Best Online PhD Programs

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Carmen Norris
Written By - Carmen Norris

Check MarkEdited By Julian Palacio

Check MarkReview & Contribution By Dr. Sophia White

In this article, we discuss the best online doctoral programs in the country per our internal criteria of research. A PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy. This is one of the highest-level academic degrees that can be awarded by a university. PhD is an abbreviation of the Latin term (Ph)ilosophiae (D)octor. Traditionally the term ‘philosophy’ does not refer to the subject but its original Greek meaning which roughly translates to ‘lover of wisdom.

A PhD is a doctoral research degree, and the highest level of academic qualification students can achieve. The degree normally takes between three and four years of full-time work towards a thesis offering an original contribution to your subject. Generally, to enroll in a PHD program, one would need to get a master’s degree from a nationally accredited university. Below we would discuss online PHD programs in detail.

Best Online PhD Programs

National University

PROGRAM: Find Best Degree

National University, headquartered in San Diego, California, was founded in 1971 to provide educational opportunities for adult learners and working professionals. It offers over 190 degree programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, with flexible online and on-campus courses. Serving around 40,000 students and over 240,000 alumni, the university is recognized for its support of U.S. military members. Accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), National University is committed to accessible and transformative higher education.

List of the Best Online PhD Programs

Here is a list of the Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees that students are enrolling for, given their popularity in terms of exciting careers post graduation

1. Computer Science

The PhD program in computer engineering prepares students to become innovative leaders in academic, industrial, and entrepreneurial settings. The program is designed with a research focus in mind. The PhD program in computer engineering emphasizes excellence in education and research, providing graduates with a solid foundation for a career in industry, academia, and research labs.

2. Nursing

A PhD in Nursing is a research and science-focused degree that prepares nurses for careers conducting important medical research that will advance the entire nursing profession and for teaching nursing at the college level. To be eligible for a PhD Nursing program, candidates must hold a master’s degree in Nursing.

3. Management

PhD in management is one of the highest academic degrees awarded in the study of management science. The degree was designed for those seeking academic research and teaching careers as faculty or professors in the study of management at business schools worldwide.  The concentrations of study include but are not limited to strategy, organization, innovation and entrepreneurship, marketing, accounting, and corporate finance.

4. Education

The Ph.D. in Education is designed for students with some professional experience in teaching and learning settings as well as in research.  This program teaches students to wield the tools of research to change disparities in educational experiences and student outcomes.

5. Communication

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Communications offers a multidisciplinary approach to the study of the relationships between people and media in their cultural, social, political, historical, economic and technological contexts. To graduate, each candidate must demonstrate a general understanding of the field of communications as a whole and acquire deep knowledge in an area of concentration through research and coursework in appropriate disciplines ranging from history, sociology, or religion to business or international affairs.

6. Law

Regarded as the highest degree in varied academic disciplines, a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) aims to provide students with a chance to delve deeper into a specific area of study. For a field like Law, a doctoral degree is suitable for those who want to pursue their career as legal scholars and teachers.

7. Psychology

The PhD in Psychology is the highest-level graduate degree in the field to which a student can aspire. The PhD prepares the bearer for a variety of career options representing a wide range of research and practice areas; each of which is unique in its educational scope and training. Although the entrance requirements differ according to the degree-granting institution’s policies, all universities do require a bachelor’s degree to be accepted and sometimes a master’s degree to gain admission.

8. Organizational Leadership

The PhD in Leadership Studies program at SOLES provides students with an immersive and innovative experience, allowing them to emerge as empowered leaders. Because of its multidisciplinary nature, a leadership degree instills graduates with the listening, introspection, and critical thinking skills required in a wide range of fields.

9. Information Systems

The PhD program in information systems prepares academic scholars focused on how business technologies are designed, developed, and used to enable and empower individuals, teams, processes, organizations, and society. The program prepares students mainly for academic positions in research universities; some students may be placed in research positions in industry, government, or consulting organizations.

10. Criminal Justice

With a PhD in Criminal Justice, students will be a part of a community of curious, driven individuals with a passion for making the world a better and more just place. This doctoral program is designed for students who have backgrounds in counseling, economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, social work, sociology, and urban studies, among others. Students can form expertise in an area of specialization within the criminal justice field through advanced interdisciplinary research.

List of Universities that offer Best Online PhD Programs

Here is a list of the universities that offer the Best Online PhD Programs.*

The University of Pennsylvania is a private Ivy League research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The university, established as the College of Philadelphia in 1740, is one of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the U.S. Declaration of Independence. The University of Pennsylvania is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). According to our research, this is ranked at the top university for best online PhD programs.
Below are the Best Online Phd Programs at University of Pennsylvania:
Univ Address Tuition Grad Rate
University of Pennsylvania 34th & Spruce Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104 $37,678 96%

Universities and programs are ranked by various factors, such as affordability, curriculum and coursework, reputation and availability, program length, statistics, the potential of employment, and return on investment for the students. For a more in-depth analysis, please read about our rankings methodology page

FAQs About The Best Online PhD Programs

Students might ask questions like which university is best for PHD? There might not be a straight answer for such a generic question, but below we are trying to answer the FAQ about online PhDs:

Which is the best online PhD?

There is no generic answer to this but would be a case-to-case answer depending on the choice of the individual. Firstly, look at the top universities and then see what the best departments of those top universities are. If your master’s is among those departments then choose the PhD for that department. That would be the best PhD for you. Second, if you are in love with a subject then that would be the best online PhD for you.

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