phd online science

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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• Best Online Doctoral Programs

Best Online Doctoral Programs Of 2024

Updated: Apr 23, 2024, 1:42pm

The best online doctoral programs offer flexibility and convenience that can make it easier for you to pursue an advanced degree, often while working full time.

Earning a doctorate can help you advance to the highest roles in your field and increase your salary potential. It’s also a chance for you to gain an advanced understanding of impactful issues and develop the skills to generate new ideas, solve problems and create meaningful change.

Below, learn about the best online doctoral programs in a variety of fields, including social work, psychology, education and nursing.

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• 6,290 accredited, nonprofit colleges and universities analyzed nationwide
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• Only 7.12% of all colleges, universities and bootcamp providers we consider are awarded

Our Methodology

We ranked accredited, nonprofit colleges offering online doctoral degree programs in the U.S. using metrics in the categories of student experience, credibility, student outcomes and affordability. We pulled data for these categories from reliable resources such as the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ; private, third-party data sources; and individual school and program websites.

We scored schools based on the following data points:

Student Experience:

• Student-to-faculty ratio
• Socioeconomic diversity
• Availability of online coursework
• Total number of graduate assistants
• Portion of graduate students enrolled in at least some distance education

Credibility:

• Fully accredited
• Programmatic accreditation status
• Nonprofit status

Student Outcomes:

• Overall graduation rate
• Median earnings 10 years after graduation

Affordability:

• In-state graduate student tuition and fees
• Alternative tuition plans offered
• Median federal student loan debt
• Student loan default rate

We chose the best schools to display in 10 categories of doctoral degrees.

Find our full list of methodologies here .

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Best Online Doctoral Program Options

Should you enroll in an online ph.d. program or doctorate, accreditation for online doctoral degrees, how to find the right online doctorate for you, frequently asked questions (faqs) about online ph.d. programs and doctorates.

• Best online Psy.D.: Rivier University
• Best online Doctor of Nursing Practice: University of Central Florida
• Best online Doctor of Business Administration: Walsh College
• Best online doctorate in physical therapy: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
• Best online doctorate in education: Johns Hopkins University
• Best online Ph.D. in organizational leadership: Indiana Wesleyan University
• Best online Ph.D. in counseling: Concordia University-Irvine
• Best online Doctor of Social Work: University of Southern California
• Best online Ph.D. in public administration: West Chester University of Pennsylvania
• Best online doctorate in educational leadership: Fairfield University

Best Online Psy.D.

Rivier university.

Program Tuition Rate

$1,275/credit

Percentage of Grad Students Enrolled in Distance Education

Overall Graduation Rate

Located in Nashua, New Hampshire, Rivier University offers a hybrid Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) with a limited number of online classes. The American Psychology Association-accredited program focuses on school psychology and counseling and prepares you to work as a psychologist in various environments. You’ll learn clinical diagnosis, assessment, prevention and intervention skills.

Students must attend full time and can work no more than 20 hours per week. It takes a minimum of five years to graduate.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on a set schedule
• School Type: Private
• Application Fee: $100
• Degree Credit Requirements: 60-130 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Full-time
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Fundamentals of research, group counseling
• Concentrations Available: N/A
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, includes a 2,000-hour internship and at least six practicum experiences

Best Doctor of Nursing Practice

University of central florida.

$372/credit (in-state)

At University of Central Florida (UCF), practicing nurses can earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice. The advanced track program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and prepares nurses for clinical leadership roles in the field.

Coursework explores clinical management, communication skills and epidemiology principles. You’ll develop research and practice skills, learn to improve healthcare systems, develop health policy and analyze data to improve individual and population health.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn around your 9-to-5
• School Type: Public
• Application Fee: $30
• Degree Credit Requirements: 42 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Part-time, full-time
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Healthcare systems and policy, nursing environment management
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, includes clinical hours (but all coursework is available online)

Best Doctor of Business Administration

Walsh college.

$1,038/credit

You can earn an online Doctor of Business Administration from Walsh College in Troy, Michigan. The part-time, online program includes asynchronous coursework and real-time Zoom classes, as well as optional opportunities to interact on campus. You can develop advanced business knowledge and skills to become a business leader or consultant.

In addition to coursework, you must pass a preliminary exam and complete a 15-credit dissertation process. The program requires students to graduate within seven years.

• Application Fee: $50
• Degree Credit Requirements: 60 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Part-time
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Foundations for business success, qualitative and exploratory research methods
• In-Person Requirements: No

Best Doctorate in Physical Therapy

Texas tech university health sciences center.

$265/credit (in-state)

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center designed its hybrid Doctor of Science in physical therapy to help practicing physical therapists advance their careers. The post-professional 36-credit program takes four to five years to complete part time.

The flexible format makes it possible for students to keep working while attending school. Learners attend weekend lectures and labs at the Lubbock, Texas, campus. During the week, they supplement their in-person instruction with online assignments.

• Application Fee: $75
• Degree Credit Requirements: 36 credits
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Medical screening for rehabilitation sciences, motor control in orthopedics
• Concentrations Available: Research track, teaching track
• In-Person Requirements: Yes

Best Online Doctorate in Education

Johns hopkins university.

$2,100/credit

Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland offers an online Ed.D. The part-time degree takes four years to complete and explores topics like the social determinants of education, entrepreneurship and technology.

You can customize the degree by choosing electives that align with your professional interests and by selecting one or more “areas of interest,” such as urban leadership or digital age learning and educational technology. Applicants need a master’s degree with at least 36 graduate credits to qualify for the program.

• Application Fee: $80
• Degree Credit Requirements: 54 credits
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Approaches to urban education, partnerships and community organizing
• Concentrations Available: Creativity, advanced learning, and twice exceptionality; digital age learning and educational technology; entrepreneurial leadership in education; mind, brain, and teaching; urban leadership

Best Online Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership

Indiana wesleyan university.

$890/credit

Located in Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University offers an online Ph.D. in organizational leadership that can prepare you to become an effective leader in as few as four years. The program focuses on inclusion, multiculturalism and international perspectives and develops research, presentation and executive skills.

You must attend an in-person residency during the July session, but the rest of the program takes place online and offers flexibility for working professionals. The school’s tuition guarantee locks in your tuition rate when you start the program.

• Application Fee: Free
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Advanced leadership theory, statistical research design
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, includes an in-person residency

Best Online Ph.D. in Counseling

Concordia university – irvine.

$795/credit

Concordia University – Irvine in Irvine, California, is a Christian institution that offers a “biblically informed” online Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision from its Townsend Institute. Designed for licensed mental health professionals, the degree develops advanced skills and prepares you for leadership roles in counseling, teaching and advocacy.

The accelerated program takes three to four years to complete. It requires two in-person residencies and a total of 700 hours of internship and practicum field experiences. In addition to coursework, you must complete a culminating 12-credit dissertation that includes original counseling research and a successful oral defense.

• Program Enrollment Options: Accelerated
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Advanced counseling and career theories, advanced multicultural issues in counselor education and supervision
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, requires two in-person residencies, a practicum and an internship

Best Online Doctor of Social Work

University of southern california.

$2,137/credit

University of Southern California ‘s online Doctor of Social Work from the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work emphasizes the importance of scholarship and practice in the field. Created for experienced social work professionals, the program can help you become a leader working toward social change and innovation.

The program offers a seven-semester accelerated track and a standard nine-semester option. In a capstone experience, learners research and create a prototype that addresses a current problem in social work.

• Application Fee: $90
• Program Enrollment Options: Accelerated, full-time
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Leading public discourse, financial management for social change

Best Online Ph.D. in Public Administration

West chester university of pennsylvania.

$645/credit (in-state)

West Chester University of Pennsylvania ’s online Doctor of Public Administration can prepare you for high-level roles in public affairs and administration. The program is offered by the College of Business and Public Management, accredited by Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, and the Department of Public Policy and Administration, accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration.

The curriculum explores strategic management, policy advocacy and decision-making in the public sector. The dissertation allows you to complete an applied research project. You can take electives and choose a concentration from multiple departments, including psychology, graduate social work and criminal justice.

• Degree Credit Requirements: 45 credits
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Strategic public sector management and governance, research design for program and policy evaluation
• Concentrations Available: Options from multiple departments

Best Online Doctorate in Educational Leadership

Fairfield university.

$1,120/credit

At Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut, you can earn an online, low-residency Doctor of Education in educational leadership. The program offers two tracks: teacher leader for certified working educators or higher education administration for higher education professionals.

Students enroll in the cohort-style program in the fall and graduate in three years by taking six credits per semester. Learners can build community during two one-week summer residencies. Applicants need a master’s degree in a relevant field and a minimum 3.0 GPA.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on your schedule
• Application Fee: $65
• Degree Credit Requirements: 57
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Action research for educational change, framing and critical analysis of problems of practice
• Concentrations Available: Teacher leader, higher education administration
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, requires two one-week residencies

An online Ph.D. program or doctorate can offer many compelling features for students, but it might not be the right choice for everyone. Consider the questions below when deciding whether to pursue your doctorate online or in person.

• What type of schedule do you need? Online programs typically offer more flexibility that appeals to students who work full time or have personal responsibilities to fit around their school schedule. Online degrees allow learners to pursue higher education without putting their career on hold. This is especially true for programs that offer asynchronous coursework that students complete on their own time.
• What learning style works best for you? Do you work well independently and with a lot of freedom? If so, an online doctorate might be a good fit for you. If you think you’d prefer the camaraderie of an in-person cohort graduate program and structured opportunities to interact with instructors, an on-campus or hybrid program might suit you better.
• How does the program format affect your budget? Online programs can help you save on tuition, housing and transportation costs. For example, many public schools allow you to pay the same tuition, regardless of where you live. However, you might miss funding opportunities typically reserved for on-campus students, such as graduate teaching assistantships, research assistantships and fellowships.

The U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) approve accrediting agencies that give schools institutional accreditation in the U.S.

Institutional accreditation means that a university has met minimum quality requirements related to its academics, financial management, faculty and staff, and student resources and services. To qualify for federal financial aid, you must attend an accredited college.

Programmatic accreditation is a separate process that gives special recognition to individual degrees, programs or departments within a university. Depending on your field, you might need a programmatically accredited degree to get a job or qualify for professional licenses or certifications.

You can search for a prospective school’s accreditation status on CHEA’s website .

Consider Your Future Goals

An online doctorate has the potential to help you achieve your career aspirations. However, not every program in your field will necessarily align with your goals. Before you choose an online doctorate program, think about your post-graduation plans.

For example, some online doctorate programs require professional experience through an internship or a practicum. This type of hands-on learning can help you develop your expertise and professional network. But these experiences usually take place in person and can be hard to fit into your schedule if you’re working full time.

You should also consider if you need a specific license or certification to get the job you want. If so, research the credential’s requirements to learn if your degree needs to meet certain criteria. For example, you may need to complete an accredited program or complete supervised clinical hours.

Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options

Tuition rates for online doctoral programs in our guide vary significantly, from $265 to $2,137 per credit. Most programs required 42 to 60 credits, with some exceptions. In total, the degrees ranked on our list cost between $9,540 and $113,400.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics , grad students at private, nonprofit schools paid an average tuition of $20,408 in 2022–23, while public school tuition cost $11,554 per year. Doctorate programs typically take at least three years to complete, putting total costs between $34,662 and $61,224.

Find funding for your online Ph.D. by filling out the FAFSA®, which can connect you with scholarships, grants and student loans. Many schools also provide funding to graduate students through scholarships, grants and fellowships.

Can you do a Ph.D. fully online?

Yes, many schools offer fully online Ph.D. programs. However, depending on the program and the field of study, you may need to complete on-campus residencies or field experiences like internships or practicums that take place in person.

What is the fastest Ph.D. to get online?

Program length for online Ph.D. programs varies depending on your field of study. You might be able to find some accelerated online Ph.D. programs that you can finish in less than two years. However, the best online doctoral programs on our list take at least three years to complete.

Are online doctoral degrees respected?

An online doctoral degree from an accredited university can provide the same rigorous education and training as a comparable on-campus program. If you’re concerned about whether or not your degree will be respected, consider doing some research about the way that your field or profession tends to view online doctoral degrees.

What is the best online school for a Ph.D.?

The best online school for a Ph.D. depends on your field of study, personal interests and career goals. Make sure that any prospective online school is institutionally accredited. Depending on the degree you want to pursue, it might also be important to find a program with separate programmatic accreditation.

Liz Simmons has been writing for various online publications about career development, higher education and college affordability for nearly a decade. Her articles demystify the college application process and help prospective students figure out how to choose a major or career path.

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Information science and learning technologies

Get started with MU

• How to apply
• Tuition and fees

Doctor of philosophy

Dedicate yourself to understanding and transforming how people learn. The online Ph.D. in information science and learning technologies from the University of Missouri (Mizzou) builds off your background through an immersive, research-intensive, collaborative and interdisciplinary course of study. In the process, you prepare to develop more engaging environments, programs and tools for business and educational purposes.

Take classes on campus or entirely online to explore the intersection of learning, information retrieval and discovery. Course work and a dissertation intended to contribute to the field grow your knowledge of usability, instructional design, information science, risk assessment, digital curation and improving information access. Assess the use and performance of these technologies in diverse settings to look toward an advanced research, industry, government or higher education role following graduation. 

Why Earn a PhD in information science and learning technologies?

Over the past 20 years, emerging digital technologies significantly overhauled the learning environment and information retrieval. Their introduction ushered in multifaceted possibilities for accessing resources, creating classrooms and supporting materials and uncovering new topics.

Mizzou’s School of Information Science and Learning Technologies (SISLT) not only conducts research directing the field’s growing applications but pioneers their possibilities. As an iSchool at an American Association of Universities (AAU) Research I institution, we incorporate these changes into course delivery and information exploration. Our faculty seized the potential of online learning early on and continue to question and observe how users interact with and absorb concepts through this interface.

In turn, the online Ph.D. in information science and learning technologies program stands upon this forward-looking platform, encouraging intensive collaboration between students and faculty:

• Conduct systematic research integrating theory and practice that contributes to the knowledge base of learning, information organization and retrieval, performance and/or technology.
• Learn from nationally and internationally respected faculty renowned for research and development.
• Rethink your approach to inquiry while considering the technical, cognitive, epistemological, cultural, political and economic factors influencing information retrieval and learning systems.
• Become a more engaged and critical researcher, and be prepared to publish your findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences.
• Push boundaries in a collaborative, collegial and scholarly environment, where on-campus faculty teach your online classes and guide your research.
• Think about how your ideas may shape future learning technologies and improve curricula, program delivery and the overall learning experience.
• Factor in motivation, engagement and information retention to improve the digital environment, incorporate the latest technologies and help all learners succeed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is the doctor of philosophy in information science and learning technologies program right for you? Learn more and view frequently asked questions that will help guide you.

Quick facts

Official name, program type, academic home, delivery mode, accreditation, non-related masters to phd credit hours, non-related masters to phd estimated cost, related masters to phd credit hours, related masters to phd estimated cost.

*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid .

Career prospects

Drive the next generation of online learning and information retrieval in research and development, academia, industry or government. Based upon their dissertation, previous experience or goals, our Ph.D. students advance or launch their careers in higher education, public policy or private research, focusing on interactive design, instructional design, or library and information systems. 

Potential paths include:

• Professor of information science and learning technologies
• Educational administration
• Library administration
• Research and development
• Developing corporate training programs or information systems

Program structure

The Ph.D. in information science and learning technologies involves 72 credit hours. Students may attend the program entirely online or opt to take select courses on campus. Transfer up to 30 master’s-level credits toward the degree. 

The program’s structure includes:

At least nine credit hours of ISLT doctoral seminars : Delve into the field’s latest research while refining your writing skills.

Research and dissertation : Prepare a single piece of extensive research or three short, article-style studies. SISLT does not restrict research hours but expects all candidates to produce innovative, ideally cross-disciplinary results that ignite conversations and impact the field. SISLT currently concentrates its research on the information needs of low-income and rural communities regarding public health, training the engineering workforce on innovation and creativity, tools and systems for digital publishing, video games as an emotional coping mechanism, teaching practices and efficiency, techniques for developing learning games, supporting libraries and their information resources and preserving broadcasts, archeological artifacts, data and photography.

Course work : In addition to doctoral seminars, complete at least 18 credit hours of related electives, nine credit hours of education research methodologies and at least nine credit hours in a related emphasis area, such as psychology, sociology, political science, journalism or anthropology. Research courses build upon what you know about applied statistics, and quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Residency requirement : Illustrate your commitment to discovery and scholarly engagement by participating in research, professional service or system design and development.

During this sequence, SISLT requires Ph.D. candidates to put together a portfolio of professional projects highlighting their achievements, particularly those presenting a solution or with real-world applications. Candidates further work with an adviser to develop their program of study and residency plan and take both qualifying and comprehensive examinations.

Based upon commitments, full-time students typically take three courses each semester and finish the program in three to four years. Part-time students take one or two classes each semester and finish in four to five years.

Electives and interest areas

Explore topics in and contribute to the discussion around:

• Educational gaming and simulation
• Engineering education
• Information organization, access and dissemination
• Information seeking and use
• Interactive learning environments, including VR, embodied and augmented learning
• Learner-centered design, interface design, instructional design
• Libraries, archives, museums and other cultural heritage institutions
• Reading, gaming and other immersive experiences
• User experience (UX) and human-computer interaction (HCI)

Review all courses and requirements for the Ph.D. in information science and learning technologies .

Calendar system

Typical program length, typical course load.

The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission , one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.

Faculty spotlight

Dr. Heather Moulaison-Sandy has been with the iSchool since 2011. Her research focuses on organization of information and digital libraries, especially in scholarly communication. Dr. Moulaison-Sandy teaches primarily in library and information science.

In addition to her role as a dean in the College of Education and professor of library science, Dr. Moore serves as a faculty member in the MU Institute for Data Science and as an affiliated faculty member in the Black Studies department. Her experience encompasses the human-centered and usability design of performance support technology and online instructional environments. 

Dr. Xu’s research interests focus on embodied interactions and learning, immersive virtual learning environments and game-based learning for STEM subjects. Utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods, he has been actively conducting research on learning and training in technology-enhanced environments to pursue answers to the umbrella research question of how to use technology to help people learn.

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15 Best Online Doctoral Programs/PhD Programs – 2024

April 24, 2024

If you’re looking to attain a terminal degree but want to skip the commute to campus, an online doctoral program might be a great option for you. As our world becomes increasingly digital, many top universities have branched out into online learning, offering online PhD and doctoral programs that are just as rigorous as their in-person counterparts. Online graduate education can offer aspiring doctoral students flexibility, a high-quality education, and the option to continue working while pursuing a degree.

Many of the universities below in our round-up of the best online doctoral programs offer degrees in education—a common track for teachers looking to advance their careers. But universities across the country offer a wide range of degrees in everything from engineering management to library science. Read on for everything you need to know as you consider applying.

The Best Online Doctoral Programs – How Long Does It Take to Get a Doctoral Degree Online?

Online doctoral programs are often designed with full-time professionals in mind, prioritizing flexibility so that you can complete your degree at your own pace. Program lengths will vary, but most will take four to seven years. For students who need to take things slower, many programs offer options to spread degree requirements out over time. When applying, here are a few good questions to ask your admissions officer:

• How long do most graduate students take to complete their degrees?
• Are there flexible options for how many courses you’ll take per term?
• Will you pay tuition per semester or per credit hour? If paying by credit hour, will you able to choose how many classes you take each semester?
• Will you be required to write a dissertation? If so, how long do students usually take to write them?

The Best Online Doctoral Programs – Is an Online PhD Program a Good Fit for Me?

There’s no denying it: online doctoral programs are different than traditional ones. Many traditional PhD programs are designed for future academics, aka for graduate students who intend to apply for jobs as university professors after graduation. Traditional PhD programs are full-time, research-focused, in-person, and often offer graduate students funding in exchange for teaching or research assistant responsibilities. Online doctoral programs do also involve research, but most online graduate students are not full-time students. Rather, many students enrolled in online doctoral programs are working professionals who attend classes in the evenings or asynchronously. With that in mind, an online program can be a fantastic opportunity to further your current career.

An online doctorate program could be a great fit for you if:

• You want to advance your career. A doctorate can lead to further opportunities for promotion and certain fields offer automatic pay increases for people with advanced degrees.
• You love research and want to develop expertise in a topic that fascinates you.
• You learn well in online settings, including asynchronous classes.
• You plan to continue working while you study.

Online doctoral programs typically do not offer their students funding, though there may be scholarships and grants available to you.

The Best Online Doctoral Programs – What to Consider When Choosing an Online Doctorate Program

Since a doctorate can take 4-7 years or more to complete, choosing the right school for you is a huge decision. Our list below dives into many details you’ll need to know like acceptance rate, retention rate, and cost of tuition. It’s important to consider big-picture factors such as:

• Time to complete degree
• Professors and mentors—you’ll want to make sure you can study with faculty who have expertise in your academic interests
• Flexibility—does the program fit with your schedule? Do they require any in-person meetings?
• Graduation rate—ask your admissions officer for the most recent figures

You’ll also want to consider whether you want to pursue a PhD or a doctorate degree. If you’re pursuing a PhD, you can expect to focus more significantly on academic research and you’ll need to complete a dissertation. A doctorate is an equivalent degree that is less focused on academic research and may not require a dissertation. Doctorates can often involve more career development or hands-on practicum experience.

The Best Online Doctoral Programs – Are Online PhDs Respected?

Yes, online doctoral programs are just as rigorous and respected as their in-person counterparts. If you hope to earn a tenure-track faculty position at a university, it’s likely a traditional PhD program will be a better route. However, if you’re seeking a doctorate for career advancement and further learning, an online doctoral program can be a great fit. Many of the most prestigious universities offer online programs, and your diploma will likely not specify whether you completed an online or traditional degree.

The Best Online Doctoral Programs – What Do I Need to Apply?

Application requirements will vary depending on the program you’re applying to. All programs will require your academic transcripts, many require letters of recommendation, and some require GRE scores. On top of that, some programs will require a personal statement or writing portfolio. Contrary to what you might think, Master’s degrees are not always required for admission to online doctoral programs.

The Best Online Doctoral Programs/PhD Programs

1) university of florida.

Located in Gainesville, the University of Florida offers 10 different online doctoral programs . Well known for its graduate programs in education, educators can pursue PhDs in educational leadership, special education, computer science education, among other options. UF also offers online programs in nursing, Latin and Roman studies, microbiology, and a few other fields. Established in 1853, UF is a flagship state university with a strong reputation.

• Graduation Rate: 89%
• Acceptance Rate: 31%
• In State Tuition: $6,380
• Out of State Tuition: $28,658
• Application Requirements: Application portfolio (sample essays or projects), GRE scores, minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.4 or graduate GPA of 3.5, letters of recommendation

2) George Washington University

George Washington University ’s Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering leads the way with the university’s most comprehensive online PhD offerings . Through them, students can pursue doctoral degrees in cybersecurity analytics, engineering in artificial intelligence, systems engineering, or engineering management. Educators can also pursue well-respected degrees in education leadership and human and organizational learning.

• Graduation Rate: 85%
• Acceptance Rate: 43%
• Tuition: $31,770
• Application Requirements: GRE scores, personal statement, letters of recommendation, academic records

3) Johns Hopkins University

• A ten-year-old program , Johns Hopkins ’ online PhD in education allows students to specialize in digital age learning, entrepreneurial leadership, urban leadership, and other topics. Note their high graduation rate: Johns Hopkins is a competitive program , but admitted students are well-supported on their path to graduation.
• Graduation Rate: 94%
• Acceptance Rate: 11%
• Tuition: $57,010
• Application Requirements: Master’s degree, minimum GPA of 3.0

Best Online Doctoral Programs/PhD Programs (Continued)

4) texas tech university.

Texas Tech University offers a wide range of online and hybrid PhD programs that provide their students flexibility as they work toward completing their terminal degree. An affordable university in Lubbock, Texas Tech is a great place for future doctors of education, consumer science, technical communication, engineering management, and financial planning.

• Graduation Rate: 63%
• Acceptance Rate: 70%
• In State Tuition: $6,788
• Out of State Tuition: $14,968
• Application Requirements: Academic transcripts, portfolio and personal statement varies by program

5) Iowa State University

Although Iowa State University ’s online doctorate programs require some in-person meetings, ISU may still be a good fit for online students. With more uncommon online doctoral programs in hospitality management and apparel, merchandising, and design, ISU offers flexible routes to completing your dissertation.

• Graduation Rate: 75%
• Acceptance Rate: 88%
• In State Tuition: $9,758
• Out of State Tuition: $24,720
• Application Requirements: Academic records, minimum 3.0 GPA

6) University of Alabama

Online University of Alabama students may miss out on a lively campus culture and football games, but they can still take advantage of UA’s top-notch academics. Well-known for its online education graduate programs, UA also offers programs in social work, communication and information sciences, and engineering.

• Graduation Rate: 72%
• Acceptance Rate: 80%
• In State Tuition: $11,940
• Out of State Tuition: $32,300
• Application Requirements: GRE scores, academic records

7) University of Missouri

One of the most robust in terms of online offerings, the University of Missouri ’s online PhD classes are taught by the same professors who teach Mizzou’s in-person classes. Mizzou offers programs in education and nursing. They also allow students to pursue doctorates in harder-to-find subjects like health sciences, agriculture, architecture, and library science.

• Graduation Rate: 73%
• Acceptance Rate: 82%
• In State Tuition: $9,478
• Out of State Tuition: $25,946
• Application Requirements: Academic record, minimum GPA of 3.0, portfolio and personal statement varies by program

8) University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

One of the oldest public universities in the U.S., University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill is known as a leader in education. UNC Chapel Hill offers just three online PhDs: public health, nursing, and education. Although some online classes require in-person or proctored final exams, doctoral requirements can mostly be completed online.

• Graduation Rate: 91%
• Acceptance Rate: 25%
• In State Tuition: $9,208
• Out of State Tuition:  $36,891
• Application Requirements: GRE scores, academic records, letters of recommendation, personal statement

9) Georgia Southern University

Located in Savannah, Georgia Southern University works hard to create an environment of support and collaboration, even online. One of the more robust programs out there, GSU offers respected online programs in public health, nursing, education, and engineering.

• Graduation Rate: 54%
• Acceptance Rate: 91%
• In State Tuition: $4,986
• Out of State Tuition: $19,890
• Application Requirements: Minimum GPA of 3.0

10) Indiana University

Indiana University allows students to study at their own pace through flexible online doctoral programs. One of the only schools to offer online programs in music therapy and philanthropy leadership, IU also allows students to pursue tracks in health sciences, education, and computing and technology. Most classes are asynchronous and students can take courses through any IU campus.

• Graduation Rate: 41%
• Acceptance Rate: 92%
• In State Tuition: $9732
• Out of State Tuition: $21,160
• Application Requirements: GRE scores, academic record

11) Mississippi State University

A solid option for future doctors of philosophy, Mississippi State University is a research-focused and inclusive university. An especially strong option for those looking to study engineering or computer science, MSU offers 9 different majors within those fields.  MSU also offers tracks in plant science and education leadership.

• Graduation Rate: 64%
• In State Tuition: $9,398
• Out of State Tuition: $25,444
• Application Requirements: Academic record, letters of recommendation, personal statement

12) Appalachian State University

Although Appalachian State University is known for its beautiful setting in Boone, North Carolina, App State still has much to offer online students. This school offers only one part-time PhD program in education leadership , but its affordability compared to other programs makes this school stand out.

• In State Tuition: $4,839
• Out of State Tuition: $18,271
• Application Requirements: Academic record, GRE scores or 3.0 minimum GPA, Master’s degree

13) Purdue University

An online doctoral program that maintains a high standard of excellence, Purdue is a great place for future doctors of technology, educational leadership and policy, and higher education. Purdue graduate students can expect to co-author papers with faculty and gain hands-on experience in research.

• Graduation Rate: 38%
• Acceptance Rate: 30%
• Tuition: $420 per credit

14) Concordia University Chicago

Concordia University ’s online doctoral programs allow students to complete their degree in three to five years. Through their shortened term system, students take 8-week classes and then write their dissertation in their final three semesters. A leader in online doctoral programs, Concordia offers paths in strategic innovation, healthcare management, education leadership, and organizational leadership.

• Tuition: $9,090
• Application Requirements: Academic record, Master’s degree with minimum 3.0 GPA, letters of recommendation, portfolio and personal statement varies by program

15) Clemson University

A public school in South Carolina, Clemson aims to prepare online doctoral students for diverse career paths. Proudly offering programs that are difficult to find elsewhere, Clemson graduate students can study healthcare genetics and parks, recreation, and tourism management. Education professionals can complete degrees in education systems, learning science, and teaching, literacy, language, and culture.

• Graduation Rate: 84%
• Acceptance Rate: 49%
• In State Tuition: $10,600
• Out of State Tuition: $22,050
• Application Requirements: Academic record, letters of recommendation, portfolio and personal statement vary by program

The Best Online Doctoral Programs – Additional Resources

Looking to learn more about graduate school admissions? We’ve got you covered.

Admissions Tips

• What is a Good GRE Score?
• Write a Grad School Statement of Purpose in 12 Simple Steps
• How to Get into Grad School with a Low GPA
• Do You Need a Master’s to get a PhD?

More about Online Learning

• Best Online MSW Programs
• Best Master’s in Public Health Online Programs
• Hybrid and Online DBA Programs 
• Graduate School Admissions

Christina Wood

Christina Wood holds a BA in Literature & Writing from UC San Diego, an MFA in Creative Writing from Washington University in St. Louis, and is currently a Doctoral Candidate in English at the University of Georgia, where she teaches creative writing and first-year composition courses. Christina has published fiction and nonfiction in numerous publications, including The Paris Review , McSweeney’s , Granta , Virginia Quarterly Review , The Sewanee Review , Mississippi Review , and Puerto del Sol , among others. Her story “The Astronaut” won the 2018 Shirley Jackson Award for short fiction and received a “Distinguished Stories” mention in the 2019 Best American Short Stories anthology.

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Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science

Tuition & Fees

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Program highlights:

• We are a highly interactive, highly ranked, research intensive department that cares deeply about its students and their future.
• Students are provided extensive opportunities to make connections between research and practice and to experience interactive teaching and learning.
• Our faculty are experts in their fields of study and many are nationally known for their contributions within the scientific community.
• This program is offered completely online and does not require students to come to campus in order to complete this program.

Tuition and fees listed are subject to change and do not include all possible charges. Additional fees may apply. Please refer to the master class schedule for individual course charges.

A Note From the Department Head

"Based on government statistics, 63% of all STEM jobs in the United States are computer science related jobs, and there are four jobs available for every graduate in computer science. These are stoning numbers that highlight the importance of computer science discipline in the US and world and its defining effect on economic growth."

"Considering the sharply increasing demand in computer science, since 2010, computer science and engineering department has made it possible to combine Mississippi State top-tier reputation with the flexibility of online study through our online MS in Computer Science. Our rigorous curriculum for this online degree is based on CSE’s on-campus degree, ensuring the elite quality of this program."

"You will be able to take classes in a flexible format that gives you the ability to pursue your educational goals in the manner most consistent with your career goals. The Master’s degree you receive at the end of your studies will be indistinguishable from its on-campus counterpart."

–Dr. Shahram Rahimi, Department Head and Professor

What are some potential careers?

Program structure.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science degree is a 55 credit hour program with 25 CSE course hours (12 expected to be transferred), 20 hours of dissertation, and 10 additional dissertation or course hours at the student's choosing.. This program is an MS Admit Only program and does not allow for Direct Admissions straight from a bachelor’s degree program. Student applications should clearly identify the domain/specialization students want to work on in their Statement of Purpose, including listing potential Major Professors and rough research ideas. Working with a major professor and guiding committee, students will select appropriate core, specialization, and elective courses and develop a research program. Preparedness for research work will be measured via examinations, and finally defended before a body of peers in the dissertation defense.

Regardless of the program of study, certain policies apply to all coursework chosen. Please refer to our Graduate Handbook for these additional policies.

A student who wishes to study Graduate Computer Science must have the ability to develop and analyze software for their study. Understanding the interface between computer hardware and software is also required, as is some mathematical fluency. Students must demonstrate their potential for success in the program via strong previous academic work, a competitive GRE score, and demonstrated English proficiency as appropriate. Finally, a student must possess those qualifications and research interests that indicate to the Computer Science and Engineering Graduate Studies Committee that the applicant will be successful in the computer science doctoral program. Additional details for these requirements are provided on the Department of Computer Science and Engineering Graduate Admissions webpage .

Examinations

There are three examinations held during the course of PhD study, each with their own purpose:

• The Qualifying Exam demonstrates mastery of the breadth of computer science and preparation for further study. It must be completed before research is started and is generally performed before coursework is concluded.
• The Proposal Defense demonstrates mastery of a research area in preparation for determining a topic. It is performed when coursework is concluded and advanced the student to candidacy (Ph.D. research eligibility).
• The Dissertation Defense is before an audience of peers and is aimed to demonstrate the student's scholarship and contribution. It is the culmination of the student's efforts.

More details concerning the specific timelines, format, and guidelines for each exam is provided on the Department of Computer Science and Engineering Examination Procedure webpage .

Dissertation & Defense

The development and execution of a dissertation is the major milestone of Ph.D. study, and students should work with their dissertation director and guiding committee in tandem to forward their studies. These guidelines supplement, but do not supersede, those provided by the Graduate School; see the Office of the Graduate School guidelines for additional details such as the deadlines, exam process, submission steps, format for the dissertation, and so on.

The primary milestones for the dissertation are as follows:

• The student must complete coursework and the Qualifying exam.
• The semester before their anticipated Proposal Defense, students should review their Program of Study via CAPP on Banner to ensure all coursework will be completed.
• Introduction to the research being proposed.
• Review of the relevant research in the area.
• Hypothesis, research goals/questions, research relevancy, proposed research methodology/procedures, and publication plan.
• The major professor schedules a research proposal session with the students Graduate Committee. The student will present an oral defense of their proposed research. At this time, the student and his/her Committee may negotiate specific changes in the proposed work. Another proposal session may be required as appropriate. When the proposal is passed, the signed written proposal signature page is kept with the CSE office.
• Upon completion of the research, the student submits a draft copy of the dissertation document to each member of his/her Graduate Committee. This draft copy is must be distributed to the committee members at least one week prior to the planned date of the presentation. All suggestions and concerns should be resolved under the direction of the major professor.
• When the student is ready to defend the dissertation and be examined, the major professor schedules the presentation and examination. The dissertation presentation is open to all students and faculty. The presentation is followed immediately by an oral examination of the student that is open only to the members of the student's Graduate Committee (and the research director).
• Once the student has made all changes to the dissertation document requested by the committee members and the committee members and the Graduate Coordinator have signed the approval page, the student submits a signed copy of the approval page to the departmental office. Approval of the thesis proceeds from the committee, to the Graduate Coordinator of the Department, and thence to the Dean of Engineering. After all approvals are obtained, the student must submit an electronic copy of the dissertation to the Library for final approval. The Library provides guidelines for the format of theses. Dr. Ramkumar provides a LaTeX template for those wishing to use it, under the disclaimer that Library guidelines are the primary source of formatting and must be consulted at all times.

Admissions Requirements

Students seeking full admission into this program should apply as a classified student. Non-degree seeking students wishing to take classes offered through the Online program should apply as an Unclassified student.

Applications for the degree programs are reviewed two times a year. The application deadlines for those semesters are as follows:

• Spring Enrollments need complete applications by November 1
• Fall Enrollments need complete applications by June 1

**Early applications are highly encouraged

An applicant for admission to graduate study must hold a bachelor's degree from a fully recognized four-year educational institution that has unconditional accreditation with appropriate regional accrediting agencies. They must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School and the Computer Science program.

Regular admission to graduate study in the program requires a minimum grade point average (last four semesters of undergraduate work) of 3.50/4.00. When a student is deficient in one of the criteria cited, the student's application, nevertheless, may be considered for admission based on the strength of other materials contained in the student's application.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores are NOT required for entry into this program.

Bagley College of Engineering programs may accept transfer work previously completed by the student. Transcript reviews to determine transfer or prerequisite work will be evaluated AFTER students are granted full admission. Once admitted an academic coordinator can review those transcripts for more information.

To meet admission requirements, submit a separate official final transcript from each college or university attended; faxed transcripts will not be accepted. An applicant may not ignore previous college attendance and must list all colleges attended on the application for admission. You must be in good standing at the last college or university attended

Attention International Students

International students are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and score greater than 550. Detailed information regarding international applications can be found in the Graduate Catalog . Questions regarding international applications can be addressed to the Office of the Graduate School at [email protected] .

• ETS is providing home testing for the TOEFL iBT test, and MSU is encouraging students to take advantage of this testing option. For those students applying who have taken the TOEFL within five years of the semester they plan to enroll and are unable to access the TOEFL iBT test from home, we will accept your previous test scores.

Admission Options

Domestic/international classified admissions, domestic unclassified admissions, international unclassified admissions, provisional admissions, readmission, transfer credit.

• Submit online application . You will choose Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science as your Program of Study and Online Education as your campus.
• Statement of Purpose
• You will be asked to submit three names and three email addresses of individuals you are using as references. Once you click submit, these individuals will be sent an email from MSU, which will provide a link to an online form for completing their recommendations.
• One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
• Electronic transcripts should be sent to: [email protected] Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
• Paper Transcripts Address (USPS): Mississippi State University The Office of the Graduate School P.O. Box G Mississippi State, MS 39762
• Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.): Mississippi State University The Office of the Graduate School 175 President Circle 116 Allen Hall Mississippi State, MS 39762
• Payment of $60 non-refundable application processing fee for domestic students. Payment of $80 non-refundable application processing fee for international students.
• Once you are admitted, you will receive an email with complete instructions on registering for classes and contacting your advisor

Only NINE (9) hours of course work taken as an "Unclassified Student" can be applied toward a degree program. All Unclassified students should submit a classified application once they have reached the maximum of nine hours. Full admission into the Master of Science in Computer Science online program will be based upon successful completion of all classified admissions requirements.

If you are applying unclassified, select "Graduate School - Unclassified" as the college.

• Submit online application
• Pay $60 non-refundable application processing fee

PLEASE NOTE In general, students who are not admitted into a degree program are not eligible for student financial aid funds. For more information please visit Student Financial Aid to see if you will be eligible or not while taking courses as an Unclassified graduate student.

• TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for international students.
• One copy of academic records showing degree(s) (in native language along with translated copies if appropriate)
• Must obtain application approval from the Dean of the Graduate School
• Payment of $80 non-refundable application processing fee for international students.

A student who has not fully met the requirements stipulated by the University and the department for admission to graduate study may be granted admission as a degree-seeking graduate student with provisional status. Such student must have as his/her initial objective advancement to regular status. A provisional student must receive a 3.00 GPA on the first nine hours of graduate level courses on the program of study taken at Mississippi State University (transfer hours or unclassified graduate hours will not apply) in order to achieve regular status. If a 3.00 is not attained, the provisional student will be dismissed from graduate study.

Once enrolled in graduate study, a student who fails to meet the continuous enrollment requirement must complete an Application for Readmission to register for classes. Continuous enrollment is defined as enrollment in two of three semester terms (Fall, Spring, or Summer) with Fall enrollment required. Students who have not been enrolled for a period of three years or longer and are in good academic standing, are eligible to reapply to through the Lapsed Student Program. Readmission is not guaranteed and must be approved by the Department Head, Academic Dean, and Dean of the Graduate School. Interested students or academic departments should contact the Graduate School for more information.

Students may transfer up to twelve (12) hours of graduate level credits from regionally accredited institutions. The decision to grant transfer credit is made by the advisor and the student’s graduate committee. If you wish to transfer credits, contact your advisor. You will need to provide an official transcript showing the courses you wish to transfer.

Example Courses

CSE 8011 Graduate Seminar (Core: Seminar) One hour seminar. Reports on recent advances and problems in computer science by guest speakers, faculty, and students; student participation, general discussion.

CSE 8833 Algorithms (Core: Graduate Theory) (Prerequisites: CSE 4833/6833) Three hours lecture. Advanced techniques for designing and analyzing algorithms, advanced data structures, case studies, NP-completeness including reductions, approximation algorithms.

CSE 6633 Artificial Intelligence (Primary Specialization, Introduction) (Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CSE 2383 and CSE 2813) Three hours lecture. Study of the computer in context with human thought processes. Heuristic programming; search programming; search strategies; knowledge representation; natural language understanding; perception; learning.

CSE 8673 Machine Learning (Primary Specialization, Advanced) (Prerequisite: CSE 4633/6633) Three hours lecture. Introduction to machine learning, including computational learning theory, major approaches to machine learning, evaluation of models, and current research.

CSE 6413 Principles of Computer Graphics (Secondary Specialization, Introduction) (Prerequisites: MA 3113 and grade of C or better in CSE 2383) Three hours lecture. Graphics hardware; algorithms, graphics primitives, windowing and clipping , transformations,3D graphics, shading, hidden surfaces; standards.

CSE 8990 Special Topics: Data Visualization in R (Secondary Specialization) Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years).

CSE 8990 Special Topics: Markov Methods (Additional Hours) Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years).

CSE 6663 Human-Human-Computer Interaction (Additional Hours) (Prerequisite: Junior class standing or consent of instructor) Three hours lecture. Conceptual models formed by users, aspects of computer systems which affect users, interface design and evaluation, and examples and critiques of specific interfaces.

CSE 6503 Database Management Systems (Additional Hours) (Prerequisites: CSE 2383 and CSE 2813, both with a grade of C or better) Three hours lecture. Modern database models; basic database management concepts; query languages; database design through normalization; advanced database models; extensive development experience in a team environment.

CSE 8080 Directed Project (Additional Hours) Hours and credits to be arranged. An individual professional project open only to candidates for the Master of Science degree (project option). Formal written and oral project reports are required.

Accessing Online Courses

Accessing course videos.

Videos recorded during our on campus class sessions are uploaded for online students to view within our online course repository.  Online students will have access to course videos within 24 hours of the on campus course completion. Students should visit Engage to access the course videos. Instructions for viewing the recordings and downloading the recordings are offered below.

View and Download Videos

Instructions for viewing classes live or downloading videos, use our video download instructions.

If you experience technical difficulties or have any questions regarding the recording or format of our lecture capture, please contact:

IT Support & Staff Bagley College of Engineering Mississippi State University [email protected] 662.325.7794

Student Resources

• Thesis and Dissertation
• Research Guide

Contact Information

Mindy Wolfe

Enrollment & Onboarding Coach

• General Program Questions
• Assistance with Admissions Process & Requirements

Anusha Rijal

Retention & Engagement Coach

• Current Student Inquires
• Academic & Support Services Assistance

Dr. T.J Jankun-Kelly

Computer Science and Engineering

• Graduate Coordinator

Tamra Swann

Engineering

• Distance Education Coordinator

Department of Computer Science and Engineering

• Current Students

Doctoral Degrees

Online penn state doctoral degree programs online penn state doctoral degree programs.

Advance your studies while completing course work online in a flexible doctorate level program.

Stand Out in Your Field Stand Out in Your Field

A doctoral degree from Penn State, a nationally-recognized institution, can benefit your career and professional advancement.

The Real Penn State — Online The Real Penn State — Online

Your diploma will be identical to one earned by a resident Penn State student.

4 Doctoral Degrees

• Education Doctor of Education program
• Engineering Doctor of Engineering program
• Nursing Practice – Leadership Doctor of Nursing Practice program
• Nursing Practice – Nurse Practitioner Doctor of Nursing Practice program

The flexibility of the course offerings via an online format allowed me to work full time as a Clinical Nurse Specialist.  The program also enabled me to apply the education I was receiving directly to my own practice environment.

Ph.D. in Computer Science

Gain vital expertise to lead and innovate with the help of invaluable "practice experience" in a fast-paced, real-world environment.

Through critical and logical thinking, you’ll gain the essential knowledge and experience needed to become highly proficient in the use of today’s leading computing platforms and techniques.

Why earn a Ph.D. in computer science?

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

Scientists and engineers in every industry rely on high-performance technology and large data sets, requiring experts that can help harness the latest sophisticated computing power to solve real-world problems.

With this graduate program, you'll:

• Get essential "practice experience" to help solve real-world problems and challenges through computational technology
• Develop the knowledge and skills that will prepare you to lead or support research in any technical career that relies on computer science.
• Develop your logic and critical-thinking skills to help solve today's most pressing scientific and engineering challenges.
• Choose from computation clusters focused on specialized computing system or methods, and application clusters for exposure to specific scientific disciplines.
• Work with practitioners in a variety of disciplines served by computer science .

On-Campus or Online Ph.D. in Computer Science

Benefit from strong departmental proficiencies in artificial intelligence, compiler design, database, networks, operating systems, graphics, simulation, software engineering, and theoretical computer science.

Shape the future of transportation. UND’s Transportation Technology Research Initiative is using autonomous systems to develop and maintain a modern transportation system.

Advance your technology skills with a curriculum that encourages a formal, abstract, theoretical and practical approach to the study of computer science.

Gain access to on-campus computer power: two computer labs, a set of diverse servers and a high-performance computing (HPC) system.  The supercomputer at UND runs on the HPE Apollo 6500 Gen10 system, purpose-built for HPC and a leading platform for deep learning. 

UND is a leader in big data expertise. We are the lead institution in a multi-university project for digital agriculture, funded by the National Science Foundation . And we  co-lead another NSF project to determine industry and academic computational needs in the Midwest.

Study at a Carnegie Doctoral Research Institution ranked #151 by the NSF. Students are an integral part of UND research.

What can I do with a Ph.D. in computer science?

Anticipated job growth for computer and information research scientists through 2032

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Median annual salary for computer and information research scientists, 2023

Graduates of the Computer Science Ph.D. program have dynamic career paths with titles such as:  

• Software engineer and developer
• Computational scientist
• Data science engineer
• Research scientists (technology companies and universities)

Because technology systems are so essential today, UND graduates can expect career opportunities across a range of industries. A small sampling of top industries needing advanced scientific computing skills include:

• Atmospheric science
• Bioinformatics
• Communications
• Engineering and science
• High tech (hardware)
• Renewable energy
• Scientific and medical research (private and university-level)
• Software engineering and design

Ph.D. in Computer Science Courses

CSCI 515. Data Engineering and Management. 3 Credits.

This course studies theoretical and applied research issues related to data engineering, management, and science. Topics will reflect state-of-the-art and state-of-the-practice activities in the field. The course focuses on well-defined theoretical results and empirical studies that have potential impact on data acquisition, analysis, indexing, management, mining, retrieval, and storage. Prerequisite: CSCI 513 . S, even years.

CSCI 543. Machine Learning. 3 Credits.

An introductory course in machine learning for data science. Topics include the learning algorithms of a Bayesian network, neural network, parametric/non-parametric methods, kernel machine, support-vector machine, etc. for regression, classification, clustering, dimensionality reduction, etc. Prerequisite: CSCI 365 or CSCI 384 . F, odd years.

CSCI 567. Secure Software Engineering. 3 Credits.

This course covers software engineering principles and techniques used in the development life-cycle of cyber secure systems. Topics covered include, the characteristics of secure software, the role of security in the development life-cycle, designing secure software, and best-practices in secure programming and testing. Study includes review of industrial standards for secure software system engineering. Prerequisite: EE 601 , EE 602 , and admission to the MS Cyber Security Program. SS.

CSCI 554. Applications in AI/Computational Intelligence. 3 Credits.

A continuous study of the computational paradigms of Soft Computing in the field of Computational Intelligence. The topics include the applications of the various soft computing techniques in Computational Intelligence as well as more evolutionary algorithms in Swarm Intelligence. Prerequisite: CSCI 544 . F, even years.

CSCI 555. Computer Networks. 3 Credits.

A study of new and developing network architectures and communication protocols. Broadband technologies will be considered including BISDN, ATM networks, and other high-speed networks. Prerequisite: CSCI 327 .

CSCI 557. Computer Forensics. 3 Credits.

An overview of the techniques to detect and assess the level of penetration of a security breach. Topics include forensic science in the cyber domain, laws and ethics of forensic activities, digital evidence, methods of forensic investigation, and forensic procedures in a variety of operating systems and network configurations. Prerequisite: EE 602 , or approval of the department, and admission to the MS program in Cyber Security. S.

Online Computer Science Ph.D.

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UND's online Ph.D. in Computer Science is fully online. You never have to come to campus. You'll take a combination of synchronous and asynchronous online computer science courses. 

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UND is one of the most affordable online colleges in the region. For this program, we offer the same online tuition rates regardless of your legal residency. Compare and you’ll see UND is lower cost than similar four-year doctoral universities.

Top-Tier Online Computer Science Ph.D.

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs. No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

• Same degree:  All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) . Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
• Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
• Real interaction:  You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
• Your own academic advisor:  As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
• Free online tutoring:  We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
• Unlimited academic coaching:  Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
• Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
• 24/7 technical support:  UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
• Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

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Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

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The 90 Best Accredited Online Ph.D. Programs

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• Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
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• Economics (DEc)
• Health Science (D.H.S./D.H.Sci)
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Online Ph.D. programs provide degrees often earned by those who wish to enter the realm of research, leadership, or education in their chosen field.

As this distinguished degree is very impressive, you can expect to exhibit hard work and dedication beyond your imagination. Earning a Ph.D. is not for the faint of heart!

However, besides accomplishing their own personal goals, Ph.D. holders are dedicated to the betterment of our society, primarily through research and by teaching others. As you embark on this journey, rest assured your efforts will be applauded and your lasting work will be much appreciated by your peers and for generations to come.

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Best online phd programs in education/educational leadership.

Embarking on an online Ph.D. or EdD in Education or Educational Leadership entails not only a love of learning but also passing on that love of learning to the next generation. An EdD in Education is designed for working professionals who not only want to teach but may want to work as a dean or principal of a school or as a college president.

A Ph.D. in Education is a theory and research-driven educational pursuit. Those with a Ph.D. in Education will often become college professors or research scholars.

Both the Ph.D. and EdD in Education are terminal degrees in the field of education. All three of the universities listed here have multiple fields of study within their online education doctoral programs. They also each have an extremely high retention rate, which means high student satisfaction, as well as a stellar reputation for online excellence.

Johns Hopkins University

The online EdD program at Johns Hopkins University is one of the best global education programs in the world. Offered by a top university, the degree is still accessible for those who are already engaged in the education world in leadership roles and as teachers.

The coursework at Johns Hopkins focuses on up-to-date research in the following specializations:

• Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education
• Urban Leadership
• Mind, Brain, and Teaching
• Instructional Design in Online Teaching and Learning
• Technology Integration in K-16 Education

University of Southern California

Ranked #11 in Best Schools of Education by U.S. News and World Report, USC offers some of the best online education degree programs. The USC Rossier School of Education boasts top education faculty and a very high satisfaction rate.

The online doctorates in education offered at the University of Southern California are:

• Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
• Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership
• Global Executive Doctor of Education

University of Florida

The online educational doctorate at the University of Florida is not only one of the top online doctorates but is also one of the cheapest online doctorates in education among the three included in this list.

The College of Education at the University of Florida is ranked 2nd in the nation according to U.S. News and World Report rankings of America’s Best Online Graduate Education Programs. It has occupied the top of this list for 6 years running making it a solid choice for educational pursuits.

The online doctoral programs along with their specializations offered at the University of Florida are:

• Teachers, Schools, and Society
• Educational Technology
• Leadership in Educational Administration EdD
• EdD in Special Education
• EdD in Higher Education Administration

Best Online PhD Programs in Psychology

Those pursuing a doctorate in the field of psychology have the option of completing either a Ph.D. or a PsyD. A Ph.D. in psychology is more heavily weighted toward research and scientific inquiry. A PsyD is a better choice for those who are interested in clinical practice.

A doctorate program in psychology may have an emphasis such as addiction or family counseling. Some schools may prioritize a focus making it a better fit for a specific interest. Below are the three top schools offering online doctorates in psychology.

Oregon State University

Oregon State University offers a Ph.D. in Counseling which gives students the ability to work as supervisors, educators, and practitioners in counseling settings. Research is an essential component of the program at OSU along with adequately addressing evolving societal needs.

The Ph.D. is available to complete entirely online with the exception of two face-to-face meetings a quarter. Focus areas of the counseling degree program from Oregon State University include:

• Advanced Practice
• Counselor Supervision
• Counselor Education

National University

The Ph.D. in Psychology offered at National University is one of the cheapest online doctoral degrees in psychology. The program prepares students to advance in their profession and emphasizes learning from experience and real-life situations.

The online Ph.D. programs at National University boast a “uniquely flexible approach.” The weekly course starts to fit graduate students’ already busy schedules. Doctoral degrees in psychology offered at National are:

• Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
• Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy
• Doctorate of Marriage and Family Therapy

Best Online PhD Programs in Nursing

There are two basic options for those pursuing a terminal degree in nursing. The Ph.D. in Nursing is a research-based degree that prepares graduates to work in nursing faculty positions, as nursing researchers or developing and exploring research methodologies.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice or DNP prepares graduates to work in health care policy, administration, or other nursing leadership opportunities. Those who hold a DNP may also find a job within academia.

When deciding between a DNP and Ph.D. in Nursing, pursuing a DNP is better for those interested in the practice of nursing whereas a Ph.D. is more suited for those who are research and methodology-oriented. These three schools are some of the very best schools to offer an online doctor of nursing practice degree.

University of Pittsburgh

The School of Nursing at the University of Pittsburgh is ranked ninth in the country by U.S. News & World Report, making it one of the top online schools at which to obtain a doctorate in nursing. The focus of the school is to provide the highest levels of nursing research and education in order to assist students in making a positive change in the nursing world.

The online Doctor of Nursing Practice at the University of Pittsburgh offers multiple concentrations which are listed below.

• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Health Systems Executive Leadership
• Nurse Anesthesia
• Nurse-Midwife (On-site)
• Nurse Practitioner

Duke University

The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program at Duke University achieved the #4 ranking in 2021 DNP programs by U.S. News & World Report. Duke University offers entry for post-BSN as well as post-master’s degree students. The online format offers flexibility which allows nurses to pursue a terminal degree while still working.

The degree program focuses on giving students the skills to improve care systems, quality of care, and assess evidence and previous research. Degrees and specialties offered by Duke University School of Nursing are:

• Doctor of Nursing Practice – Nurse Anesthesia (Hybrid)
• Doctor of Nursing Practice – Executive Leadership Specialty and Certificate
• Doctor of Nursing Practice

Gonzaga University

Gonzaga University offers both a Post Master’s and Post Baccalaureate Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. Both degrees are offered online which is ideal for nurses who are already employed.

The Post-Master’s DNP gives nurses the ability to stay competitive within their field while the Post-Baccalaureate DNP prepares students to become nurse practitioners. Both degree programs are offered through the top-class, flexible online classes at Gonzaga University.

• Doctor of Nursing Practice – Post Master’s
• Doctor of Nursing Practice – Post Baccalaureate

See also: How To Write a Perfect Essay Like a PhD

Best online phd programs in history.

Obtaining a Ph.D. in history is for those who are fascinated with culture, music, sociology, religion, politics, and a broad scope of virtually everything related to humanity. Fascinated by life, those who study history are courageous people who are interested in passing on to future generations the whys and wherefores of human existence in order to give them insight into current situations.

Along with granting insight, exploring past cultures, and expanding one’s worldview, the study of history at a doctoral level prepares one to become an expert in a historical focus area. Obtaining a terminal degree in history can equip a graduate to work at a college or university, museum, government agency, or in research, publishing, and editing.

Unfortunately, there are few online doctorates in history offered in the U.S. Liberty University Online offers one of the only online Ph.D. programs in history available. Included here is also the University of Birmingham, recommended by Texas Tech University for those wishing to complete an online history Ph.D. The third listing offers an online Ph.D. related to history.

Liberty University

Though the online Ph.D. in History is one of the only degrees of its kind, it is offered by Liberty University Online, whose online programs, according to their website, are ranked in the top 1%. Liberty University is accredited and approaches the study of history from a Christian perspective.

Courses are in an 8-week format with start dates beginning every 8 weeks. Another unique aspect of Liberty’s program is its low tuition rate which has remained the same rate for 4 years. This combination of qualities makes Liberty University’s online Ph.D. in History affordable as well as high quality. Subjects studied include:

• Historiography
• Historical Professions

University of Birmingham

Located in Birmingham, England, the University of Birmingham offers online Ph.D. degrees in history. The university is the home to the Center for Byzantine, Ottoman, and Modern Greek Studies, which makes it the only research center in England to bring all of those subjects together.

Ranked among the top five departments of Classics in the UK by Times Higher Education, the University of Birmingham boasts 81% of submitted research outputs rated as either “internationally excellent” or “world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigor.” Online PhDs offered by the University of Birmingham are:

• PhD in Classics and Ancient History
• PhD in Byzantine, Ottoman and Modern Greek Studies

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee

A history-related online Ph.D. program is the Ph.D. specialization offered by the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. The specialization is in Social Foundations of Education. The program assists students in acquiring an understanding of the social situations that affect communities and especially urban schools.

It is designed for those who wish to study schools and sociology in a historical setting, applying it to current situations in order to improve urban schools and communities. The Ph.D. specialization is offered by the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee’s Education School.

Best Online Doctoral Programs in Business

The online doctoral degree in business is widely available at many institutions. Various paths may be taken for those who have a mind and passion for business. First, is the more applied doctorate, the Doctor of Business Administration or DBA. Also available is a Ph.D. in business administration which is a more theoretical approach to business.

Those who pursue the more theoretical approach, or Ph.D. in business, will likely be teaching business or applying their theories and research to improve business strategy.

The applied doctorate or DBA lends itself more to becoming the leader of a business. Both doctorates are terminal and offer a wide range of skills and opportunities to their holders.

These three schools offer online doctorates in business and are chosen based on their quality as well as their affordability.

California Baptist University

California Baptist University offers one of the best online Doctor of Business degrees. The graduates of the program at CBU have learned to create a strong foundation of business practice based on theory, research, and application.

The program allows students to graduate in as little as three years at which time they will have also completed their dissertation. 8-week modules offer flexible start times. A unique aspect of the Doctor of Business Administration degree program at California Baptist University includes learning high ethical standards in a global business setting.

Creighton University

The Doctor of Business Administration at Creighton University offered through Creighton’s Heider College of Business, is a research degree that focuses on enhancing critical thought and analysis. A DBA from Creighton will give the skills to advance professionally, improve the skill to consult, and grant opportunities to practice or teach at a university or college.

Research at this degree program is holistic, centered around society and organizations as a whole and making a positive change within business. The Doctor of Business Administration at Creighton is a hybrid program that can be completed mostly online.

University of Maryland Global Campus

One of the top online Doctor of Business Administration degrees available, the degree program at the University of Maryland is designed for professionals who wish to enhance their abilities, level of knowledge, and research acumen. According to their website, the program emphasizes “management theory and strategic thinking, organizational leadership and change, research and innovation, and sustainability in the global business environment.”

Along with applied research and real-world analysis, classes in the Doctor of Business Administration degree program at the University of Maryland include:

• Evidence-based Research Methods
• Data Analytics in Practice
• Research as a Tool for Management Decision Making

Best Online Doctoral Programs in Accounting

The Doctor of Accounting degree can be pursued through two doctoral avenues: the Ph.D. in Business or the Doctor of Business Administration. Both of these options must be pursued at a school that offers a concentration in accounting in order to give accounting expertise.

The DBA approach to pursuing a terminal degree in accounting prepares graduates to practice accounting as CPAs, manage or direct CPA firms, or work as financial managers or auditors.

The Ph.D. in Business with a concentration in accounting is geared more toward teaching business and accounting within academia, although the holder of a Ph.D. in Business may also enjoy working in research or managing an organization.

The Doctor of Business Administration in Accounting at Liberty University is offered completely online and is one of the best DBAs available online. With a three-year average to complete, an 8-week course schedule, and a high reputation of being rated in the top 1% of online degree programs, Liberty’s DBA program offers flexibility for high-quality professionals.

The DBA program at Liberty focuses on theoretical principles put into practice. It also uniquely emphasizes ethical standards and unites integrity with efficiency within the best possible practice.

One of the top online PhDs in Accounting is offered by National University. Because the degree is a Ph.D. rather than a DBA, the focus is on research-based accounting, which applies a broad understanding of accounting to the “relationships among business activities, economic outcomes, business performance,” and even forensic analysis.

National’s online Ph.D. in Accounting program specializes in working with professors at NU to examine accounting data, analyze business transactions and statements, and relate them to the operating functions of business organizations. Graduates may feel confident in positions as accounting and auditing leaders and in academia.

George Fox University

The Doctor of Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting at George Fox University is a hybrid DBA program that is completed almost entirely online. An on-campus residency is required twice each year in the beautiful state of Oregon. This format allows students to pursue their full-time employment while advancing to the top of their field.

The online DBA accounting program at George Fox requires students to complete a business core, a research core that includes a dissertation, and an education core. The education core includes either a teaching practicum or a consulting practicum. The program offers highly convenient start dates every Monday.

Best Online Doctoral Programs in Computer Science

There are two basic paths for those pursuing the highest degree in the field of computer science: the Doctor of Computer Science and the Ph.D. in Computer Science. Although both are terminal degrees in computer science, the degrees are not equivalent. The Ph.D. is a research degree that usually requires a dissertation process of around 3 years.

Because of the time required to complete the dissertation, a Ph.D. in computer science usually takes at least 4 years to complete. The Doctor of Computer Science or DCS can often be completed in as little as 3 years with only one year spent on a dissertation. These three schools offer some of the best online doctorates in computer science.

Colorado Technical University

The online degree offered at Colorado Technical University is the Doctor of Computer Science – Big Data Analytics. The focus of the program is on developing expertise and experience in structuring and interpreting data. Tools such as XML, Hadoop, and techniques such as Al and data visualization are used to teach students how to analyze large amounts of data.

The degree program can be completed in as little as 3 years with the dissertation built into the program. With multiple start dates and a convenient online curriculum, the program also offers several scholarships making it affordable as well.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science at National University is offered 100% online. The degree program “takes an applied approach to computer science theory and research.” Unique to National’s Ph.D. program is the focus on independent research rather than just writing papers based on the research of others.

The curriculum is designed to further students’ expertise through studying software engineering, data mining, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. Scholarships offered for National’s online Ph.D. in Computer Science include three $20,000 scholarships and one full-time scholarship.

Columbia University

The Computer Science Doctorate degree (DES) at Columbia University’s School of Engineering is offered partially online. Available to those who have completed their master’s degree in computer science at Columbia, the degree program offers a great opportunity for those who discover their interest in the subject of computer science early.

By completing their master’s degree at Columbia, the online doctoral degree from a top university becomes available to those who would like to acquire a position and also acquire the highest possible degree in computer science. Students are able to choose a focus around which to take classes. These include robotics, artificial intelligence, computational biology, and computer graphics among others.

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Best online doctoral programs in public administration.

Those who hold a doctorate in public policy or public administration have the privilege to influence the policies of public, private, and nonprofit organizations as well as law and policy in government.

Every city requires experts in public administration in order to effectively operate. These online degree programs in public administration are available for those who have work and family responsibilities and are also pursuing higher education.

West Chester University

West Chester University has designed one of the top Doctor of Public Administration programs. The DPA allows professionals to develop skills of leadership in order to direct organizations in all sectors.

The degree is comprised of 45 credits and helps students develop competency in the areas of management, financial decision-making, policy advocacy, and performance management.

Another one of the best online doctor of public administration degrees, the DPA at California Baptist University is flexible in its start dates as well as unique in its approach. The program is oriented toward working adults who want to become leaders in public and non-profit organizations.

The online DPA can be completed in as little as three years including the dissertation. Unique focus areas of the program include criminal justice, planning, governance, policy, health management, and social service.

Liberty University’s online DPA program is streamlined to allow an average of 2.5 years to complete a degree from a highly respected online institution. The doctorate is applied in that it focuses on solving real problems, developing skills in governance, and training for leadership roles.

The degree program, administered from a Christian perspective, assists students to “develop a thorough knowledge of the legal, ethical and political environments of public administration.” Liberty University also provides an online Ph.D. in Public Policy which can be created in less than 3 years. Both degree programs are affordable online doctorates in public policy and administration.

Best Online Doctoral Programs in Economics

Like online doctorates in history, online doctorates in economics aren’t widely available yet. There are quite a few international universities that offer online doctorates in economics but here are three universities from the U.S., all of which are accredited.

Two of the schools are accredited by agencies not recognized by the United States Department of Education. However, they are recognized by the UK and many students who have graduated from these schools have developed the tools necessary to have successful careers in the field of economics.

Liberty University ranked in the top 1% of online universities, does offer one of the only online doctorates in economics. Liberty’s online Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy – Economic Policy is designed to assist students in looking to create a better future for our country. With a possible completion time of 3 years, the Ph.D. is offered 100% online and is fully accredited by the SACSCC.

Liberty’s Ph.D. in Public Policy – Economics prepares graduates to work in careers as researchers, policy analysts, social scientists, government leaders, professors, directors of education policies, and many other exciting careers that will fuel the success of our future economy.

Atlantic International University

Atlantic International University, located in Honolulu, Hawaii, offers an online Ph.D. in Economics. The degree program brings together the practical aspects of business with economic analysis. It is intended for students who are interested in pursuing careers in research and teaching in business administration or similar economic fields.

Unique to the program at AIU is the ability to specialize in the following areas:

• Economics of Growth and Development
• Public Economics
• Mathematics for Economists
• Econometrics International Trade Theory
• Microeconomic Research
• Macroeconomic Research
• Labor Economics
• Economic Theory
• Industrial Organization
• International Economics

Akamai University

Akamai University offers two options for completing a Ph.D. in Economics. One is the Doctor of Philosophy (by Coursework) in Community and Economic Development. The other is the Doctor of Philosophy (by Dissertation) in Community and Economic Development.

• This PhD at Akamai addresses the many challenges confronting the human community. The program prepares students to address the principles, development and recovery of these economic communities.
• Can be completed in as little as 2 years
• The Ph.D. in Economics by Dissertation at Akamai is for students who have completed years of research, training and coursework and are interested in specific research as a capstone to their career.
• The objective of the program is for students to complete a quality dissertation under the guidance of Akamai professors.

Best Online Doctoral Programs in Public Health

A Doctor of Public Health or DrPH is a terminal degree in the field of public health. Similar to a Ph.D., the DrPH is designed for those who are entering careers that involve teaching, research, or professional practice. The degree is often focused on interdisciplinary studies whereas the Ph.D., by contrast, is research-based and focuses on the mastery of a single topic within a public health field.

Though not many online doctorates are available in the field of public health, these three of the best DrPH degrees are offered by top universities.

University of South Florida

Ranked #104 in National Universities by U.S. News and World Report, the University of South Florida also has one of the most affordable online doctors of public health degrees available anywhere.

The degree program at USF is focused on advancing public health education and prepares graduates to practice in health departments, international agencies, and non-profit or community-based organizations among other places of work.

The unique emphasis of the degree program is “developing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-informed public health practice.” The University of South Florida’s online Doctor of Public Health is available online with 3 on-campus DrPH Institutes.

Available concentrations in this degree program are:

• Advanced Practice Leadership in Public Health
• Public Health and Clinical Laboratory Science and Practice

One of only a few online doctorates available at Johns Hopkins University, the Doctor of Public Health offered through the Bloomberg School of Public Health is one of the best DrPH degrees in the country. Ranked #10 in international universities by U.S. News and World Report, Johns Hopkins guarantees some of the best overall academic training by top faculty.

The DrPH at Johns Hopkins integrates knowledge and analytical skills to produce leaders, program managers, and communication professionals as well as focused knowledge within a specific field of public health.

Along with a specialized course of study for each student according to his or her interests, these concentrations are available for students in the DrPH at Johns Hopkins:

• Environmental Health
• Health Equity and Social Justice
• Health Policy and Management
• Implementation Science

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

One of the top online doctors of public health degrees is offered by the high-ranking University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The online DrPH program offered through the Gillings School of Global Public Health gives students health leadership skills that produce graduates who are effective public health leaders of the future.

The degree program is available to professionals who have had five years of experience, after their master’s degree, in mid or senior-level leadership positions. The Executive Doctor of Health Leadership degree program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill boasts a high satisfaction rate among graduates of the program and has proved itself as one of the best DrPH degrees available online.

How to Boost Your Chances of Getting Accepted to an Online Ph.D. Program

Best online doctoral programs in criminal justice.

Pursuing a doctorate in criminal justice again offers the option between the academic, research-oriented Ph.D. and the more practical and professional DCJ or Doctor of Criminal Justice degree. Criminal justice specializations offer graduate students opportunities, in either doctorate, to pursue their interest of choice.

These online options allow those working within the field of criminal justice to pursue their dreams of reaching the highest possible level of education while staying within their workplace.

Colorado Technical University provides an online Doctor of Management degree in Criminal Justice. According to the CTU website, “students work to develop…managerial skills through mentoring, action research, and practical projects.” This focus allows DCJ graduates to positively contribute to criminal justice leadership.

Graduates of the program at Colorado Technical University can pursue work as Sheriffs, Police or Private Detectives, and Intelligence Analysts among many other job opportunities. Focus areas in this program include:

• Research and Writing
• Leadership and Change Management
• Specific Concentration Discipline

California University of Pennsylvania

One of the top online doctoral programs for criminal justice is found at California University of Pennsylvania. The doctorate can be completed in 2 years of part-time work, making it one of the fastest online doctorates as well.

The Doctor of Criminal Justice at CUP is designed to offer these career benefits for criminal justice professionals:

• Strengthening analysis skills and policy evaluation
• Understanding concerns including the use of force by police and wrongful convictions
• Developing the leadership necessary to consult or be promoted

An online doctorate with no GRE requirement, the Doctor of Criminal Justice program at National University has convenient start dates and no residency requirements. National offers a one-to-one model of learning that ensures interaction with professors even from a distance.

Students learn to encounter and solve real-world problems while still developing their managerial and organizational skills. Specialties in the program are:

• Homeland Security
• White Collar Crime
• Policing/Law Enforcement

Best Online Doctoral Programs in Philosophy

Online doctorate degrees in philosophy are not widely available as of yet. Two academic institutions are included here that offer an online doctorate in philosophy. The third from the top university of Loyola offers a doctorate in bioethics, a subject closely related to philosophy.

Graduates of a Ph.D. in Philosophy show a special ability in abstract thinking skills and logic along with a love of finding the truth. Teaching philosophy or “the love of wisdom” in academic institutions is usually the vocation of choice for these highly gifted people.

Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts

An institution that is oriented toward creative thought and the arts, the Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts provides an online Ph.D. in Visual Arts, Visual Culture, and Aesthetic Consciousness. The course program consists of three academic programs:

• Topological Studies,
• and Independent Studies.

Each of the programs explores the historical relationship between ideas and art. Seminars center on the critique of Continental Philosophy.

Topological Studies cover the relation between art and ideas in their geographical origins. The last program, independent studies, consists of studying a specific subject such as Western philosophy under the instruction of an expert in that field. The program consists of 3 years of coursework followed by the completion of a dissertation.

California Institute of Integral Studies

The online Ph.D. in Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness at the California Institute of Integral Studies focuses on teaching students to understand global human conditions and needs and to be public intellectuals capable of problem-solving in an ever-changing world.

The online Ph.D. consists of 36 credits of coursework, 2 comprehensive exams, and a dissertation. Students are encouraged to participate in an annual retreat and other programs around the San Francisco Bay Area.

Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University Chicago, offering a Doctor of Bioethics, is one of the largest Jesuit institutions in the country. The Doctorate in Bioethics is one of the first of its kind available online. The degree program is designed for professionals who are seeking advanced training in bioethics to meet the growing demand at health institutions.

The degree is offered as a hybrid doctorate which combines online courses with 2-3 days of on-campus activity. Tracks of specialization within the Doctor of Bioethics at Loyola University Chicago include:

• Clinical Bioethics
• Organizational Ethics and Leadership
• Catholic Bioethics
• Research Ethics
• Public Health Ethics

Best Online Doctoral Programs in Theology

A doctorate in theology can be pursued through a ThD or a Ph.D. in Theology. The Ph.D. in theology and ThD are considered equivalent degrees. Both require a dissertation, are research-based, and have degrees in theology. The ThD, however, is focused on Christian theology and is often offered by a Seminary or Christian college, or university.

The Ph.D. in Theology is usually offered by a liberal arts institution. The following three doctorates are some of the best online doctorates in theology available, based among other things, on their high rate of retention which is correlated with a high rate of student satisfaction.

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary provides a Ph.D. program in Theology that allows pastors, chaplains, church leaders, authors, and scholars to specialize and become an expert in an area of theology. The program emphasizes biblical and non-biblical languages, research, and critical thinking.

Southwestern’s flexible access program allows students to complete their Ph.D. in Theology from anywhere in the world through live web interaction. Certain aspects of the program such as orientation, comprehensive examinations, and the dissertation defense must be performed on campus. Ph.D. Majors include:

• Biblical Studies
• Theological Studies
• Ethics and Philosophical Studies
• Pastoral Studies

Regent University

The Doctor of Philosophy in Renewal Theology offered by Regent University is conveniently located online with a two-week residency at Virginia Beach every semester. According to their website students “enhance…research and insight with this doctoral program, which will prepare [them] to contribute to the wider conversation of the theological academy from a Renewal perspective and equip emerging church leaders across the globe.”

Concentrations in the Ph.D. in Renewal Theology at Regent University are:

• Christian Theology
• Church History
• Practical Theology

Colorado Theological Seminary

The Doctor of Theology or ThD program in Christian Counseling at Colorado Theological Seminary is one of the top ThD programs in the country. The program is designed to give graduates a foundation in Biblical knowledge and relate that knowledge to counseling.

The degree program is designed for pastors and counselors to assist parishioners and other individuals. The degree program requires 40 credit hours to complete and is also one of the least expensive online ThD programs available.

Best Online Doctoral Pro grams in Communications

A Ph.D. in Communication may well be one of the most versatile and useful terminal degrees. To develop the ability to effectively communicate, whether in the most basic ways, with writing and speech, or in more advanced ways through the ever-changing modes of communication that come along with technological development, is one of the most foundational aspects of human interaction.

Researching communication processes advances knowledge in the field of communication and is vital to the success of any organization. These three of the best online PhDs in communication will assist professionals in reaching the top of their communication potential.

Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University offers a hybrid Ph.D. in Technical Communication & Rhetoric. The program is designed around mastering rhetoric, technical communication writing, and composition. Students engage with topics involving history, theory, research, genres, and the practice of technical communication. Graduates will have gained the ability to conduct independent research.

Areas emphasized by the Ph.D. in Technical Communication & Rhetoric at Texas Tech University include:

• Rhetoric, Composition and Technology
• Technical Communication
• Rhetorics of Science and Healthcare
• Technology, Culture, and Rhetoric
• Visual Rhetoric, New Media, and User-Centered Design

The Ph.D. in Communication Studies at Liberty University is offered 100% online. The program has been designed to keep up with the new and continuously changing modes of communication that our technological society introduces. Theories and methods, as well as strategies of communication, are kept up-to-date in Liberty’s program.

The Ph.D. is also focused on research and theory giving graduates a deeper understanding and knowledge of communications. Graduates go on to become researchers, college professors, or entrepreneurs and can be successful in a myriad of fields and business opportunities.

Designed to assist students in becoming better communicators and scholars in communication, the Ph.D. in Communication program at Regent College is one of the most affordable doctorates available from a private university. The program is based on interdisciplinary training in teaching, scholarly writing, and research.

Communication studies are explored on these foundations through a Christian worldview. Graduates are prepared to become successful teachers, writers, speakers, and leaders of thought across various business settings. The Ph.D. in Communication at Regent is offered completely online with the exception of a one-week summer residency.

Best Online Doctoral Programs in Management

Most often used in the business world, the doctorate of management is for those who would like to learn how to:

• research business and management methods,
• analyze the experiences that are a natural part of management roles,
• compare and contrast various aspects of managing
• as well as become capable of leading an organization or groups within an organization toward success and harmony of effort.

A doctorate in management can be pursued through a D.M. or doctor of management degree, a Ph.D. with a focus in management, or very commonly a DBA, also with a specialized focus in management. The three doctorates listed below are some of the best online doctorates in management available.

The Doctor of Business Administration with a focus on management offered by George Fox University is a hybrid program requiring two in-person sessions in Newberg, Oregon each year. The program is geared toward business professionals who may want to transition from their current work into becoming professors or management consultants.

Besides academic or professional advancement, the degree program offers students the opportunity to be enriched by a deeper knowledge of leadership. The online DBA in Management at George Fox is taught by the college’s faculty members and staff who make George Fox a university that is nationally ranked in the top 300.

University of Missouri – St. Louis

The University of Missouri – St. Louis, ranked #97 nationally by U.S. News and World Report offers one of the best online Doctor of Business Administration degree programs. The DBA allows research concentration in any area of business including management. A cohort program, the DBA does require monthly visits to campus but all coursework is available online.

According to their website, the University of Missouri – St. Louis is in the top 2% of business schools worldwide. The school also boasts a high success rate with over 73% of students continuing education or finding a job within 6 months of graduation.

Regent University’s online Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership is a research degree that prepares graduates to enter the top tier of management opportunities. According to their website, Regent’s Ph.D. assists students to “analyze the impact of prevailing world social, cultural, religious and political conditions and trends on leadership theory and practice.”

Taught from a Christian worldview the Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership at Regent University also offers the following concentrations:

• Ecclesial Leadership
• Entrepreneurial Leadership
• Human Resource Development
• Individualized Studies
• Organizational Leadership

Best Online Doctoral Programs in Political Science

A doctoral degree in political science instructs recipients in subjects involving political and social situations that affect individual countries and how they relate throughout the world.

Skills in analytical thinking, data interpretation, and problem-solving create professionals in political science who are ready to tackle and provide solutions for political issues. A political scientist may work for the government, public relations, post-secondary schools, or as an analyst or researcher.

Currently, pursuing an online doctorate in the subject of political science can only occur through international institutions or regional universities which may still require regional accreditation. However, these options offer credible doctorates in the field of political science.

World Executive Education Institute

The online Doctor of International Political Economy, offered at the World Executive Education Institute, gives individuals the chance to learn more about the inner workings of the global workplace.

The degree teaches critical thinking skills as well as an understanding of various cultures. It also focuses on granting research skills and communication ability. The online Doctor of International Political Economy prepares graduates for positions in either public, nonprofit or private sectors that are working in international affairs.

The World Executive Education Institute is accredited by The European Centre of Independent Certification in E-Learning.

Euclid University

Euclid University is an intergovernmental institution that, according to its website, “functions under an intergovernmental mandate to deliver programs of higher education that conform to international standards and that are fully documented.”

Euclid’s online Ph.D. in Diplomacy and International Affairs is a practical doctoral program that specializes in a truly global and intergovernmental vision. The program is not centralized around one country but reflects a global approach to diplomacy and international affairs.

It is one of the least expensive doctorates in political science, being subsidized by scholarship opportunities, and also requires no residency.

Selinus University of Science and Literature

The third political science doctorate on this list is an international degree offered through Selinus University of Science and Literature in Bologna, Italy. Accredited by the World Council for Regular and Distance Education, Selinus University follows an international schedule of learning that is not semester-based but rather assists students to develop independent research culminating in a final thesis that must be completed in 24 months.

Concentration availabilities include:

• Middle East
• The Far East
• East-West International Relations
• Political Theory
• Political Science
• Social Welfare
• Environmental Policies
• Political Sociology
• Cross-Cultural Social Perspectives
• Industrialized Countries Economy
• Global Political Economy
• Third World and Developing Nations
• World Politics and Globalization
• Philosophy of Ethics and Law

Best Online Doctoral Programs in Public Policy

Similar to a doctoral degree in public policy is the doctoral program in public administration. A public administration degree focuses more on managing personnel, agendas, and schedules. Studying topics like financial management would fit more within a public administration degree.

A degree in public policy, on the other hand, concentrates more on analyzing and interpreting data, as well as implementing policies and budgets. Because there is a great deal of overlap between the degree programs, the following online doctorates will involve the study of both public policy and public administration.

Valdosta State University

The online Doctor of Public Administration degree from Valdosta State University is a practice-based degree that offers a variety of focus areas including those within public policy.

Designed for professionals who want to advance in government, non-government or non-profit careers, the DPA from Valdosta concentrates on skills such as leadership, communication, management, and problem-solving.

One of the top online Doctor of Public Administration degrees, the DPA from West Chester University was created to meet the needs of professionals wishing to advance in the practice of public policy and administration.

Course focus areas center around developing competency in the areas of strategic management, public sector economic and financial decision-making, and policy advocacy and leadership. Concentration courses in the program are selected from the departments of:

• Public Policy & Administration,
• Criminal Justice,
• Geography and Planning,
• and Graduate Social Work

National University’s online Doctor of Public Administration degree program prepares professionals for positions as managers of compliance, regulatory affairs, social and community service, logistics, and transportation, as well as preparing them to be chief executives in public organizations.

The unique focuses of the program include:

• public policy analysis,
• critical thinking and applied quantitative reasoning,
• and qualitative analysis.

Best Online Doctoral Programs in Sociology

Sociology is basically the study of human interaction. Human interaction involves social relationships within small groups and larger groups in cities, countries, and even international affairs.

The study of social interaction can include the subjects of history, economics, social work, anthropology, psychology, and many other specific areas in which people interact. Those interested in pursuing the study of sociology on the highest levels have many options to pursue depending on their area of interest.

Online doctorates in sociology are not as easily available as they likely will be in the future, but these three doctorates from universities ranked in the top 100 by U.S. News and World Report give great options for launching a successful career as a doctor of sociology.

University of Kentucky

The online Doctorate of Social Work from the University of Kentucky is designed for practitioners in social work to become experts in their field. It is a demanding, high-quality program that combines a study of complex contemporary social situations with advanced experience in specialized populations.

Courses in the doctorate are taught online at the pace of each student. The flexibility of the courses allows students to advance through the program at their own pace. An exception to these asynchronous classes is one residency week each summer.

Concentrations available include:

• Administrative Leadership
• Clinical Social Work
• Military Behavioral Health

The University of Southern California offers an online Doctorate of Social Work through the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. The online DSW offers professionals practical experience in solving social challenges that impact marginalized or disadvantaged populations.

Students in the program become practitioners/scholars. The doctorate is designed to promote the discipline of a scholar with the methodological tools of a successful practitioner.

University of Pennsylvania

One of the top-rated national universities, the University of Pennsylvania provides an online Doctorate in Social Work for working professionals. The format of the doctorate boasts “a highly interactive, relational, accessible and convenient format.”

Students complete the coursework simultaneously with the dissertation usually earning the degree in around 3 years without interrupting their careers. The Doctorate in Social Work at the University of Pennsylvania grants specific knowledge in an area related to social work practice chosen by the student.

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Best online doctoral programs in nutrition.

Dietitians or experts in nutrition have studied which nutrients humans need to thrive and how to regulate a diet successfully. Doctors of nutrition can help those with medical conditions, allergies, or other special dietary needs to successfully accommodate their diets to produce positive results.

Dietitians are healthcare professionals who are trained and licensed in the field of nutrition. A doctorate of nutrition can be pursued through a Ph.D. (research-based) or a DCN (doctor of clinical nutrition). These online options allow working professionals to conveniently achieve a terminal degree in nutrition.

Rutgers University

Designed for registered dietitian nutritionists, the online Doctor of Clinical Nutrition, according to the Rutgers University website, was the first Advanced Practice Clinical Doctorate in the United States.

The program is focused on advancing the pursuit of clinical practice in nutrition by providing expert skills to its doctoral students. Other focus areas include critical thinking and scientific aptitude.

University of North Florida

The University of North Florida offers one of the best online Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition degree programs. According to their website, graduates of the program “gain expertise and skills in chronic disease prevention, clinical treatment, cultural competency, critical thinking, public policy, and outcomes research.”

Learning how to treat chronic disease as well as implementing dietary prevention and intervention will assist graduates to be experts in the field of nutrition.

Saybrook University

Saybrook University, a school founded to integrate human learning experiences, offers a fully online Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition. The program looks to assist students and graduates in further scientific research in the field of nutrition.

The degree program begins with an evidence-based foundation and builds upon this basis with knowledge of biochemistry in order to allow professionals to accurately assess nutritional needs.

Unique to the doctoral program at Saybrook University is the holistic approach of evaluating physiological, social, environmental, and psychological science while pursuing dietetic inquiry.

Best Online PhD Programs in Organizational Leadership

Online Ph.D. programs in Organizational Leadership are designed for people wanting to move into top-level management positions. The top online Ph.D. programs commonly focus on business management, but holders of the Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership also work in a variety of fields.

In addition to business management, Organizational leadership skills include:

• collaboration, among many others.

The University of Southern California offers a top online EdD program in Organizational Change and Leadership. This online doctorate is designed to be completed in three or four years.

For those with a master’s degree, this online doctorate requires 43 credits. Graduate students without a master’s degree must complete 60 credits to graduate. This top online doctorate focuses on the process of:

• workplace learning,
• developmental strategies for workplace learning,
• and organization system creation.

Umass Global

UMass Global’s top online doctorate in Organizational Leadership (EdD) is one of the shortest online doctorates in the field. This online doctorate can be completed in only three years, including a dissertation.

To speed up the process of earning this degree and make it a more interactive process, local cohorts provide face-to-face contact with peers and university faculty to assist dissertation preparation and research from the outset of the program.

Graduates from this degree program earn an interdisciplinary degree open to a great number of careers. Graduates work in:

• business, education,
• government,
• for-profits and non-profits institutions.

Northwest Nazarene University

Northwest Nazarene University is the shortest online doctoral program among the top online doctorates (Ph.D./EdD) in Organizational Leadership. This fully online doctorate can be completed in just over two years. What makes this online doctorate stand out is that both a Ph.D. and an EdD track are available, depending upon the student’s needs and goals.

This program’s special focus on education organizational leadership is another feature of Northwest Nazarene’s online doctorate that set it apart from other programs. The program follows a cohort schedule and is one of the cheapest online Ph.D.

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Best online phd programs in humanities.

If you are interested in virtually everything, a degree in Humanities might be just the educational path you should take. Like its cognates human and humane , the Humanities study several features of human society and culture. These include:

• religious and cultural customs,
• technology, and its uses,
• cross-cultural relations,
• literature, and many other aspects of human life.

A doctorate in Humanities from one of these top online Ph.D. programs in Humanities will provide you with the most advanced level of knowledge and research in the many fields of the Humanities.

Graduates with a degree in Humanities are prepared for a surprisingly wide range of careers, from business to law, research and teaching to social work and political action, and many, many other fields.

Graduates with a doctorate in Humanities often go on to work in government, education, social work, and law. They also go on to pursue degrees in different fields based on the strong foundation that they have gained in their Humanities studies.

Salve Regina University

The online Ph.D. in Humanities Salve Regina University offers is one of the shortest online doctoral programs in Humanities. This online Ph.D. program requires only forty-two credits, and coursework is designed to be completed in two years.

Over the two years of coursework, students engage in four, seven-day residencies along with the rest of their academic cohort. The human-technology relationship forms the central focus of this degree program.

Students chose a particular topic of interest early in the degree program, which they continue to explore in the light of the university curriculum and vision.

Faulkner University

Faulkner University’s online Ph.D. in Humanities is fully online, unlike others that require short residencies. This online Ph.D. program is specifically designed for working professionals, looking to complement their previous education and improve their employee experience.

Low tuition makes this top Ph.D. program also one of the cheapest online Ph.D.s in the field of Humanities. Up to six post-master’s course credits can be transferred into the degree program. The entire online Ph.D. in Humanities is designed to be completed in three to five years.

University of Memphis Global

This online Doctor of Liberal Studies is offered by the University of Memphis College of Professional & Liberal Studies. This degree is designed for graduate students and professionals looking to explore topics of focus in an interdisciplinary manner.

Students, with the help of their academic advisors, design their own “Coordinated Study grid,” which indicates what courses will be included in their doctoral program (33 credits). Beyond this, students complete twenty credits in core requirements. The degree is completed through a doctoral dissertation or a capstone project.

Best Online PhD Programs in English

Pursuing a doctorate in English can lead down many paths. Three important fields of English doctoral studies are English Language Education (EdD); English Literature (Ph.D.); English Communication and Rhetoric (Ph.D.). Naturally, not all top online Ph.D. programs will map directly onto these three categories, and within each program, there will be a great deal of overlap across common areas.

The top online PhDs in English we have selected provide a full range of career path possibilities, open to employment in:

• cultural studies,
• history, consultation,
• communications,
• public relations,
• technical writing, and many others.

Indiana University

Indiana University’s top online doctorate (EdD) in English specializes in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education. As an online education doctorate, it is designed for literacy and language practitioners to deal with twenty-first-century issues that touch upon literature education, criticism, literary genres and cultures, and the global impact of the English language and literature in its reception.

This top online doctorate is one of the shortest doctoral programs online in English. Following a cohort schedule, the degree program requires sixty credit hours and a dissertation. However, up to eighteen credits, outside of the master’s degree, can be transferred.

Graduates from Indiana University’s online EdD in English go on to work as:

• English teachers,
• ESL/EFL teachers,
• Literacy directors,
• Language educators,
• Reading educators,
• Technical writers,
• and editors.

Old Dominion University

The top online Ph.D. in English that Old Dominion University offers features a complex interface between modern research and statistical technologies with the classical study of language, literature, and communication. Classes are delivered, with a strong interdisciplinary methodology, in a synchronous format.

The program is designed to allow students to construct their own specialized courses of study and apply technology to research. Graduates with a Ph.D. through Old Dominion’s online doctorate in English degree program typically have gone on to work as:

• Post-Secondary English and Literature instructors,
• and Public Relations.

The online Ph.D. from Texas Tech University’s English Department in Technical Communication & Rhetoric is a diverse program designed to prepare graduates for positions in academia in five general areas.

Emphasizing both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, this cohort-based program focuses upon the:

• Rhetoric, Composition, and Technology;
• Technical Communication;
• Rhetorics of Science and Healthcare;
• Technology, Culture, and Rhetoric;
• Visual Rhetoric, New Media, and User-Centered Design.

These areas of study address the art of persuasive communication across virtually every area of human life and activity. Unlike other top online Ph.D. programs in English, Texas Tech’s online Ph.D. is one of the online Ph.D. programs with no GRE requirement.

Best Online PhD Programs in Special Education

Teachers in the field of Special Education work with those who have mental, emotional, physical, or learning disabilities. A Ph.D. in Special Education prepares educators for careers as teachers, administrators, curriculum, and program design, among many other areas related to special education.

Earning a doctorate in special education will provide special education practitioners with greater knowledge and skill in the field of special education that will improve their performance and enrich their experience as well as open up higher-level positions of influence and responsibility.

Special Education practitioners work in extremely diverse contexts, in a great number of economic, cultural, and geographical settings. Because of the massive diversity of this field and the broad spectrum of special needs, Ph.D. programs will offer specialized courses of study that will best prepare their students for the specific requirements of the careers they will be entering.

Drexel University

Drexel University offers a fully online doctorate (EdD), in Educational Leadership and Management with a concentration in Special Education Leadership. The program, designed to be completed in three to five years, equips education leaders to manage the social, legal, technological, and educational challenges and complexities facing modern educators and educational institutions.

Accepted applicants join a cohort. The structure of the coursework is tailored to part-time students. All degree requirements are completed online, and there are zero on-site obligations.

Liberty University’s top online doctorate in Special Education combines the convenience and flexibility of online learning with the opportunity to engage in needed hands-on practice. Graduates from Liberty’s online doctorate receive a credential accredited by the NCATE through CAEP.

As a terminal degree from one of the top online doctoral programs, Liberty’s online doctorate in Special Education will prepare special education practitioners to advance in their current positions or to move into positions of management.

This degree does not require a dissertation as an EdD, and its fifty-four credits along with a capstone project takes an average of three years to complete.

Hampton U Online

Hampton U Online is the only top online Ph.D. program on this list that actually offers a Ph.D.! This sixty-six credit-hour program in Educational Management offers a specialization in Special Education.

Hampton U is unique because is one of the shortest doctoral programs online in Special Education. Its accelerated format allows the degree to be completed in just 2.5 years! Hampton University online Ph.D. program in Special Education is also one of the cheapest online Ph.D. programs in Special Education.

Best Online PhD Programs in Information Science

Information Science deals with the ins and outs of information or data. This means that information scientists work in classifying, organizing, storing, retrieving, exchanging, protecting, and transferring information. Information Science is indispensable in modern society.

Governments, businesses, schools, military and intelligence organizations, and many other organizations and institutions make constant use of information technology.

The Ph.D. in Information Science is designed to provide current practitioners who want to move into higher positions, such as management, or who want to move into teaching and research, the additional knowledge and skills needed to make a change.

University at Buffalo: Department of Information Science

The University at Buffalo offers a top online Ph.D. program in Information Science. This degree program is quite intense, requiring 72 credits and averaging four to five years to finish. This online Ph.D. program gives special focus to equipping its students with the knowledge and skills needed to move into research positions.

Most often graduates from the University at Buffalo go on to take jobs as:

• Professors of Information Science,
• researchers at for-profit and non-profit institutions,
• and senior managers of large public and university libraries.

University of North Texas

The University of North Texas offers a Ph.D. in Information Science that emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach. This top online Ph.D. program offers both fully online and blended formats of course delivery. This provides students with a great deal of flexibility.

UNT’s Ph.D. in Information Science boasts excellent research facilities, including on-site and online library resources. This top online Ph.D. seeks to prepare Information Scientists who have a clear vision of the centrality of information and information technology ready to advance Information Science research and manage major information repositories.

San José State University

San José State University’s Ph.D. in Information Science allows its students to set out on the right path at the very beginning of their doctoral studies. This is because their field of research and their research topic is given a focus from the outset of the program.

This program is also designed to allow students to earn their doctorate in Information Science from a top online Ph.D. program on a part-time basis without disrupting their lives. Up to eight years can be taken to complete the program.

The program follows a cohort model and monthly online meetings are required. Faculty mentor students throughout the duration of the program.

Best Online PhD Programs in Counseling

Counselors play very important roles in personal and social well-being. As a subdiscipline of psychology, counseling addresses concerns stemming from emotional reactions, social, school, and work pressures, as well as physical health relations to mental health.

Because this field is extremely broad and its clients amazingly diverse, counselors need not only general training in Counseling Psychology but also very specialized training. Ph.D. programs in Counseling provide the highest level of counseling education with a specific focus on a particular area of counseling.

Oregon State University Ecampus

Oregon State University’s top online Ph.D. in Counseling is designed to create advanced practitioners, clinical supervisors, and educators. Graduates will be ready to work in either clinical or academic settings or both. OSU Ecampus’s degree program is accredited by the CACREP.

Applicants must possess a master’s degree in the field. Classes follow a cohort schedule and are offered online. The program requires two onsite visits per quarter. Graduates from this program have come from across the United States. This online Ph.D. in Counseling requires three to five years to complete.

Liberty University Online Programs

Liberty University’s top online Ph.D. program in Counseling is CACREP accredited and requires on average four years to finish. Liberty’s top online Ph.D. program specializes in Counselor Education and Supervision. It is designed to create counseling educators able to equip their students in bringing counseling psychology theory to bear upon real-life clinical practice.

This degree, one of the shortest doctoral programs online, manifests Liberty University’s Evangelical Christian identity. Throughout degree coursework, there is an attempt to integrate biblical principles with the best current counseling theory and practice.

Graduates from Liberty University’s outstanding online Ph.D. in Counseling go on to work both as counselors and counseling educators, working in educational, clinical, and research capacities.

Regent University’s online Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies requires a very short online doctorate that requires only 51 credits. Four features form the core of Regent’s top online Ph.D. in Counseling. These are:

• solid research and methodology,
• accurate statistics,
• psychometrics,
• and Christian leadership skills and principles.

Regent provides its students with a very broad array of concentration options with competitive tuition rates. Graduates from Regent have gone on to careers in academics, research, Mental Health Leadership, Guidance direction, and nonprofit administration.

Using A Master’s Degree As a Bridge Toward Your Ph.D.

Best online doctoral programs in social work.

Social Work involves helping others to identify problems in their daily lives, helping these same persons and communities address and solve these problems as well as formulate effective ways to cope with such difficulties.

Options for doctoral studies in social work vary greatly, depending on one’s career goals. Some will focus on social work education (EdD). Others will be more oriented to research in the field of social work (Ph.D.). Finally, many others will be drawn toward clinical practice (DSW). The three top online doctorates in Social Work focus on clinical practice.

USC’s top-ranked online doctorate of Social Work is designed to train experienced Social Work practitioners to apply sound principles to concrete situations in developing real-life solutions to social challenges. This top online doctorate is an accelerated program and can be completed in just two years.

Offered through the prestigious Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, USC’s online DSW creates the ideal social work scholar-practitioner, ready to achieve wide-ranging solutions among the most vulnerable and marginalized sectors of society.

The University of Pennsylvania claims to have been the institution of higher to offer a doctorate in Clinical Social Work. Their top online Doctorate in Clinical Social Work continues the outstanding social work practice tradition of Penn while continuing to innovate in terms of both degree content and mode of instruction delivery. Both knowledge and practice are emphasized in this top online doctorate.

Students are trained in gathering, assessing, and applying empirically grounded evidence to real-time clinical contexts. Coursework and the doctoral dissertation are pursued simultaneously so that a long delay between the completion of coursework and the completion of the dissertation can be avoided. Penn’s online DSW is fast, too, designed to be finished in just three years.

University of St. Thomas

The University of St. Thomas’s online DSW stands out as a program designed to produce university-level clinical social work educators. Graduates from this degree program gain the knowledge and skills to both teach and practice clinical social work.

This top online doctoral program follows a cohort schedule. Four key focuses characterize the University of St. Thomas online DSW. These are:

• transformative teachings,
• identity as a scholar-practitioner,
• publication of research,
• the pursuit of social justice through service and leadership.

The degree program takes three years to complete, using synchronous and asynchronous instruction. Each year one on-campus residency is required.

Best Online PhD Programs in Industrial-Organizational Psychology

Industrial-Organizational psychologists, through an applied science methodology, assist organizations to improve or correct problems in the workplace as well as to increase worker productivity. In Industrial-Organizational Psychology, scientist-practitioners apply the insights of psychology practice and principles.

Career opportunities are flourishing in this field, and rapid job growth is expected for the next several years. Earning an online doctorate in Industrial-Organizational Psychology will open pathways moving to positions such as:

• human resources manager,
• training and development manager,
• and, industrial-organizational manager.

If you are looking for an outstanding online Ph.D. program in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Liberty University’s online Ph.D. in Psychology-Industrial/Organizational Psychology is a great choice.

Eight-week courses make it easier to fit required classes into your schedule. Different starting times throughout the year make combining life and study more manageable. Liberty’s top online Ph.D. program requires sixty credit hours to complete. Up to fifteen credits can be transferred, and the entire program takes, on average, three years to finish.

Touro University

Touro University’s top online Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Human and Organizational Psychology provides science practitioners to further perfect their knowledge and skills in the field. Graduates will be able to formulate organizational strategies, using the latest theory, technology, and practice advances.

Touro’s online doctorate is one of the cheapest online programs. Touro’s is an online doctorate with GRE requirements, making admission more accessible.

Best Online PhD Programs in Educational Psychology

Educational Psychologists research and then apply knowledge of the process of learning in order to better understand how people acquire and preserve new data.

The field is extremely diverse. Educational psychology, in addition to the question of how new information is gained, also looks at learning abilities, as well as, the roles that culture, social context, modes of instruction, emotions, and cognitive processes affect learning.

This field is an applied science. Demand for these highly-trained experts is on the rise. Earning an online Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with the needed specializations can prepare one for top positions in:

• Educational Technology,
• Instructional Design,
• Special Education,
• Curriculum Development,
• Organizational Learning,
• Gifted Learners.

University of Georgia Online Learning

The University of Georgia’s online EdS is unique among online doctorates in offering a specialization in Gifted and Creative Education. This top online doctorate is offered through the prestigious Mary Frances Early College of Education, which boasts an international reputation for excellence in psychology education.

This online doctorate is very affordable, and it can be finished fast, requiring only thirty-one credits. Graduates from the University of Georgia’s top online doctorate in Educational Psychology typically go on to work as:

• college/university professors,
• school system coordinators,
• state department coordinators of education,
• and educational consultants.

Michigan State University

Michigan State University’s top online Ph.D. in Educational Psychology adds an additional focus on Educational Technology. This innovative program combines the best in educational psychology theory and practices with the needed knowledge of the best technologies that aid successful learning in rapidly changing educational contexts.

This program has some onsite requirements, which makes it technically a hybrid program. This might make the program less accessible to some. However, some outstanding scholarship and fellowship opportunities are available to top-qualifying students. Transfer of credits is considered on a case-by-case basis.

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s top online doctorate in Educational Psychology and Technology is designed with the working professional in mind. Taking only three years to complete as a part-time student, this top online doctorate is one of the shortest doctoral programs online.

No GRE is required for admission. Graduates from this outstanding online doctorate will possess advanced knowledge of the impact of technology on learning, the place of technology in education, as well as, strategies for continuously integrating educational models with new technologies.

Foolproof Ways to Calm Your Nerves Before the Big Test

Best online phd programs in international relations.

With a Ph.D. in International Relations, you will have the needed expertise to move into top positions in the field. Interdisciplinary focus characterizes International Relations. Experts evaluate and advise about international policies and programs in very diverse fields such as politics, law, and economics.

This means that a practitioner or scholar of international relations will possess both a broad knowledge base and highly specialized knowledge of a particular area of international relations.

Liberty University offers a doctorate in international relations that focuses on economics. Liberty’s top online DBA in International Business will provide the knowledge and credentials needed to meet the demands of the global financial market.

Requiring sixty credits, this degree program is fully online and is designed to be completed in three years. As with all of Liberty’s degree programs, a strong evangelical Christian outlook is to be found throughout the curriculum.

Salve Regina’s online Ph.D. in International Relations prides itself on its innovative thinking and approach. Focus is given to each of the world’s regions, and then the special focus turns to the particular interest of the student-researcher’s choice.

This top online Ph.D. can be completed in four years, including the dissertation. The program is fully online with a rolling admission schedule that provides for flexibility and minimal disruption of social and career responsibilities.

Euclid University offers one of the top online Ph.D. in Diplomacy and International Affairs. What sets Euclid apart is that it is an international governmental organization that carries a university mandate. Special areas of concentration in this online Ph.D. are:

• Regional diplomatic affairs,
• Small state/island issues,
• Interethnic relations,
• International treaty law, development, NGOs,
• and nation-specific studies.

The program is completely online and alumni have gone on to work as ambassadors, ministers, counselors, and other positions.

5 Common Fears of Ph.D. Students and How To Overcome Them

Best doctoral programs in anthropology.

Anthropologists study the patterns of human social behavior, cultural development, language, religion, mythology, and many other areas. As a field of scientific research, anthropology employs an interdisciplinary approach to its subjects of inquiry. Particular areas of anthropology often emphasize different skills and approaches more than others, such as

• Archaeology

Earning a Ph.D. in Anthropology will prepare a person for research, both in libraries and in the field, as well as, teaching and publishing. Unfortunately, there do not seem to be any online options for pursuing a Ph.D. In lieu of an online Ph.D., three outstanding traditional doctorates are presented.

With its international reputation, Columbia University offers a Ph.D. or D.Phil in anthropology through its Department of Anthropology at Barnard College. Columbia offers outstanding research resources as well as fellowships and scholarships.

Graduates from Columbia’s doctorate in anthropology specialize in one of the following areas:

• socio-cultural anthropology,
• archaeology,
• or biological anthropology.

Harvard University

Harvard University’s reputation needs no introduction. The Department of Anthropology offers a world-class Ph.D. that by provides an all-inclusive education in method and theory. Ph.D. students at Harvard specialize in:

• Archaeology,
• Social Anthropology,
• or Medical Anthropology.

Duke University’s Ph.D. in anthropology is uncommon in that it does not require a prior master’s degree or undergraduate degree in anthropology. Duke places a great emphasis on a Student’s Portfolio and interdisciplinary engagement with members of other faculties and disciplines.

Finally, in addition to its great academic curriculum and faculty, Duke helps make sure graduates successfully transition into their careers, which shows through the program’s very high post-graduation rate of employment.

• The Importance of Accreditation and Online Ph.D. Programs
• The Fastest Online Doctoral (Ph.D. and Ed.D.) Degree Programs
• Earning a PhD: Can Higher Education Goals Lead to a Higher Salary?

2024 Best Online STEM PhD Programs [Doctorate Guide]

A STEM PhD allows you to advance your studies in a particular STEM field while exploring STEM education as a whole.

For example, you can examine the various ways in which teachers may best instruct students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects.

Editorial Listing ShortCode:

Earning a Ph.D. in STEM Education is also a strategic move for professionals who are interested in research as well as teaching or administration roles in higher education. Graduates may also pursue education leadership roles in K-12 schools.

Universities Offering Online Doctorate in STEM Education Degree Program

Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.

American College of Education

The American College of Education offers a Doctor of Education in Leadership with a focus in STEM. The program consists of fully online courses that are 5 or 10 weeks long, and it can typically be finished in 3 years. Courses include Management of Financial Resources, Global Perspectives, Applied Statistics, and more.

American College of Education is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.

Drexel University

Drexel University offers a PhD in Education with a concentration in STEM Education. Part-time and full-time scheduling options are available, and on-campus classes are held in the evenings to accommodate working adults. Courses are also available online. Full-time students may apply for research or teaching assistantships.

Drexel University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Montana State University

Montana State University offers a PhD in Education, Curriculum, and Instruction program that is intended to prepare students for conducting research related to STEM education. The program uses both face-to-face and online courses, and there is also a 1 year on-campus residency requirement. Coursework includes Dissertation Seminar, Higher Education History and Philosophy, Advanced Educational Psychology, and more.

Montana State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Murray State University

Murray State University offers a Doctor of Education in P-20 and Community Leadership with a specialization in STEM. The program requires the completion of 60 credit hours of coursework. Courses include Advanced Methods of Quantitative Research in Education, Leadership and Ethics in a Diverse Society, Emerging Trends in STEM Education, and more. Murray State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction with a track in STEM. Students in the program must complete 63 credit hours of online and face-to-face coursework. Applicants must submit GRE scores and have at least three years of professional experience teaching STEM subjects. New students can begin every fall. Texas Tech University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

University of Kentucky

The University of Kentucky offers a PhD in Education Sciences with an emphasis in STEM Education. To graduate, students must complete 45 credit hours of coursework and a dissertation. Select courses are available online or in hybrid formats, but students do need to be able to come to campus in Lexington at least once a week.

The University of Kentucky is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

University of Massachusetts – Lowell

The University of Massachusetts—Lowell offers an EdD in Schooling with a STEM option. The program is mostly online, with a one-week residency on campus each summer. Students in the program take two courses each semester with a cohort and can typically finish the program in 3 years. Coursework includes Developing Inclusive School Contexts, Applied Research Design, and Data Analysis for Practitioner Leaders.

The University of Massachusetts Lowell is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

University of Pittsburgh

The University of Pittsburgh offers an EdD in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Accepted students may enroll part-time starting in the summer and can typically finish the program in 3 years. The program requires a total of 84 credits, 24 of which can be transferred from a qualifying master’s degree.

The University of Pittsburgh is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

University of South Carolina

The University of South Carolina offers a 100% online program for a Doctor of Education in STEM Education. The program’s courses use an 8 week format. Classes include Introduction to Diversity and the Curriculum, Educational Policy Analysis, Principles of Engineering for Teachers, Integration of Technology and Instruction, and more. GRE and GMAT scores are not required to apply.

The University of South Carolina is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

University of the Southwest

The University of the Southwest offers a Doctor of Education in STEM Education that can be earned 100% online. Textbooks, course materials, and a laptop are included in tuition costs. The program requires two residencies, but students can choose to either come to campus or participate virtually. The University of the Southwest is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Online STEM PhD Programs

An online STEM PhD program can help you advance your knowledge and skill sets in the STEM education field. STEM-focused online programs in education can also help you gain a better understanding of how students think and learn when it comes to STEM-related subjects.

In a PhD in Education in STEM program, you can explore how to develop theories and design solutions and curricula for STEM education that benefit all students. You can also choose a specific STEM-related field to further your studies in.

Here are some of the many areas of study your STEM doctorate program may cover:

• How students think and learn in STEM fields
• Educational trends, research, and theories
• In-depth study of your chosen STEM field
• How to ensure all students get a high-quality STEM education
• Learning environments and their effects on STEM education access
• Professional development of STEM teachers

Professionals with a PhD in STEM Education may pursue a number of career paths. For instance, graduates may go on to pursue careers as:

• University teachers
• Curriculum development specialists
• Assessment specialists
• Instructional leaders
• Researchers
• Policymakers

Some graduates also pursue careers as STEM coordinators in public schools. STEM PhDs can also help K-12 teachers advance their skill sets and professional qualifications in their field.

Common Online PhD in STEM Education Specializations 

The STEM field encompasses math, science, engineering, and technology. Students pursuing STEM studies can often choose one specialization among multiple STEM-related fields. Common specializations include:

• Science Education . You can learn about science and environmental education and curriculum design in K-12 schools, postsecondary institutions, and informal settings.
• Agricultural Education . This concentration focuses on education in agriculture and life sciences, especially in postsecondary education settings.
• Engineering Education . You can learn about engineering concepts and how they are introduced and can be taught effectively in K-12 schools.
• Mathematics Education . With this concentration, you can learn how to improve math curricula, teaching and learning of math concepts, and strategies for increasing student achievement.
• Educational Technology . This concentration encompasses the study and teaching of computer science.

Different schools may offer different specializations. Much like with an on-campus or online masters in secondary education, when searching for the PhD STEM program that’s right for you, it’s helpful to research what specializations schools have available.

STEM Education Careers & Salaries 

Professionals with a PhD in STEM education can pursue a number of careers in education and research. A PhD is also a common educational requirement for teaching at a college or university. Some graduates may pursue leadership or administrative roles in higher education as well.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , here are the median salaries of some of the many career paths related to the STEM education field.

Some graduates work in public schools, teaching STEM-related subjects to students or acting as STEM coordinators for the school as a whole. Teaching roles typically require a state license.

Other STEM education professionals focus on designing or assessing curricula. They might work as curriculum developers or leaders in instructional coordination.

Doctorate in STEM Education Curriculum & Courses 

Here are some examples of courses that a STEM doctorate program may offer:

• Educational Statistics : You’ll learn about various sampling procedures, about analysis and correlation, and about computer analysis of educational data.
• Critical Examination of Curriculum in Context : This course may discuss concepts, ideas, and debates in general curriculum.
• Theories and Trends in Education : This course provides an overview of human development and learning, including cognitive, social, and behavioral learning theories.
• Statistics for Educational Research : You’ll learn about regressive and correlation methods and how to analyze data.
• Essentials of Educational Research : You’ll learn about different research skills and about planning and reporting applied research.
• Teaching Theory and Research : This course provides an overview of teaching research, including historical perspective, modern research, and implications for the future.
• Readings in Educational Research : You’ll learn to investigate research in a STEM-related field.
• Nature of Inquiry in STEM Education : This course may teach you how to evaluate national teaching standards, how to research, and how to utilize cognitive theories of learning in the STEM field.
• Equity, Policy, and Social Justice : You’ll learn about the issues of diversity, equity, policy, and social justice in the role of education.
• Research Approaches to Classroom Discourse : This course may teach you about the analysis of classroom discourse, conversational analysis, and critical discourse.

The courses offered in your program will depend on your specialization and school. It could also help to look at what courses a school offers to make sure you take the courses that fit your interests and goals.

Admissions Requirements 

Admission requirements for a STEM PhD program can depend on the school, but here are some common requirements:

• GRE scores (if required)
• Masters degree and prior coursework in a STEM-related field
• Official transcripts
• Prior teaching experience
• Statement of intent

Your school may also require up to three letters of recommendation and an application fee. Not all programs require you to have prior teaching experience. It’s helpful to check a program’s specific admission requirements by checking their website or speaking to an admissions officer.

Accreditation

When searching for an online STEM doctorate program, it’s strategic to find out if a school is regionally accredited. Regional accreditation means that a school has been reviewed by a reputable accrediting agency and has been found to meet certain standards of quality.

A school’s accreditation status can affect whether your credits can be transferred to another school. Attending an accredited school is also a precondition for some forms of financial aid. Plus, many employers look at a school’s accreditation status when determining a candidate’s qualifications. You can learn more about accreditation at the US Department of Education ’s website.

Financial Aid and Scholarships 

When you’re searching for the PhD program that’s right for you, you may want to consider available financial aid opportunities as well.

Schools often have scholarship opportunities based on merit, and some may be specifically meant for STEM students. Some schools also offer fellowships or assistantships to PhD candidates. Federal student loans are also available to students who qualify. Unlike scholarships, loans need to be paid back after a student is no longer attending school.

You can see what forms of federal aid are available to you by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) . If you’re currently working, you can also see if your employer offers any tuition assistance programs.

What Is a STEM Education PhD?

A PhD in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) is a doctoral program that explores how students learn STEM subjects and how to better inspire them to engage in these lucrative fields.

Through a STEM PhD program, you can gain more experience and expertise in your chosen STEM field and advance your knowledge surrounding STEM educational programs. This program aims to help you develop the knowledge and skills to overcome challenges in providing high-quality STEM education to students at all levels.

Graduates are often prepared for teaching, supervisory, research, and administrative positions in K-12 or higher education.

What Can You Do with a PhD in STEM Education?

With a PhD in STEM Education, you may qualify for a number of careers in the education field. Many STEM educators have teaching roles in K-12 schools.

Experienced educators may pursue administrative roles, working as instructional coordinators or STEM coordinators for schools or school districts. Many graduates pursue jobs as instructional leaders, curriculum developers, and assessment specialists. A PhD can also help you qualify for research, administrative, and teaching positions in institutions of higher education.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Doctoral Degree in STEM Education Online? 

It’s common for a PhD to take 3 to 5 years to earn with full-time study. How long it takes to complete an online STEM education PhD depends on many factors.

For instance, your timeframe can be affected by how many credit hours your program has, whether you’re studying full-time or part-time, and how long it takes complete your dissertation. If a dissertation isn’t required, a doctoral degree can generally be completed in 3 years of full-time study.

Is a STEM PhD Worth It?

Yes, a STEM PhD is worth it for many students. A STEM education PhD is beneficial to those who teach science, technology, engineering, or math to students in K-12 or postsecondary schools. It can also help you qualify for research positions in higher education.

A PhD program in STEM education can help you prepare for leadership roles or curriculum development roles as well. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that many jobs in education are seeing steady growth. Overall, training, education, and library occupations are expected to see 10% job growth over the next ten years.

Getting Your PhD in STEM Education Online 

Earning a PhD in STEM Education could be a strategic step if you’re passionate about a STEM-related field and want to share that passion with the next generation.

A STEM PhD program can help you research different ways to improve STEM education and to provide a high-quality education for students at all levels. A PhD program in STEM education is especially beneficial for those who want to pursue STEM careers related to teaching, administration, instructional design, and research.

If you’re ready to advance your expertise in STEM education, then you can start exploring accredited schools today to find the PhD program and specialization that’s right for you.

• Online Doctoral Programs

Online Doctoral Programs Discover what online doctoral programs Liberty has to offer!

Become a Leader in Your Field with an Online Doctoral Degree from Liberty University

If you’re considering an online doctoral degree, then your career goals probably include a role in leadership, research, or education. Doctoral, postgraduate, and specialist programs are all excellent ways for you to advance in your career and become a subject matter expert, a professor, or a professional researcher. With 100+ doctoral, postgraduate, and specialist degrees to choose from, Liberty can help make your aspirations a reality.

We offer each of our online PhD programs, professional doctorates, and postgraduate degrees in an online format, and most can be completed 100% online. This allows you to stay active in your career, with your family, and in your community while reaching the pinnacle of academic achievement. We also primarily offer courses in an 8-week format with 8 different start dates each year and no set login times, so you have the opportunity to complete your classes at your own pace and on your schedule.

Additionally, some programs may require on-campus intensives, so you can explore our campus while connecting in-person with your classmates and professors. Some degree programs also have required practicums or internships that allow you to gain hands-on experience in your own community.

At Liberty, our mission is to Train Champions for Christ. We want to help prepare you to influence the world as a leader, educator, and expert. As you partner with us to reach your career goals, we’ll seek to provide you with the knowledge, tools, and resources you need to meet those goals.

Ranked in the Top 10% of Niche.com’s Best Online Schools in America

• What Sets Us Apart?
• Private Nonprofit University
• 600+ Online Degrees
• No Standardized Testing for Admission
• Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
• Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Available Doctoral Degrees Online

Aeronautics.

• Aviation (PhD)

Arts and Sciences

• English (PhD)
• History (PhD)

Behavioral Sciences

• Marriage and Family Counseling
• Pastoral Care and Counseling
• Traumatology
• Counselor Education and Supervision (PhD)
• Behavioral Health Leadership
• Developmental Psychology
• General Psychology
• Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Entrepreneurship
• Executive Coaching
• Supply Chain and Logistics
• Healthcare Management
• Human Resources
• Information Systems
• International Business
• Nonprofit Leadership and Management
• Project Management
• Real Estate Development
• Strategic Management
• Strategic Media and Digital Content
• Supply Chain Management and Logistics
• Tourism Management
• Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL)

Communication and the Arts

• Communication (PhD)
• Strategic Media (PhD)
• Applied Apologetics (PhD)
• Bible Exposition (PhD)
• Church Revitalization
• Digital Discipleship
• Educational Ministries
• Faith-Based Consulting
• Ministry Leadership
• Next Generation Ministry
• Spiritual Formation
• Strategic Christian Ministry
• Biblical Studies
• Discipleship
• Evangelism and Church Planting
• Expository Preaching and Teaching
• Pastoral Counseling
• Theology and Apologetics
• Urban Ministry
• Christian Apologetics
• Church History
• Global Studies
• Practical Theology (PhD)
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Educational Leadership
• Instructional Design and Technology
• Special Education
• Administration and Supervision – Educational Leadership
• Curriculum and Instruction – Educational Psychology
• Curriculum and Instruction – Elementary Education
• Curriculum and Instruction – General
• Curriculum and Instruction – Instructional Design and Technology
• Curriculum and Instruction – Middle Grades Education
• Curriculum and Instruction – Online Teaching and Learning
• Curriculum and Instruction – Secondary Education
• Curriculum and Instruction – Special Education
• Higher Education Administration – Assessment and Evaluation
• Higher Education Administration – Educational Leadership
• Higher Education Administration – Organizational Leadership
• Higher Education Administration – Student Affairs
• Educational Law
• Organizational Leadership
• Educational Research
• Higher Education Administration
• Educational Leadership (PhD)
• Educational Research (PhD)
• Assessment and Evaluation
• Student Affairs
• Homeland Security
• Doctor of Law and Policy (DLP)
• Doctor of Public Administration (DPA)
• Public Administration (PhD)
• Chinese Affairs
• Economic Policy
• Education Policy
• Foreign Policy
• National Security Policy
• Social Policy

Health Sciences

• Leadership and Policy
• Exercise and Sport Science
• Healthcare Leadership
• Trauma-Informed Care
• Law and Policy (DLP)
• Christian Worship (PhD)
• Doctor of Music Education (DME)
• Ethnomusicology
• General (No Cognate)
• Music Education (PhD)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (Post-BSN)
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Post-BSN)
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Post-MSN)
• Nursing Education (PhD)
• Nursing Leadership (PhD)

Not sure what to choose?

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

• Value of a Degree

Earning a terminal degree is both an invaluable experience and a rewarding investment. Throughout your program, you can learn advanced techniques and knowledge within your field to help you excel professionally while leading others. Additionally, hands-on experience is available in most of our programs, and you’ll have the opportunity to complete independent research, making you a subject matter expert. Take a look below to find out why you should pursue your doctorate.

Return on Investment

What are the rewards? With a doctoral degree, you could receive a median  salary that’s higher  than your professional counterparts with only a master’s degree, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics –  learn more . What may initially feel like a sacrifice is actually a wise investment that could increase your potential for earning an advanced position, a leadership role, and/or a higher salary. PhD degrees online and other doctoral degrees are an investment of both time and money — but obtaining one can help enrich your life. While you spend time studying, researching, and writing throughout your degree, you can find great personal and professional satisfaction along the way.

Employment Opportunities

If the purpose of pursuing your doctoral degree is to gain new employment, you’re on the right track. The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates an  increase in entry-level positions  that require applicants to have a doctoral degree –  learn more .** Plus, your doctoral degree can help make you a more qualified candidate than someone with a master’s. If you haven’t started yet, don’t worry. Liberty University offers 100+ online doctoral degrees in a variety of areas and career fields. Our doctoral programs are designed to help give you a professional edge — whatever your calling may be.

Convenience

Chances are you’re a working professional with a home, a family, and an active social life. What if you could pursue your degree while still working full time? Or take classes without moving your family across the country or the globe? By earning your doctorate online, you’ll have the opportunity to reap all the benefits of higher education, advanced training, and scholarly research without pausing your life. You can  complete classes on your own time and at your own pace  while maintaining your professional and social relationships.

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, at  Earnings and unemployment rates by educational attainment, 2020  (viewed online Sept. 10, 2021). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.

**Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, at  Employment, wages, and projected change in employment by typical entry-level education  (viewed online Sept. 10, 2021). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.

Why Choose One of Liberty University’s Online PhD Programs, Professional Doctorates Online, or Postgraduate Degrees?

You believe in leadership excellence. So do we. That’s why at Liberty University, we can help you become an essential contributor to your field and the kind of leader who inspires others. By pursuing one of Liberty’s online doctoral programs, you can prepare to impact your profession as an innovative thinker, industry leader, and respected expert.

If you’ve already earned an accredited master’s degree and want to flourish at the top of your career field, then one of Liberty University’s online doctoral programs or postgraduate degrees may be right for you. You’ll find that an online PhD, EdD, DNP, DBA, or other advanced degree may not only increase your salary potential — it could also help boost your job performance. Whether you’re in academia or the private sector, Liberty offers numerous accredited online doctoral programs that can help you become a leader in your field.

As a university committed to both excellence and integrity, Liberty University is one of the premier colleges offering online degrees. We understand that life doesn’t stop when you go back to school, so our online doctoral programs vary in format, depending on your degree. Most of our doctoral and postgraduate degrees are 100% online, and only a few require on-campus visits.

Most of the on-campus requirements are completed through one or more intensives — week-long classes held on our beautiful Lynchburg, Va., campus — that supplement your online classes. Intensives are rich opportunities for you to network, connect with your professors and classmates, and enjoy all the benefits of being a Liberty University student on campus. Intensives are typically offered multiple times per year for your convenience.

Compare Liberty to the Competition

Liberty University’s award-winning, flexible, low-cost programs offer you great value for your time and money. Find out how Liberty compares to the competition today!

Information about Liberty’s Doctoral Degree Programs

Liberty University offers a diverse array of doctoral degree programs designed to help advance your expertise and career in various fields. These programs are crafted to help equip students with profound knowledge and practical skills through rigorous coursework, comprehensive research, and real-world application.

• The majority of tuition for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs has not increased in 9 years.* While many other online colleges have raised tuition, Liberty has been able to keep costs low as a nonprofit university.
• Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges ( SACSCOC ).
• Our online PhD programs and other doctorates are primarily offered in 8-week courses with 8 different start dates each year and no set login times.
• Most of our doctoral programs are 100% online. Some programs also have required residential intensives, which provide opportunities for you to visit our beautiful campus, study in our state-of-the-art facilities, and build your professional network.

*Please note: Beginning Spring 2022, tuition for Liberty’s PMHNP programs will increase. Current students who have already matriculated may be eligible for grandfathered rates. For questions, please contact Academic Advising.

What Will You Study in Our Online Doctoral Programs?

By pursuing one of Liberty’s online PhD programs or doctoral degrees, you can learn how to solve problems and recognize potential growth opportunities in your field. Every postgraduate and doctoral program — from counseling and education to nursing and divinity — can help strengthen your skills in research, data analysis, writing, and the application of theory to real-world scenarios.

At Liberty, we strive to be one of the most affordable online colleges in the world, and our reputation for upholding rigorous academic standards is widely recognized. You’ll work hard for your doctorate degree — and be glad that you did.

What can an Online Doctoral Degree Program do for Your Career?

A doctoral degree is a terminal degree — the highest level of education for a particular area of study. Completing a PhD program or one of our other doctoral degrees can give you a level of discipline and specialized knowledge that can not only help equip you for a leadership position in fields like education, counseling, business, and ministry, but can also help make you an attractive hire to many employers.

In highly competitive fields, certain positions go exclusively to applicants with doctoral degrees. As more and more employers seek candidates with terminal degrees to fill top positions, the demand for quality, flexible education is growing. You no longer have to choose between becoming one of those candidates and maintaining your current work-life balance — you can start one of our doctoral programs without leaving home. Liberty’s online doctoral programs allow you to further your career without putting your life on hold.

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

• Active Duty
• Reserve/National Guard
• Veterans/Retirees
• Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees

Military Tuition Discount

We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want – at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $300/credit hour . Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work toward your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession – for less.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i get a doctoral degree online.

Yes! At Liberty University, we offer 100+ postgraduate degrees, professional doctorates, and PhD programs online. Most of these programs are available 100% online with no set login times. That means you can stay invested in your family, job, and community while working toward your degree. As long as your assignments are completed by their respective due dates, you can complete your coursework on your schedule — whenever it’s most convenient for you.

Liberty has been a pioneer in distance learning since 1985, so we know what it takes to create online degrees that blend flexibility, accessibility, and high-quality academics. Throughout your online doctoral program, you’ll have easy access to textbooks, syllabi, videos, and more as you complete your assignments. Our professors are also available to answer any questions you may have, and they are excited to partner with you as you take this next step in your academic journey.

While the majority of our doctorates are offered 100% online, some programs — such as our post-BSN DNP in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and DNP in Family Nurse Practitioner — also have required  on-campus intensives . That means most of your courses will be completed online, and you’ll travel to our campus in Lynchburg, Va., for the remaining few courses.

Additionally, our PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision is an intensive-based program, which means many of the courses are on-campus intensives. Residential intensives give you the exciting opportunity to visit our campus and connect in-person with other professionals in your program.

At Liberty, we’re committed to providing degrees that meet your unique learning style. Whether you’re seeking a 100% online program or want to take some in-person courses, we have what you need!

Can I pursue a doctorate without a master’s?

Most of our doctoral degrees online require a master’s degree for admission to help ensure that you are ready for doctoral-level coursework. However, both our post-BSN DNP in Family Nurse Practitioner and our post-BSN DNP in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner allow you to apply with only a bachelor’s degree! These 2 programs cover the foundational and advanced topics needed to help you seamlessly transition from an undergraduate program to a doctoral degree.

Are online doctoral programs credible?

If you’re like many students, you’re probably wondering whether an online doctoral degree program offers the same rigor and credibility as a residential degree. As long as you select a university and/or program that is accredited, you can be confident that your online doctorate will hold weight as a respected, advanced educational credential.

Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges ( SACSCOC ) to award associate, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees. Our faculty members are well-respected leaders in their fields who use their expertise to help further your proficiency in research, examination, and application of your knowledge. Whether you pursue an online PhD, EdD, DBA, DMin, or any of our other doctoral programs, you can gain valuable knowledge as you develop into a leader of distinction.

Additionally, many of our schools have achieved programmatic accreditation, including the following:

• Liberty University’s PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs ( CACREP ).
• Liberty University’s School of Business is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs ( ACBSP ).
• Liberty University’s John W. Rawlings School of Divinity DMin, EdD, and ThM programs are accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of  ATS , the Association of Theological Schools.
• All of our School of Education initial and advanced licensure programs are accredited by the  Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation ( CAEP ) .
• Liberty University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music ( NASM ).
• The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and the postgraduate APRN certificate program at Liberty University School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

How many years is a doctoral degree?

One question you likely have as you research doctoral programs is “How long does it take to get a doctoral degree?” That depends on the exact program you choose. Our shortest doctoral program is the Doctor of Ministry (DMin), which only has 30 credit hours, and our longest doctorate is the DNP in Family Nurse Practitioner at 78 credit hours. Additionally, our postgraduate programs (the EdS and ThM) are 30 credit hours long.

In general, our online doctoral programs can be completed in 2-3 years while our postgraduate degrees can take as little as 1 year. You can also potentially transfer in up to 50% of your postgraduate or doctoral credits — so you can finish your degree even faster! Our carefully planned, suggested course sequences can help you maximize your time and keep your total tuition costs down while ensuring that you get the most out of your classes.

What types of doctoral degrees are available?

We offer 3 main types of degrees at the postgraduate and doctoral levels. Each is designed to help you gain the knowledge and skills that are most applicable to your career goals. Below you’ll find a list of these degrees and what they can offer you!

Postgraduate degrees  – Our Education Specialist (EdS) and Master of Theology (ThM) degrees are postgraduate programs, which means they are a step above a master’s and a step below a doctorate. These programs require a completed master’s degree for admission and are a great option if you’re not ready to pursue a full doctoral program.

In some cases, you may find that a postgraduate program provides the training and skills you need to pursue your career goals without requiring you to complete a full doctorate. Our postgraduate degrees can also set you on the fast track to acquiring new expertise while equipping you to pursue a doctoral degree later on down the road.

Professional doctorates  – We offer a wide variety of professional doctorates in many different subject areas — including business, government, divinity, nursing, and music. A professional doctorate is designed for working professionals who want to solve real-world problems in their field and gain new knowledge and skills that are directly applicable to their industry.

Professional doctoral programs still provide training in advanced research methods, but the focus is on how this research can be used to address practical challenges in a variety of settings. Some of the degrees that fall under this category include the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL), Doctor of Law and Policy (DLP), Doctor of Public Administration (DPA), Doctor of Ministry (DMin), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and Doctor of Worship Studies (DWS).

Research/academic doctorates  – If you’re interested in a career as a researcher or university professor, an academic doctorate may be the best path forward for you. PhDs typically fall under this category. These research-focused, theory-based degrees are ideal for those seeking roles in the world of academia. By completing an academic doctorate, you’ll have the chance to contribute to high-level scholarship, address gaps in the current literature, and add to the existing body of research in your field. Liberty offers PhDs in a wide range of subjects, including education, criminal justice, heath sciences, Bible exposition, communication, history, psychology, and more!

What if I’m not ready to pursue a full doctoral degree?

Maybe you want to take doctoral-level courses but don’t yet have time to complete a full degree. If so, we have just what you need! We offer a variety of Executive Certificates that are only 21 credit hours long. Each certificate can stand on its own as a professional development credential while also helping you build credit toward a doctoral degree. You can roll your certificate credits into the corresponding doctorate, allowing you to start a full doctoral degree whenever you’re ready.

If you’re a military student, our Executive Certificates are an especially great option for you. When you pursue an Executive Certificate, you can receive our discounted  $300/credit hour  military rate both during the certificate and later during a doctoral degree.*

Check out a list of our  available Executive Certificates  to find the best program for you!

*In order to retain the $300/credit hour rate, the doctoral degree must be started within 2 years of completing the Executive Certificate.

Do online diplomas say “online”?

No — our diplomas do not indicate whether a degree was completed online or on campus. When you complete an online doctoral program, your diploma will simply state that you earned your degree from Liberty University. This helps emphasize the fact that our online programs hold the same credibility and value as our residential programs. By earning an online degree, you’ll have the flexibility to complete your coursework on your schedule while experiencing the same rigor as you would in a traditional, on-campus doctorate.

Additionally, when you graduate from a doctoral program online at Liberty, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in our  Commencement  ceremony and degree presentation ceremonies. That way, you can visit our campus and walk with the rest of your class as you receive your diploma!

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Technology Education (All Grades) Online

Master of science in education.

Bring a deeper understanding of technology into schools to help students apply technological understanding and processes of the present and the future. Oswego’s technology education program helps students gain a strong foundation in teaching, both theory and practice.

Quick Facts

Rolling Admission Apply Anytime

You Can Start Fall, Spring or Summer

Delivery Option Online

Cost Per Credit Hour $565

Credit Hours 30

Estimated Completion Time 14 months full time, 2-4 years part-time

This program, designed for those who have or are eligible for initial certification in technology education, is online and synchronous. Meeting together provides an opportunity to collaborate with others throughout the state and our dedicated professors to dig deeper into technology education content and pedagogy. Tailor your education to what suits your interests by choosing one of three tracks to complete your education. Options include a research project, a thesis or directed coursework.

20240419_king_spring24stock_431.jpg

A Leader in Tech Education

You’ll study in one of the largest technology education departments in the country. SUNY Oswego has been a consistent leader in developing technology curriculum, and every year hosts one of the largest technology education conferences in the Northeast.

Successful completion of this program provides the necessary degree requirements to obtain your New York State professional teaching certification to teach technology from kindergarten to grade 12.

Career Opportunities

• Technology education teacher

What attracted me to Oswego was not only the history and quality of their education programs, but also the investments made into getting the latest equipment to learn and teach others on. 

Tyler Morris

Technology Education, MSEd

Program Resources

Information Sessions

Learn about our graduate programs through our information sessions today!

SUNY Oswego adapts to local workforce needs by introducing a fully online master ’s program. Professor  Richard Bush shared insights on the virtual program.

Watch the Bridge Street segment>

SUNY Oswego offers a flexible and convenient master’s degree in technology education that is 100% online. Professor Karin Dykeman and student Akil Atiba shared more information about the program and outcomes.

AAQEP Accredited

This program has earned national accreditation by demonstrating excellence in the areas of content and pedagogy, clinical experiences, selectivity, program impact, and capacity for continuous improvement.

Diversity Graduate Fellowship Program

Prospective students may be eligible for an award which includes an annual stipend, in addition to fully-paid tuition for full-time study.

More than 120 Graduate Assistantships Offered

Assistantships  provide an opportunity to gain experience through professional work on campus.

in total awards given every year to our graduate students

The Power of SUNY Tuition

Achieving your long-term career goals shouldn’t come at the expense of your immediate financial security. Oswego offers low tuition compared to many private colleges. Never sacrificing quality for affordability, our graduate students are receiving a nationally accredited program that will translate into effective knowledge and opportunities.

Admission Requirements

A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better is  recommended for  applicants to be competitive in the application process. 

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are optional for admission. For those students who have a GPA below a 3.0, it is highly recommended.

Possession of or eligibility for initial NYS teacher certification in technology education will be verified as part of the admission process.

In 500 words or less, describe your personal achievements relating to your academic interests, and detail your educational and professional objectives with reasoning for applying to SUNY Oswego. This statement will help the review team better understand and evaluate your application.

Include a professional resume or curriculum vitae that includes your academic history, professional background and any accomplishments of note. This document should provide details that support your admittance to the program.

Indicate two names with valid email addresses. We will send an email request directly to the references on your behalf. These references should be able to speak to your character, work ethic and abilities. (At least one of these recommendations must be from your school district.)

Prospective students are charged a non-refundable $65 fee for processing the application.

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Tuition and costs.

Graduate school can be affordable. See our in-state and out-of-state tuition and costs.

Visit Oswego

Experience what makes Oswego special in person. We have a variety of visiting options through the year.

Next Steps to Apply

Ready to get started? We’re here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Take the next step by creating an application account and save your progress at any time.

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Design your studies

Bachelor of applied science (online).

Create a degree tailored to your specific goals.

Our bachelor of applied science degree is a flexible online program that provides busy students the opportunity to design a course of study around their academic and professional goals. Take your ambition and passion and strive forward with a degree path as unique as you are.

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Start the conversation — learn more about your program of interest.

How to Apply

Review the admission requirements for Loyola's online bachelor of applied science program.

Specializations

To design your degree program, you would complete the core and foundational courses listed below and choose two of the specializations below to customize your degree.

Applied Development

The Applied Development specialization builds on a foundation in psychology by focusing on developmental processes people experience across the lifespan in real-life settings. This specialization can enhance careers in psychology, counseling, education, childcare, gerontology, or any field related to understanding human behavior.

Business Management

As a professional, it’s useful to have a holistic understanding of business. This degree specialization teaches principles and skills you can immediately apply in a range of careers. You will learn how to make critical and ethical business decisions, analyze data, effectively weigh risks and rewards, employ best management and marketing practices, and much more.

Church Administration

Looking for a foundation in the skills needed to support the church and church-related organizations in areas such as administration, operations, finances, and church management? The Church Administration specialization will prepare you to focus on how best to manage the unique aspects of faith-based groups.

Computer Science

Every industry is impacted by the continually accelerating growth of technology, and students in computer and technology majors are no longer faced with the prospect of only working in narrowly defined technological occupations. This specialization provides an introduction to the world of computer science and prepares you for a career as a web designer, information technology consultant, data analyst, system developer, network engineer, software engineer, and game programmer.

Criminology & Justice

Our criminology and justice program reviews the nature of crime and how society manages and deters criminal activity. Studying for your applied science degree in the criminology department, you’ll learn from those with expert theoretical knowledge as well as practical experience in the criminal justice system. Courses cover law enforcement, the courts, corrections, and the private/corporate criminal justice sector.

Cyber Security

The information systems that provide so many benefits are vulnerable to errors and misfortune, and are even, as we know all too well, vulnerable to hostile acts. The cyber security specialization provides a foundation of knowledge and skills to support jobs that help protect the systems we all rely on.

Communication

From mobile photography to social engagement, this concentration teaches you how to master communications in our digital world. Prepare to immerse yourself in the tactical skills and strategic knowledge necessary to get ahead of the competition.

Professional Writing

The professional writing specialization focuses on the technical aspects of writing as it pertains to the presentation and organization of information in a variety of media formats and professional settings. Gaining a foundation in professional writing can complement almost any career, especially those that value concise language, clear description, and effective communication.

You want to understand how the human mind thinks and learns, and how it processes decisions and perceptions. And you want to use that knowledge to ​help others. Whatever your goals, our program and expert faculty will prepare for success in research, continued study, and a career.​

Online Bachelor of Applied Science Curriculum

Flexible online courses taught by experts.

Explore diverse aspects of life, society, and human culture while gaining the knowledge and skills you need to enter the workplace, change careers, or complete academic work that you’ve perhaps started elsewhere. Grounded in the Jesuit educational tradition that makes Loyola distinctive, this general studies degree online provides a solid foundation in critical thinking and values-based decision-making.

AU-ABC Program 

Loyola participates in the Air University – Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative (AU-ABC) program available to Active Duty Air Force and Space Force Service members who have completed a CCAF technical degree. Through the AU-ABC program, eligible participants can enroll in Loyola's online bachelor of applied science (BAS) degree program and Loyola will accept up to 60 hours of your CCAF coursework toward the completion of your degree. Learn more

Degree Overview

• Major Courses
• Loyola Core

General Electives

120 credits.

Bachelor of Applied Science

Loyola's online bachelor of applied science consists of 120 credit hours, which includes:

• 30 credits of major courses (within 2 different specialization areas)
• 39 credits of Loyola Core courses
• 51 credits of general elective courses

Check out the University Bulletin to view further curriculum information about Loyola's bachelor of applied science degree and download a degree worksheet.

Major Courses (30 credits) include:

• Online Adult Learning (3 credits)
• Professional Writing (3 credits)
• Specialization Area I – 4 courses (12 credits)
• Specialization Area II – 4 courses (12 credits)

In addition to the Loyola Core curriculum and a range of general electives, students in the online bachelor of applied science program complete 30 hours of major courses from two different specializations of their choosing.

Loyola Core Courses

Bachelor of Applied science

Loyola Core Courses (39 credits):

The goal of the Loyola Core is to foster students’ competency in five key areas:

• Critical Thinking
• Effective Communication
• Quantitative Reasoning
• Information Literacy
• Ethical Reasoning

To help students develop these competencies, the Loyola Core embraces an interdisciplinary approach to learning with an emphasis on the spiritual and intellectual, the moral and ethical, the natural and social scientific, the humanistic, and the artistic.

Foundation Courses

Foundation courses should be taken in your first three online sessions at Loyola and include:

• English – Critical Reading & Writing
• Math Models or Finite Math
• Science Process – Investigating Nature

Knowledge & Values Courses

Students complete courses in the following nine categories:

• Creative Arts & Cultures
• Natural Science in Context
• Philosophy I: Introduction to the Philosophy of Reasoning
• Philosophy II: Philosophy of Knowledge & Morality
• Religious Studies I: Christian Traditions
• Religious Studies II: World Religions
• Social Sciences
• Writing About Literature

General Elective Courses (51 credits)

The online bachelor of applied science requires 51 credit hours of general electives. There is a wide range of online elective courses to choose from, and many transfer courses can be used to satisfy requirements in this area.

Accreditation and National Recognitions

Get in touch with one of our enrollment specialists – we are here to support you.

[email protected]

504-588-6025

New Ph.D. programs welcome students this fall

Rit now offers doctoral programs in cognitive science and physics.

Scott Hamilton

RIT is beginning two new doctoral programs in cognitive science and physics. Both programs offer diverse research opportunities, including soft matter physics research.

Sophia Caruana was seeking an interdisciplinary doctoral program where she could pursue her interests in data ethics, AI, and human-centered computing. Kaitlin Boedigheimer was interested in exploring possible research opportunities in soft-matter physics. 

Both of them found their niche within two of RIT’s newest Ph.D. programs: cognitive science and physics.

The cognitive science Ph.D. program is jointly delivered by faculty experts from six colleges within the university: College of Liberal Arts ; College of Science ; Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences ; Kate Gleason College of Engineering ; College of Engineering Technology ; and National Technical Institute for the Deaf . The physics Ph.D . is offered by the College of Science .

An interdisciplinary approach to cognitive science

RIT’s cognitive science Ph.D. program provides an interdisciplinary study of the human mind that combines insights from psychology, computer science, linguistics, neuroscience, augmented reality, and philosophy. Students will gain the skills and abilities needed to analyze data, grasp complex concepts, and interpret and communicate concepts for a wider audience.

Matt Dye , professor and director of the cognitive science program and NTID’s Sensory, Perceptual, and Cognitive Ecology (SPACE) Center , explains that the joint offering between the six colleges is a unique asset for graduate students.

“Cognitive science itself is inherently interdisciplinary. It requires this kind of marriage of liberal arts, engineering, and technical thinking,” said Dye. “One of the advantages we have at RIT is that students can learn from experts from across six different colleges, so they can acquire a range of skills and abilities that they might not get at other universities.”

The multidisciplinary approach means students from all undergraduate backgrounds can apply for the program, provided it matches their academic and career interests. Four students were accepted into the program this year.

Sophia Caruana said she has a deep interest in interdisciplinary research and education, which made RIT’s cognitive science doctoral program a perfect fit for her. Here, she presents a previous research project, “How faculty and students at Nazareth University perceive and use chat bots.”

Caruana, from Rochester, N.Y., graduated this past May from Nazareth University with a bachelor’s degree in ethical data science and minors in psychology, philosophy, and math. When she made the decision to pursue her Ph.D., she wanted to find an interdisciplinary program that would work well with her current expertise.

In 2023, she met with Professor Cecilia Alm , who would become her Ph.D. faculty advisor at RIT, to learn more about Alm’s Computational Linguistics and Speech Processing (CLASP) lab . That meeting was the final push Caruana needed to apply to RIT.

“Professor Alm explained that my role in her lab as a cognitive science student would focus on using biologically-inspired systems to model human emotions with artificial intelligence. The questions surrounding that are really intriguing, and something I was already thinking about with my own research,” said Caruana. “I think the work in the CLASP lab is going to be monumental for ethical, human-centered AI, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it.”

Steadily growing opportunities in physics

Boedigheimer earned her bachelor’s degree in physics from University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and her master’s degree in physics from University of Minnesota – Duluth. But she realized there were more job opportunities in her field for Ph.D’s. Once she heard about RIT Professor Shima Parsa ’s soft matter research at a colloquium, her interest in RIT was piqued. After she visited the campus in March, she was convinced.

Kaitlin Boedigheimer believes she’ll have better job prospects with a Ph.D. in physics. She will be researching the filtration methods of nanoplastics to expand her interest in soft matter physics.

“The state-of-the-art technology here really impressed me,” said Boedigheimer.

She is one of seven students in the first class of physics Ph.D. students at RIT. The program offers a wide array of research areas including atomic/molecular/optical physics, multi-messenger astrophysics, photonics and the next quantum revolution, and physics for sustainable/renewable energy. Boedigheimer will be focusing on the filtration methods of nanoplastics, working closely with Parsa.

The new physics program had nearly 120 applicants in its first year. The recently announced National Science Foundation Research Traineeship Program (NRT) gives RIT the resources to grow the program by a few students each year in the future.

“Since the NRT is a highly prestigious fellowship, this allows us to actively recruit the very best and brightest graduate students into our new Ph.D. program,” said Seth Hubbard , program director and professor in the School of Physics and Astronomy.

These two new programs bring RIT’s total doctoral programs to 15. RIT’s other programs include astrophysical sciences and technology , biomedical and chemical engineering , business administration , color science , computing and information sciences electrical and computer engineering , imaging science , mechanical and industrial engineering , microsystems engineering , and sustainability .

RIT’s priority in building doctoral research programs is integral to the university’s future. These programs attract top-tier faculty who generate research funding and support teams of graduate student researchers. In turn, the faculty and research opportunities recruit Ph.D. students to the university.

More information is available on the cognitive science doctoral program website , or by emailing Matt Dye at [email protected] .

Go to the physics Ph.D. program website for more information.

Recommended News

August 28, 2024

RIT’s Saunders College of Business celebrates $19M expansion    

The Rochester Business Journal features the opening of the newly renovated space in Max Lowenthal Hall, home of the Saunders College of Business.

Faculty-researchers Katie McConky and Amanda Bao named ELATES Fellows

RIT astrophysicist named one of world's most influential female scientists   

Democrat and Chronicle highlights the accomplishments of Manuela Campanelli, Distinguished Professor of Astrophysics in the School of Mathematics and Statistics. (This content will require a subscription to view.)

The 2023 London Design Awards Proudly Reveals Winning Results for “All Sound Production Website”    

Hui-Yu Ho '20 (human computer interaction), UX Designer at Edifecs, was honored with two London Design Awards, presented by the International Awards Associate (IAA), for her website All Sound Production.

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Master of Science in Nursing in Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

The Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner provide direct patient care in various settings, focusing on promoting health and well-being, diagnosing and treating common conditions in adolescents, adults, and older adults. The specialty prepares graduates for advanced practice nursing in diverse clinical settings, meeting nurse practitioner curriculum guidelines. Graduates are eligible for certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Board (AANP).

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take me to finish my program.

Each Ohio State Online Program is unique and have their own timelines for completion. This also varies based on how many credits you choose to take each semester. For more information or to estimate how long it will take to complete your degree, contact an enrollment advisor   https://online.osu.edu/request-information

What is state authorization?

State authorization refers to regulations that impact online and on-ground education offered across state lines and programs that lead to state licenses or certifications. Compliance with these regulations ensures that an Ohio State degree will be recognized and that a student will be eligible to sit for licensure in states other than Ohio. Each state has unique authorization requirements, so Ohio State must review each state’s laws to ensure that the university is in compliance. At Ohio State, we have a team dedicated to researching regulations, seeking and maintaining compliance, communicating changes in authorization status, and disclosing state licensure and certification information.

FAQ Topic: 

State Authorization

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Academic Calendar

Ohio State’s MSN program admits online students once-per-year for the Autumn semester.

Autumn 2025

Application Deadline October 15, 2024

Term Start Date August 26, 2025

Autumn 2026

Application Deadline TBD

Term Start Date August 25, 2026

Admission Criteria

Students must have a  Bachelor  of Science in Nursing ( BSN) degree from an ACEN/CCNE/CNEA-accredited institution to be eligible to apply . Applicants must also have an active RN license and a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale in the last degree earned relevant to the program of study.

Who We Are Looking For

Your application will be reviewed comprehensively, considering all aspects of your qualifications. The list below outlines the attributes and experiences we consider:

• Understanding of the advanced practice nurse role
• Experience with your chosen population – Leadership, teamwork, and collaboration
• Community engagement
• Diversity of thought and experiences
• Resilience, growth, critical thinking
• Emotional intelligence, communication skills
• Personal attributes like humility, professionalism, compassion
• Commitment to the nursing profession

How to Apply

To apply for the online Master of Science in Nursing program applicants must complete the following prior to the application deadline:

Failure to complete all required steps of this application process by 11:59 pm EST on the day of the posted deadline will result in your application not being considered for admission, with no exceptions. 

Admission Timeline and Deferrals

Please ensure all the required materials listed above are submitted by the application deadline to be considered for admission. It may take up to five business days for the status of materials to be updated on your application status webpage.

*Please note that deferring admittance is not an option. If you are unable to start your studies in the term for which you applied, you will need to reapply in the future.

In accordance with the non-discrimination policy of The Ohio State University and the College of Nursing, we strictly prohibit any discrimination based upon age, color, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, religion, pregnancy, or veteran status in its application, admission, or enrollment practices.

Ohio State is committed to treating applicants fairly and with dignity and respect. Please review Ohio State’s new  post-admissions policy .

The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement, also known as  SARA , establishes uniform standards for distance education for all participating states and institutions. Ohio State joined SARA in 2015, which means Ohio State can offer most online and on-ground courses and programs in  SARA member states, districts and territories without seeking authorization in each state.

Career Outlook

The Master of Science in Nursing – Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner at Ohio State positions graduates for a promising career outlook. As the aging population continues to grow, there is an increasing demand for skilled professionals who can provide comprehensive care to older adults. Graduates are equipped to diagnose, manage, and treat a wide range of health conditions, making them highly sought after in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. The advanced training and specialized knowledge gained from the program enhance job prospects, offering opportunities for leadership roles and competitive salaries. Additionally, the program’s strong connections with healthcare organizations and its robust alumni network provide valuable resources and support for career advancement.

Whether you’re looking to grow in your current career or make a career change altogether, Ohio State’s online programs can help you achieve your goals. Learn what the outlook is for your current or next career move using O*Net’s My Next Move tool.

NURSING 7403 Innovation Leadership in Advanced Nursing Practice

Analysis of organizational leadership and ethical essentials necessary to deliver high quality patient care in diverse settings.

NURSING 7483 Quality Improvement and Informatics

Explores advanced concepts of collaboration, design, leadership, implementation and evaluation of quality improvement initiatives in health care utilizing information technology strategies.

NURSING 7491 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Across the Life Span

Analyze strategies to encourage change in both individual’s and population’s health behaviors that influence risk reduction in multiple settings. Develop educational strategies utilizing advanced critical thinking.

Program Faculty

Kristine Browning PhD, APRN-CNP, FAANP

Dr. Kristine Browning’s national program of research includes the examination of underlying determinants of tobacco use in order to further understand tobacco use behavior. Her work has examined socioeconomic disparities among the delivery of smoking cessation assistance by healthcare providers. Evidence-based smoking cessation interventions, including assistance, should be systematically delivered to all patients who are current smokers. Dr. Browning’s other work in tobacco control includes examining how principles of acculturation contribute to how Hispanic men and women misclassify their smoking status and state of the science papers that summarize salient tobacco control topics in special populations such as HIV-positive, low socioeconomic, and immigrants. Continued smoking after a lung cancer diagnosis remains a significant problem as it contributes to poor disease and treatment-related outcomes. Although lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality for both men and women, there is a paucity of smoking cessation intervention research with lung cancer patients. Dr. Browning’s research has examined smoking behaviors of lung cancer patients from the perspective of the Self-Regulation of Illness Representation and found that understanding the context in which a patient perceives their disease and smoking behavior may contribute to influencing behavior change. In addition, Dr. Browning has combined her clinical experience as an adult nurse practitioner in oncology care with examining salient patient related topics in cancer survivorship care.

Courtney Shihabuddin

Janine Overcash

Kristel Aoun

Testimonials

Learn how online learning has helped Ohio State students exceed in their personal and professional lives.

“Ohio State is a large institution with a lot of possibilities and opportunities. You will meet people who you can connect with and who will connect you with others.”

“Being able to apply everything I was working on for school immediately to my work was my favorite part of the program.”

“I could not have faced so many obstacles without the support, strength and guidance from the faculty and staff. Even when times were tough, they believed in me, so I believed in me.”

Get started.

Speak with a knowledgeable Enrollment Advisor who can help answer your questions and explain different aspects of the more than 70 online degrees and certificates offered at Ohio State.

College of Science

Statistics (statistical theory and modeling).

Northeastern University's Master of Science in Statistics is designed for early career and mid-level professionals in the US and internationally who are seeking to elevate their expertise in the dynamic and growing field of statistics. 

The College of Science's Statistical Theory and Modeling concentration offers comprehensive training in the fundamental principles of machine learning, statistical learning theory, and statistical and probabilistic modeling techniques to analyze and interpret complex data across diverse fields.

Northeastern University's Master of Science in Statistics (Statistical Theory and Modeling) program stands out for its highly curated curriculum by combining foundational theory with practical, hands-on experiences, and opportunities. Designed to meet the soaring demand for statistical knowledge that can be applied across a diverse range of industries, this master's program not only equips students with essential skills and concepts but also emphasizes real-world applications. 

The program offers comprehensive training in the fundamental principles of machine learning, statistical learning theory, and statistical and probabilistic modeling techniques to analyze and interpret complex data across diverse fields. The curriculum includes courses in advanced machine learning and statistical learning theory, probability theory, mathematical statistics, and various modeling approaches. Students develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills and gain experience and proficiency in statistical software through real-world data analysis. Graduates are equipped for careers in academia, government, industry, and research organizations, where they can apply their expertise in statistical theory and modeling to solve complex problems. 

The program offers a rigorous theoretical foundation and diverse exposure to advanced statistical and probabilistic modeling techniques. Students delve deeply into the mathematical and theoretical aspects of statistics while gaining hands-on experience and proficiency in statistical software with various modeling methods. The concentration emphasizes critical thinking and strong analytical and problem-solving skills. It prepares graduates for academic careers, research roles, and positions in government and industry, where they can apply their statistical theory and modeling expertise to solve complex data problems. Graduates are prepared for in-demand careers in statistics, allowing them to stand out in a competitive job market and make a meaningful impact in their industry of choice.

More Details

Unique features.

Northeastern's program is grounded in real-world applications and foundational theory. The program blends foundational theory with applied coursework to deepen students' understanding of advanced statistics while preparing them to start and advance in careers that use statistical skills across a variety of industries and fields.

The modern-day curriculum prepares learners to succeed no matter what profession they are in.

Students can focus their studies on biostatistics, machine learning, and modeling. Concentrations offered through this program should be leveraged as a unique differentiator to support the growth in demand across key sectors. 

Program Objectives

Perform appropriate classical statistical, causal, machine learning, and AI analyses based on a solid understanding of the inferential and predictive modeling assumptions and properties.

Use statistical theory to derive and interpret appropriate and/or novel models for data analyses.

Create version-controlled and reproducible code using modern statistical software to maintain, analyze, and visualize both small- and massive-scale data.

Conduct, evaluate, and interpret complex experiments using both classical and innovative study designs.

Communicate and present statistical designs, models, and results effectively across technical and non-technical audiences.

Develop expertise in a wide range of machine learning algorithms and statistical methods for data analysis.

Equip students with the skills to apply advanced biostatistical techniques to analyze healthcare and biomedical data with proficiency in statistical software.

Provide students with advanced computing resources and software tools for implementing machine learning models.

Ensure students gain a deep understanding of the mathematical and theoretical principles underlying machine learning and statistical methods.

Train students in diverse statistical and probabilistic modeling techniques and proficiency in statistical software.

Career Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment of statisticians is projected to grow by 30% from 2022 to 2032. According to the  U.S. News & World Report , statisticians are number four for best business jobs and number nine for best STEM jobs in 2024, with a median pay of $98,920.

Looking for something different?

A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern—a top-ranked university—can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and hands-on professional experience in the area of your interest. Apply now—and take your career to the next level.

Program Costs

Finance Your Education We offer a variety of resources, including scholarships and assistantships.

How to Apply Learn more about the application process and requirements.

Requirements

• Application
• Application fee
• Two letters of recommendation
• Transcripts from all institutions attended
• Personal statement
• GRE not required
• Students whose bachelor’s degrees are from a non-English speaking institution will be required to demonstrate a TOEFL score of 79 or higher, an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher, a Pearson PTE Academic score of 53 or higher, or a Duolingo English Test score of 105 or higher on the 160-point scale.

Are You an International Student? Find out what additional documents are required to apply.

Admissions Details Learn more about the College of Science admissions process, policies, and required materials.

Admissions Dates

Industry-aligned courses for in-demand careers.

For 100+ years, we’ve designed our programs with one thing in mind—your success. Explore the current program requirements and course descriptions, all designed to meet today’s industry needs and must-have skills.

View curriculum

Northeastern's signature experience-powered learning model has been at the heart of the university for more than a century. It combines world-class academics with professional practice, allowing you to acquire relevant, real-world skills you can immediately put into action in your current workplace. This makes a Northeastern education a dynamic, transformative experience, giving you countless opportunities to grow as a professional and person.

Our Faculty

Northeastern University faculty represents a broad cross-section of professional practices and fields, including finance, education, biomedical science, management, and the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors and collaborate alongside you to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.

By enrolling in Northeastern, you’ll be connected to students at our 13 campuses, as well as 300,000-plus alumni and more than 3,500 employer partners around the world. Our global university system provides you with unique opportunities to think locally and act globally and serves as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.

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