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Doctoral programmes demand several years of challenging work but bring many benefits.Ìý

Advanced, specialised studies prove valuable for any aspiring academic, researcher, or working professional. Whether one chooses to do a full-time PhD on campus, or opt for the best online PhD programmes, outcomes are similar – career advancement, higher salaries, and perhaps even a greater sense of fulfilment.Ìý

The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), experts in collecting and disseminating data about higher education in the UK, published a survey that shows PhD holders enjoy higher starting salaries.

The survey showed that PhD students are more likely to earn more than 30,000 pounds (US$36,706) per year than their master’s counterparts.Ìý

According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, PhD graduates earn an average of – significantly higher than the average for those with just bachelor’s degrees. Many industries typically offer PhD graduate salaries of over US$75,000 a year due to their training complexity and specialised knowledge.

With such glowing promise, it’s no surprise that many professionals are keen to pursue a doctoral degree of their own.Ìý

You’ll find other benefits, too:

The benefits of pursuing your PhD online

This lofty level of study has a few catches. Obvious ones include the time and money involved – a full PhD programme can take between four to 12 years, which poses a challenge for working professionals.Ìý

And while you may receive salaries and stipends, it’s nowhere near what a full-time position will offer, either.Ìý

Not to worry. That’s where the best online PhD programmes come in.

You’ll save money

Tuition and fees for online PhD programmes are often cheaper than their campus-based counterparts. Housing, transport, and meals all cost less when you’re studying from the comfort of your own home, too.Ìý

Plus, they will be available to the less fortunate. “I think they’re an amazing way to make doctoral work accessible to disabled communities,” says a .

For working professionals, you may continue working while enrolled – this means you don’t just stand to save money, you’re actively making it too.Ìý

A good balance between your professional and personal life

PhD work is intensive and time-consuming. The best online PhD programmes offer flexibility even for the busiest working professional. Customise your courses or plan your time according to your availability or interests.

“I’ve done hybrid, but my programme offers fully online. We’re in the social sciences, so no need for a lab. It works really well for some of us — we still have to meet all of the requirements but there’s a little more flexibility with classes and timing,” said a user on . “This was vital when I was very, very sick with the early stages of my chronic illness. I had a hard time sitting through a three hour class. But being able to break up my learning activities into chunks worked so much better for me.”

They don’t lose against their on-site counterparts

Stereotypes about online degrees are quickly becoming obsolete. You’ll find that these online programmes offer similar breadths of expertise and are accredited and respected just like their full-time counterparts.

While these programmes are perfectly suited to some subjects like business or the humanities, some others, like natural sciences or psychology, require labwork or hands-on clinical training. How would that come into play for a fully online programme?

Worry not. The best online PhD programmes will offer residencies or similar opportunities for students to amass the on-site training they need in short-term periods.Ìý

The best online PhD programmes for busy professionals and more

Here are some of the most popular fields to pursue a doctoral degree in and the schools offering the best online PhD programmes listed according to .Ìý

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According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, employment in marketing and other areas of business and finance is projected to between 2016 and 2026, resulting in roughly 774,000 new jobs. To stand out, consider pursuing advanced studies.

This is a field with many areas in which to specialise. Think accounting, human resources, international business, marketing, and even supply chain and logistics – all play a part in helping streamline business processes and ensuring profit turn.Ìý

These doctorate programmes cater to working professionals who have completed an MBA or similar programmes. It’s also for those who want to further their studies and prepare for top-level roles in management, consulting, or teaching. With the right programme, you may even consult for large-scale corporations, nonprofit organisations, or even government agencies.Ìý

Interested? Consider these universities for the best online PhD programmes in business-related fields:

• Liberty ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø
• Capella ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø
• Swiss School of Management
• Victoria ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of Wellington 

Computer Science

With hacks and security breaches becoming increasingly common – a result of the rapid digital evolution — computer science professionals are in demand.

Having a PhD in this field will open up opportunities to work in higher education and research positions, boosting your earning potential. You’ll lead the new generation of network architects and data scientists, among others, to navigate the new frontier of machine learning, software engineering, algorithms and computer information systems.

Explore the best online PhD programmes that offer specialisations in information quality and science, data science and analytics, bioinformatics, big data, artificial intelligence or robotics at these universities:

• ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of North Dakota
• Mississippi State ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø
• ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of South Carolina
• Florida Atlantic ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø

Public Health and Health Sciences

If the last decade had anything to show, it was that the world sorely needs public health professionals. Employment in the field is expected to grow due to the demand to educate the public about preventive health care, as well as the need to provide additional services to those suffering from mental health or substance abuse issues.Ìý

The best online PhD programmes will provide the foundational knowledge and skills to navigate community health issues and be at the forefront of data and public health leadership. You’ll have a wide range of professions available, too – think health educators, epidemiologists, nutritionists, social service providers and emergency management personnel, among others.

It’s expected that this field will require on-site training. While some programmes may require short training periods, most offer a research-based dissertation or an applied research doctoral project within the field.

Explore these universities for the best online PhD programmes in public health: 

• John Hopkins ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø
• Atlantic International ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø 
• Walden ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø
• Euclid ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø

Engineering

The best online PhD programmes for engineering will allow you to gain significant technical depth, research experience, and advanced capabilities in a particular technology or technical domain directly related to your career goals.

Most programmes involve taking up research projects that lead up to a final report or dissertation focused less on foundation theory and more on engineering practice and application.Ìý

At the same time, they allow you to explore other professional skills such as leadership development, project management, new product development, technical, report and grant writing, and pedagogical theory and practice.

Here are some universities that offer outstanding options:

• Purdue ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø
• Texas A&M ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø 
• Colorado State ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø
• ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of Alabama

Education

A doctoral degree in business can fall under one of two categories: EdD (Doctor of Education) or PhD (Doctor of Philosophy).Ìý

If you’re interested in practising, leading an institution, or teaching at a university, opt for the EdD. The PhD will suit those aiming to land positions as school principals, school district superintendents, and academic programme coordinators.Ìý

Prospective students can expect to study topics such as leadership theory, data analytics, organisation improvement, and learning design.

Universities that offer the best online PhD programmes for education are:

• Arizona State ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø
• New York ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø
• ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of Southern California
• ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of Virginia

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Legal professionals are in high demand across most industries. Nonlawyers who have a deep understanding of legal history, regulatory compliance, and contracts within specific fields play essential roles in these fields.

Most law PhDs require you to hold a Juris Doctor degree or at least possess an advanced degree in law or a related field. Should you pursue a doctoral degree, you have advanced employment opportunities ranging from business to government policy, healthcare administration to cybersecurity, and more.Ìý

These universities offer the best online PhD programmes in law:

• ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of Glasglow
• ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of Portsmouth
• London Metropolitan ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø 
• ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of Leicester 

Tourism and Hospitality 

Pursuing a PhD in tourism and hospitality offers advanced academic pursuits for professionals aiming to excel in various fields, including strategic management, organisational behaviour, and global hospitality trends.

Learn to lead confidently and innovate in a rapidly evolving industry. You’ll explore specialised topics such as sustainable tourism, revenue management, hospitality marketing, and customer experience enhancement strategies.Ìý

Industries you’ll excel in include hospitality administration, tourism, retail, and even academia. Here are the universities offering the best online PhD programmes to do so: 

• Iowa State ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø
• Atlantic International ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø
• Selinus ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of Sciences and Literature 
• Lincoln ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø College

Arts and Design

For the intellectually vibrant and ambitious artists.Ìý

Advanced studies in the field allow you to create, embody and respond to new registers of contemporary art and culture whilst rearticulating processes and practices associated with established artistic media. Incorporate in-depth relevant knowledge, formulate and conduct problems effectively through critical thinking skills in creative art and design practices.

Graduates will have career opportunities as academics – concentrating on teaching and research or research-only roles – or leadership roles in galleries, museums, and private companies.Ìý

These universities offer the best online PhD programmes for artists:

• The ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of Edinburgh 
• Ohio State ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø
• Florida State ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø
• Arizona State ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø