-Fri 9AM-9PM ET

Sat-Sun 8:30AM-5PM ET

Partnerships

• Teach or Tutor for Us

College Readiness

International

Advertising

Affiliate/Other

• Enrollment Terms & Conditions
• Accessibility
• Cigna Medical Transparency in Coverage

Register Book

Local Offices: Mon-Fri 9AM-6PM

• SAT Subject Tests

Academic Subjects

• Social Studies

Find the Right College

• College Rankings
• College Advice
• Applying to College
• Financial Aid

School & District Partnerships

• Professional Development
• Advice Articles
• Private Tutoring
• Mobile Apps
• Local Offices
• International Offices
• Work for Us
• Affiliate Program
• Partner with Us
• Advertise with Us
• International Partnerships
• Our Guarantees
• Accessibility – Canada

Privacy Policy | CA Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information | Your Opt-Out Rights | Terms of Use | Site Map

©2024 TPR Education IP Holdings, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University

TPR Education, LLC (doing business as “The Princeton Review”) is controlled by Primavera Holdings Limited, a firm owned by Chinese nationals with a principal place of business in Hong Kong, China.

How to Choose a Graduate Program

Choosing a graduate program can be daunting. This guide will provide insight on how to get started.

Lian Parsons

The first step is deciding to pursue a graduate degree. The second step is choosing one. This process can be intimidating, but this guide will walk you through how to choose a graduate program and how to set yourself up for success.

Taking the next step in your education journey means making a commitment to yourself and to your future. With so many graduate schools to choose from, it can be difficult to know what the best option is for you. 

Deciding whether or not to go to graduate school in the first place can be challenging to figure out. Graduate certificates are also an option for those who want to hone a specific skill set and — in many cases — can be completed along the way to a master’s degree. 

According to the National Center for Education Statistics , enrollment in master’s and doctoral programs is on the rise and is projected to be 6 percent higher in 2030 than in 2020 (3.3 million vs. 3.1 million students, respectively).

This blog post will offer a few tips on how to choose a graduate program that fits both your goals and your lifestyle, as well as what will help set you on the pathway to success.

Why pursue a graduate degree?

Before beginning the process of applying to graduate school, take some time to figure out what you want to get out of the graduate school experience. 

Whether you’re looking to open up your career prospects, gain new professional skills and connections, or return to academia to develop yourself personally, having a solid “why” in mind can help you clarify your next steps.

“While a new career path may reveal itself as a result of graduate study, don’t rely on it if you’re unsure about what you want to do next in life or you aren’t happy in your current job,” says Kimberly Parke, executive director of pre-degree advising, recruitment, and admissions at Harvard Extension School. “Instead, spend time in self-reflection, and engage in research about all possible options, including informal interviews with people in jobs and fields that seem interesting to you.”

Once you do figure out that “why,” the value a graduate degree can bring can go far beyond the individual.

“The difference you’ll be able to make in your community with your new skills and connections, the impact you’ll have on your friends and family through modeling the discipline and responsibility it takes to complete a program, and the confidence you’ll gain for all those same reasons and more are invaluable,” adds Parke.

What factors should you consider when choosing a graduate program?

When thinking about how to choose a graduate program, there are multiple elements to consider, according to Amanda Peters, director of Harvard Extension School career advising and programming.

“Each person really needs to prioritize what matters to them and what will allow them to be successful. Find what holds the most value and what is the priority and all the rest of the evaluation is going to be based on that,” says Peters. “You want to make sure you’re going to be able to commit to following through on the program.”

The most personal part of choosing a graduate school is taking stock of what’s most important to you. These priorities can be broken down into a few main categories. 

Career Goals and Personal Interests 

Consider whether or not the program will help you advance in your career. Additionally, reflect on your personal passion for your chosen industry and whether or not you see yourself in this field long term.

Lifestyle and Program Format 

Most adults who are working full time in addition to balancing family responsibilities likely do not have time to take two to three years off to complete a graduate degree program. You may find online classes or alternate class schedules work best for you. 

Program Qualifications and Requirements 

Once you’ve identified some graduate programs that interest you, you’ll need to research whether you meet the qualifications for admissions. You’ll also want to know exactly what requirements you’ll need to meet to graduate.

Some programs, for example, may require you to take an entrance exam; others, like Harvard Extension School , may require that you successfully complete a course or two.

Most graduate programs will have both admissions qualifications and graduation requirements listed on their websites. You can also contact each school’s graduate admissions office directly for more clarity. 

Having a range of options when applying can also be beneficial in providing you greater choice later on in the process. 

Resources for Support 

Reach out to the individual graduate schools for more information about resources such as internship and research opportunities, academic support and tutoring, networking outlets, career services , and childcare options if you’re a parent.

Location and Cost of Living 

If you’re not able to move to attend school in person, or if the location is simply financially inaccessible, find out if the graduate program offers online degrees. 

Some online graduate programs may require that you take some percentage of your courses on campus. Be sure to verify whether there is a residency requirement and, if there is, whether you will realistically be able to complete it.

Tuition and Financial Aid Options 

Graduate school is a hefty investment, so take your time to understand the full cost of the program and how it fits into your budget. You’ll want to find program options that are comfortable for you.

As Julie Lonergan, associate director of pre-degree advising and admissions of Harvard Extension School advises, “Research your options for financial aid, grants and loans, and ask your employer about tuition reimbursement opportunities. Be creative when you search for scholarships and fellowships, as you may find ones associated with your field of study, your geographic location, your industry, and more.” 

Educating yourself about financial aid options is also an important piece of the puzzle.

Explore Graduate Degrees at Harvard Extension School.

How do you determine the quality of a good graduate program?

Deciding what to prioritize when selecting a graduate school is a process that is individual to each graduate student, but there are several common factors to take into account. 

Quality of Faculty and Instructors 

“Whatever your ultimate goal may be, learning from faculty at the top of their fields or with extensive academic and research experience will help set you up for success,” says Lonergan.

Graduate faculty and instructors should teach a curriculum that is up-to-date and provides you with the knowledge you need to be successful on your next steps.

Students Access to Faculty/Resources 

Contact graduate schools to find information about the average class size, as well as information on what resources each grad school provides to help graduate students succeed, such as career support, mentorship opportunities, professional development, and advising. Most graduate schools will also have this information posted on their websites.

On-Campus Facilities   

For answers about facilities, reach out to those who had the opportunities to use them the most: current graduate students or recent alumni.

Social media groups are also a good source for honest insights into campus life and facilities, such as libraries, research labs, classrooms, and online spaces.

Social Environment 

Look up the demographics of the graduate student population, faculty members, and administration, which can often be found on school websites. Speaking with current grad students or alumni is also an opportunity to find out what kind of student tends to be attracted to each particular graduate school or program.

Alumni Career Paths 

Peters suggests finding alumni via platforms like LinkedIn to find out their trajectories post-graduation. If their stories inspire you, that’s a positive sign the graduate program may be a good fit for you as well. 

School websites will also often include profiles on current grad students and alumni , which can give you a sense of their academic experiences and career outcomes. 

Many alums are eager to share their experiences. Don’t hesitate to reach out to alumni in your prospective field as part of your research into a specific graduate program.

Is support available to help students choose the right graduate program?

One thing prospective graduate students should know is they are not alone. There is a large range of sources from which to gain insight into how to choose a graduate program and help you narrow down your search. 

Professional associations, alumni associations, current students and faculty, school admissions offices, and industry newsletters are all great resources to find out more about the programs you’re researching.  

Enrollment coaches are also specifically and uniquely positioned to help throughout the journey of how to choose a graduate program and to ensure that you get the most out of your experience.

“Learning is about inquiry, in all its forms, so as a student whose job it is to learn, seek answers and ask for help,” says Parke. “If there’s one place where you’re expected to do that, it’s at a school!”

How do I know if grad school is right for me?

Pursuing a graduate degree program is an incredible undertaking, but one that has the potential to launch a new career trajectory, connect you with fellow like-minded students, faculty, and alumni who are rooting for your success, and help you discover who you are — and who you’re going to be.

Explore all undergraduate and graduate programs at Harvard Extension School.

About the Author

Lian Parsons is a Boston-based writer and journalist. She is currently a digital content producer at Harvard’s Division of Continuing Education. Her bylines can be found at the Harvard Gazette, Boston Art Review, Radcliffe Magazine, Experience Magazine, and iPondr.

Preparing for Graduate School: Advice for New Student Success

The idea of going back to graduate school as a working adult presents both opportunities and challenges. Here are a few tips for setting yourself up for success in graduate school and beyond.

Harvard Division of Continuing Education

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) at Harvard University is dedicated to bringing rigorous academics and innovative teaching capabilities to those seeking to improve their lives through education. We make Harvard education accessible to lifelong learners from high school to retirement.

Search Graduate Schools

• Youth Program
• Wharton Online

How to Choose a PhD Program

Successfully completing a doctoral program requires commitment and perseverance. the most important step in this process is to consider whether academic life is right for you and what kind of doctoral program — from discipline to environment — will be the best fit for your goals and preferences., we asked our current students and faculty, “what is key to making this decision” following are some questions they suggested you ask yourself, and answer, in order to select the appropriate program..

First, a basic description of a doctoral program:

As a doctoral student, you will spend the first two years of your program exploring areas of interest through coursework. In the two to three years that follow, you will select and pursue your own research topic, one which will make an original contribution to the existing body of knowledge in your field. Your original research culminates in an extensive written document known as the doctoral dissertation.

General Questions

If you are considering your career options, answering these questions will help you clarify your goals and ambitions — and determine if a doctoral program is the right decision for you.

• Am I the type of person who is suited for a career in academia? Am I independently motivated to answer questions that I find interesting?
• Do I want to spend the rest of my career doing research, as well as reading and talking about it?
• Do I have a strong enough academic background in order to apply and be accepted by the program?
• Is now the time for me to pursue a PhD?
• What are my goals after completing the PhD?

Program Questions

If you know you want to pursue a doctoral degree, answers to these questions will help you select the right program for you.

• How many faculty are working with students?
• How many faculty members are doing research in areas related to my own interests?
• What opportunities are there to work with a variety of faculty and to be exposed to different approaches in research (modeling, work with data, experiment design)?
• Am I technically prepared to learn to do research in this field?
• Most PhD students change their vision of research and many change their intended concentration area after joining the program and being exposed to a variety of research styles. Does my program of choice offer flexibility needed to do so?
• Is there financial support for students to attend academic conferences to present their own research?
• What opportunities are there for students to participate in colloquia, both as an attendee and as a presenter?
• What is the department’s placement record? What types of jobs do graduates take and where?
• Finally, how well do graduates of the program perform in the long term (contributing to the field through publication, practice of management and earning tenure)?

Hear From Our Doctoral Community

From undergrad to phd, how this phd student discovered a dynamic research community at wharton, faculty expertise in housing economics attracted this phd student to wharton.

Educational resources and simple solutions for your research journey

How to Choose a PhD Program: 7 Key Considerations

One of the most common questions among budding researchers is how to choose a PhD program that is the perfect fit for their interest. The choice of pursuing a PhD program can be driven by various reasons, from wanting to make an original contribution in your subject area to achieving your career ambitions or a desire to accomplish something big. Whatever the reason, the decision to pursue a doctoral degree must be thought through carefully. While the journey to procuring a PhD degree can be exciting, it can also prove to be a gruelling experience given that it can take anywhere from four to eight years to complete. Therefore, finding the right PhD program that aligns with your academic interests, career goals, and personal needs is crucial.

In this article, we will explain how to choose a PhD program and topic of research and provide you with a list of key considerations to keep in mind when making this important decision.

Table of Contents

How to choose the right PhD program : Key considerations

1. take time to introspect.

While choosing a PhD program may seem easy at first, it requires a lot of thought and introspection. Don’t rush into making a decision on the topic of your research. Take time instead, to evaluate your options. If you pick a PhD program that does not align with your research interests or career goals, you may find yourself struggling to stay engaged, and productive, which can lead to burnout, stress, and disappointment. A lot of early career researchers drop out of their PhD programs because they made hasty decisions either on the topic of their research or on their choice of the PhD program itself.

2. Stay within your research discipline

Different PhD programs are tailored to different subject areas, such as humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, or healthcare. So keep in mind the research discipline that you want to pursue and look for options within it. The decision can often be a difficult one given that many subjects today are interdisciplinary. But not all PhD programs are created equal, and some may offer better opportunities for research, mentorship, funding, networking, and professional development than others. Therefore, it is important to know what to look for and how to choose a PhD program that aligns with your research interests and career goals.

3. Identify your specific research interests

Once you have identified your research discipline, you should narrow down your research interests to specific topics that you want to explore. Reading past dissertations and published journal articles will help you identify gaps in knowledge and enable you develop a PhD research project that will address them. Remember that the doctoral journey spans several years so do your due diligence on the types of PhDs being offered in your specific subject area or specialized topic. Having the complete picture, with the pros and cons considered, will ensure you have a strong foundation when finding the right PhD program.

4. Seek advice from supervisors and peers

When figuring out how to choose a PhD program, it is always a good idea to meet with potential supervisors and peers and seek their inputs on your proposed topic and plans for research. Supervisors who have expertise in your chosen field will be able to provide you with valuable insights on the potential of your research, how well it addresses existing gaps in knowledge, and can guide you on how to move forward with your research. They may also be able to identify and flag off any overlaps between your proposed research ideas and ongoing research projects by others in the PhD programs. Interacting with peers will give you a good idea of what to expect and how to pick a PhD program, which will give you’re a more informed perspective and help you with finding the right PhD program for your field.

5. Find out more about the institution’s reputation

When choosing a PhD program, it is essential to understand thereputation of the institution you are considering for your PhD. This involves doing some research on the institution’s academic achievements, faculty member expertise, resource availability and cultural environment and where it ranks for your subject area. Doing this prework is critical in finding the right PhD program as your decision can determine the kind of the education you receive, future career prospects, and even networking opportunities. Be sure to visit the campus, meet the faculty members, and alumni to get an idea on whether the institution provides all of the tools and resources you will need, including the freedom to work on what you are truly passionate about.

6. Check on available funding

One of the key considerations when struggling with how to choose a PhD program is looking at the funding opportunities. Gaining a PhD can be expensive, and many students rely on financial aid, scholarships, grants, or fellowships to cover their tuition, living expenses, and research costs. Therefore, it is important to choose a PhD program that offers adequate funding options, which can provide you with adequate financial support throughout your program. This can often be the deciding factor when it comes to completing of quitting your PhD degree, so cover your bases and make sure you have the resources you need to reach the finish line and earn your PhD degree.

7. Ensure alignment with your professional goals

Finally, when finding the right PhD program for yourself don’t forget to think about your professional goals. Seeing the larger picture helps you answer the difficult question of how to choose a PhD program; knowing the type of training, research experience, and networking opportunities you need to succeed will help you make the right choice. For example, if you want to pursue a career in academia, you should choose a PhD program that encourages teaching experience, requires research publications, and facilitates networking opportunities with other scholars in your field.

Related Posts

What is Inductive Reasoning? Definition, Types and Examples

How R Discovery achieved 2X engagement with GetFTR

• Youth Program
• Wharton Online

Wharton Stories

How to prepare a strong phd application.

Doctoral candidates and departmental coordinators at the Wharton School outline a few tips to help you navigate the PhD application process.

It’s no secret the application process can be intimidating. Where do you start? What exactly are schools looking for on your application? What materials do you need to submit? Doctoral candidates and departmental coordinators at the Wharton School have outlined a few tips to help you navigate the process.

Don’t Delay the Process

A successful PhD applicant starts thinking about their application months or even years before the deadlines. For Alejandro Lopez Lira , a third year student in Finance, the application process began a year before he actually submitted the paperwork. He said, “I spoke to my advisors way before, like one year before, about my letters of recommendation, where to apply, everything involved in the process.”

Each program has different requirements, which can make for a tedious process. Karren Knowlton , a third year in Management, said, “I took a little while to draft a personal statement. I had my mom, who teaches creative writing, and a few other people that I trust just read over it. Then you have to tweak it for different schools because they want slightly different things.”

Taking time to prepare your application is critical. Starting the process sooner rather than later gives you several advantages:

• It allows your letter of recommendation writers enough time in advance to thoughtfully prepare a letter that speaks to who you are as a PhD candidate.
• It gives you more time to review your materials, fix any errors, and proofread, proofread, proofread.
• Finally, it means a lot less stress when the deadline starts rapidly approaching. By planning ahead, you’ll have a much smoother process applying.

Get Letters of Recommendation

Prof. Matthew Bidwell , who previously served as the doctoral coordinator for the Management program , said a common mistake he sees are letters of recommendations from employers. Although he said it is impressive to see work experience, having an employer write a letter is not the best choice.

“We don’t pay very much attention to those because rightly or wrongly, we worry that they’re not looking for the kinds of things that we’re looking for,” he said. “If you have one, it’s not a disaster, but when you see people with two or three — most of their recommendations coming from their work — that kind of heightens our concern. You’re committing to a fairly specialized career, do you really know what that career entails?”

Instead, he suggests getting to know an academic who will be able to write a recommendation attesting to your ability to manage doctoral-level research and work.

Include Research/Work Experience in Your Field

Each program has a unique set of criteria to evaluate applicants, but several doctoral coordinators agree that some research and work experience in your field of interest will strengthen your application overall.

Prof. Fernando Ferreira , doctoral coordinator for the Business Economics and Public Policy and Real Estate programs, thinks work experience can be useful in demonstrating an applicant’s abilities. He said, “Any work experience after undergraduate school is important. If that experience is more related to research it’s even better, but work experience in general is always good.”

Prof. Guy David , doctoral coordinator for the Health Care Management & Economics program , thinks that work experience benefits applicants in terms of giving them a broader view of business. “Work experience creates retrospection about how the world works, how organizations make decisions, and how people function in various situations,” he said.

However, he warns that spending too much time away from an academic setting can have its drawbacks too. “It may lead people to start their PhD later when they are not in the habit of immersing themselves in rigorous studies and have a shorter horizons to develop a name for themselves,” he said.

Although having both research and work experience can strengthen your application, you will not be denied entry because you are lacking either.

Prof. Bidwell said, “I think research experience does give us some confidence that people have some idea about what it is that we do. In terms of work experience, I think we don’t have a strong view. We quite like work experience, but we also take people straight out of undergrad.”

Prepare for the Standardized Tests

Most PhD programs require students to take the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). Having high test scores is a key part of an application as it tests skills learned over the course of many years in school. Quantitative skills are especially important when applying to doctoral programs in business areas. Much like any other standardized test, the GRE requires preparation.

Karren, who took the GRE twice to ensure her scores were high enough, offered advice to those who may be struggling. “I would absolutely recommend practicing the writing beforehand. Look up examples and have your outline structured,” she said. “So much of it is just getting the right structure and how you formulate your arguments so knowing what they’re looking for is key.”

Test prep can be time-consuming, but like anything else, practice makes perfect. There are multiple text books and online sites to help you prepare for the exam. Karren aimed to improve her math scores the second time she took the GRE and recommended this site to help strengthen math skills.

Taking advantage of resources to help you study can limit the number of times you need to take the GRE while ensuring you score high enough to remain in the applicant pool.

Watch a Webinar with Former Wharton Vice Dean Catherine Schrand

Posted: August 4, 2017

• Admissions and Applying
• Advancement and Transition

Doctoral Programs

Start your doctoral journey.

Whether you’re just starting your research on PhD programs or you’re ready to apply, we’ll walk you through the steps to take to become a successful PhD candidate.

Deciding to get a PhD

You might be surprised to find out what you can do with a PhD in business.

Is an Academic Career for You ? What Makes a Successful PhD Student

Preparing for the Doctoral Path

The skills, relationships, and knowledge you need to prepare yourself for a career in academics.

How the PhD Program Works How to Become a Successful PhD Applicant

Choosing the right program

What’s the difference between PhD programs? Find out how to choose one that fits your goals.

What to Consider When Choosing a Doctoral Program What Differentiates R1 Universities?

Starting an application

Tips for a successful application process.

Application Requirements Preparing Your PhD Application

Related Content

MBA Student on How the Core Curriculum Helps Career Switchers

Wharton and Financial Women of San Francisco (FWSF) Team Up to Celebrate International Women’s Day

How This Alumna Is Driving $1 Billion to Women of Color Tech Entrepreneurs

How these Four Classmates Created a Podcast to Support Women in Business

Growing Wharton Online

How Wharton is Adding Value for this Bank Regulator

Watch: Video Highlights from the 2018 MBA Graduation Ceremony

A Nontraditional Applicant Gets the Call

Does It Pay to Have a Monarchy? The Answer Might Surprise You

Prof. Arthur van Benthem Talks About the Intersection of Corporate Strategy and Government Energy Policy

The Dynamics and Corporate Motivations Involved in an Acqui-hire

Why This Former Professional Ballet Dancer Came to Wharton’s EMBA Program

How this Married Couple Balanced Wharton, Work, and Kids

How this Hotel Executive Prepared for the Quant Aspects of Wharton’s EMBA Program

Nuclear Engineer Shares Steps for Writing Admissions Essays

PhD Admission Guide

Gain admission to your dream school, guide to phd admission.

While some students swear off further education after undergrad, some love the thrill of intellectual discovery and research. For these students, graduate school is a natural choice. Graduate degrees are separated into “professional” and “academic” categories. Professional degrees are JDs and MDs, while academic degrees are PhDs (literally “Doctorates of Philosophy” regardless of what field you actually study).

Whether or not you need to pursue a PhD depends entirely on what career you wish to have. Some require higher education, while many others do not. In this guide we’ll go over how to apply to PhD programs, what they are looking for, and how the application process works. This guide is focused on the US and Canada; Europe has a system which is simultaneously similar and very different.

What PhD Programs Look For

PhD programs want to make sure you are prepared academically for the rigors of the program, and that you have a concrete research goal in mind. PhD programs culminate with each student answering a research question they devise, contributing new knowledge to the world in the process. 

Thus these programs seek to evaluate your intellectual ability, research goals, previous research experience, and how you will contribute to their program. To determine this, they ask for the following:

Letters of Recommendation

We’ll go through each of these in turn, and explain what graduate programs are looking for from each.

Your GPA in undergrad is the single most important factor in PhD admissions. If your GPA is too low your application will be dismissed out of hand. While there are no hard limits, we suggest a minimum GPA of 3.5 for serious contention, especially at top schools. If your GPA is below 3.0 then you will likely not get admitted into any PhD programs.

The reason for this is that PhD programs are a lot of work. Being intelligent is necessary, but is far from sufficient alone. Everyone in PhD programs is intelligent, and everyone is also willing to do the work. Your GPA is seen as the primary indicator of your willingness and ability to do academic work to a high standard, and your preparation for the rigors of a PhD program.

Along with your overall GPA, schools request your major GPA. This is your GPA when calculated only using courses in your major. This is usually expected to be higher than your overall GPA. Your major GPA should be over 3.5.

While taking harder courses in undergrad is a great experience, they can also harm your overall GPA. Of course, the best approach is to take very hard classes and do well in them, but this is not always possible. We recommend taking a blend of courses, so you are never overloaded, and able to give each the attention it needs to do well.

Academic Preparation

Your GPA and transcript is also used to judge your academic preparation for the program. You should have a solid grounding in the field, and have taken advanced courses as well. Taking graduate level courses in undergrad can exemplify this. 

Some PhD programs also require research languages. This is more common in the social sciences and humanities, but all students will benefit from knowing other languages well enough to do research in them. You should look up language requirements when researching programs to apply to.

The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardized test meant for students who intend to apply to graduate programs. Both MA and PhD programs ask for GRE scores. Much like the SAT or ACT in college exams, the test is meant to be a standardized measure of academic preparation and logical skill.

The test consists of six sections. The first is writing, next are two on verbal reasoning, then two on quantitative reasoning, and finally a research or experimental section, meant to test new questions. The entire test is offered on the computer, with one minute breaks after each section, and a ten minute break after the third section. While there is also a paper-based test, almost all testing is now done on a computer. Due to the pandemic, both testing centers and at-home testing are offered. The GRE is a multi-stage test, and how well you do on earlier sections determines the difficulty of later sections and questions. 

The verbal sections each consist of 20 questions, to be answered over 30 minutes. The whole is scored on a scale of 130-170. The quantitative section is scored the same, and consists of two 20 question sections, each of which should be completed in 35 minutes. The writing section is scored from 0-6. For this section, you write an essay on a given issue in 30 minutes, and offer a response critiquing a provided argument for 30 minutes.

Your total score from the GRE is given from 130-170. While the exact scores you need to enter graduate school vary, higher is better. In addition, some programs only care about your verbal score, while others only care about your quantitative score. How much weight each program puts on GRE scores varies greatly.

We recommend studying for the GRE for some time before testing. You can take the GRE up to five times per year, but must wait at least 21 days between testing dates. Only scores from the past 5 years will be released or considered by graduate programs.

Curriculum Vitae

This is akin to a resume, but is dissimilar enough that the two cannot be used interchangeably. The purpose of a CV is, like a resume, to detail what you have accomplished academically and in your career. It is far more focused on academics however, and is widely used for academic careers.

We recommend finding a template for a CV online, or asking your college’s advisors for help in creating one. If you already have a resume, then you will easily be able to convert it into a CV.

What admissions officers are looking for in your activities is primarily signs of research. This should be in whatever field you intend to pursue a PhD in. Publications are also incredibly valuable. All of academia runs on publication, and getting an early start helps your career at every step.

You should try to do research while still in undergrad. What this looks like depends entirely on what field you are pursuing. While the research does not have to exactly line up with what you wish to pursue, it should teach you skills which are cross applicable. Higher level academic research has its own set of methods and language which must be learned, and students who are already familiar with the forms and structures of research have a leg up in graduate school. 

Publication is not required, but is nice to see. If you have completed a master’s degree, you should have some publication history; of your thesis if nothing else. Speak with your academic advisors about getting your work published.

Each graduate school you apply to will ask for an essay. You will be able to use the same basic form for each, but will need to edit it to be about the particular program you are applying to. Most schools only require a single essay, although some programs ask for a second on diversity.

The purpose of this essay is to explain your research interests, what you have studied, your intended area of specialization, and what your focus will be on. Every PhD student is asking and trying to answer a very specific research question. This question forms the basis of their dissertation, and will be the focus of your life for several years if you are accepted.

Thus the essay is the most important part of your application. Your grades and GRE are required to see if you are academically ready for graduate school, but the essay lets readers know if you are a match for their program, and serious about your research.

Your essay should begin by stating which program you are applying to, and why. Next, go through your previous academic experience in the field, both coursework and research. You don’t have to go through every class, but cover the ones most relevant to your desired research topic.

You should discuss any prior research you have done in the field. If you completed a thesis for your undergraduate degree or a master’s program, cover that here. If you have any publication credits, cover those as well. This should relate directly to the field you are trying to enter. If you wish to pursue lab work, discuss your previous experiences; if instead you are pursuing field work, talk about your experiences there.

Next you should talk about the research you specifically wish to pursue through a PhD. You don’t need to have an exact research question worked out, but it is helpful to have some idea; you should at least know the subfield you will be focusing on. The more specific you are, the better. Having some discussion of methodology can be nice, but is not always necessary.

If there are any ongoing research projects ongoing at the school you wish to work on, cover those next. You should discuss how these projects specifically relate to your own research interests. Finally, you should talk about which professors you wish to work with. Professors take on graduate students to advise, and you ideally want one with a specialization at least tangentially related to your field of interest. The more closely related the professor’s studies are to your own, the better.

You will be able to leave much of this essay the same for each school you apply to, changing only the name of the program, the research projects, and the professors you wish to work with. 

This essay should be a page and a half to two pages long, single spaced. You should go into sufficient detail for those reading it to understand the research you want to pursue. These essays are reviewed by the faculty who run the department, and they make the admissions decisions for PhD programs. There are many more applicants than there are spaces, and admissions rates are low. The more specific and detailed you are in this essay, the better the faculty will understand your research aims, and the better your chances will be.

Diversity Statements

Not all programs ask for these, but you will likely be able to reuse the same essay for those that do. The purpose of the diversity statement is to see what unique points of view and experiences you will be able to contribute to the program. PhDs are about learning, and the more viewpoints and ideas within a program, the broader the experience will be.

If you are a member of an underrepresented group, an immigrant, come from an underprivileged background, or come from an area which is generally underrepresented, we suggest discussing that in this essay. You should not write an essay about your interactions with members of these groups, or a study abroad experience.

Above all, this essay should be authentic to you and your experience. The goal is to show how your background has shaped you as a person, and how it impacts your view of the world.

As with college applications, letters of recommendation are required for PhD admissions. These tell admissions committees who you are as a student and researcher, and give their opinion on how you will perform when doing graduate level work. Academic fields are small and often insular, and the professors writing your letters will often be known by those reading them, either by reputation or in person.

Programs ask for two to four letters. These should primarily come from professors who know you and your work well. If you had a thesis advisor, they should write one of your letters. If you’ve worked doing research for some time, then a mentor or lab director can also be a good source of a letter, even if they haven’t taught you in class. Letters should not come from non-academic sources, unless you have worked professionally in that field. 

While you have the option to read the letters that are written for you, you should always waive that right. If you don’t trust your writers to craft good letters for you, then you shouldn’t be asking them for letters. Asking to see letters is considered a sign of lack of trust, and is gauche. Many professors will decline to write letters if you insist on seeing them.

You should ask for letters well in advance of when they are due; we recommend at least a month or two. If you are asking non-tenured faculty for a letter, more leeway is recommended, as they have more on their plate, and are often more stressed. You may need to send a reminder as deadlines approach. You should also share a copy of your essay with letter writers, so they know exactly what subfield you intend to pursue, and can discuss this in their letters.

Finally, you should be aware of politics when asking for letters. Some professors do not like each other at all. If you are seen as the protege of a professor who others detest, this can impact your admissions chances. Always discuss which schools and programs you are applying to with your letter writers. You should also discuss your choices of writers with an advisor (for example a thesis advisor) familiar with the field. Academic politics are incredibly petty, but if you plan to pursue a PhD you need to be aware of the game, and how it is played.

If your application passes the first review, you will be invited to do an interview. This will be with faculty in the program you are applying to. This is to further get to know you, and to understand your research objectives. 

You should be able to clearly explain what you want to research, and how this program will help you do so. The people talking to you will all be familiar with the field, though not necessarily your specific subfield. They are looking for your ability to communicate and explain your view. Be prepared to answer some questions about the specifics of your goals, though it’s ok if you don’t know everything right now.

Interviews are generally in person, though due to the pandemic, virtual interviews have become more common. This is also your chance to ask any questions you have about the program you were unable to find answers to online. You can practice for this interview with an advisor or mentor; many schools have career centers which hold mock grad school interviews as well.

When and How to Apply to Grad School

There is no unified platform for PhD applications. Instead you must apply to each program individually, through the school’s website. This will mean filling out information multiple times, but they fortunately don’t ask for much. Once you have your documents in order, the rest is personal, demographic, and contact information.

You will need to pay to have your GRE scores sent to each school you apply to. Even though this is all electronic, they still charge dearly for it. 

Applications are generally due in December or January, with interviews held over the next few months. Applications open in September or October. We recommend getting your applications in before the due date, though most programs don’t use rolling admissions. Each program sets their own deadlines, so you should track when each of your applications is due carefully to make sure nothing gets overlooked.

Paying for Grad School

PhD programs are for the most part fully funded. This means you will not be paying tuition, and will also get funding to live on. This funding is generally contingent on academic standing, and doing work TAing, teaching, or on ongoing research projects (or most commonly, all of the above). Many grad students also work full or part time to support themselves. 

While you will not need to take on additional debt to pay for graduate school, you will not be well paid either. While the exact amount graduate students receive varies by school and program, it is generally in the range of $20-30,000 annually. This goes towards food, housing, and supplies.

While you are in a PhD program, you will not have to make payments on any government loans you took out to pay for undergrad, though they will continue to accrue interest. Making payments on them during grad school is difficult, but will greatly cut down on the amount you need to pay back later.

There are also outside scholarships available to help pay for graduate studies. While the amounts offered by these vary, most are small. They can help greatly with paying for the necessities however, and applying to them is usually worth the time investment.

Grad School Admission FAQ

Now we’ll answer some of the most common questions about applying to PhD programs.

Can older students apply?

Yes. Many professionals return to school for a PhD long out of undergrad. We suggest taking some courses at a local university in the field you plan on entering before you do this however. Academic research advances quickly, and this will familiarize you with the latest developments. Further, this will introduce you to professors who can provide you with letters of recommendation.

What are my odds of acceptance?

This depends on both your field and program. Generally, however, it is quite difficult to gain admissions to a PhD program, and admission rates hover around 10%. Only the best students get accepted, and this is even more the case at the top schools and programs.

When should I start thinking about applications?

When you choose your major, you should decide what level you want to reach within that field. Some majors lend themselves to PhDs if you want to work in that field, while others allow employment at various levels.

Where should I apply?

You should find programs with professors who are dedicated to your particular subfield. A prestigious institution which does not focus on your area is far less useful, regardless of how famous its name is. You are looking for someone who will be able to advise you, and help you perform worthwhile research. Further, professors are looking for students studying fields similar to their own when they admit graduate students.

How long are PhD programs?

Generally programs last 4-5 years, though this can vary based on field. The exact structure of the programs also varies a lot based on field and program.

Ivy Scholars is the leading educational consultant in Sugar Land, Texas, providing admissions coaching, test prep, and more to help students enroll at top tier schools.

Get In Touch

Call us now: (281) 215-5148

Houston: 4265 San Felipe St, Suite 1100, Houston, TX 77027

Get Started

Subscribe for updates, © all rights reserved.

Login or sign up to be automatically entered into our next $10,000 scholarship giveaway

Get Searching

• College Search
• College Search Map
• Graduate Programs
• Featured Colleges
• Scholarship Search
• Lists & Rankings

Articles & Advice

• Ask the Experts
• Campus Visits
• Catholic Colleges and Universities
• Christian Colleges and Universities
• College Admission
• College Athletics
• College Diversity
• Counselors and Consultants
• Education and Teaching
• Financial Aid
• Graduate School
• Health and Medicine
• International Students
• Internships and Careers
• Majors and Academics
• Performing and Visual Arts
• Public Colleges and Universities
• Science and Engineering
• Student Life
• Transfer Students
• Why CollegeXpress
• $10,000 Scholarship
• CollegeXpress Store
• Corporate Website
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• CA and EU Privacy Policy

Articles & Advice > Graduate School > Articles

Important Considerations to Help You Find the Right Graduate Program

Finding the right grad program will inform your future career opportunities and choices. This comprehensive advice can help you make this important decision.

by Joshua J. LaFave Director of Graduate Business Programs, Clarkson University

Last Updated: Dec 18, 2023

Originally Posted: Oct 18, 2016

Y ou may be thinking, “I got through the search for my undergraduate program just fine—why would searching for a graduate program be any different?” For some, grad school can be that straightforward. But for most, it’s among the toughest decisions to make. Why is that? You just need to find a graduate school that has your desired program and apply, right? Wrong. 

Here are two key differences: First, you are a different person now. You have grown, discovered your passions, know more about what you want, and are concerned with far more than simply getting through junior year. Second, graduate work is about focusing on a particular discipline. The scope of the program is different, and the way in which you apply to graduate programs is also very different. I could certainly keep going, but homing in on your motivations and reasons for wanting to go to graduate school are at the heart of the rest of this article. In short, it seeks to help you answer the question: “How do I find the right graduate program for me?” 

Goals and expectations

To ensure you make the best graduate school choices for yourself, you’ll need to spend a considerable amount of time not  thinking about grad school.  That’s right! It’s time to do some reflection and research. Start by considering the following questions:   

• What’s your timeline ? How do you define where you want to be in one, three, five, and 10 years from now?
• What do you value? What's important to you for learning, living, your graduate experience, and work-life balance ? Do you want (or need) to work while going to grad school? What are the areas you must balance, and where can you make sacrifices?
• How do you learn? Who are you at your best? How do you process information in an academic or professional setting? Reflect on these things using assessment tools (e.g., StrengthsQuest), talking with friends, etc. 

This is not an exhaustive list, but you get the idea. Don’t worry about the particulars of your graduate degree just yet. Know who you are, what your plans are, and what you need to do your best. 

Related: Great Expectations: How Grad School Differs From Undergrad

Career plans

It may be fun to think about using grad school to launch a particular career , or perhaps you have thought to yourself, “That seems like a good job. Grad school will get me there!” But do you really know everything about the position? Career path? Industry?  The jobs of today may not exist in the near future, and there will be careers in a few years that don’t exist to day. It’s important to be mindful of career planning as the precursor to your graduate education. To that end, the second thing I recommend doing before launching into your grad school search is to spend time evaluating your career interests and get to know what specific positions are available. You may learn about perfect-fit opportunities you never even knew existed. 

There are many career research re sources out there, but checking out the Occupational Outlook Handbook produced by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics is the perfect place to start. There, you’ll learn about the specifics of the career path as well as the education and degree requirements for those positions. And you’ll be able to evaluate the forecasts for employment growth—or decline—in those fields as well. The information is there. It’s important for you to find it, digest it, and build your grad school plan around it. 

Degree profile

Once you know what kind of education is needed for your chosen field(s), it’s time to nail down the degree type and focus you should pursue in grad school.  There are professional master’s (e.g., JD, MBA, MPA), Master of Science degrees, Master of Arts, and more. But beyond knowing the mere degree title, you should know what your potential degrees truly entail. For example, while the discipline may be the same, an MS in Mathematics tends to be more applied, while an MA in Mathematics is more theoretical, which is good preparation for a doctoral program. 

Then there are professional degrees, which are largely designed for entry into a specific industry. Furthermore, depending on your career goals, applying for a terminal degree (doctorate level) is something you'll need to consider when making your graduate school plan. Many programs admit to the doctorate, where the master’s degree is obtained along the way. When it comes to your degree focus, you’ll want to know the exact type of program you're looking for. The focus or academic orientation of the program may differ in the way courses are delivered or the research faculty members conduct. Using the math example again, an MA in Math might have an actuarial focus, or its focus might be calculus.  

Related:  Choosing the Right Graduate Degree for Your Goals

Institutional differentiators

After conducting the aforementioned career planning and reflection, you'll know the degree type and focus you want and have a sense of your values and expectations. Now it’s time to work on identifying how these things align with the “differentiators.” Simply put, how does a particular college with the degree you're seeking stack up? What are some of the aspects of the program and institution that fit who you are and what you need? Your interpretation of these differentiating things is inextricable to setting yourself up for a transformative grad school experience . While you may have others, here are two critical categories of differentiators to consider: 

• Research opportunities: This may be very important for your discipline. Does the institution have a great track record for grants? What types of opportunities will you have to get published? 
• Program makeup and delivery format: What is the setup of the program? If online, what’s the track record? If part time, what kinds of class schedules are available? How well do you think (or know) you’d learn in that format? 
• Admission: What prerequisite courses might you need to take to be eligible for admission? Do they offer them? Is there a way to gain conditional admission and still start the program?
• Accreditation and rigor: Outside of regional accreditation, are there program- or discipline-specific accreditations to help you determine degree quality? 
• Prestige and reputation: A school and/or program’s reputation in your (intended) field can play a big role in your decision and determination of quality. 
• Class size: How big is the program? Do you learn better in small or large classes? What outcomes do you identify with regarding the number of classmates in the average cohort?

Campus experience

• Culture: Think of a grad school’s culture as “that’s how we do things here.” Visit your potential graduate institutions and talk with various stakeholders to help understand what their philosophy on education really is.
• Outcomes: This is pretty straightforward—and telling. What is the track record related to student outcomes, and what resources are in place to secure employment and assess ROI of their graduate programs?
• Living and learning: What’s the living situation? Is housing available for graduate students? Is it on or off campus? What else is available to support your lifestyle while in school? 
• Support services: Where can you get campus assistance when you need it most? Whether it’s academic, financial, or career counseling, it’s not just that they have it but what it is and how it applies to you.
• Community: What’s in the area around the graduate school? How does the college engage with the community it’s located in? What can you expect from the area in terms of experiential education opportunities, employment, housing, and amenities? 
• Professional development and engagement: Are there supplemental programs, networking events, and other activities that would enhance your experiences in the graduate program? 
• Connection to industry and alumni: How accessible are these two groups to you as a grad student? Does the college engage in conversations with them to ensure the graduate curriculum is current and relevant? 

Related:  Campus Visits: Not Just for Undergrads!

Financial consideration

Another important element in finding the best grad school fit is cost and financial aid. You may identify two graduate programs of equal value to you, but their financial support adds another crucial element to your success.  Ask about, identify, and make sure you understand what’s available in terms of financial assistance and the likelihood of someone with your academic profile and experience receiving funding. Determine what’s available for scholarships, grants , fellowships, teaching positions, research or graduate assistantships, and other funding you don’t have to pay back.  Research the true cost of your graduate education, and remember that your investment will extend beyond the tuition you pay. Part of finding a grad program is ensuring it fits your budget too, including such things as the cost of living in a particular location. Using sites like GradSense.org will help you understand the overall investment.

The search: Where to look and who to ask

Actually searching for a grad school may seem like the hardest part, but if you’ve considered everything above, you have all the tools you need! Now you can use everything you know about your goals and yourself combined with the institutional differentiators to make an informed decision.  Here are the key resources for your graduate program search:

• Grad school search directories: Grad school search websites and directories like CollegeXpress's  Graduate School Search tool give you opportunities to search by many different variables and filters. 
• Individual colleges and universities: Talk to current students, recent graduates, and faculty. Visit the colleges (online and in person) and test out the differentiators that matter to you most.
• External assessments: This category of resources includes graduate school ranking lists and reports.   Use these tools while you're researching, but do not base your selection entirely on these reports.
• Surrounding community: Get to know and research the area the college is located in to assess your living priorities. 

Final thoughts and tips

I can’t stress enough the importance of individual research and planning as it relates to making the best choices for you and being a competitive candidate when you're ready to launch, relaunch, or continue your career through graduate school! Beyond that, here are a few closing tips: 

• Stay organized:  Find a way to organize your grad school search criteria by creating charts and assigning point values to some of your differentiators. Do the same for evaluating admission requirements and financial opportunities. 
• Ask questions and glean different perspectives: Look for consistent messages to validate the way the institution, program, and overall experience are presented. 
• Best fit will vary for everyone:  Only you can determine what’s ultimately important in your grad school search. Differentiators that may be important to you may not be to the person next to you. Gather information, but don’t be influenced by others. 
• Have a plan of attack: Preparing for the grad school search and managing multiple admission requirements and timelines are both good practice for the  organization and time management skills you’ll need in grad school. 
• Start early: Your grad school search and application process should begin 10–15 months prior to your desired term of entry.

Related:  Essential Grad School Search and Application Timeline

The right graduate program for you is going to depend entirely on your future goals and ambitions. There are broad degree programs that could prepare you for many different careers, and there are highly specific grad pathways that will take you to that one place you want to be. The choice is ultimately your own. Don’t let others sway you into doing what you think you should do over what you really want to do with the rest of your life.

What are you doing to find a great graduate program? Start here on CollegeXpress by using our featured grad school lists !

Like what you’re reading?

Join the CollegeXpress community! Create a free account and we’ll notify you about new articles, scholarship deadlines, and more.

Tags: grad programs grad school grad school search grad students graduate programs graduate schools graduate students

Join our community of over 5 million students!

CollegeXpress has everything you need to simplify your college search, get connected to schools, and find your perfect fit.

Asia Stockdale

High School Class of 2021

CollegeXpress helped me overcome a huge hurdle. Because of the small town I live in, I felt like I would never achieve more. I felt like I could never go beyond because of costs. I feared I wouldn’t be able to find scholarships. I had no idea of where to start. With CollegeXpress, I easily found scholarships—they came to me. It was a helper, and I was instantly matched with opportunities to go above and beyond educationally.

High School Class of 2023

Being a sophomore in high school, I never really worried about college. I thought it wasn't important to worry about until senior year. Through this program opportunity I came across, I realized how important it is to start looking at colleges early and start planning ahead. CollegeXpress has opened my eyes to what colleges require, what colleges are near me, and what they offer. The daily emails I get from CollegeXpress really help me look at the different options I have and what colleges I fit into. Without this website, I would not be taking the time out of my day to worry about what my future will be nor what opportunities I have. I could not be more grateful for such an amazing and useful website. It's thanks to CollegeXpress that not only me but my family now know how much potential I have in to getting into these colleges/universities that we thought were out of my reach.

Sierra Carranza

High School Class of 2022

I had absolutely no idea where I wanted to go to school; I was considering colleges in almost every state. CollegeXpress was an amazing resource and helped me compare all of my top schools. Without the help of CollegeXpress, I probably wouldn't have made such an informed and confident decision.

Sadie Hartmann

I'm a senior in high school, and CollegeXpress has helped me in so many ways this year in trying to navigate the process of deciding and committing to a university. The COVID-19 Student Resource Center has helped me many times with the most up-to-date and accurate information, along with financial aid and student life [advice]. During these uncertain times, CollegeXpress has been a great recourse to relieve the stress as a senior. Along with the COVID-19 Student Resource Center, I'm constantly using the extremely helpful tools off the site to aid me during this stressful process. Tools like the lists and rankings of universities have been the most beneficial. I've also used the site to receive expert advice on topics like financial aid. Finally, CollegeXpress has helped me easily apply for several scholarships. I'm thankful to be given the chance to win a scholarship to lessen the burden of my college debt.

Kory Gilbertson

CollegeXpress has helped me explore my views on college in that "why do I wanna go to a certain school" way. It’s helped me explore the best fits in all of these outstanding choices. All these college admission counselors can access my accolades showing them how I could help their college. This source of information helps me show these admission directors who I am and what I'm interested in. Thanks to this platform, my experience for education will be better than most, and I'm so grateful for all that it has provided for me.

•   Preparing for the Legal Journey: 9 Tips for Students Interested in Law
•   8 Questions Students of Color Should Ask About Graduate School
•   5 Questions to Ask Before Committing to Graduate School
•   On-Campus, Online, or Hybrid: Which Grad School Format Is Right for You?
•   Great Graduate Schools and Programs in the Northeast

Colleges You May Be Interested In

Bridgewater College

Bridgewater, VA

Lehigh University | College of Business

Bethlehem, PA

New York University Tandon School of Engineering

Brooklyn, NY

Lynn University

Boca Raton, FL

Seton Hall University

South Orange, NJ

Personalize your experience on CollegeXpress.

With this information, we'll do our best to display content relevant to your interests. By subscribing, you agree to receive CollegeXpress emails and to make your information available to colleges and universities, scholarship programs, and other companies that have relevant/related offers.

Already have an account?

Log in to be directly connected to

Not a CollegeXpress user?

Don't want to register.

Provide your information below to connect with

• PhD in USA – A Guide for 2020/21
• Finding a PhD

A PhD in USA takes approximately 5 – 6 years of full-time study and can cost between $12,000 – $45,000 per academic year. PhD programs in USA differ from that in the UK and Europe in that students must first take taught classes, coursework and exams before starting their research project.

Why Do a PhD in USA?

The United States has long had some of the most distinguished universities and advanced PhD programmes in the world. Combined with curriculum flexibility, rigorous teaching methods, vast funding opportunities, breathtaking campuses and significant career prospects, it’s no wonder that it is one of the most sought-after study destinations for research students.

In addition to comprehensive training standards, here are a few other reasons why a student may choose to undertake their PhD in the United States:

• Longer learning timeframes – A PhD in the US lasts longer than a PhD in the UK or Europe. This allows students to more confidently transition from undergraduate to postgraduate studies; more commonly referred to as ‘graduate studies’ in the US. This gives you the opportunity to learn more about your subject, research methods and academic writing in general before starting your research project.
• World-class universities – It’s no secret that some of the most well-known higher education institutions that continue to dominate global rankings are based in the United States. Although many factors go into determining whether a position is right for you, a PhD at a high-ranking American university will undeniably have many benefits, from excellent learning standards to access to innovative equipment and deep expertise.
• International network – The US has long been a popular choice among PhD students around the world. As such, the US hosts a diverse and multicultural learning environment in which many research students will quickly feel at home.
• Opportunities – With over 4,000 universities in the US, we can safely say you will have plenty of opportunities to find the ideal combination of project, supervisor and university that works for you.

Universities in USA

Universities in the United States can be divided into two types: public universities and private universities.

Public universities are financed by the state in which they are based. Because of this, public universities charge less for students from within the state and more for students from outside the state, including international students.

Private universities are not financed by their state, but by private donors, research funds and tuition fees. For this reason, private universities generally charge higher tuition fees than public universities and require all students to pay the same amount, regardless of whether they come from out-of-state or abroad.

According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021 , eight of the top ten universities in the world are located in the United States. These are:

Method of Study

The main difference between a PhD in the US and a PhD in Europe lies in the program structure. Whereas a European PhD essentially consists of a single phase lasting three to four years , an American PhD consists of three different phases, each with its own time frame.

• Phase One – The first phase lasts approximately two years and focuses on building a basic foundation for the doctoral student. This phase consists largely of taught components such as lectures, tutorials and laboratory sessions, in which the student learns more about theoretical concepts and research methods within their discipline.
• Phase Two – The second phase can be considered an assessment phase, which runs both periodically alongside and at the end of the first phase. Here, students complete coursework and take exams on the basis of the material they have covered of which they must pass in order to proceed to the third phase.
• Phase Three – The third phase lasts approximately three years and resembles the European PhD structure. During this period, the student undertakes an independent research project, including forming a research design, conducting experiments, writing a thesis (more commonly referred to in the USA as a dissertation) and sitting a viva exam.

Teaching Requirements

Besides structure, a key difference between a PhD program in the US and in Europe is the focus on teaching requirements. In the US, doctoral students are expected to lecture, lead tutorials, host laboratory sessions, mark coursework and provide office hours for undergraduate students. Although students studying in European will likely contribute to these at some point during their study, this would normally be on a voluntary basis and involve less time commitment.

Research Flexibility

Another difference is project flexibility. In Europe, students typically apply to a PhD project predetermined by a supervisor, and although there may be some scope to adapt the project, depending on the funding provider , it will usually be limited to how the project is carried out rather than what it is about. In the US, however, a student applies to become a doctoral candidate within a department rather than applying for a particular research project. This is because students are expected to decide on their thesis topic (also commonly referred to as a dissertation research topic) near the end of their first phase after they have developed a better understanding of their subject and know where their interests lie. Therefore, research students in the US generally have more flexibility and influence in the direction of their research than students in the United Kingdom or Europe.

PhD Admission Requirements in USA

PhD admission into US universities can be highly competitive, both because of the limited number of positions and the large number of annual applicants.

The eligibility requirements for a doctoral program in the USA can generally be divided into four sections:

• Grade Point Average (GPA) – in the US, a scoring system known as Grade Point Average is used to measure academic ability. A student’s GPA is calculated as a weighted score of the subjects they study during their undergraduate degree; an equivalent score is calculated by universities for international applicants. Although universities rarely set minimum GPA requirements for doctoral study, it’s worth being aware that a GPA of 3.0 is equivalent to a UK second class honours (2:1); the typical entry requirement for UK universities.
• Graduate Records Exam (GRE) – most universities will require you to take a series of examinations known as Graduate Records Exams, which are used to determine your suitability for graduate study. GREs will assess your analytical, reasoning and critical thinking skills as well as your depth of your subject.
• Student aptitude – in addition to academic ability, US universities also look for characteristics of a strong researcher. These include traits such as engaging in the subject in your own time, e.g. by attending talks and conferences, demonstrating a high degree of independence and enthusiasm, and a general passion for your subject.
• English Language Proficiency – international students whose first language is not English must sit language exams such as IELTS or TOELF to demonstrate their English language proficiency.

International students will also require a F1 student visa in order to study in the US, however, you would typically apply for this after you have secured a place into a doctorate program.

How to Apply for PhD in USA

When applying for a PhD position at a graduate school, the application process will differ between universities, however, they will all typically ask for the following:

• Academic CV – a short document summarising your educational background and current level of experience .
• Personal statement – a document which outlines why you believe you are suitable for PhD study and your passion for the subject.
• Academic transcripts – a complete breakdown of the modules and their respective marks you have taken as part of your previous/current degree.
• GRE scores – a transcript of your Graduate Records Exam results.
• Research statement – a condensed version of a research proposal outlining your general research interests, if required.
• Recommendation letters – references from several academic referees who endorse your qualities as a person, your abilities as a student and your potential as a doctoral researcher.

Application Deadlines and Fees

Since PhD programs in the United States have taught components, they commence at the same time as all other taught degrees, and therefore share the same application deadlines and start dates. This corresponds to an application period that typically begins in August and ends in February. Admission decisions are typically made in April, with successful students starting in August/September.

When you apply to a graduate school, you will be expected to pay a fee for each doctorate application to cover the school’s administrative costs for processing your application. The fee varies from university to university, but typically ranges from $50 to $100 .

Funding your PhD in USA

It’s very common for a PhD student to receive financial aid in the form of a PhD scholarship; in fact, this will be the case for the vast majority of students in the US.

PhD funding can be ‘fully funded’ covering the student’s graduate program tuition fees, accommodation and living costs, or ‘partially funded’ covering the student’s tuition fee only in part or full.

Besides funding, a graduate student can take on an assistantship, such as a graduate teaching assistant or research assistant, in which they take on a part-time salaried position at the university alongside their studies.

Due to the international and collaborate nature of American universities, there are also a number of international scholarships available, such as the Fulbright Scholarship and the AAUW International Fellowship .

PhD Duration in USA

In the US, a PhD takes approximately 5 – 6 years to complete if studying full-time, and 8 – 10 years if studying part-time.

If you already have a Master’s degree, your first phase can be shortened by one year at the discretion of the university.

Cost of a PhD in USA

The cost of a PhD program in the US can vary considerably depending on the type of university, i.e. whether it’s a public or private university, the doctoral course, i.e. whether it’s in a STEM subject such as computer science, engineering or a non-STEM subject, and whether you are a home or international student.

In general, however, the typical annual tuition fee for a PhD in the US is between $12,000 and $45,000 per academic year.

As with any doctoral degree, additional costs may include travel for collaborations, bench fees, accommodation and living expenses.

Browse PhDs Now

Join thousands of students.

Join thousands of other students and stay up to date with the latest PhD programmes, funding opportunities and advice.

Doctor of Philosophy in Education

Additional Information

• Download the Doctoral Viewbook
• Admissions & Aid

The Harvard Ph.D. in Education trains cutting-edge researchers who work across disciplines to generate knowledge and translate discoveries into transformative policy and practice.

Offered jointly by the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the Ph.D. in Education provides you with full access to the extraordinary resources of Harvard University and prepares you to assume meaningful roles as university faculty, researchers, senior-level education leaders, and policymakers.

As a Ph.D. candidate, you will collaborate with scholars across all Harvard graduate schools on original interdisciplinary research. In the process, you will help forge new fields of inquiry that will impact the way we teach and learn. The program’s required coursework will develop your knowledge of education and your expertise in a range of quantitative and qualitative methods needed to conduct high-quality research. Guided by the goal of making a transformative impact on education research, policy, and practice, you will focus on independent research in various domains, including human development, learning and teaching, policy analysis and evaluation, institutions and society, and instructional practice.   

Curriculum Information

The Ph.D. in Education requires five years of full-time study to complete. You will choose your individual coursework and design your original research in close consultation with your HGSE faculty adviser and dissertation committee. The requirements listed below include the three Ph.D. concentrations: Culture, Institutions, and Society; Education Policy and Program Evaluation; and Human Development, Learning and Teaching . 

We invite you to review an example course list, which is provided in two formats — one as the full list by course number and one by broad course category . These lists are subject to modification. 

Ph.D. Concentrations and Examples

Summary of Ph.D. Program

Doctoral Colloquia  In year one and two you are required to attend. The colloquia convenes weekly and features presentations of work-in-progress and completed work by Harvard faculty, faculty and researchers from outside Harvard, and Harvard doctoral students. Ph.D. students present once in the colloquia over the course of their career.

Research Apprenticeship The Research Apprenticeship is designed to provide ongoing training and mentoring to develop your research skills throughout the entire program.

Teaching Fellowships The Teaching Fellowship is an opportunity to enhance students' teaching skills, promote learning consolidation, and provide opportunities to collaborate with faculty on pedagogical development.

Comprehensive Exams  The Written Exam (year 2, spring) tests you on both general and concentration-specific knowledge. The Oral Exam (year 3, fall/winter) tests your command of your chosen field of study and your ability to design, develop, and implement an original research project.

Dissertation  Based on your original research, the dissertation process consists of three parts: the Dissertation Proposal, the writing, and an oral defense before the members of your dissertation committee.

Culture, Institutions, and Society (CIS) Concentration

In CIS, you will examine the broader cultural, institutional, organizational, and social contexts relevant to education across the lifespan. What is the value and purpose of education? How do cultural, institutional, and social factors shape educational processes and outcomes? How effective are social movements and community action in education reform? How do we measure stratification and institutional inequality? In CIS, your work will be informed by theories and methods from sociology, history, political science, organizational behavior and management, philosophy, and anthropology. You can examine contexts as diverse as classrooms, families, neighborhoods, schools, colleges and universities, religious institutions, nonprofits, government agencies, and more.

Education Policy and Program Evaluation (EPPE) Concentration

In EPPE, you will research the design, implementation, and evaluation of education policy affecting early childhood, K–12, and postsecondary education in the U.S. and internationally. You will evaluate and assess individual programs and policies related to critical issues like access to education, teacher effectiveness, school finance, testing and accountability systems, school choice, financial aid, college enrollment and persistence, and more. Your work will be informed by theories and methods from economics, political science, public policy, and sociology, history, philosophy, and statistics. This concentration shares some themes with CIS, but your work with EPPE will focus on public policy and large-scale reforms.

Human Development, Learning and Teaching (HDLT) Concentration

In HDLT, you will work to advance the role of scientific research in education policy, reform, and practice. New discoveries in the science of learning and development — the integration of biological, cognitive, and social processes; the relationships between technology and learning; or the factors that influence individual variations in learning — are transforming the practice of teaching and learning in both formal and informal settings. Whether studying behavioral, cognitive, or social-emotional development in children or the design of learning technologies to maximize understanding, you will gain a strong background in human development, the science of learning, and sociocultural factors that explain variation in learning and developmental pathways. Your research will be informed by theories and methods from psychology, cognitive science, sociology and linguistics, philosophy, the biological sciences and mathematics, and organizational behavior.

Program Faculty

The most remarkable thing about the Ph.D. in Education is open access to faculty from all Harvard graduate and professional schools, including the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the Harvard Kennedy School, the Harvard Law School, Harvard Medical School, and the Harvard School of Public Health. Learn about the full Ph.D. Faculty.

Jarvis R. Givens

Jarvis Givens studies the history of American education, African American history, and the relationship between race and power in schools.

Paul L. Harris

Paul Harris is interested in the early development of cognition, emotion, and imagination in children.

Meira Levinson

Meira Levinson is a normative political philosopher who works at the intersection of civic education, youth empowerment, racial justice, and educational ethics. 

Luke W. Miratrix

Luke Miratrix is a statistician who explores how to best use modern statistical methods in applied social science contexts.

Eric Taylor

Eric Taylor studies the economics of education, with a particular interest in employer-employee interactions between schools and teachers — hiring and firing decisions, job design, training, and performance evaluation.

Paola Uccelli

Paola Ucelli studies socio-cultural and individual differences in the language development of multilingual and monolingual students.

View Ph.D. Faculty

Dissertations.

The following is a complete listing of successful Ph.D. in Education dissertations to-date. Dissertations from November 2014 onward are publicly available in the Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard (DASH) , the online repository for Harvard scholarship.

• 2022 Graduate Dissertations (265 KB pdf)
• 2021 Graduate Dissertations (177 KB pdf)
• 2020 Graduate Dissertations (121 KB pdf)
• 2019 Graduate Dissertations (68.3 KB pdf)

Student Directory

An opt-in listing of current Ph.D. students with information about their interests, research, personal web pages, and contact information:

Doctor of Philosophy in Education Student Directory

Introduce Yourself

Tell us about yourself so that we can tailor our communication to best fit your interests and provide you with relevant information about our programs, events, and other opportunities to connect with us.

Program Highlights

Explore examples of the Doctor of Philosophy in Education experience and the impact its community is making on the field:

Lost in Translation

New comparative study from Ph.D. candidate Maya Alkateb-Chami finds strong correlation between low literacy outcomes for children and schools teaching in different language from home

Using E-Books to Get Young Readers Talking

New research shows how parents can help kids — and themselves — use e-books as a tool to improve early childhood development

How to Choose a Graduate School: 7 Tips for Success

So you’ve made the decision to go to grad school. You’ve weighed your options , researched the benefits of a graduate education , and discovered the value of having an advanced degree . Now it’s time to choose which program to pursue—a task that can seem overwhelming given the number of options available.

But the process doesn’t have to be so daunting. There are actions you can take to make choosing a graduate degree program more manageable—exciting, even. As you take the next step toward your personal and professional goals, take note of the following tips to help you choose a graduate school and degree program best suited for you.

Difference Between Grad School and Undergrad Programs

Before you start searching for the right graduate school for you, it’s essential to know what to expect for this new career trajectory you’ll be embarking on. Unlike an undergraduate program, grad programs are highly specialized and much more advanced in your field of study.

Prospective graduate students can expect a far more individualized experience as they work closely with students and professors. Due to this specialization, entering a graduate program will be an investment of time that’ll ultimately help elevate your expertise and career choices.

Tips for Choosing a Graduate School

1. Take inventory of your passions and motivations.

Pursuing a graduate education is a big investment, so it’s critical to understand the unique “ why ” behind your decision. What do you hope to achieve by going back to school? Whether you’d like to gain more specialized knowledge, change careers, earn a promotion, increase your salary potential, or achieve a lifelong personal goal, make sure the program you choose will help get you there.

Examine the curricula and course descriptions of various degree programs, and assess how each offering aligns with your passions and interests. Graduate school is challenging, but it will feel more manageable if you’re working toward something that matters to you. Understanding your expectations and what you want to get out of the program is the first step in choosing a degree that will be a good fit.

2. Do your research and explore your options.

Once you’ve determined your motivations for returning to school, leave yourself time to research the types of degree programs available in your preferred area of study and the opportunities each can create.

Resources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook can give you a sense of typical career paths by industry, along with the educational degree requirements for each. The handbook also provides market growth forecasts and earning potential to help inform your decision.

It’s also important to note the structure and focus of each program. Even in the same discipline, a program’s focus can vary among institutions. Does the curriculum emphasize theory, original research, or a more practical application of knowledge? Whatever your goals may be, make sure the program’s focus aligns with the educational experience that will provide you with the most value. Career changers, for example, who likely don’t have industry experience, might prefer a program with access to hands-on learning opportunities or a path for completing prerequisites like Northeastern’s Align and Bridge programs.

While conducting your research, don’t be afraid to utilize your professional network. Speak with colleagues who have pursued an advanced degree in your industry and reach out to alumni of the institutions you’re considering. Listening to their experiences as a graduate student and in the job market post-degree can help you gauge if the program is in line with your goals.

3. Keep your career goals in mind.

After exploring your range of program options, consider your career goals and how each specific graduate program can help you get there.

If you’re seeking a specialized area of focus, be sure to examine the program concentrations offered at each institution. One graduate program in education might prepare you to specialize in higher education administration or elementary instruction, while other institutions may offer concentrations in special education or classroom technology. Make sure the program you choose reflects your career interests.

Alternatively, if you’re unsure of exactly where your career path may take you, you may want to consider a broader degree that can give you flexibility in its application. Some degree programs, such as a Master of Business Administration , teach skills that can be applied across multiple professions. If this is the path you’d prefer to pursue, pick a degree that will remain relevant as you move around in your career.

Examine the types of credentials professionals in the industry possess and research the types of skills potential employers are looking for. Check to see that the degree program offers opportunities to learn and develop those same skills. You’ll want to make sure the program you’re investing your time in will arm you with the knowledge you can actually apply in the real world.

Some professions also require board certification and/or state licensure. For example, someone interested in becoming a ​​project manager must complete 35 hours of relevant training before gaining eligibility to sit for the certification exam. You’ll want to ensure that the graduate program you ultimately decide on is fully accredited and will help you meet any certification or licensure requirements.

Location is also an important factor to consider when thinking about potential employment opportunities after graduation. Individuals interested in financial services may consider schools in a major banking center, such as Charlotte , while those pursuing a technology career might look for programs in Silicon Valley .

Further, if your goal is to work for a specific company, do your research to determine where graduates of the programs you’re looking at are working. Universities often have corporate partnerships in which employers recruit graduates to work at their organization. Check to see if your dream company partners with any nearby universities.

4. Make sure the program fits your lifestyle.

While aligning your career goals, make sure the degree program you choose will realistically fit within your lifestyle, and determine what level of flexibility you need. There are many options available that will allow you to earn an advanced degree at the right pace and in the right format for you.

Some degrees can be earned in as little as 12 months, while others can take years. Determine how much time you’re willing to invest, considering your personal values, work and family commitments, and the type of graduate experience you’d like to have.

Full-time graduate studies are not for everyone. If you’re a working professional, you may benefit from the increased flexibility provided by a part-time degree program. You might also consider the benefits of online or hybrid graduate programs that provide access to worldwide institutions that may have otherwise not been an option.

5. Consider your finances.

Decide what you can afford for graduate school, and don’t forget to factor in both the up-front costs, such as tuition and textbooks, and hidden fees, like transportation and student activity costs. While your education is an investment, make sure you can cover the costs associated with earning your graduate degree.

Paying for graduate school can seem intimidating, but there are many different options available to you. While you narrow down your list of schools, be sure to check out the financial aid options at each institution. Along with scholarships , loans, and grants, some schools may offer assistantships or fellowships for graduate students.

For those who may already be working in their industry, your employer may offer tuition reimbursement , which pays for a predetermined amount of continuing education credits or college coursework to be applied toward a degree. Contact your company’s human resources department to determine whether tuition reimbursement is available to you and if your program of interest meets the eligibility requirements.

All of these options will help ease the costs associated with your education and could help you earn valuable experience to enhance your resumé. You may also want to consider your future earning potential and job opportunities when weighing your options—you want your degree to be worth the money, time, and energy you put into earning it.

6. Talk to admissions advisors, students, and alumni.

When determining your graduate school options, it’s important to talk to current students and alumni. Begin by creating a list of questions to ask, such as:

• Do you have enough academic and career guidance?
• What do you like and dislike about your program?
• Are you happy with your professors?
• Are there co-op and internship opportunities available to you?
• How do you feel about the student community?
• What do you wish you knew before enrolling?

What students and alumni tell you might surprise you and could be extremely valuable in determining the right graduate school for you.

Speak With a Student Ambassador

 Talk to an ambassador who’s been there and done that.

You can also speak with graduate admissions advisors to help you narrow your options. They have experience guiding students to make this type of decision and can provide you with the outcomes of past students whose goals were similar to yours. In speaking with the institution’s alumni and mentor network, you also have the opportunity to assess the type of connections you can make there and how they may help you get ahead after graduation.

7. Network with faculty.

Faculty can make or break your graduate school experience. Take the time to reach out to your potential professors and get to know them. Don’t be afraid to ask specific questions about their background to see if it aligns with what you want to learn.

Apply to universities that have one or more professors who focus on your area of interest and with whom you can imagine collaborating while earning your degree. Determine if they can help facilitate your growth, and go with a program where you’re comfortable with the faculty.

Applying to Graduate School

After narrowing down your options and determining which graduate programs align most closely with your career goals, lifestyle, and personal interests, you’re ready to begin the application process. It might seem intimidating, but applying to graduate school is simple so long as you remain organized and are well-prepared.

While the application requirements may look different depending on the institution and type of degree program you’re applying to, there are certain materials that you’ll likely be asked for as part of your grad school application. These include:

• An application form
• Undergraduate transcripts
• A well-optimized professional resumé
• A statement of purpose or personal statement
• Letters of recommendation
• GRE, GMAT, or LSAT test scores (if required)
• An application fee

Do your research to determine what the application requirements are for your program of choice, and remain conscious of deadlines. 

Remember that Graduate School Is a Stepping Stone

When deciding which program to pursue, it’s important to remember that graduate school is a stepping stone toward your personal and professional goals—not the final destination. That said, the clearer you are on what you want to do following graduation, the easier it will be to find a program that aligns with your goals.

Start early, keep your search organized , and reach out for support. In the end, only you can decide which program will be best for you. No matter what program you choose to pursue, with commitment, resilience, and hard work, you can find success.

Subscribe below to receive future content from the Graduate Programs Blog.

About shayna joubert, related articles.

Why Earn a Professional Doctoral Degree?

5 Tips to Get the Most out of Grad School

Is Earning a Graduate Certificate Worth It?

Did you know.

Advanced degree holders earn a salary an average 25% higher than bachelor's degree holders. (Economic Policy Institute, 2021)

Northeastern University Graduate Programs

Explore our 200+ industry-aligned graduate degree and certificate programs.

Most Popular:

Tips for taking online classes: 8 strategies for success, public health careers: what can you do with an mph, 7 international business careers that are in high demand, edd vs. phd in education: what’s the difference, 7 must-have skills for data analysts, in-demand biotechnology careers shaping our future, the benefits of online learning: 8 advantages of online degrees, how to write a statement of purpose for graduate school, the best of our graduate blog—right to your inbox.

Stay up to date on our latest posts and university events. Plus receive relevant career tips and grad school advice.

By providing us with your email, you agree to the terms of our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

Keep Reading:

The 8 Highest-Paying Master’s Degrees in 2024

Graduate School Application Tips & Advice

How To Get a Job in Emergency Management

Join Us at Northeastern’s Virtual Graduate Open House | March 5–7, 2024

All Degrees

• Certificate

Nursing & Healthcare

• Holistic Medicine

Computers & Technology

• Civil Engineering
• Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

Psychology & Counseling

• Christian Counseling
• Occupational Therapy
• Social Work
• Substance Abuse Counseling

Business & Management

• Construction Management

Education & Teaching

• Physical Education

Most Affordable Colleges

• Healthcare Administration
• Nurse Practitioner
• Public Health
• Speech Pathology
• Computer Science
• Cybersecurity
• Data Science
• Military Friendly
• Connecticut
• Massachusetts
• Mississippi
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• West Virginia

Community Colleges

College Planning

• Accreditation
• Applying to College
• Starting an Online Education
• What College Should I Go To?
• Is an Online Degree Respected
• Popular Majors
• Largest Online Universities

Going to College

• College vs University
• Mental Health in College Students
• Good College GPA
• Graduate College Early
• Work Full Time & Go To School

Financial Planning

• Financial Aid for Online Classes
• Best Scholarships
• What Is a FAFSA
• Saving Money for College
• Guide to Student Loans
• Loan Repayment Calculator

Diversity & Inclusion Guides

• First-Generation Students
• Undocumented Students
• LGBT Students
• Students with Autism
• Black Students
• Native American Students

Trends & Insights

• Write a Review

Our Experts

Editorial Policy

Best Colleges

Colleges by State

Student Resources

Online Reviews

• Most Popular
• Work Full Time & Go To School
• Data Studies
• Student Reviews
• Editorial policy

2024 Best Online Colleges for PhD Programs

ON THIS PAGE

Want an online degree that's:

• Highly Rated
• Military-friendly

We've got them. Let's get started.

OnlineU has over 200 partner colleges that advertise on our site. Search results include only our partner colleges, which are marked with the word "Ad."  Learn more  about how we make money. ' > AD

The highest level of education college students can achieve is a doctoral degree, also known as a terminal degree . Prospective students can expect the same rigorous, high-quality education and career opportunities from an online PhD program as they would from an in-person experience. Some doctoral degrees, especially PhDs, require students to engage in high-level research within a specific discipline, while other types of doctorates teach students to use research to solve real-world problems. 

View our methodology for more details about our list, or learn about OnlineU .

Want an online degree that's:

Types of Doctoral Degrees

Jump to a Program: b c d e h m o p

#1 A.T. Still University of Health Sciences

• Salary Score: Salary Score is based on median alumni earnings up to 4 years after graduating. It compares the median alumni salary for a specific program at this school to the median alumni salary for the same program at other schools, and scores range from A+ to B-. Data is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. ' > Salary Score is based on median alumni earnings up to 4 years after graduating. It compares the median alumni salary for a specific program at this school to the median alumni salary for the same program at other schools, and scores range from A+ to B-. Data is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education" s="" college="" scorecard.="" '=""> A- A-
• Median Starting Salary: $77,978
• Locations: Kirksville (MO)

A.T. Still University of Health Sciences (ATSU) is a private, nonprofit institution. The medical school is a learning-centered university home to the world’s first osteopathic medical school. ATSU offers ten online doctoral programs prospective students can pursue, such as a (1) Doctor of Athletic Training, (2) Doctor of Health Administration, and (3) Doctor of Nursing.

At ATSU, online students complete coursework in asynchronous and synchronous formats on Canvas. The university has several student organizations and leadership opportunities across its Missouri and Arizona campuses. Online students at ATSU have access to many resources, like counseling, learning and disability resources, and tutoring.

• Salary Score is based on median alumni earnings up to 4 years after graduating. It compares the median alumni salary for a specific program at this school to the median alumni salary for the same program at other schools, and scores range from A+ to B-. Data is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. ' >Salary Score: A-
• Median Earnings: $77,978
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, financial aid recipients data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional financial aid recipients information. This data point represents the percentage of students who receive financial aid. ' >Financial Aid Recipients: N/A
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, average aid package data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional average aid package information. Average aid package is the average dollar amount of financial aid given to each student at this institution. ' >Avg. Aid Package: N/A
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, average graduation rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional average graduation rate information. ' >Avg. Graduation Rate: N/A
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, retention rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional retention rate information. ' >Retention Rate: N/A
• Recommendation rates and review counts are based on student reviews we have collected. View reviews of A.T. Still University of Health Sciences . ' >Recommend Rate: 97%
• School Type: Nonprofit (Private)

#2 University of Southern California

• Salary Score: Salary Score is based on median alumni earnings up to 4 years after graduating. It compares the median alumni salary for a specific program at this school to the median alumni salary for the same program at other schools, and scores range from A+ to B-. Data is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. ' > B+
• Median Starting Salary: $90,437
• Locations: Los Angeles (CA)

The University of Southern California (USC) is a private, nonprofit institution offering several online doctoral programs for students to choose from. The university is one of the leading private research institutions in the world. USC has six online doctoral programs, like (1) Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, (2) Doctor of Physical Therapy, and (3) Doctor of Regulatory Science.

USC facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on the learning management system Blackboard. Regarding USC student life, the university offers in-person opportunities for students to get involved, like student organizations, a volunteer center, and student government. At ATSU, online student resources include a writing center, peer tutoring, academic advising, disability support, and career services, to name a few options.

• Salary Score is based on median alumni earnings up to 4 years after graduating. It compares the median alumni salary for a specific program at this school to the median alumni salary for the same program at other schools, and scores range from A+ to B-. Data is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. ' >Salary Score: B+
• Median Earnings: $90,437
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, financial aid recipients data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional financial aid recipients information. This data point represents the percentage of students who receive financial aid. ' >Financial Aid Recipients: 76%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, average aid package data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional average aid package information. Average aid package is the average dollar amount of financial aid given to each student at this institution. ' >Avg. Aid Package: $45,262
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, average graduation rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional average graduation rate information. ' >Avg. Graduation Rate: 92%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, retention rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional retention rate information. ' >Retention Rate: 97%
• Recommendation rates and review counts are based on student reviews we have collected. View more reviews for this school at University of Southern California ' >Recommend Rate: 94%

#3 The George Washington University

• Salary Score: Salary Score is based on median alumni earnings up to 4 years after graduating. It compares the median alumni salary for a specific program at this school to the median alumni salary for the same program at other schools, and scores range from A+ to B-. Data is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. ' > B
• Median Starting Salary: $75,819
• Locations: Washington D.C.

At George Washington University (GWU) — a private, nonprofit institution — students can pursue a range of online doctoral degrees. The university, located in the nation’s capital, boasts a compassionate teaching faculty, Division I athletics, exclusive internships, and service learning opportunities. GWU offers 12 online doctoral programs, from Executive Leadership to Health Policy.

At GWU, online students complete coursework asynchronously and synchronously on Blackboard. Student life at GWU includes many student organizations, well-being initiatives, and leadership opportunities. Online students at GWU have access to resources like an online library, student success coaching, military and veteran services, counseling and psychological services, and IT support.

• Salary Score is based on median alumni earnings up to 4 years after graduating. It compares the median alumni salary for a specific program at this school to the median alumni salary for the same program at other schools, and scores range from A+ to B-. Data is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. ' >Salary Score: B
• Median Earnings: $75,819
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, financial aid recipients data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional financial aid recipients information. This data point represents the percentage of students who receive financial aid. ' >Financial Aid Recipients: 79%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, average aid package data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional average aid package information. Average aid package is the average dollar amount of financial aid given to each student at this institution. ' >Avg. Aid Package: $35,257
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, average graduation rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional average graduation rate information. ' >Avg. Graduation Rate: 84%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, retention rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional retention rate information. ' >Retention Rate: 90%
• Recommendation rates and review counts are based on student reviews we have collected. View reviews of The George Washington University . ' >Recommend Rate: 87%

#4 Johns Hopkins University

• Median Starting Salary: $73,910
• Locations: Baltimore (MD)

Johns Hopkins University (JHU) is a private, nonprofit institution, where prospective students can choose from several online doctoral programs. Among JHU's 13 doctoral programs are Phds like a Pediatric Dual Primary/Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, DNP Advanced Practice Track, Education, and Doctor of Public Health.

JHU’s online students complete courses asynchronously and synchronously through the software Canvas. JHU is America’s first research university, and it has provided high quality higher education since 1876. At JHU, there are hundreds of student-led organizations, student-run festivals, and varsity sports teams. JHU’s online student resources include disability services, counseling, an online library, career services, and academic advising.

• Median Earnings: $73,910
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, financial aid recipients data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional financial aid recipients information. This data point represents the percentage of students who receive financial aid. ' >Financial Aid Recipients: 67%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, average aid package data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional average aid package information. Average aid package is the average dollar amount of financial aid given to each student at this institution. ' >Avg. Aid Package: $54,405
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, average graduation rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional average graduation rate information. ' >Avg. Graduation Rate: 94%
• Recommendation rates and review counts are based on student reviews we have collected. View reviews of Johns Hopkins University . ' >Recommend Rate: 91%

#5 Loma Linda University

• Median Starting Salary: $82,447
• Locations: Loma Linda (CA)

Loma Linda University (LLU) is a private, Christian, nonprofit institution offering several online doctorate degrees. LLU delivers its programs with a Christ-centered Seventh-day Adventist approach. Prospective students can pursue various specialties within LLU’s 15 online doctorate programs, like Nurse Leadership, Preventive Care, and Social Work.

At LLU, online students may complete coursework in both asynchronous and synchronous formats via Canvas. LLU’s Seventh-day Adventist approach to teaching offers a learning environment that's integrated with health, science, and faith topics. Student life at LLU includes mission-focused learning opportunities, weekly university worship, and other student activities. Online student resources at LLU include counseling, an online bookstore, and an online library.

• Median Earnings: $82,447
• Recommendation rates and review counts are based on student reviews we have collected. View reviews of Loma Linda University . ' >Recommend Rate: 89%

#6 University of Missouri - Kansas City

• Median Starting Salary: $83,978
• Locations: Kansas City (MO)

The University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC) is a public institution offering many online doctoral programs within the nursing specialty. UMKC offers six online doctoral nursing programs, like a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Adult-Gerontology - Nurse Practitioner, DNP in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and DNP in Nursing.

UMKC facilitates asynchronous and synchronous distance learning on the learning management system Canvas. With over 16,000 students enrolled, UMKC fosters a diverse student body representing over 85 countries. Regarding student life, online students living near UMKC’s campus have access to over 300 student-led organizations and study-abroad programs. Online students at UMKC can access resources like tutoring, career services, and IT support.

• Median Earnings: $83,978
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, financial aid recipients data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional financial aid recipients information. This data point represents the percentage of students who receive financial aid. ' >Financial Aid Recipients: 96%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, average aid package data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional average aid package information. Average aid package is the average dollar amount of financial aid given to each student at this institution. ' >Avg. Aid Package: $8,376
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, average graduation rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional average graduation rate information. ' >Avg. Graduation Rate: 54%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, retention rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional retention rate information. ' >Retention Rate: 77%
• Recommendation rates and review counts are based on student reviews we have collected. View reviews of University of Missouri - Kansas City . ' >Recommend Rate: 89%
• School Type: Nonprofit (Public)

#7 Indiana University - Bloomington

• Median Starting Salary: $70,919
• Locations: Bloomington (IN)

At Indiana University - Bloomington (IU), a public institution, prospective students can pursue several online doctoral programs. IU offers online doctoral programs in the following areas: (1) education, (2) health and health sciences, and (3) public health. A few examples of online doctoral degrees at IU are a Doctor of Education in Instructional Systems Technology and a Doctor of Public Health in Global Health Leadership.

IU’s online students complete coursework in asynchronous and synchronous formats on Canvas. IU is one of the top public research universities globally. IU’s student life includes over 300 student-led organizations and more than 380 study abroad in over 70 countries. At IU, online students can access tutoring, academic coaching, counseling, and disability services.

• Median Earnings: $70,919
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, financial aid recipients data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional financial aid recipients information. This data point represents the percentage of students who receive financial aid. ' >Financial Aid Recipients: 83%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, average aid package data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional average aid package information. Average aid package is the average dollar amount of financial aid given to each student at this institution. ' >Avg. Aid Package: $10,336
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, average graduation rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional average graduation rate information. ' >Avg. Graduation Rate: 81%
• Recommendation rates and review counts are based on student reviews we have collected. View reviews of Indiana University - Bloomington . ' >Recommend Rate: 93%

#8 Drexel University

• Median Starting Salary: $64,461
• Locations: Philadelphia (PA)

Drexel University is a private, nonprofit institution that offers several online doctoral degrees. Drexel offers online doctoral programs in the fields of education, nursing, and healthcare. Some examples of online doctoral programs offered at Drexel include a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Management, a Doctor of Couple and Family Therapy, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

At Drexel, online students complete coursework in asynchronous and synchronous formats on the platform Blackboard. Drexel is a top-ranking institution that aims to help students develop the skills necessary for career success. Online student resources at Drexel are a writing center, academic advising, tech support, and a career center. Drexel has more than 300 student clubs and organizations and academic-enhancing opportunities.

• Median Earnings: $64,461
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, financial aid recipients data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional financial aid recipients information. This data point represents the percentage of students who receive financial aid. ' >Financial Aid Recipients: 100%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, average aid package data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional average aid package information. Average aid package is the average dollar amount of financial aid given to each student at this institution. ' >Avg. Aid Package: $33,861
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, average graduation rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional average graduation rate information. ' >Avg. Graduation Rate: 78%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, retention rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional retention rate information. ' >Retention Rate: 87%
• Recommendation rates and review counts are based on student reviews we have collected. View reviews of Drexel University . ' >Recommend Rate: 87%

OnlineU has over 200 partner colleges that advertise on our site. Search results include only our partner colleges, which are marked with the word "Ad."  Learn more  about how we make money. ">ADVERTISEMENT

Online Programs You May Be Interested In

Grand Canyon University

Annual Tuition: $11,638

48 Programs ( view all )

Liberty University

Annual Tuition: $8,475

114 Programs ( view all )

The University of Arizona Global Campus

Annual Tuition: $11,670 - $16,286

4 Programs ( view all )

Overview of Online PhDs

One of the oldest academic degrees in existence, a doctorate degree is a postsecondary credential that is awarded to students who have achieved the highest level of education or training in a given area of study. Doctoral programs train students to create, apply, and research original knowledge. They take multiple years of graduate study to earn, with students completing a varying mix of coursework, exams, and practicums. 

The challenging nature of these requirements is perhaps the reason why a large number of doctoral students — roughly 50% — drop out. However, those who achieve their degree are equipped with expert-level knowledge in a given subject area as well as transferable research, writing, and communication skills. These qualifications typically prepare doctoral degree holders for advanced positions in academia, government, or vocational settings where professionals require specific expertise.

While they are primarily offered on-campus, many colleges and universities include the option to pursue a doctoral degree online. Prospective doctoral students can choose from programs offering exclusively online courses as well as hybrid models with a mix of distanced and on-campus learning.

Types of Doctorates

Not all types of doctoral degrees serve the same purpose. Many prospective students may be thinking of a PhD — also known as a Doctor of Philosophy — when referring to a doctorate. While correct, a PhD is a research doctorate in which the primary goal is to advance new knowledge. For instance, individuals who pursue a PhD degree in physics conduct original research, typically with the goal of working in academia.

By contrast, professional doctorate programs prepare students to practice a vocation. Examples include the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctor of Psychology (PhD), Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), Doctor of Education (EdD), or Juris Doctor (JD). These degree holders are trained to apply field-specific knowledge in settings such as hospitals or courtrooms.

How Long Does It Take to Earn An Online Doctoral Degree?

Depending on individual program requirements and the type of degree, most doctoral degree programs can be completed in 3-8 years, though it may take over 10 years in some circumstances. The average time to completion is 7.5 years , and accelerated or online programs are designed to be completed in 3-5 years. It is important to note that schools may place a time limit on the number of years students have to complete their doctoral coursework and defend their dissertations or capstone projects.

What Will You Learn in an Online PhD Program?

Like their on-campus peers, students enrolled in an online doctoral program typically spend the first several years completing advanced coursework. Doctoral-level courses involve research, writing, and data analysis that allow students to extend or apply existing knowledge in their chosen discipline. 

Without question, such advanced study is challenging. However, pursuing a terminal degree can be an intrinsically valuable endeavor that leads to self-development.

Popular Subjects

Many of the most popular online doctoral programs involve health-related fields, including clinical psychology and counseling. Additional examples include the following: 

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Nurses who hold a bachelor's or master's degree may want to pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to advance their career. A DNP enables a nurse to become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), possibly with an area of specialization. An APRN's scope of practice varies by state, but they can often diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, and develop patient care plans. 

Doctor of Physical Therapy

To become a licensed physical therapist, you must first earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) . The advanced coursework teaches you how to assess a patient's condition, develop a plan for improving their mobility and managing pain with exercise, and educating patients about ways to restore their health.

Doctor of Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists who want to conduct research in the field or to educate aspiring occupational therapists may be interested in earning a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (DOT) . Although you only need a master's degree to become an occupational therapist, a doctorate may open up additional career opportunities.. 

PhDs in STEM subjects, such as computer engineering, physics, and statistics, are also common. It is also possible to earn an online doctorate in educational leadership , law, history, or business.

Choosing an Online Phd Program

Prospective online doctoral students should practice their due diligence when choosing the best online PhD program. Beyond exploring program specifics and student services, students will want to select a school that has earned institutional accreditation . This means that the school has been reviewed by an independent agency and proven to meet nationally accepted standards. To determine whether the institution you're considering is accredited, visit the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs .

Earning a doctorate takes years of intensive study in graduate school, so it's important for potential applicants to choose the right subject, school, and format. When researching options, it may be helpful to ask these key questions:

What are my career goals?

First, determine whether a doctorate is necessary or desirable in a given field. For example, aspiring professors, lawyers, veterinarians, psychologists, or doctors must earn a doctorate . However, those who aim to work in areas such as business or tech typically don't require this level of education. In these cases, it may be best to earn a bachelor's or master's degree.

Do I want a professional or academic doctorate?

Different doctoral degrees serve different purposes. Students primarily interested in conducting research, advancing original knowledge, or working in academia should opt for an academic doctorate. By contrast, a professional doctorate is better suited to those who hope to practice professions such as law or medicine in real-world settings.

Applying to a Doctoral Program

Doctoral programs typically admit only a handful of new students each year, so competition for spots can be fierce. While admission requirements vary by school, most have similar requirements and these remain constant across online and in-person degree options. Prospective students typically need to meet the following requirements to get accepted into a doctoral program:

A completed college degree. Some graduate programs require doctoral students to have completed a master's in the same or a related field, while others accept students with a bachelor's or an unrelated master's degree.

A GPA of 3.0 or higher in all previous degrees. Schools want to train scholars who are serious about advancing their field of study, so the academic standards are usually higher than for other degrees.

Competitive entrance exam scores, with thresholds that vary by school, in the Graduate Record Examination or Graduate Management Admissions Test.

Letters of recommendation from professors, coaches, or mentors that speak to the student's academic and personal merit and likelihood of success in the particular program.

A personal essay that expresses the student's reasons, motivation, and desire to complete a high-level degree in their chosen field.

In addition to these standard requirements, some disciplines require professional work experience or language proficiency. For example, students pursuing online doctoral studies in nursing may need a minimum number of clinical hours or years of full-time employment. By contrast, applicants to PhD programs in classics may need to demonstrate some familiarity with Latin or Ancient Greek.

Careers and Job Outlook

An online doctorate can lead to career opportunities that may otherwise be unavailable to bachelor's and even master's degree holders. For instance, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a JD is typically required to become a practicing attorney , and doctorates are needed to become a physician , dentist , or psychologist . 

A PhD is essential for those who want to conduct research in almost any field, either in an academic setting or an advanced research facility.

Aside from expanding job opportunities in specific areas, an online doctorate also offers general career advantages. Students who successfully earn this degree typically gain considerable experience with relevant skills for government organizations, nonprofits, and startups. In particular, their ability to interpret different kinds of data, translate complex problems for wide audiences, identify unique funding opportunities, and evaluate multiple sources of information can make graduates valuable assets for employers in these industries.

Overall, the BLS projects that a doctoral degree comes with better pay and a favorable job outlook through 2030 , particularly in the education, healthcare, and law sectors. 

Benefits of Earning a PhD

It's clear that doctoral degrees may open doors to higher-paying career opportunities. Nevertheless, earning a doctorate is an expensive, demanding, and time-consuming process. Before enrolling in an online PhD program, it's worth examining the pros and cons. Below are some of the benefits: 

• Doctoral students may gain a set of practical and life skills — such as effective financial management, future career planning, and self-motivation — in addition to in-depth professional knowledge.
• Given that doctoral degree holders are rare , they are typically recognized as experts or leaders in their field of study. 
• Those who value constant learning, personal growth, and career advancement may find advanced study to be personally enriching.

So, Is an Online Doctorate Worth It?

Like any educational investment, the worth of an online doctorate depends, in part, on personal circumstances, career goals, familial responsibilities, finances, and learning style. However, as a highly specialized and advanced degree, a doctorate comes with distinctive benefits and challenges of its own.

There are a limited number of professions that require a doctorate. However, those that do, such as doctors or lawyers, tend to be well compensated, so pursuing a doctoral program in these fields may yield a high return on investment. By contrast, the outlook for academic doctoral candidates is less promising with both salaries and the number of full-time positions decreasing for individuals who want to work in academia. But a PhD may still be worth it for those who love conducting academic research, writing, and teaching. 

Additionally, students who enroll in an online doctorate may benefit from accelerated learning models and complete their degree in as little as three years — considerably sooner than traditional programs. However, online learning may not always offer adequate support. Furthermore, by studying online, students may forgo important sources of financial aid such as research and teaching assistantships.

FAQs on PhD and Doctoral Programs

What is the difference between phds and professional doctorates.

Both PhDs and professional doctorates are terminal degrees: they are both types of doctoral degree programs. 

Although there are variations within advanced degrees, a PhD is generally considered a research degree program that trains students to produce original research, advance knowledge in their field, and prepare for careers in academia or scientific research. By contrast, in a professional doctorate program, students learn to apply their knowledge to real-world situations while studying advanced concepts in disciplines such as medicine, business, or law. 

Can You Earn a Doctorate Online?

Yes, you can earn a doctorate online. Over the last couple of decades, many universities have begun to offer PhD programs online, and there are now hundreds of PhD and professional doctorate online programs for you to choose from. Many accredited online PhD programs are fully remote, allowing students to take online courses and meet other degree requirements at their own pace. Other programs — particularly in the STEM fields — may require occasional campus visits to complete labs or meet faculty. 

How Demanding Is a PhD?

It can be extremely challenging to complete a PhD program. Many doctoral students find the advanced coursework to be mentally demanding, and they often face financial and emotional stressors, resulting in  anxiety or depression . A strong support network, realistic expectations, and clear goals may help doctoral candidates retain a positive outlook during their higher education journey. 

For more information on coping with mental and emotional challenges while earning a degree, see our mental health guide for college students .

Which Doctorate Is the Highest In Demand?

In recent years, some world economy experts have predicted that graduates with PhDs may experience job shortages and career insecurity in academia. However, the BLS expects several doctoral degrees to remain in high demand through the end of this decade. One example is a PhD in any high-growth STEM field, where a doctorate may increase job opportunities. Additionally, demand for JD graduates and nurses with a doctoral education also remains strong.

Can I Earn My Doctorate Without a Master's?

Yes, depending on the type of degree and subject, you can earn a doctorate without first earning a master's degree . In fact, many PhD programs incorporate all of the master's-level and doctoral-level coursework into one program, allowing bachelor's degree holders to enter directly into a doctoral program.

Why Trust Us?

27 Data Researchers

60,000 Degrees Researched Annually

20,000 Hours Spent on Research Annually

Launching Rankings Since 2009

Related Articles

2024 best online phd programs for counseling.

Compare the best online PhD and doctoral programs for counseling and explore popular colleges with large online enrollments.

By OnlineU Staff Writers | 8/14/2023

2024 Best Online PhDs in Health Sciences

Explore the best online PhD programs in health science and schools with large online enrollments.

By OnlineU Staff Writers | 8/9/2023

2024 Best Online PhDs in Management

Find the best online PhD programs in management based on the popularity of each online doctoral degree in 2023.

By OnlineU Staff Writers | 7/25/2023

OnlineU has over 200 partner colleges that advertise on our site. Search results include only our partner colleges, which are marked with the word "Ad."  Learn more  about how we make money. "> ADVERTISEMENT

Start Your Online College Search:

Review schools that align with your career aspirations.

Online Ph.D. Programs and Doctorates

Editor & Writer

www.bestcolleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Turn Your Dreams Into Reality

Take our quiz and we'll do the homework for you! Compare your school matches and apply to your top choice today.

Online Ph.D. programs and doctorates can be challenging — but they're often worth the cost and effort , especially if you have a clear passion and career path in mind. With a doctorate, you can become an expert in your field and qualify for leadership roles in academia, research, professional settings, and the government sector.

Whether you're considering a doctorate in nursing , computer science, education, or business, an online program can help you maintain flexibility while achieving your goals.

Keep reading to learn about the different types of doctorates and Ph.D. programs available online. We'll cover popular subjects you can study and what jobs you can get after earning your degree.

Doctorate vs. Ph.D.: How Do They Differ?

Many people use the terms "Ph.D." and "doctorate" interchangeably, but they don't necessarily mean the same thing.

A doctorate, or doctoral degree, is the highest educational credential you can achieve. Typically, a doctorate takes 4-7 years to earn, though this length can vary depending on your field and program.

Doctorates come in many forms. Professional doctorates are geared toward specific roles and industries. For example, an aspiring business professional might earn a doctor of business administration (DBA), while a budding physician would need to enroll in a doctor of medicine (MD) program.

A doctor of philosophy, or Ph.D., is a specific type of doctorate focused primarily on academic research. Ph.D. students are expected to conduct original research and add to their field's discourse. Most Ph.D. programs also require you to write and defend a dissertation .

All Ph.D.s are doctorates, but not all doctorates are Ph.D.s.

Online Doctorate Programs That Might Interest You

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Explore Online Ph.D. Programs and Doctorates by Subject

Select the jump links below to learn more about the different subjects you can study in an online doctoral program.

Earning an online doctor of business administration (DBA), Ph.D. in business, or Ph.D. in accounting can give you the credibility and expertise needed to expand into managerial roles at companies and organizations.

In addition to qualifying you for promotions to C-suite positions like CEO and CFO, a doctorate in business allows you to teach at the college level, go into research, or even become president of a college. Most DBA and Ph.D. in business programs require 3-6 years of study.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), chief executives earned a median salary of nearly $190,000 in 2022.

Best Doctorate in Business Administration Programs

By Bennett Leckrone

Best Online Doctorate in Organizational Leadership Programs 2024

By Evan Thompson

Best Online Doctorate in Human Resources

By Meg Whitenton

Criminal Justice & Legal

In an online Ph.D. in criminal justice program, you can choose from concentrations in areas such as forensic science , homeland security, criminal justice policy, criminology , and juvenile justice.

Typically, you'll spend 4-8 years completing degree requirements. Potential careers with a doctorate in criminal justice include criminal justice professor, forensic scientist, law enforcement leader, and policy analyst.

If you're interested in law , you can also get a juris doctor (JD). This professional degree is the minimum requirement to become a lawyer . According to the BLS, lawyers earned a median salary of $135,740 in 2022.

Best Online Doctorate in Criminal Justice Programs

Is a jd-mba program right for me.

By Emily Gillespie-Lord

How Much Does Law School Cost?

By Lyss Welding

Interested in education administration or other education leadership roles? Then you might want to consider getting an online doctor of education (Ed.D.) or Ph.D. in education .

These programs can prepare you to develop curricula, oversee a school or school district, conduct research on educational theory, or teach the next generation of educators at a college or university. Unlike other doctoral programs, you can complete an Ed.D. in as little as two years.

One of the highest-paying roles you can get with an Ed.D. or Ph.D. in education is postsecondary education administrator. These professionals take home a median salary of $99,940 (BLS, May 2022).

Doctorate in Education Program Guide

Best online doctorate in educational leadership programs, doctorate in curriculum and instruction program guide.

By Marni Davimes

Healthcare plays a large role in the economy, and the number of jobs in this sector continues to increase. Earning an online doctorate in healthcare can put you on the path to becoming a medical provider or securing leadership roles at hospitals, clinics, and more.

If you want to become a medical provider, such as a physical therapist , you'll likely need to complete any clinical or practicum requirements in person. In contrast, a doctorate in a subject like healthcare administration or healthcare management can qualify you for high-level positions without necessarily requiring in-person training.

Healthcare roles are some of the highest-paid jobs in the U.S., according to the BLS. For example, physical therapists and occupational therapists both earned median salaries of over $90,000 in 2022.

Best Online Doctorate in Physical Therapy Programs

By Staff Writers

Best Online Doctorate of Public Health Programs

By Juliann Scholl, Ph.D.

Best Online Doctorate of Audiology Programs

By Meg Embry

Humanities & Social Sciences

The humanities and social sciences cover a wide array of subjects, including English literature, anthropology, political science, communication, public administration, and economics.

Earning a Ph.D. in one of these fields usually means you plan to work in academia or research, though some graduates find work in professional or government roles. Most online humanities and social sciences Ph.D. programs take 5-7 years to complete and require you to submit a dissertation.

College professors earned a median salary of $80,840 (BLS, May 2022). Some of the highest-paid humanities and social sciences professors are economics teachers and anthropology teachers.

Online Doctorate in Public Administration Programs

Best doctorate in journalism programs.

By Tessa Cooper

Best Doctorate in Mass Communication and Media Studies Programs

By Alison Plaut

Looking to advance your nursing career? With a doctorate in nursing, you can move into advanced practice, leadership, and academic roles.

A graduate degree in nursing pays off for many students. Nurses with a doctorate often work in high-paying, in-demand advanced practice roles. With a doctor of nursing practice (DNP), you can become a nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, or nurse practitioner .

These in-demand nursing careers report a median annual salary of $125,900 (BLS, May 2022). Advanced practice nurses also benefit from high demand, with 38% projected job growth from 2022-2032.

By pursuing a Ph.D. or other doctorate in nursing, you can also qualify for roles like nursing professor and nurse researcher.

Best Online DNP Programs

By Doug Wintemute

Best Doctorate in Nurse Anesthetist Programs

Best online nursing ph.d. programs, psychology & counseling.

If you have a passion for mental health, an online doctorate in psychology or counseling could be right for you. Earning a Ph.D. in one of these subjects qualifies you to work with clients of various ages, identities, and backgrounds.

To become a clinical psychologist , you must have a Ph.D. in psychology or a doctor of psychology (Psy.D.) degree, in addition to getting state licensure. You can choose from many types of psychology for your degree, such as forensic, school, or clinical psychology.

Psychologists take home a median salary of $85,330 (BLS, May 2022). Jobs for psychologists are also projected to grow by 6% between 2022 and 2032, which is faster than average.

Online Doctorate in Psychology Programs of 2024

Best psy.d. programs online [apa accredited].

By Genevieve Carlton, Ph.D.

Doctorate in Counseling Programs

By James Mielke

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

Prepare for cutting-edge STEM careers with a doctorate in a science, technology, engineering, or math field.

As a doctoral student, you can advance your expertise in areas such as biomedical engineering, artificial intelligence , and materials science. You'll take advanced coursework in your specialty and conduct original dissertation research to earn your STEM degree .

With a doctorate, you can become a computer scientist , mathematician, or college professor. And STEM professors tend to earn high salaries . Engineering professors, for example, earn a median annual salary of $103,550, while earth and space professors make $97,770 (BLS, May 2022).

Best Doctorate in Industrial Engineering Programs

By Thomas Broderick

How to Get a PhD in AI

Best online doctorate in data science programs.

By Shauna Blackmon

Social Work

A doctorate prepares you for top careers in social work . While you need a master's degree to become a licensed social worker , a doctorate can advance your policymaking, research, and leadership abilities.

A Ph.D. in social work prepares graduates for academic and research roles, including as a college professor. Meanwhile, a doctor of social work (DSW) emphasizes clinical practice and prepares graduates for leadership roles.

With a DSW, you can lead social work organizations and mentor clinical social workers. You can also play a key role in setting policy. Social and community services managers report a median salary of $74,240 , with a faster-than-average projected job growth (BLS, May 2022).

Best Online Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) Programs

Dsw vs. ph.d. in social work: what are the differences, fields of social work: top career paths as a social worker, how much do online ph.d. programs and doctorates cost.

The cost of an online doctorate can add up, especially when you're typically spending at least three years in your doctoral program.

On average, graduate tuition and fees cost around $20,510 in 2021-2022, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

But tuition costs vary widely, with public schools averaging $12,600 per year in tuition and fees and private nonprofit institutions averaging $29,930. When factoring in other expenses, the total cost for a doctorate can increase to over $40,000 per year .

Several factors can affect costs, including the program length and school; however, you'll likely have many funding options in an accredited doctoral program. In fact, according to numbers shared by the Urban Institute, over 70% of doctoral students receive grant aid .

You might also qualify for scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships to cover costs. And don't forget: You can take out federal loans as a doctoral student.

What Can You Do With an Online Ph.D. or Doctorate?

Earning an online Ph.D. or doctorate signals to employers your industry expertise and commitment to developing your skills and knowledge. It can also lead to rewarding leadership roles, many of which boast above-average salaries .

Here are some popular roles you can get with an online doctorate.

Is an Online Doctoral Degree Worth It?

For many students, earning an online doctorate is worth it for several reasons.

In addition to opening the door to professional leadership opportunities, these degrees routinely provide a pathway to higher salaries. Online programs can also offer increased flexibility for students with full-time jobs, children, or other commitments.

According to the BLS, people with a bachelor's degree as their highest credential earned a median salary of around $74,000 in 2022, while those with a master's degree earned a median salary of around $86,000.

However, people with a doctoral degree earned much more, with a median annual salary of around $108,000. This means doctorate-holders earn about $22,000 more each year than those with master's degrees — and a whopping $34,000 more than those with bachelor's degrees.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Ph.D. Programs and Doctorates

• Collapse All

Can you do a Ph.D. completely online?

Yes, you can earn a Ph.D. in a fully online format. Many doctoral programs in business, education, healthcare, and STEM use an online learning format. In these programs, you'll complete coursework in a virtual learning environment while meeting any hands-on or clinical requirements in your local area.

Online doctorates from accredited programs meet the same high academic standards and licensure requirements as in-person doctoral programs.

Are online Ph.D. programs and doctorates respected?

Yes, online doctorates are respected. These degrees feature the same curricula and content as on-campus programs. However, since online degrees can't always provide the same type of instruction and interaction as on-campus programs, some fields — particularly medical ones — do not provide 100% online options.

How long do online Ph.D. programs take?

The typical online Ph.D. program takes 4-7 years to complete. Depending on your course load and schedule, the program may extend beyond that timeline. You may take longer to complete your research and dissertation, for example.

What is the easiest Ph.D. to get?

All Ph.D. and doctoral programs require dedication and stamina to make it through advanced academic courses. That said, Ed.D. programs tend to take less time than other doctorates, meaning you can put your degree to work more quickly.

The difficulty of a doctoral degree ultimately depends on your skills, interests, and career goals, as well as on the specific requirements of each program.

Which Ph.D. is most in demand?

According to BLS data, many positions in healthcare, business, and technology are projected to rank among the fastest-growing jobs in the coming decade . Professionals with advanced degrees in these areas will be needed to fill a large number of open roles.

Explore More College Resources

Ask a professor: should you take time off before grad school, busting the 10 biggest myths about grad school, how to write a dissertation: step-by-step guide.

BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Compare Your School Options

View the most relevant schools for your interests and compare them by tuition, programs, acceptance rate, and other factors important to finding your college home.

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

• View all journals
• Explore content
• About the journal
• Publish with us
• Sign up for alerts
• CORRESPONDENCE
• 02 April 2024

How can we make PhD training fit for the modern world? Broaden its philosophical foundations

• Ganesh Alagarasan 0

Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Tirupati, India.

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

You have highlighted how PhD training assessment has stagnated, despite evolving educational methodologies (see Nature 613 , 414 (2023) and Nature 627 , 244; 2024 ). In particular, you note the mismatch between the current PhD journey and the multifaceted demands of modern research and societal challenges.

Access options

Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals

Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription

24,99 € / 30 days

cancel any time

Subscribe to this journal

Receive 51 print issues and online access

185,98 € per year

only 3,65 € per issue

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Nature 628 , 36 (2024)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-00969-x

Competing Interests

The author declares no competing interests.

Related Articles

See more letters to the editor

• Research management
• Scientific community

The neuroscientist formerly known as Prince’s audio engineer

Career Feature 14 MAR 24

This geologist communicates science from the ski slopes

Career Q&A 11 MAR 24

No installation required: how WebAssembly is changing scientific computing

Technology Feature 11 MAR 24

Allow researchers with caring responsibilities ‘promotion pauses’ to make research more equitable

Correspondence 02 APR 24

Research assessments are still not fit for purpose — here’s how to change things

World View 02 APR 24

How scientists are making the most of Reddit

Career Feature 01 APR 24

Adopt universal standards for study adaptation to boost health, education and social-science research

Africa’s postdoc workforce is on the rise — but at what cost?

Career Feature 02 APR 24

Postdoctoral Associate- Cell Biology

Houston, Texas (US)

Baylor College of Medicine (BCM)

Head of ClinicalTrials.gov

National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Library of Medicine (NLM) National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Information Engineering...

Washington D.C. (US)

National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP IN SYSTEMS BIOLOGY: PRECISION VACCINE PROGRAM (PVP) - BOSTON CHILDREN'

The Data Management and Analysis Core (DMAC) within the Precision Vaccine Program (PVP) at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School (H...

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston Children's Hospital - Department of Pediatrics

2024 Recruitment notice Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology: Shenzhen, China

The wide-ranging expertise drawing from technical, engineering or science professions...

Shenzhen,China

Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology

Global Talent Recruitment (Scientist Positions)

Global Talent Gathering for Innovation, Changping Laboratory Recruiting Overseas High-Level Talents.

Beijing, China

Changping Laboratory

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Quick links

• Explore articles by subject
• Guide to authors
• Editorial policies