Starting a doctoral program is a very important decision. Not only does it cost money, but you’re also making a huge time commitment. The mere fact that you are considering this commitment suggests that you already have a very busy lifestyle. A PhD candidate is usually required to travel to the university/college to gain access to the best PhD program in their field. This could mean taking leave from work and your family. However, with today’s modern educational technologies, PhD candidates can search for a program on the Internet. Distance PhD programs available online today are generally fully accredited and carry all the prestige a PhD deserves.
Where should you start looking?
The Internet offers potential students all the characteristics of a large and small town or city. Using a good search engine will take you directly to the community of your choice. One of the great things about online education is that no matter where you are in the world, you can find as many options as you would in the world’s largest cities. Once you’ve begun your search, your first task is to narrow down distance learning PhD programs in your discipline. You want to learn as much about institutions as possible, schools will often send you free information about their programs, it’s a good idea to learn as much as you can about a school and its reputation.
It is quite possible that you will never be able to set foot on the campus of the university that graduates you with a Ph.D. Of course we all have doubts that without seeing it, it cannot be so good. Your mentor/advisor is someone you may only meet through emails and work exchanges. However, this does not reduce the quality of the experience. It is important to find out what your colleagues think about the potential program. Will your degree be treated as equal in the professional world? A good source of education about each school and program is educational magazines that may have articles about distance learning doctoral programs. These are an excellent source of valid information.
Once you’ve completed your search and think you’ve found the right distance learning PhD program for you, start looking at the other resources you need. If you’re not going to be on a campus you’re going to need a library. Does the school you are considering offer an electronic library? Does it provide you with alternatives to not having a campus library on hand? Of course, your job will be limited to the research you can do, and a library plays a big part in that.
Most of the time, a nearby university will not offer accessibility if you follow the correct channels during registration time. Of course, you might like a distance learning PhD program that makes your campus available. The bottom line is that if you’ve come this far to be ready to take on the challenge of a PhD, then you have what it takes to complete a distance learning PhD program. Find the right one, and everything will be smooth sailing.