can i do my phd remotely

Can You Get a Ph.D. Online?

Written by Katelynne Shepard , Interviews with Blanca Villagomez

Published: August 29, 2024

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The latest survey on distance learning conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics shows that a little more than 53% of students in college are enrolled in distance learning courses. Online college classes are becoming increasingly popular, and these classes are not just limited to undergraduate programs. Depending on where you attend school and which major you select, you may be able to earn a master’s degree or even a Ph.D. online.

In this guide, you’ll learn the benefits of earning a Ph.D. online, review some of the top schools that offer such programs, and go over everything you need to know about reaching the highest level of education in your field through online classes.

Benefits of Earning a Ph.D.

The most obvious benefit of getting a Ph.D. is that it will likely increase your earning potential. According to a recent Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) study , the average Ph.D. holder earns $2,109 per week. Over a year, that adds up to an annual salary of $109,668. This increase is significantly more than the average income for those who only have a master’s degree ($1,737 per week) or bachelor’s degree ($1,493 per week), and it’s over twice as much as the average income for those who only have a high school diploma ($899 per week).

This BLS study also reveals another benefit of earning a Ph.D. The average unemployment rate for workers with this level of education is just 1.6%, which is lower than the rate for workers with only a master’s degree (2%), bachelor’s degree (2.2%), or high school diploma (3.9%). If you want to increase your income and reduce your unemployment risk as much as possible, consider getting a Ph.D.

Benefits of Earning Your Degree Online

Online degree programs are an excellent option for college students with children, a full-time job, or any other responsibilities outside of school that demand a lot of time and energy. Compared to in-person classes, online classes for a Ph.D. program are much more flexible, making finding time to earn your degree more manageable.

Online classes are easier to work around your personal and work schedule and can be completed at a slower pace. Ph.D. programs are rigorous, and online programs can make this achievement more accessible while still getting the highest quality of education.

Also, some schools charge less for online courses than in-person courses. You should be able to save money by choosing online classes, even if there isn’t any direct per-credit discount. Otherwise, you would likely need to pay for on-campus housing or commute to and from in-person lectures.

100% Online vs. hybrid programs

It should be noted that in-person and 100% online programs aren’t the only formats available for earning a Ph.D. There’s also a third option, hybrid programs, which offer a combination of in-person and online learning.

For example, suppose you are enrolled in a hybrid Ph.D. in Nursing program. In that case, you may be required to participate in on-campus research activities and complete your online coursework. Some degree programs aren’t available in a 100% online format. If you plan to pursue jobs that you can’t do entirely on a computer, such as an archaeologist or conservation scientist, your only options for earning your Ph.D. may be in-person and hybrid programs.

Even if 100% online programs are available for your chosen career path, you may consider attending a hybrid program instead. While this will require occasional trips to campus, sacrificing some convenience may be worth it if you believe participating in hands-on learning activities will help you learn course materials and prepare for your career.

Synchronous vs. asynchronous classes

There are two types of online classes: synchronous and asynchronous. Synchronous courses allow you to attend lectures remotely, ask instructors questions, and interact with other students in real-time. In contrast, asynchronous classes involve completing on-demand assignments, quizzes, and tests at your own pace.

Online students interested in replicating the “traditional” college experience as much as possible should seek out synchronous classes. However, asynchronous classes would be a better option if you’re trying to fit a Ph.D. program into a busy schedule and your highest priority is flexibility.

Which Ph.D. Majors Are Available Online?

It’s worth noting that some Ph.D. majors are available online more often than others. Specifically, the following online Ph.D. programs are offered by a significantly high number of schools:

• Education: In addition to a general Doctorate in Education, many schools offer online programs for more specific majors, such as a Doctorate in Higher Education , a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction , and a Doctorate in Educational Administration .
• Psychology: As of 2021, the top 10% of workers in this field earn over $130,000 . A Ph.D. will help you reach this level of income.
• Organizational Leadership: This versatile major will prepare you for executive roles in a wide range of different industries.

Where Can I Earn a Ph.D. Online?

It’s also worth noting that some schools offer more online Ph.D. programs than others. Many colleges don’t offer any, while some offer various programs. The best schools for earning a Ph.D. online include:

• Azusa Pacific University: This private Christian institution offers hybrid Ph.D. programs in higher education, rehabilitation, and movement science. It stands out as a particularly military-friendly school, offering benefits such as active-duty tuition assistance, ROTC scholarships, and prior learning credits for military experience.
• Nova Southeastern University: Nine online Ph.D. programs are available, including 100% online programs in computer science, criminal justice, and health sciences.
• Keiser University: This school also offers a substantial selection of online Ph.D. programs, with options for psychology, criminal justice, educational leadership, and several other majors.
• University of Florida: Some of the most prestigious colleges in the country offer online Ph.D. programs. The University of Florida, currently ranked as the 29th best school out of 443 national universities by U.S. News , provides online options for a Ph.D. in Classical Civilization and a Ph.D. in Latin and Roman Studies.
• Texas Tech University: Eight 100% online Ph.D. programs are available at Texas Tech’s School of Education. This university offers several hybrid programs, including a Ph.D. in Systems and Engineering Management and a Ph.D. in Technical Communication and Rhetoric.

How to Get a Ph.D. Online

Assuming you have already selected a major and earned a master’s degree in your area of study, you can follow the steps below to get your Ph.D. online:

Determine your needs

Are you only interested in a 100% online program, or are you willing to meet the on-campus requirements of a hybrid program? Do you prefer synchronous classes’ interactivity or asynchronous classes’ flexibility? Before you even start looking for a program, you should first understand what you’re looking for.

Find a matching Ph.D. program

Once you’ve found an online Ph.D. program that meets your needs, you must confirm that you meet all of the program’s requirements as a student. For example, many programs require applicants to have a GPA of at least 3.0 in their master’s degree program. Most PhD programs require students to submit official transcripts from both their bachelor’s and master’s programs. You may need to submit GRE test scores as well.

Enroll in your courses

After you are accepted into an online Ph.D. program, be sure to enroll in each course as soon as possible — otherwise, you might not get a chance to join before all the slots are complete, and this can end up delaying how many semesters it will take for you to earn your Ph.D. In most cases, a faculty member or program coordinator will advise you on which courses to enroll in, especially in the first few terms of the program. They can also let you know if you need to complete any prerequisite courses or orientations before starting the program.

Complete your assignments

Depending on your program, your courses may involve live lectures on video chat platforms, on-demand educational videos, online assignments, and quizzes you can complete at your own pace, plus other remote learning activities. If you’re in a hybrid program, on-campus activities such as seminars, labs, and in-person exams may also be involved.

Finish your dissertation or capstone project

The cornerstone of Ph.D. education is a dissertation or capstone project. Students complete these research-focused projects independently under the guidance of a faculty member. The dissertation process includes several steps: topic proposal and approval, research, writing, and defending your dissertation. Working on this project will take up most of your time in your Ph.D. program, and a successful dissertation defense is critical to earning your Ph.D. Students should be prepared to dedicate much time and energy to their dissertation, complete other assignments on time, and maintain a high GPA to succeed in an online Ph.D. program,

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Ph.D.?

The average cost of a doctorate is $81,900, according to the Education Data Initiative. However, there are various strategies you can use to mitigate this expense. Many institutions offer teaching or research assistantships that give students a discount on tuition and/or a stipend if they’re willing to work for the college while pursuing their degrees. If the school offers online classes at the undergraduate and graduate level, you may even be able to do this in an online format as well. Private scholarships and student loans can also help you pay for a Ph.D.

Is an Online Ph.D. Respected?

While it’s true that in the past online degrees may not have been given the same weight and respect as those earned in in-person programs, this is changing. Today, many online degrees from traditional institutions aren’t labeled as such, and no one would know that you earned your Ph.D. online unless you volunteered the information. As long as the institution is accredited, an online Ph.D. should serve the same as one earned through traditional classes.

Interested in a Different Degree?

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

Best Accredited Online Ph.D. Programs 2024

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A Ph.D., or doctor of philosophy, is the highest level of academic degree that you can attain. Consisting primarily of research, a Ph.D. prepares you for a career in academia or research in the field you study.

Students who choose to pursue a Ph.D. online will find it can be completed in less time. Online students also get the added benefit of being able to complete their work from the comfort of home. The overall cost may also be less compared to an in-person program.

We’ve compiled a list of the best accredited online Ph.D. programs to help you start your search.

Top Schools for Online Accredited Ph.D. Programs

Capitol technology university.

• Campus + Online
• In-State $25,830
• Out-of-state $25,830
• Retention Rate 75%
• Acceptance Rate 47%
• Students Enrolled 796
• Institution Type Private
• Percent Online Enrollment 98%
• Accreditation Yes

Clemson University

• In-State $14,118
• Out-of-state $37,110
• Retention Rate 94%
• Acceptance Rate 49%
• Students Enrolled 27,341
• Institution Type Public
• Percent Online Enrollment 49%

Keiser University

• In-State $20,800
• Out-of-state $20,800
• Retention Rate 72%
• Acceptance Rate 96%
• Students Enrolled 19,861
• Percent Online Enrollment 50%

Mississippi State University

• In-State $9,110
• Out-of-state $24,790
• Retention Rate 81%
• Acceptance Rate 76%
• Students Enrolled 23,086
• Percent Online Enrollment 43%

Nova Southeastern University

• In-State $33,510
• Out-of-state $33,510
• Retention Rate 78%
• Acceptance Rate 93%
• Students Enrolled 20,898
• Percent Online Enrollment 52%

Old Dominion University

• In-State $7,029
• Out-of-state $26,664
• Students Enrolled 23,494
• Percent Online Enrollment 76%

Saybrook University

• In-State $0
• Out-of-state $0
• Retention Rate 0%
• Acceptance Rate 0%
• Students Enrolled 915
• Percent Online Enrollment 100%

Texas Tech University

• In-State $8,935
• Out-of-state $21,204
• Retention Rate 85%
• Acceptance Rate 68%
• Students Enrolled 40,542
• Percent Online Enrollment 68%

Are Online Ph.D. Programs Worth It?

An online Ph.D. program is an ideal choice if you want to balance your career and family responsibilities along with your education.

While there are some preconceived notions that online programs aren’t legitimate, as long as the program you choose is accredited, the degree is the same as one earned in person.

While the annual tuition cost to earn a Ph.D. online averages $12,596 for a public institution and $28,017 for a private university, doctoral graduates enjoy a lower unemployment rate and higher weekly salary than those with less education, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

Did You Know…

• lowest unemployment rates at 1.6%.
• In 2019, research found that 39.8% of graduate students were enrolled in online learning.
• The number of doctorates awarded between 2020 and 2021 dropped by 5.4%.
• Not all Ph.D.-holders end up working in academia.

Does Accreditation Matter for Online Ph.D. Programs?

A college is accredited after being recognized by an independent institution that verifies the school’s courses and programs meet set quality standards.

The school you choose must be accredited in order for your Ph.D. to be recognized by employers , earn professional licensures, and qualify you for federal financial aid.

Legitimate accreditors are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

How Much Does an Online Ph.D. Cost?

In general, you can expect to pay around $13,000-$30,000 per year in tuition and fees for your online Ph.D.

Several factors affect how much your Ph.D. program will cost, including:

• Whether the program is fully funded
• Whether your school is public or private
• Whether you’re an in-state or out-of-state student
• How long your program lasts (most Ph.D. programs take 5-7 years to complete)
• How much financial aid you get

While many in-person and online doctoral programs in the U.S. are fully funded, these tend to be highly competitive.

One way to save money on your online Ph.D. is to attend a program that offers in-state tuition to residents. Make sure you submit the FAFSA each year so you can secure federal financial aid .

You may also need to budget for occasional travel to and from campus and research sites, especially as you work on your dissertation.

What’s the Difference Between a Ph.D. and a Doctorate?

While a Ph.D. and a doctoral degree, or doctorate, both signify the same level of education completed, their uses are different.

Doctorate is the broader term — a Ph.D. is a type of doctorate. Specifically, a Ph.D. is an academic degree that prepares you for a career in research or teaching in your field of study (such as science, English, or economics).

Besides a Ph.D., other types of doctorates include a doctor of medicine (MD), a doctor of education (Ed.D.), and a doctor of psychology (Psy.D.). These degrees are typically used in either an academic or professional setting.

Online Ph.D. Programs That Don’t Require a Dissertation

A dissertation is a final written project culminating in a student’s original research at the end of their Ph.D. program. A dissertation is typically presented and defended by its author. It’s typically required for degrees with an academic or research focus.

Not all Ph.D. programs require a dissertation. For example, some Ph.D. programs in humanities, education, business administration, and criminal justice require simple or no dissertations for a quicker completion time .

What Jobs Can You Get After Earning an Online Ph.D.?

Once you finish your online doctoral program, you can explore a variety of career paths both within and outside academia.

Many Ph.D. graduates, especially those who studied the humanities, go on to become professors. Other popular roles include administrator, scientist, and psychologist.

Graduates of online Ph.D. programs earn a relatively high average base salary of $108,000 a year, according to Payscale .

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Ph.D. Programs

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by Accredited Schools Online. Page last reviewed November 20, 2023.

Online Ph.D. programs provide students with flexible schedules and affordable tuition. Check out the top-ranked programs in this comprehensive guide.

Best Accredited Online Master’s Programs 2024

Best Accredited Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs 2024

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Distance learning / online phds.

So, you’ve decided you want to do a PhD – but there’s a problem. You’re tied down in some way. Perhaps it’s a job, a partner, or children, or simply that you just don’t want to go back to university in the way everyone thinks of postgraduate study as involving.

Well, these days there’s no need to – many universities offer distance learning PhDs! There are plenty of reasons as to why some people choose online postgraduate study  and recently, it’s becoming more and more available. It is still somewhat obviously limited by subject ­ – a PhD in which you’re required to be doing lab-based research is unlikely to be possible via distance learning, but one in which you’re studying Classics? Almost certainly fine! And the great thing is it means you can study your PhD from literally anywhere!

Online study is a great way to get a PhD , but of course, online study isn’t suited to everyone, so before committing you need to make sure that a distance learning PhD program is right for you . You’ll have to be self-motivated, used to managing your time and confident that your current environment is suited for study. Still think it’s the right choice?

Then let’s take a look at...

PhD by Distance Learning

What are the main differences between doing a PhD by distance learning, and one in which you remain on campus? Well, you might be surprised to find out there’s not as many as you think. Unlike undergraduate degrees, where there’s a whole host of lectures, tutorials and classes going on, a PhD is much more self-driven.

As a PhD is research-based, rather than taught, it’s entirely possible to do in a completely different city to your university. The big differences are the environment – you’ll have less access to university resources (such as on-site libraries), a lack of in-person contact with other students perhaps doing similar topics, and you may miss out on relevant seminars. In addition, much of your communication with your PhD supervisor may be done by phone, email or other online methods.

With that said, many universities will require you to spend some time at the university – not a lot, but it’s worth bearing in mind. Many universities these days will also have online resources, meaning you should be able to access plenty of things via the internet, but certainly difficult to track down sources may require travelling!

On the note of supervisors, it’s important to remember that just because you’re doing a distance learning PhD program, doesn’t mean you can just choose anywhere. You’ll still need to ensure the department is good at the area you want to work in, and that you find a supervisor that is suited to you. Although you may not have to have in-person meetings with them, you still need to ensure that it’s someone whose research interests match yours and that you’re comfortable working with. 

Another thing to remember is that you will still have to pay fees. Though distance learning may cut down on your expenses somewhat – the lack of having to move, the possibility of keeping a current job, and so on – you will have to budget accordingly.

A distance learning PhD will still impact on your life significantly – you will have to devote the same amount of hours to research as you would doing at onsite course, and you’ll have to be responsible for your own time.

Common misconceptions about studying a distance learning PhD program

There are a lot of common misconceptions about studying a distance learning PhD, and we detail them further here . However, let’s take a look at two major ones:

#1 Employers won’t consider degrees done by distance learning

Any distance learning PhD program from a particular university will be accredited from that university in an identical manner to someone who studied the PhD on campus. Whilst it may once have been the case that people would have looked at this suspiciously, more and more employers are recognising the worth of online study – and, especially in academia, no one will look twice at the fact your PhD is done via distance learning. You can even spin it in your favour, pointing out the massive amount of organisation it took!

#2 Distance learning means you miss out on student/supervisor interaction

We’ve discussed this briefly before, but most PhD students wouldn’t be seeing their supervisor constantly. Emails and phone communication are becoming more and more popular, and should serve you well for keeping in touch. You can also arrange to visit them occasionally if you do want a meeting with them, and just go up for the day.

So that’s our look at doing a distance learning PhD, we also have some really useful information on distance learning in general as well as studying PhDs .

Related articles

Pros & Cons Of Distance Learning

Studying A Distance Learning Masters Program

Masters Degree Online

Distance Learning MSc

Online MBA Programs

How To Get A PhD

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095: Should I Finish My PhD Remotely?

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A PhD takes years to complete, so it’s no surprise that your situation may change during that time.  Your PI may move to a different University, your spouse may take a job in another town, or you may need to move back home to care for ailing parents.

In these situations, you’re forced to make a difficult choice: “Should I stay with my lab and finish my work, or find a way to finish this PhD remotely?”

That’s exactly the question we got from “Walker” this week.  He and his wife desperately want to move to a new city, but he also wants to finish his degree.

Walker wrote:

I am currently in my third year of a PhD program in Computer Science and Engineering at a fairly prestigious university in the Midwest for graduate school. My wife and I are both quite unhappy here. The weather is awful 11 months of the year, neither of us really feels safe here, and my wife can’t find any jobs here where she can actually apply her degree. I’m done with courses, my research is going alright, and I’m hoping to propose my thesis before the end of this year. At this point, I have fulfilled my residence requirement, so I could possibly (with the ‘blessing’ of my adviser) complete my thesis as a non-resident meaning my wife and I could live wherever we want. I was hoping that you guys might be able to shed some light on the pros and cons to going non-res.

Walker’s case seems pretty clear-cut: he needs to get out of there! But for others thinking about finishing a PhD remotely, we have some important considerations to process in making your decision.

Is Remote Work Right for My Situation?

While there are some lifestyle and mental health benefits from living in a new place you love, it will almost certainly make your PhD research harder in other ways.  Communicating with your advisor will be more cumbersome and less frequent.  You’ll lose the support network of fellow grad students and access to libraries, seminars, and hallway conversations with other researchers.

That’s why it’s so important to plan ahead.  Here’s a checklist to work through as you decide “Is this right for me?”

• Are your goals well defined?
• Do your advisor and committee approve of your research plan?
• Is your advisor or committee likely to change their minds?
• How long will it take to finish?
• Will you need local resources? (Lab equipment, core facilities, libraries, expertise, etc.)
• Is your personality a good match for remote work?

Question 6 is vitally important and perhaps difficult to answer if you haven’t ‘worked from home’ very often.  If you’re the type of person who relies on external motivation and deadlines to finish a project, working remotely will be a challenge.  Likewise, if you’re prone to feeling lonely or isolated, it may be tough.

But even these barriers may be overcome if you have a plan…

Remote Work, the Right Way

Finishing any project the size and scale of a PhD is all about motivation, project management, and persistence.  Here are some things to consider when organizing the days, months, and years it will take to complete your PhD.

Environment

Figure out the best work environment to suit your needs.

Some people are happy and productive with a laptop on the couch, while others need a space where they won’t be distracted by chores, kids, or the TV.

Consider dedicating a space in your home where you eliminate distractions.  Or try working from a coffee shop, library, or c0-working space in your community.

And of course, be sure to employ time-management techniques like the Pomodoro Timer and the Focus Funnel to keep yourself on task!

Project Management

Take your long-term goals (papers you need to publish or a list of dissertation chapters) and break them down into manageable pieces.

Track your progress with an online task management tool like Trello , Asana , or a To-Do app .  Or try listing goals and tasks in a spreadsheet where you can check them off when they’re done.

For a lower-tech approach, you can write each task on a Post-It note and hang them on your wall, moving them to a “Done” zone when complete.

The point of all of these options is to force you to think through the work in advance, and to help you visualize your progress.

Communication

You won’t have the luxury of bumping into your advisor by the coffee machine, so you’ll need to be very intentional about your communication plan.

Figure out how frequently you’ll need to check in with your advisor or members of your team, and come up with a format for sharing your progress and requesting help.  You may be able to share most updates via email, but plan on connecting by voice or video chat regularly.

You’ll also want to think about how frequently you’ll need to visit the University or advisor in person.  Depending on distance, this may be costly, but it can be a valuable time to refine your research plan, meet with your committee, or utilize campus resources.

Collaboration

Depending on your field of study and the work you’re trying to complete, you may not need much input from your advisors or other team members.  But if you’re collaborating on a project or expecting your advisor to edit your dissertation, tools matter.

Consider utilizing online resources like Google Docs, Dropbox, and Slack to stay in touch and edit your work.  If you use an offline text editor like Microsoft Word, you’re likely to make changes while your advisor has a different copy under review.  You’ll save time on merging conflicting changes if you’re both working from the same document.

While finishing a PhD remotely is no cakewalk, people do it all the time.  Some students who go through the process said they felt more confident and independent, and if it puts you in a better place, it can be well worth the effort.

This week, we hear about the ever-expanding market to sell you things based on your genetic profile.  No longer limited to 23andme and Ancestry.com, you can now send a sample of your DNA to learn what kind of wine you might like , what your babies will look like , and to personalize a pair of $130 socks .

I mean, it’s JUST your entire genetic profile.  What’s the worst that could happen?

And to stay on-theme, we sample the  Albertina Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Reserve 2014 from Zmarzly family vineyards in Mendocino CA .  I’m not sure if we’re genetically predisposed to liking it, but once those test results come back, we’ll know more…

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Can you get a doctorate online, and should you?

Anne-Laure Le Cunff

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the highest level degree awarded in a specific academic field. Beyond the title, a PhD can be exciting for many reasons. It’s a way — not the only way — to collaborate with passionate people on important problems, to contribute new knowledge to the world, and to open doors to careers at the highest levels. In many fields, a PhD is a requirement to be hired as a researcher, a scientist, or a university professor.

However, a PhD is time consuming. If you are not living close to a university and if you already have other obligations that prevent you from joining an in-person PhD program, you may be considering an online PhD. The short answer to whether you can get a doctorate online is: yes, it is possible. The longer answer is that it comes with many caveats, limitations, and risks that need to be navigated carefully. But, with the right approach and some good amount of preparation, some fields of research can be great candidates for an online PhD.

The pros and cons of an online PhD

Similar to all distance learning programs, the main advantage of an online PhD is the flexibility. You can work from anywhere and in your own time. This flexibility may be attractive if you already have other obligations, such as being a stay-at-home parent, being a caregiver for a family member, not being able to move cities to get closer to a university, or having a job that you cannot quit.

The main disadvantage of an online PhD — provided that it is provided by a reputable university — is the isolation, which is especially problematic in academic research, where a lot of the ideas are generated through serendipitous conversations with colleagues. When getting a doctorate online, you will be working on your own most of the time, which can feel lonely and demotivating.

However, this challenge can be mitigated by participating in academic conferences, whether online or in person, where you can meet with fellow colleagues, exchange ideas, and grow your network. With social media, it has also become easier to share your work with the world and to foster conversations outside of your immediate academic group, which can be particularly helpful if you are pursuing an online doctorate.

Another disadvantage is that you will be limited in terms of areas of research, as many academic fields rely on the use of specific equipment that can be costly, or even impossible, to acquire on your own. There is little you can do about this limitation, except choosing an area of research that doesn’t require such equipment.

Finally, it is a common misconception that getting a PhD online costs less than in-person ones. Most universities charge the exact same price for online doctorates as they do for the ones delivered on campus, though some of them include the price of plane tickets and accommodation for when you absolutely need to be on-site, namely for the final oral examination where you present your thesis. In addition, it is very rare — practically unheard of — to obtain institutional funding for an online PhD, so you will need to cover the costs of your tuition and your research, which can be a considerable amount of money.

Avoiding online PhD scams

The pros and cons outlined above only concern legitimate online PhD programs. Unfortunately, bad actors are capitalizing on the fact that many people would like to pursue a doctorate without having the ability to do so in-person.

Diploma mills are organizations that claim to be a higher education institution, and that deliver diplomas in exchange for a fee. Those diplomas are either fake or practically useless. Diploma mills exist at all levels of study, but they are particularly problematic at the doctorate level where you will find yourself working for three to six years, which is a significant investment of time and money.

It can be hard to tell these organizations apart from legitimate institutions, as they often have beautiful websites, a brochure, and a call center where you can ask questions. To make matters worse, diploma mills are often supported by accreditation mills, set up for the purpose of providing an appearance of legitimacy.

There are several red flags you should pay attention to if you are considering an online PhD. 

• Accreditation. Is the organization accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency? Beware of buzz words such as “licensed”, “authenticated”, or “notarized”, which are not relevant to academic credentials. It is always worth looking up the accreditation agency to ensure it is legitimate itself.
• Admissions. What are the criteria to join the PhD program? Do you have to submit transcripts, go through an interview process, submit an implication that includes referral letters? If not, it is a good indication that the organization is a diploma mill that is only interested in your credit card.
• Studies. Will you need to conduct actual research, work under a supervisor, submit a thesis, and defend it at the end of your PhD, or do you only need to maybe watch a few pre-recorded videos, or submit some work that will not be evaluated?
• Duration. How long will you need to study for the PhD? Depending on the country, a PhD can take anywhere between three and six years, sometimes longer. If the organization promises a fast turnaround for the obtention of your doctorate, this is a massive red flag.
• Faculty. Who are the members of the academic team? All reputable universities have very transparent registries of their staff, so you can have a look at their publications, and even email them to discuss your PhD project. Diploma mills will have fake team members with stock photos, and of course no academic publications to their names.

A lot of universities, even the smaller ones, will have a Wikipedia page where you can read about their history, departments, and alumni. This is not in of itself a guarantee that you are looking at a legitimate institution, but you should be extra careful when the only material you can find about an organization is the one they have published themselves.

Now that you are sure that you are looking at a legitimate institution, let’s figure out what research areas would be good candidates for pursuing an online doctorate.

Research areas compatible with an online doctorate

While in the vast majority of cases, it is more productive to be working on-site with your team, including your supervisors, there are three main factors that make an online PhD a reasonable option.

• All the research can be conducted online. This is obviously the most important factor. Psychology, philosophy, history, mathematics, sociology, theoretical physics, and marketing are some examples of fields where you may be able to conduct all of your research online, without impacting the quality of your output. Focus groups, interviews, content analysis, questionnaires and ethnography are all methods that can be used online. The research could also be done by accessing online librairies, conducting web-based experiments, or analyzing existing datasets. 
• The research benefits from being conducted off-campus. In some cases, you may actually need to be away from campus to conduct your research! Many scientists who work in anthropology, botany, or animal studies need to study their subjects in their environments. They spend their time in the field, whether they collect data, and rarely spend time on campus.
• The research does not require in-person resources. Will you need access to a laboratory or expensive equipment that you cannot acquire on your own? If you want to conduct brain scanning experiments, an MRI machine costs between $300,000 and $1 million, and even if you somehow had access to that kind of money, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to fit one in your living room. In contrast, if you are doing computer neuroscience, you may be able to build computational models of the brain from your laptop, without needing access to a laboratory.

Again, a PhD is an intense endeavor, and most PhD candidates will benefit from having in-person interactions with their team, but an online PhD is feasible if some of these criteria are met.

How to apply to an online doctorate

The process should be fairly similar to applying to an in-person PhD program. First, you need to identify an area of research that is compatible with being conducted fully online and does not require in-person resources. Bonus points if the research actually benefits from being conducted off-campus.Once you have an area of research in mind, you need to find a relevant PhD program.

In some cases, you will need to first find a supervisor that is willing to work with you. Go through the university’s directory and email potential supervisors, explaining what your research interests are, sharing your previous experience and why you think they would be a good match as a supervisor. Once you have a supervisor onboard, they will walk you through the application process.

In other cases, you will be assigned a supervisor once accepted onto the PhD program. Then, it’s just a matter of following the instructions on the university’s website, which will often require you to upload your transcripts from previous studies as well as one or several letters of referral.

You will often have to go through some interviews with faculty members, who will assess whether you would be a good fit for the program and for academic research in general. These are very similar to job interviews.

Only once you are done with the application process and have been extended an offer will you be asked to pay for your fees — and it is very common for the payment to only be required after a few months of studies, rather than before you start. Again, pay attention to red flags when applying for an online PhD, as there are many scams out there that only care about getting you to pay the fees.

List of online PhD degrees from reputable universities

Finding an online doctorate is not hard. A quick search will bring up hundreds of results. Finding an online doctorate from a reputable university where you will conduct original research and connect with a network of academics in your field is much harder. However, many universities are now offering the option to get a doctorate online, provided that your research project is compatible.

• Education (Online) MPhil/PhD (UCL)
• Online Doctor of Nursing Practice (Duke University)
• Online Education Doctorate (John Hopkins University)
• Online PhD in Counseling (Oregon State University)
• PhD by Distance Health in Social Science (University of Edinburgh)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (Northcentral University)
• PhD by Distance Learning, Life and Environmental Sciences (University of Birmingham)
• Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology, Online or Evening Program (Grand Canyon University)
• PhD by Distance Learning, Environment and Arts, Humanities and Cultures (University of Leeds)
• Online Doctor of Nursing Practice (University of Pittsburgh)

In addition, the Open University offers many PhD degrees by distance learning in areas as varied as psychology, philosophy, design, economics, engineering, history, law, sociology, geography, music, and mathematics.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, and all of these universities are based in the United States or the United Kingdom. It is just a way to demonstrate that you can obtain an online doctorate without being scammed by a diploma mill.

Not all of these universities have the same reputation. Some are non-profit organizations, others are for-profit and may have more lenient admission criteria, but all of them are accredited which means that you will obtain a legitimate online doctorate. They also all have a Wikipedia page where you can read about their research and their alumni.

Now, as it is very unlikely that you will obtain funding for an online doctorate, you still need to ask yourself whether the considerable amount of time, energy, and money you will need to invest is worth it to achieve your goals. There are many other ways to conduct research and contribute new knowledge to the world, such as working as a researcher for a private company or as an independent researcher.

Pursuing a doctorate, whether online or in person, is a massive commitment. Whatever decision you make, take your time to evaluate the pros and cons, and to consider alternative paths that may be less costly, and still a lot of fun!

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PhD by Distance

Become world-ready, from wherever you are in the world, with a UTS PhD by distance mode.

If your research is based internationally but you want access to UTS's world-leading researchers and reputation, you've been required to complete a PhD for your career but you don't want to relocate, or you want to expand your global networks to create real-world research impact, the PhD by distance mode might be right for you. 

A UTS PhD by distance mode empowers you to develop your future as a researcher in a global context —all without applying for a visa or subletting your apartment.

What you can expect

• full enrolment as a PhD student at UTS
• supervision and mentorship from a panel of experts
• administrative support and guidance from your faculty
• PhD from a Top 100 global university
• access to UTS online facilities and resources
• high-quality research training and professional skills development 

Study requirements

The study expectations of PhD by distance mode students are the same as on-campus students. This means that you will:

• need to meet the same admissions requirements , including English-language proficiency
• be supported by a panel of supervisors
• complete any mandatory coursework
• go through the same candidature stage assessments as other PhDs from your faculty
• be subject to the same student rules that govern PhD study at UTS
• have the same expected timelines for your study as other PhD students
• be liable for the same course fees as other international students unless you are assessed as eligible for a tuition fee scholarship

Support and development

As a fully-enrolled UTS student, you’ll have access to a variety of forms of support for your research, your professional development as a researcher, and your own health and wellbeing, including:

• UTS Library’s extensive digital catalogue and one-on-one researcher support
• online skills development workshops and training modules, including in areas like research writing, software training, and project management
• personalised advice from UTS Careers and access to online resources 
• inclusion in the online research student Teams channel

Find more information about the support available to you as a distance mode PhD student  (PDF, 0.8MB).  Please note that not all benefits available to on-campus students exist in digital form or translate to distance study.

Find out more: Distance mode is available for international students. Read all admissions requirements → There are scholarships that can help with fees. Find out more about the costs of a PhD by distance → Ready for the next steps? Explore the application process → 

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How to do a Distance Learning PhD at a UK university

Why do a distance learning PhD?

There are a number of reasons why a student might decide to study for a PhD or MPhil via distance learning. Some people, for family, career or other commitment reasons, may be unable to move near their choice of university to undertake their study. PhDs by distance learning (sometimes referred to as ‘e-learning’) are often undertaken by candidates based in a different country to the host university.  These are now more common thanks to Covid-19 and the need for social distancing .

How does a distance learning PhD differ from normal PhD study?

Surprisingly little. As PhDs are research-based rather than taught, candidates work off their own steam, carrying out research and working towards the completion of their thesis in a very similar fashion to their resident fellow students. The entry requirements, amount of work required and academic expectations are generally the same as for resident PhD students. Distance learning students still pay tuition fees (which will vary depending on the institution) and are able to study either full or part-time.

The main difference is in how the PhD student’s progress is monitored and supported by the university department. The role of the supervisor is key in PhD study and distance learning students will have to be in regular contact with them by phone, email, post and/or fax rather than face-to-face. Some training or course content may be delivered via the internet and some departments may encourage interaction with other students via online discussion boards. Occasional visits to the university by the student may be necessary. Some universities formalise this process by operating an annual review meeting. Visits to the student in their own country by the supervisor may also be required. Some departments ask for a supervisor local to the student to be appointed and this may be up to the student to organise.

Where can I study a distance learning PhD?

Like any PhD study, it will depend on your subject area. Not all UK universities offer distance learning PhDs, and those that do won’t necessarily offer them in every subject. Laboratory-based research, for example, may be difficult to supervise from a distance. It is up to individual students to find out which of their preferred university departments offer distance learning PhDs in their subject area.

The good news, however, is that the number of UK universities offering distance learning at postgraduate level has grown dramatically in the last decade. In 2009, according to a report by the Higher Education Policy Institute ( HEPI ), 111 UK higher education institutions were offering some form of offshore provision, either by distance learning or overseas campuses, to more than 190,000 students. Of these, around 61,000 were postgraduates.

There are a number of websites that may be able to help you find out which universities offer distance learning PhDs in your field. www.findcourses.co.uk allows users to search for courses by keyword, study level and study type. https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/ (for students not based in the UK), allows users to search UK courses by study level and subject area, with the option to refine the search results to ‘distance learning’ only courses.

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PhD by distance learning

The faculties of Environment and Arts, Humanities and Cultures offer PhD by distance learning across most schools.

PhD by distance learning allows you to study at a time and place that suits you and, with a part-time option available, you'll have the flexibility to gain an advanced degree alongside work and other commitments.

Through completing a PhD, you will become an expert in a specialist area and gain high-quality research training.

Our PhD by distance learning programmes

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Can You Get Your Doctorate Online? (And Should You?)

Looking for an effective way to earn your doctorate degree?

If you’re considering a doctorate, you’ve likely taken an inventory of what will be expected to earn the degree. And that inventory likely includes a huge chunk of time, energy and resources. For already-too-busy-professionals, this can be a dream killer right out of the gate.

Enter the online doctorate degree.

Can I Get My Doctorate Online?

With the reward in mind (think bigger salary, greater recognition, upward mobility), many professionals jump out of the gate by asking, “Can I do this online?”

The reason is simple – Americans are working more than ever before. According to a United Nations Study, 85 percent of American males and 67 percent of American females are working more than 40 hours per week. Beyond the bloated work schedule, people are often struggling to balance hectic home schedules, social calendars and additional commitments.

An online program offers an attractive format to earn a doctorate while balancing the ins and outs of daily life.

It turns out, this advantage is appealing to many. Online doctorate programs are rising in popularity as more and more professionals see the value of refining their skillsets via efficient and convenient programs. Today, there are 205 accredited institutions in the United States offering more than 1,000 online doctorate programs.  

Earning a doctorate is challenging and rewarding, but do you know what to really expect? Download this free guide for tips and insights to help you prepare for success.  

So how exactly does an online doctorate work?

Going Virtual: How It (Typically) Works

The online doctorate program is really a hybrid version of the traditional campus experience. Online students engage with professors and coursework through various formats—including webcasts, emails, messaging apps and semi-annual campus visits.

While every program is different, the process typically follows a similar structure. If you choose to get a doctorate online, here’s what you can expect:

• Choose a program. Work with your academic advisor to build the program that is right for your career goals and objectives.
• Determine your bandwidth. Inventory your time and priorities to identify how much time you will need to complete your program.
• Select a path. Based on your availability and pace, you’ll identify how many credit hours you will take each semester.
• Enroll in your courses. Each semester, you’ll join the online classes that will keep you on pace to earn your degree.
• Get notified about current lectures and assignments. When a new lecture is available, you’ll be notified via email. Then, it’s up to you.
• Download lectures and watch on-demand. Classes are typically delivered in a webinar-style format, complete with screen shares and presentation slides. Some programs utilize a synchronous format that requires students to log in and watch at a defined time. Others use an on-demand format. You watch them when you want, where you want, as long as you are able to keep pace with the schedule.
• Use tools to enrich your education. Leverage tools like Slack, Skype or other messaging platforms to communicate with professors, research assistants and advisors.
• Complete research assignments and submit via portal or email. As you complete the associated work with a lecture or course, you’ll submit to your professor for input and reaction.
• Visit campus for important events. Depending on the program you choose, you’ll likely be required to visit the campus for a group class or meeting on a semi-annual basis.

It is possible to get your doctorate online—and the online experience offers several advantages to busy individuals. But, the real question to ask is:

Should you get your doctoral degree online?

The Online Debate: 4 Big Myths About Online Doctoral Degrees

Let’s start to answer that question by dispelling some myths.

As the popularity of online programs has risen, so has skepticism. It may be that the program sounds too good to be true, or it may be that they’ve heard too many “diploma mill” horror stories—for a variety of reasons, people tend to write off the online doctorate before they really research it.

The most common myths people believe about doctorates are:

• They are only given out by degree mills. While there are certainly degree mills out there offering paper degrees for money, they aren’t the only ones—nor are they in the majority. There are plenty of reputable, regionally accredited institutions taking their doctorates online.
• They are an easy way to earn a doctorate. While the program may require less face-time or physical presence on a campus, accredited programs are by no means a shortcut to earn your degree. You’ll still be expected to research, write your dissertation, and defend it successfully. In addition, the freedom comes with a challenge: learning to balance your time. No strict class schedule means you’ll need to have excellent time management skills. There’s no shortcut for that.
• Online degrees are not credible as traditional degrees. This is a false narrative. The key is to understand the accreditation of the online program. If the institution you choose is regionally accredited, the degree carries just as much weight as a degree from a traditional program.
• Online doctorates cost less. This also isn’t necessarily true. Just because a program is online doesn’t mean it will be cheaper. Online programs may also cause you to incur additional expenses if you need to invest in new technology (i.e., laptop and wi-fi).

Many people leave a doctorate on the table because they discount online programs early on—and fail to adhere to the standards and time-constraints of a traditional program. While there are certainly some outliers, online degrees offer a valid and creative solution to earn your doctorate degree.

The key is to pay attention to where you are choosing to get your degree.

Where Can I Get My Doctoral Degree Online?

So, you’ve settled on an online program as the preferred method for your doctorate.

The next question is where you’ll look to find a program. There are lots of institutions offering online or distance-learning doctorate programs—and it can be challenging to know where to invest your time, energy and money to ensure you’re getting the degree you want or need.

It helps to understand the guiding forces behind a school offering the program. A general rule of thumb is to understand how that type of school operates, how they make decisions, and what their chief priorities are. Online programs are offered by two types of schools: for-profit, and not-for-profit.

Most colleges offering online doctorates today are good and trustworthy institutions. There are great public, private, for-profit, and non-profit options out there (for more information, check out our blog post Non-Profit vs. For-Profit Colleges: What You Need to Know . But, there are some outliers who dangle the promise of a cheap, fast degree to get your dollars.

Avoid those types of programs at all cost.

5 Questions To Ask About an Online Doctoral Program

Once you’ve narrowed your choices down to a few select players, you’ll want to take a few additional steps to fully validate the program—and the outcome you can expect to receive. It’s best to meet or talk with the program chair and ask five big questions about their accreditation legitimacy and what the student experience will look like.

• Are you regionally or nationally accredited? And, what is your accreditation status?
• What is the student experience at this university like?
• What resources will I have in this program?
• Will I have any dissertation support? If so, what does it look like?
• How easily accessible is the faculty here?

If you have any doubts about the legitimacy of the accreditation agency, make sure it is recognized by one of two authorities on the matter: the  Council for Higher Education Accreditation  or the  Department of Education . The latter has a  College Navigator tool  allowing students to verify the accreditation of any school they may be considering.

Why Get My Doctorate Online?

Earning your doctorate is no easy task, especially if you’re a busy working professional balancing a career, home life and social calendar. An online doctorate program may be an ideal solution for you to earn your degree. With an online program, you are in greater control of both your schedule and academic pace.

That can make all the difference between the start and finish lines of your degree.

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How to defend a PhD remotely

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• Halfway Through My PhD: What I Wish I’d Known At The Start

This September I am officially starting my third year, meaning I am halfway through my PhD! This milestone is full of mixed emotions: I am excited to be halfway, I recognise how much I have learnt and achieved, but I am also slightly terrified by how quickly it’s going, and how much I still want to do! I am a different researcher now to when I started my PhD, so what’s changed? Here are my top tips for my past self of all the things I wish I’d known on day one.

#1 Slow down

Coming straight from my undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, I was used to short deadlines and fast progress. It took me the majority of my first year to slow down and get used to the longer timescale of a PhD. For example, I didn’t start in the lab for four months so I had time to read the literature and understand the methods and rationale for my experiments. This time was really valuable in getting a strong foundation for my studies. I am doing three studies across the course of my PhD, meaning they each take 12-15 months to complete. The longer timescale means that you won’t see progress every day, and some things won’t work first time, but over the months that slow progress will build up. Consistency is the key to your PhD, and a little bit of progress each day leads to big results over time.

#2 It’s a training programme

At the start of my PhD, I felt pressure to be perfect and to know what I was doing. I lost sight of the fact that I am still a student and am on my PhD programme to learn to become an independent researcher: my supervisors weren’t expecting that from day one.

At halfway, I am closer to the end goal of independent-researcher but I still have a long way to go. I am always learning from my supervisors and other students, and will continue to do so for the remainder of my PhD . . . and beyond. Admitting what you don’t know, taking up opportunities for development, and being kind to yourself when you fall short, is all part of the PhD. Whilst you might not go to lectures, you are still a student and that means no one is expecting you to be perfect.

#3 You can’t plan for all the adventures of a PhD

I’m a planner, list-lover and post-it note obsessive. All these things are still the case and I still plan my weekly to-do list, but I realise now that so many things happen in the PhD that you can’t plan for. Sometimes these are experiment related: your equipment might break and the replacement takes two months to arrive; your experiment doesn’t work; or the results aren’t what you expect. All of these require you to adjust your plan, with your supervisors, so you can still make progress on your overall question.

At the other end of the scale, you also can’t plan for the countless opportunities to get involved in. Part of my PhD has included lecturing undergraduate students in China – I never expected to be climbing the Great Wall during the second year of my PhD! Other opportunities have included writing for this blog, attending conferences in France and Germany, and supervising undergraduate students through their dissertations.

If you plan too much, you might miss the exciting opportunities that being a PhD student affords you. There are few times in your career that you are encouraged to follow your interests and develop your skills as much as in a PhD: in light of this, I’m having a lighter hold on the reigns for my third year so I can enjoy some side quests as they come up.

#4 It’s an individual project but you won’t be on your own

There is an element of the PhD that will always be independent: you are looking at a specific research question that no one else has ever done. Coming into my PhD I was ready to work on my own project and expected it to be a fairly isolating experience. I am so lucky to say that I couldn’t have been more wrong! It can be hard for your family and friends to understand what you are going through so having a strong department/research group community has been the unexpected highlight of my PhD. There is always someone to share a cup of tea with, a hug to cheer you up, or an ear to rant to. I know this might not be the case for all students but I think the PhD is less isolating than I thought so reach out to people, whether it’s in person or online (there are some amazing PhD study accounts), to build yourself a network of people going through the same whirlwind journey.

As I enter my third year, I am trying to take my own advice to slow down, make the most of opportunities, and enjoy the adventure with my colleagues and friends. I am so lucky to be able to say I love my PhD and I have another two years to go! Good luck to all students starting their studies this month, and to those of us ticking off another year of the journey.

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Welcome to our PhDiary! To kick this series off, Hannah reminisces about her first week as a History PhD student. From the fiery flames of stress to the warm moments of success, hopefully her story can offer some insight and solace.

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Thinking of self-funding a PhD? It's important to know what you'll actually have to pay for and to spare a thought for how you'll do so.

PhD student Rachel talks about her experience coming back to postgraduate education as a mature student and how she got there.

PhD student Holly talks us through what being on a Doctoral Training Partnership is like and the benefits of receiving extra training as part of it.

PhD student Holly talks us through how she manages her stipend and what other sources of funding are available to PhD students while you study.

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I'm an F1 PhD student, but I'm continuing my PhD remotely. Can I work (legally)?

I'm doing a PhD at a university in the United States. I am in dissertation status. I am continuing the PhD remotely from outside of the US for the foreseeable future. I am not a US citizen, so am on an F1 visa.

I would like to do some work. Not a lot--just consulting a few hours a week for experience. My advisor is supportive of this.

However, there's the legal question. Generally I would not be allowed to work on an F1 visa, and would need to apply for OPT. However, this law exists to protect US workers, so since I am not residing in the United States, it seems the purpose of the law would not apply in this case. Any work I would do is work that others outside the US could also do.

So my question: does the prohibition on F1 students working applies if they are living and working outside of the US?

• legal-issues
• international-students
• remote-work

• Are you trying to work "in" the US? Or in the country you live in? –  Azor Ahai -him- Commented Sep 29, 2021 at 21:50
• Either. Meaning I'd be interested both in doing consulting for US companies and non-US companies. –  Daniel-耶稣活着 Commented Sep 30, 2021 at 10:17

Here's what Northeastern University's Office of Global Services write:

Students physically working outside the U.S. do not require work authorization from the Office of Global Services. Authorization must be given for work that physically takes place within the U.S. NOTE: If you are returning to the U.S. while working abroad or on international co-op to perform work for a short period (such as a business trip or conference), this would require authorization.

The same point is made in the answer to a question at the Expatriates SE . But I would still recommend double checking with your university's International Office that it applies to your situation before acting on it.

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