Pros And Cons Of Online PhD Programs

Online degree programs are on the rise across a breadth and depth of areas of study. And while most people think of associate’s and bachelor’s degrees when they think of online studies, there are also a growing number of options for PhD-seeking online students. But do the same benefits of online programs apply at this lofty level of study? Read on for a closer look at the pros and cons of online PhD programs.

What are the pros of doing an online PhD?

1. You’ll save money.

Not only are tuition and fees for online PhD programs often cheaper than their campus-based counterparts, but students stand to benefit in a number of other ways as well. Housing, transport, and meals all cost less when you’re studying from the comfort of your own home.

Additionally, because online degrees are more flexible, they open up opportunities to continue working while enrolled -- meaning you don’t just stand to save money, but may also end up making money, too.

2. It may be easier to balance your professional and personal life.

PhD work is intensive and, for many students, all-consuming. By doing your PhD online, you save commuting time while freeing yourself up to study, research, and write based on the schedule that works best for you. If you’re looking for a life with less conflict and more balance between school and extracurriculars, then an online PhD may be right for you. (At the same time, being able to compartmentalize is important. Without proper boundaries in place, you may end up feeling like your PhD work is taking over everything.)

3. Your teaching commitments will be very different.

Teaching is a major part of most “bricks and mortar” doctoral programs. And while some PhD students love this element of the degree, others find it less than appealing because it takes away from their research. Teaching commitments look very different for online PhD students than they do for conventional PhD students. For starters, some online PhD programs might not have a teaching component at all. Others may include online and/or community college teaching. Many students find these to be more comfortable teaching settings when compared to the competitive setting of research universities.

What are the cons of doing an online PhD?

1. Opportunities for one-on-one face-time with professors and classmates are limited.

Depending on your PhD program, your professors and classmates may be located hundreds of miles away from you. This can be an isolating experience. And while an abundance of resources exist aimed at keeping you in touch -- including everything from discussion boards to conference calls -- you may still feel disconnected.

This can have a professional as well as a personal impact. Your PhD advisor is a huge part of your academic and career trajectory, so failing to build a beneficial relationship with him/her can have lasting implications. Meanwhile, lack of contact with other PhD students can lead to an inadequate support network. After all, who can more empathize with what PhD students go through than other PhD students?

2. Your degree may be perceived differently.

While stereotypes about online degrees are quickly becoming obsolete, you may at times run into people who are skeptical of online studies -- particularly online doctoral programs. The good news? Choosing an accredited and respected online degree program mitigates these concerns to the people who matter most: future hiring committees.

3. It’s not possible for all disciplines.

Online PhDs are perfectly suited to some subjects, but they’re not a good fit for others. While most humanities studies seamlessly transition to online environments, some -- the natural sciences and psychology, for example -- may require lab work or hands-on clinical training.

That said, some online programs incorporate residencies, which allow students to amass the on-site training they need in the briefest amount of time.

One last thing to keep in mind? If you’re considering enrolling in an online PhD program entirely because you think it will be easier than a traditional program, think again. While the two options may be different in terms of the mode of delivery, they share one thing in common: As the highest academic degree a student can achieve, both online and campus-based programs are rigorous in nature and therefore best suited for students who are 100 percent committed to making a contribution to the sum of human knowledge through their doctoral studies.