Online Doctoral Programs and Professional Doctorates

In recent years, online education has become increasingly commonplace as more and more universities put their courses online. In a 2015 survey conducted by Walden University’s Office of Institutional Research and Assessment, 89% of surveyed employers of Walden graduates reported that they are satisfied or very satisfied with the Walden graduate employed at their organization. When deciding where to earn your doctoral degree online, be sure to choose an accredited institution.

When you earn a doctorate, you will be well prepared for career advancement and new opportunities. Because only a very small percentage of the U.S. population holds a doctoral degree, which is the highest educational attainment possible, you’ll be in an elite group of achievers. Earning your doctorate can also position you for salary increases, give you highly marketable skills, help you become a true expert in your field, and better position you for leadership roles.

The professional doctorate and PhD degrees are considered terminal degrees, meaning you have achieved the highest formal degree in the field. A PhD is an academic degree focused on original research, data analysis, and the evaluation of theory. A professional doctorate focuses on applying research to practical problems, formulating solutions to complex issues, and designing effective professional practices within your field.

If you’ve made the decision to earn your degree, you may be wondering how you’ll keep up with your online education while balancing work and family commitments. Time management is an important place to start—and these strategies are surprisingly effective. Follow the tips that work best for you:

• Choose a degree program that offers flexibility.

• Involve your family and friends in your plans to earn a degree.

• Assess your strengths, weaknesses, and even how to spend your time.

• Ask for help when you need it.

• Prioritize your education and use a planner to schedule specific times to do your coursework.

• Make daily task lists to organize your studies.

• Create a space to study.

• Set milestones toward your goals.

• Avoid distractions, and learn to say no.

• Remember your motivation.

Academic residencies, skills labs, and pre-practica are face-to-face or virtual learning experiences that align with your online coursework to enhance your skill development, scholarship, and professional practice. Required for most doctoral programs, residencies also provide students with the opportunity to collaborate and network with other students, staff, and faculty members. Academic residencies can be held virtually or at any location around the world.

Procrastination can get the best of many of us when it comes to competing a dissertation or capstone project. So, how do you position yourself for success? Consider these best practices:

• Consider working with a mentor if you’re not already doing so.

• Set deadlines for yourself.

• Create an accountability chart.

• Split up larger tasks into smaller ones.

• Partner with another student and encourage each other’s work.

• Never hesitate to use the resources supplied by your university. Most good ones have student support services for doctoral students.

• Don’t multitask, just handle one task at a time.