Online PhD: Basic Information

Doctor of Philosophy or PhD degree is considered the highest education level attainable by graduate students. This degree is offered in various fields of knowledge including education, philosophy, psychology, public administration, nursing, health, business, arts, and engineering. It can be taken both offline and online. The following article delves into online PhD in Great Britain or UK.

Online PhD – Universities

It can be noted that United Kingdom is notable in providing educational opportunities to its students. Practically, you might find it difficult to grab these chances through traditional school enrollment if you already have a family, you are already adult, or you are already working. However, this can now be addressed through the proliferation of online PhD being offered by a number of colleges or universities in the country.

Online PhD – Famous Schools

History accounts the University of London as the first school to offer a degree through distance learning throughout the world. It is noted that a lot of soldiers enroll in the External Program during World War II as the Geneva Convention rules that prisoners of war be permitted to receive mail such as packages. In fact, it notes that about 11,000 exams were taken at over 88 prison camps across the country between 1940 and 1945.

However, several people were not able to attend traditional school because of geographic location and cost. This learning allows an educated population to become highly educated. This can be seen in the survey showing that the country is first in the rank in terms of academic institutions providing PhD through online education as of August 2009. Cost serves as the most appealing benefit that students may attain from this doctoral degree. It is true that online education is less costly than its traditional counterpart. However, the cost referred here is not just money itself, but it also includes time. Another advantage of taking up this degree is to boost the career of the students. It also benefits the society by permitting those who were unable to take the course.

Attending to any educational institution in this country would be the best option for those who wish to attain an accredited online PhD. The country prides itself to have a reputation of solid foundation to reach your academic objectives in online education for over 150 years. It notes that most PhD study here is independently and most of the coursework, study and research ended up to dissertation writing or other published works. It does not even require specific number of years for residency under a great learning system that can be accessed easily at a limited time. The PhD programs offered here come from well-established educational institutions.

After an initial online PhD from any college is granted, graduates will now have great potential in advanced doctorates. This is the time when allowing students to continue their work is more cost-effective and practical. This will qualify them to take studies and complete the required publication and coursework with minimum traditional education investment.

Doctorate Degree in Optometry

Generally, to have an education in optometry requires a graduate and an undergraduate degree. Most optometrists can be found working in private practice, while some of them have specialization in specific areas, such as in geriatrics or pediatrics. This is the time when high level of academic attainment is necessary, specifically a Doctorate Degree or a PhD. This advanced course requires students great investment, in terms of money and time. In fact, some educational institutions provide programs that are designed to cater the needs of diverse students.

Doctorate Degree – Graduation

It is a standard to attain a bachelor’s degree before starting this doctoral program. This course usually takes four years to be fully-completed. It has a number of undergraduate coursework requirements before successful admission including areas in education, biology, health, physics, chemistry, and mathematics. However, this degree is not just limited to these subjects as you can also take any other major courses as long as students are able to complete all the required coursework. Interested applicants for this degree program should take the admissions test that is designed to assess the academic ability and scientific comprehension of the students in general chemistry, physics, biology, organic chemistry, quantitative reasoning, and reading comprehension.

Doctorate Degree -Course Work Structure

Doctorate Degree in this field of study focuses on the structure, function, and diseases or disorders of the eye. This can be achieved after four more years of study after completing students’ undergraduate work and obtaining admission to an accredited school for this field. The graduate coursework for this doctoral degree includes study in the areas of physiology, human anatomy, eye diseases, vision and vision disorders, biochemistry, and systemic diseases that may affect the eye.

Research in this doctoral degree puts emphasis on the normal and abnormal processes in vision, eye disorders and diseases, and visual pathways. Students in this degree work on various ways to keep vision loss in different approaches, which may have a wide range from molecular and cellular to optical or behavioral.

After attaining their doctorate Degree, some optometrists get involve in residency programs to advance their preparation beyond their entry-level practice. This residency usually lasts at least 12 months. Among the residency concentrations for this post-graduate study are vision therapy and rehabilitation, primary eye care, and pediatrics, family practice and geriatrics.

All optometrists are also required to take part in continuing studies so that they will be updated with new information about this field and maintain their licenses.

Among the reputable schools offering Doctorate Degree in this field study include the Indiana University, the Ohio State University, the State University of New York, and the University of Houston. These accredited colleges and universities offering this course maybe affiliated with hospitals, clinics, and military institutions. This approach may help graduates of the course have a venue to have practical experience their profession through internship programs. This may also give them greater chance to be absorbed by these institutions if they conform to the performance of the students during internship.

Part-Time PhD

Every undertaking and every dream we wish for in life is not that easy to achieve. Education is no exemption and taking it to the highest level is quiet challenging.

Part-Time PhD

Pursuing your academic endeavor in PhD degree is a lengthy task, which requires a lot of responsibilities and self-discipline. This program can be taken in a full-time or part-time or as a distance PhD, depending on your availability.

Part-Time PhD – Admission Tips

This article deals with Part-time PhD, its specific study areas or specializations and the things to be considered to help PhD students get their PhD successfully.

• Ensure that your school and its committee allow you to get Part-time PhD. It is not advisable for you to take this mileage if the members of your committee, especially your major professor, are not supportive to you.

• Select an area of knowledge that you are passionate about. This will give you a fighting spirit of getting the course, notwithstanding your other commitments in life such as your work or family. In fact, you will be physically ill or depressed if you are prevented from working on a course that you really wanted to pursue.

• Motivate yourself by striving for a full personal alignment. See to it that the topic you chose to study for PhD is aligned with your job so that you can make it through, both your PhD and work. Do not just focus into either your job or studies, unless the circumstance really demands for it. This is especially true in case you do not have passion in your preferred field of specification.

• Ensure the relevance of your study field to your committee to avoid having trouble in keeping your committee intact. This is very true for Part-time PhD students as your primary goal is to have your committee together for longer time than being a full-time PhD student. However, there are difficulties that you may encounter here. One difficulty you may encounter is that the duration of most funded projects tends to be appropriate for full-time programs, rather than the part-time programs. Another difficulty is the fact that you need to be first out with certain topic to be eligible for the degree. Remember that being first is not that easy to maintain as there are many other students who strive to win.

• Strive to fund you own studies. It will not be significant for your work to be included in the currently funded projects of your committee if you are paying it yourself or through other grant or scholarship. Your work in this case may serve as a chance for you committee to explore a new area that allows you to identify whether or not this area is sufficient for further funded work. Remember the fact that you are a part-time student with a daily job. If you are paying your own education cost, you will be free from the coercion of project durations for customary research.

• Have tolerance in uncertainties as PhD students usually encounter high degrees of uncertainty.

Despite the disadvantages mentioned above, taking Part-time PhD while working can be a great and enjoyable experience if you will just do your part as a student.

How to Get a PhD in Computer Science Online

PhD serves as the highest achievable academic degree representing the top intellectual attainment and knowledge or expertise. It is offered in a wide variety of programs including education, pharmacy, engineering, nursing, humanities, business management, arts, public administration, computer science, IT and Technology.

PhD in Computer Science – Admission Tips

PhD in Computer Science – Graduation

This article will focus on PhD in Computer Science and on how to be admitted in this course. This doctorate course is highly regarded as the key to get the most lucrative jobs in the field of technology. It is not an easy task to get enrolled in this course, but it is very much possible. Below are some of the essential and helpful tips that you may follow for a successful entry to this course:

• Make a firm decision as to the specific course that you would like to pursue, the cost of its tuition, the time to complete the course, its residency requirements, the specialties of its available faculty or staff, and its flexible options.
• Be careful and cautious in choosing PhD in Computer Science course according to what you would want to do after completing it. For example, if your company pays for the course, its cost will probably be less significant. Meanwhile, if you opt to teach in an educational institution, school prestige is of utmost relevant.
• Assess the school where you want to be enrolled by talking to its alumni. Try to ask them what interest them to take the course, their disappointments or concerns, and whether or not they are confident enough to recommend the institution to their friends. Keep in mind that it is of the school’s objective to have advocates in the network of its alumni.
• Try to read academic papers published and generated by PhD in Computer Science students. You can be certain that the faculty of the school is experts in the updated technology if its students strengthen computer science theory and technology.
• Anticipate the time that you will be spending in your PhD since this course is quite challenging even in best times. Be better prepared to spend your free and leisure time in your studies online.
• Before starting your course, make sure you have sufficient support structure at work and at home as well as the availability of appropriate tools in integrating with your fellow virtual students.
• It is very vital for you to have plenty of time keep up on your work and on your industry by quickly computing the changes in your studies.
• Because you prefer to get your PhD program online, you have to bear or pay the entire cost of your studies unless you have a sponsor or study grant or scholarship, which is not usually available for online PhDs. The average cost for the course usually reached about $740 in each semester hour excluding technology and other school fees.

Get a PhD in Computer Science now and land in your ever-dreamed job such as an information scientist, software engineer, chief information officer (CIO), computer and information systems manager, and computer scientist.

Distance PhD in India

PhD is generally defined as the highest level of education offered to students who wish to enhance their knowledge and expertise in specific study area. It is offered offline or online and Part-time PhD in various colleges or universities throughout the world. The following article will delve into the Distance PhD in India.

Distance PhD

Just like any countries across the globe, this country also offers distance learning PhD programs to interested students in various disciplines such as public administration, education, humanities, engineering, communication, business management, industrial development, and arts. However, this level of education is requires a lot of research work and reading. This suggests that pursuing distance learning in PhD allows you to save a lot of time and provides other conveniences such as your own time and location.

It can be noted that the country initially offered Distance PhD program to foster higher education in rural communities and became more notable worldwide. Private universities or colleges and the country’s Open Universities in different states offer distance learning PhD programs.

Every student has their own reason in selecting distance learning, primarily its cost. Distance learning is remarkable for its being cheaper than on-campus study environment. It enables you to complete the entire coursework on your specified schedule without going to the class in person. It is often notable among nontraditional students such as working students, working parents, and those who do not have means of transportation going to school campus. Many Americans also prefer to take their distance learning PhD degree here since English is the medium of instruction in this country.

Distance PhD – Eligibility

The criteria for eligibility for Distance PhD varies depending on the college or university where you are enrolled. One criterion is the submission of a thesis and defending it in front of a panel of experts on your field of study. Another requirement for this programme is a successful completion of advanced courses in line with your study field. You will be required to hold a master’s in philosophy. Many other accredited educational institutions may also require you to take specific amount of coursework in a certain subject.

With the continuous growth of our modern society, along with the technological advancement, more and more students opt to get their PhD by means of distance learning. One reason here is that distance learning PhD meets the demands and needs of individuals who were not able to attend their on-campus classes due to financial constraints or other commitments in life. Another reason is that distance learning saves students’ time as they are not restrained to the classroom for several hours in a daily basis. It also offers expansive and new options of institutions for distance learning.

Among the Indian Distance Learning institutes offering distance learning PhD include Annamalai University, Central Institute of English & Foreign Languages, Dr. BR Ambedkar Open University, Indira Gandhi National Open University, International Institute of Information Technology, Indian Institute of Science, Karnataka State Open University, Kota Open University, Netaji Subhas Open University, Pondicherry University, and Yashwatrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU).

Distance PhD may give you greater chances of having careers in various private sector offices, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), or government agencies or organizations.

PhD Scholarships in Denmark

In this country, PhD students work under favorable terms as they are employed full-time for three years and their salary can be used to cover all the essential cost of living and accommodation and live an active life. Just like any countries across the globe (such as in the U.S., Victoria, China, or Germany), colleges and universities here also offer PhD scholarships to deserving students and those who are financially constrained. These scholarships are made available to all students, either local or international/overseas.

PhD Scholarships – Graduation

PhD scholarships in this country usually have duration of three years. The students awarded with these scholarships are expected to complete their study program and land good job. In fact, their future employment is covered by a collective agreement based on the country. The assessment for their academic performance will be determined by their research potential. The results of their scholarship exams will be evaluated by the specific commission or body for examinations.

PhD Scholarships – Requirements

Like the college scholarships, interested applicants for PhD scholarships are required to submit the scholarship application form, application letter their motivation for the scholarship being applied, graduate diploma with a list of their grades, copies of relevant degrees earned and scientific papers made, curriculum vitae, project description of their chosen field of study for a maximum of five pages, and other pertinent documents and materials depending on the educational institution or agency offering the scholarships. The research proposal is also required and should include suitable title, brief background of the preferred study area, initiating problem, ideas to solve the problem, challenges to be encountered in the project, sketch of time and work plan, and a maximum of five primary references.

The scholarship applications will be evaluated by certain assessment committee and the applicants will be entitled to receive the assessment through a letter of notification of announcement in publications offline or online.

Usually, PhD stipends are awarded to individuals who are holders of master’s degree for a period of three years. The Ministerial Order of the country points out that the progress of the PhD student will be evaluated once every six months. The approval of the scholarship application at the time of the evaluation serves as a prerequisite for the salary payment continuation.

For instance, the Department of Management at Aarhus University’s Aarhus School of Business offers PhD scholarship since March 1, 2010. The Department even invites applicants for its PhD in the field of regional development and entrepreneurship, which is being funded by the Regional Development Council. The successful PhD student for this position will join a dedicated group of junior and senior researchers in entrepreneurship from the university and the business school. Meanwhile, the successful applicants for the international scholarships of the school are expected to earn a fundamental Danish working knowledge during the course of their PhD.

Other than the PhD scholarships, PhD fellows are also made available for students. The PhD fellow appointment and salary are provided at the January 11, 2006 circular of the Ministry of Finance concerning the Collective Agreement for Academics in Denmark, specifically in Appendix 5 and the Ministry of Finance Circular of June 13, 2007.

PhD in Finance

PhD degree program is regarded as the highest level of education attainable by students. PhD programs are offered at a wide range of study areas in education, pharmaceutical, finance, engineering, humanities, arts, nursing, business management, public administration. Any requirement for these programmes may vary from college to college. For the purpose specified in the title, this article will discuss on PhD in Finance and its topics.

• Banking

PhD in Finance – Graduation

Banking in finance includes the activities of banks and associated organizations such as central banks, commercial banks, investment banks and other financial or lending institutions. Good topics in banking explore how banks establish and expand wealth through loans and other financial instruments. These topics may include money creation, loan risk assessment models, and fractional reserve banking.

• Investment Management

PhD in Finance, specifically investment management refers to a study on how investors can make use of the returns through portfolio strategy and security analysis. This study delves into the attainment of investments and the measurement of portfolio investments. The viable dissertation topics in this online PhD/on-site PhD may include hedging models, mutual funds, and portfolio diversification theory.

• Corporate Finance

This is the PhD that focuses on corporations’ way of capital allocation or appropriation for business. It may include investment financing, dividend policy, balance sheet analysis, capital structuring, and stock valuation. A good dissertation topic for corporate finance investigates one or more of the mentioned topics associated to corporate profit or growth. These may include the advantages and disadvantages of share buybacks, examining financial performance ratios, and assessing the benefits of equity financing.

• Financial Mathematics

The PhD in Finance in financial mathematics study focuses on the mathematics in finance. This study strengthens models concerning the value of financial instruments in various industrial sectors. Its dissertation tries to draw new mathematical applications from a theorem in this study depending on the college or university where this study is taken. Possible topics for financial mathematics include the Black-Scholes model, theorem of arbitrage-free pricing, and portfolio optimization theory.

• Personal Finance

This finance course focuses on how people handle their money and appropriate capital for investment in a business venture. It investigates the financial behavior of individuals rather than that of organizations. For a good dissertation, this study looks at one or more financial decisions encountered by individuals and measures the advantages and disadvantages of courses in certain curriculum.

• Financial Regulation

Financial regulation refers to the use of law as guide for the conduct of market partakers and impose penalty for those who will be involved in disputed activity. It affects the financial performance and market behavior of those involved under the regulation. A good dissertation topic for this study deals with financial regulation that investigates the effect of certain law on market performance and behavior.

• Financial Markets

Generally, financial markets are places where assets can be purchased and marketed. These markets are considered significant as identifiers of price and value and as exchange of stock exchange. PhD in Finance examines the structure of stock, currency, bond, and derivative markets. It is important to note that apart from PhD in Business, you can also do a DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) from a UK University.

Application for Doctoral Programs Admission

Students applying for any degree program are no different from tertiary education applicants who have ample of requirements before being admitted. The admission requirements for Doctoral Programs may vary from degree to degree and from school to school. These programs are available in various study fields including business, public administration, nursing, humanities, engineering, and accounting.

Doctoral Programs – Course Requirements

Doctoral Programs – Graduation

Generally, students who are interested to apply for doctoral degree should have, but not limited to have earned a master’s degree; Graduate Point Average (GPA) score of at least 3.0; introduction letter stating their career objective and personal history that includes their goals and motivations; work experience in the specific field that they would like to pursue; resume or curriculum vitae; two sets of official transcripts to be submitted from each college or university attended in a sealed envelop from its Registrar’s office; two recommendation letters; and English proficiency evidence proving the English fluency of international students through their acceptable scores in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Meanwhile, there are schools that offer international students exemption from the TOEFL/IELTS requirements provided that they have attained a master’s or baccalaureate degree from their recognized educational institutions in places such as the United States, England, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Wales, Liberia, New Zealand, and Scotland. There are certain Doctoral Programs that may require international students to have achieved IELTS or TOEFL scores notwithstanding their country of origin and academic history.

Doctoral degree applicants are required to have at least two years experience in vocational guidance, industrial training, vocational education and work experience in related course they have decided to study or related experience that is acceptable to the faculty. The applicants are expected to exhibit their competency in academics, effectiveness in interpersonal relations, and oral and written communications.

The advancement and qualification of the students to degree program are contingent upon their successful passage of PhD coursework, designation of a research advisor, and preparation and defense of written research proposal. Some Doctoral Programs may also require subject-comprehensive examination as a proof for a coursework and knowledge of other essential study fields. Candidacy advancement may take two years for students entering with a master’s degree and three years for those with bachelor’s degree.

Students are required to have at least six credit hours of actual PhD coursework beyond the master’s degree and 30 additional credit hours for those entering with bachelor’s degree. There are degree programs implementing diagnostic entrance examinations and consider it as their basis for enrollment. There are also additional deficiency courses to be imposed to students with master’s degree from another major or degree program of their chosen field of study.

Doctoral Programs may also require applicants to earn 60 credit hours for dissertation research other than the actual coursework credit of a minimum of six credit hours during the first and second phases of the coursework. Other schools may also require residency of at least two years for students with master’s degree and three years for those with three years of residency.

PhD in Psychology at the University of Bath

The Mphil and PhD in Psychology at the University of Bath encompasses three areas of research. Among these research areas are health psychology, applied cognition and technology, and social processes.

PhD in Psychology – Graduation

Students under this course should conduct supervised research in a certain field of knowledge that interests them most. They are required to write their research as a valuable thesis for use by students who also want to further their knowledge and expertise. The final stage of this course is in the form of oral and examination requiring students to produce and defend their thesis to the university’s Board of Examiners.

The applicants of this PhD in psychology are required to write their own research proposal covering information or details of two supervisors who might consider your application for the course. Your application should best describe how their research interests complement the interests of the supervisors. You should mention in your application whether or not you have already contacted them. Mention how your undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications or eligibility and work experience help you prepare for the research that you want to conduct and the reason that you opt to study at the university. Ensure that your proposal will not exceed over four pages in length and should include a short description of your research’s objectives, historical background, investigation methods, and benefits to research.

PhD in Psychology – Duration

This PhD in Psychology is made available in a full-time or part-time basis. It can be completed full-time from one to four years and part-time from two to six years. The university notes that its part-time enrollment for this program is offered to residents of Great Britain or to those who can be available for personal supervision at least once or thrice in the second semester. By the time this condition fails, the registration for the course will be discontinued automatically.

The entry requirements for this course include undergraduate qualifications, postgraduate qualifications, and two academic references. Interested applicants should have attained a first or upper second class honours degree in the field of psychology or an equivalent of this course from a reputable accredited college. They should have earned a master’s level or any appropriate research training.

The college also accepts applications on a case-by-case basis, where applicants have a combination of published papers or academic work with utmost quality, a significant diploma with high rating, essential professional qualifications, and responsible experience in certain field of study.

Foreign or international students are also required to show evidence of their good English language skills. These students should at least 7.0 rating in their International English Language Testing System (IELTS), 600 at their Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and a score of at least four Test of Written English (TWE) or 100 in Internet-based test.

Application for this PhD in Psychology course can also be done online making a search for a research course that captures your interest, filling out the application form provided in the website, submitting the form, and tracking the application.

Key Facts about Doctorate Degree

A doctorate degree, by definition, is a formal education with the highest level of knowledge and skills.

The degree is usually asked for students or individuals who wish to be in a higher education career as a university professor. The type of doctorate degrees, their titles and benefits vary according to the qualifications set by the degree program, university, and subject matter.

Doctorate Degrees are made available in various fields of study depending on your interest. They are offered in the study areas of public administration, business management, health, arts, engineering, accounting, humanities, nursing, psychology, philosophy, and medicine.

Doctorate Degree Graduation

These doctorate programs can be expensive depending on the school or university and the subject you are interested in. However, there are other ways on how to pursue your college education and obtain doctorate program through scholarships, student funds, and fellowships. You may also apply for financial assistance or any scholarship or fellowship or assistantships that you may be able to attain while studying. Other than financial aid, this will also give you practical experience, expertise, and knowledge to better prepare you for your future career opportunities and employment.

Doctorate Degree – Tips for Selection

If you are considering getting a doctoral degree in a certain field, consider whether a degree is necessary. Gather information or research about your prospective colleges or universities with the best reputation in the field that you have chosen. Keep in mind that these programs can be completed from four to seven years, with extensive researching, reading, and writing. Decide way ahead of time whether or not you should apply to a specific doctoral program.

Typically, eligibility for these degrees requires a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree in certain subject matter. Qualified applicants should have passed the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) and the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). International students should pass the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Pertinent documents such as letters of recommendation, university transcript of records, and curriculum vitae are also required for degree admission.

Getting a doctoral degree can be intellectually fulfilling and satisfying since it requires students to have skills in reading and learning to excel and be an expert in a particular field of specification. Graduate students are also expected to have contribution to their selected field of knowledge through their research in a form of dissertation, which are published as articles in books or academic journals.

Graduates of doctorate degrees usually pursue careers in academics. The degrees may equip graduates to land in great jobs such as in government offices, consulting, research and development, and any other areas in the labor market with promising pay. They may have a better edge in the labor market than other applicants who are not degree holders. These Doctorate Degree may give them prestige with their earned title of doctor, which may open various doors for career opportunities in the higher positions. Most important is the exceptional knowledge gain from this high educational level.