The high cost and huge time commitment it takes to earn a doctoral degree means it was once limited to an elite few. The growth of distance learning programs online, however, has made obtaining the most highly regarded academic degree more accessible. Distance learning doctoral programs exist for dozens of fields, including business, education, and psychology. Prospective students should examine these programs closely before undertaking their studies.
History
College courses delivered via closed-circuit television broadcasts represent the beginning of distance learning. These broadcasts allowed professors to teach multiple sections of a single class at once. This option, however, gave students only limited access to their instructors. Although closed-circuit televised courses still exist, the Internet has largely replaced this option. Initially, Internet courses and online degrees were dismissed as the products of "diploma mills." Some distance learning doctoral programs of dubious quality do exist, but the cost of higher education has nevertheless fueled the growth of distance learning. Many accredited universities offer online degrees, including doctorates.
Types
According to the Distance Learning College Guide Web site, there are more than 120 distance learning doctorate programs available. Some of the most popular distance learning doctorates include education, educational administration, curriculum and instruction, business, organizational leadership and management, information technology, psychology, criminal justice, and health services.
Features
Distance learning classes enable students to log on to their computers from home or elsewhere, and take assigned courses at their convenience. By logging in, students' attendance is recorded. Many distance learning degrees also allow students access to online libraries.
Studying for a doctorate, however, requires not only coursework, but also a rigorous amount of research. Most doctorates require students to complete a written dissertation that demonstrates their mastery of the knowledge in their field of study, as well as the ability to conduct original research. Students complete their dissertation research under the supervision of a faculty adviser. The research project usually requires one-to-one contact between students and their advisers. For this reason, many distance learning doctorates require students to complete some of their work on a physical campus. Students may have to complete some courses on the campus or report directly to their faculty adviser or dissertation committee.
Time Frame
An online doctorate can require four or more years of study beyond the four-year bachelor's degree. This includes courses, comprehensive exams that assess students' mastery of the material in their field of study, and dissertation work, supervised by a committee of faculty members.
Benefits
The Distance Learning College Guide reported that professionals with doctorates in business are in high demand in higher education, finance, and consulting. Professors of business can earn more than $80,000 a year, while doctorate recipients in consulting and finance can earn more than $100,000 a year. Doctoral degree recipients in other fields can earn more than $90,000 a year as consultants. In addition, they are recognized as experts in their fields and can contribute books and articles in their areas of expertise.
Considerations
Before entering a specific distance learning doctoral program, students should take the time to learn about the program and the institution granting it. Many quality distance learning programs exist, but so do many of dubious quality. Check with your state's education department or higher education authority, or with the U.S. Department of Education to learn about the accreditation of the program in which you are interested. A doctorate is a respected degree that can lead to career advancement -- don't undermine that by getting a degree from a questionable program.
Tags: distance learning, more than, distance learning, earn more, earn more than, higher education, learning doctoral