Are you wondering how to get a PhD? Although it requires dedication and focus to complete, the process of earning your doctorate can be broken down into a few simple steps.
Earning your PhD is a way to become involved in a specific academic community while strengthening your research, writing, and presentation skills.
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Professionals who earn their doctoral degree often go on to accept leadership roles in a variety of fields, including academia, education, and healthcare.
How to Get a PhD
Earning a PhD does not have to be a complex process, though it can be a long one. Regardless of the topic you choose to focus on, the journey toward your doctorate will likely begin with earning a bachelors degree and end with a public defense of your doctoral dissertation.
1. Earn an Undergraduate Degree
The road to a PhD begins with earning an undergraduate degree from an accredited school. Bachelor’s degrees generally take about 4 years to complete if you follow a traditional academic schedule.
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If you are considering applying for higher degree programs after graduation, it is beneficial to maintain a high grade point average over the course of your undergraduate career. If you aren’t sure whether you’d like to pursue further education, there are generally plenty of career opportunities available for students with a bachelor’s-level education.
2. Obtain a Master’s Program
The next step in your journey will be to obtain a master’s degree from an accredited institution. During your master’s degree program, you will select an area of study on which to focus more. Over the course of your studies, you can develop expertise in your discipline through a combination of theoretical analysis and fieldwork.
Because there are fewer credits required to complete a master’s degree than a bachelor’s degree, a graduate program will typically take 2 years to complete with full-time study. Some schools offer accelerated programs, offering the possibility to finish your degree sooner.
The focus of your master’s degree program will likely inform your professional career or your doctoral field of study. So, it is beneficial to consider the areas you are passionate about and to conduct extensive research into your schools of interest prior to applying.
3. Apply for a PhD Program
After earning your master’s degree, you may be qualified to apply for a doctoral program. One factor that becomes important is the master’s degree GPA needed for a PhD program admission. Admissions requirements will vary from program to program.
Another one of the most important parts of the application process is determining what you will study during your time as a doctoral candidate. Because it may take up to 5 years to complete your PhD, it is essential that you pursue something you are passionate about.
After you decide what you’d like to study, you can begin to research programs and schools to see if they fit your needs. As you conduct your search, you may want to pay close attention to the professors who work in your field of study. You will need someone to advise you, and it can be helpful to have an understanding of the resources available to you before you apply.
4. Complete the Requisite Coursework
If you are admitted to a doctoral program, your first few semesters will be spent completing the required coursework. The courses that you’ll complete will be dependent on your field of study and the specific program you attend.
For example, a student pursuing their PhD in Comparative Studies might take classes on approaches to comparative cultural comparative studies as well as contemporary political problems. Their classes could also cover topics in narrative, culture, and representation.
Taking classes at the start of your program can help you decide on a topic for your final dissertation and may equip you with relevant research skills and tools.
5. Submit a Research Proposal
Once you complete your initial courses, you will be asked to submit a research proposal. A research proposal outlines what topic you are going to focus your research on and what your approach will consist of.
Why is this important? Not only does it give professors a clear understanding of your research, your method, and your thinking, but it also helps you get organized. As you work through your dissertation, you can refer back to what you planned in your proposal to keep you on track.
6. Research and Collect Data
Conducting research and collecting data is a critical component of your PhD. Working toward and completing your dissertation not only allows you to become an expert in your field but also provides the opportunity for you to have a voice in the academic community.
In order to ensure that the information you present is valid, it is necessary to use extensive research to back up your findings.
7. Perform a Literature Review
Once you have chosen a specific research topic, you may be required to perform a literature review. During this review, you will analyze books and papers that are related to your field of study in order to determine any strengths, weaknesses, or gaps. You may also compare different literature and take note of recurring themes.
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This review process helps you develop a broader understanding of what research already exists in your field related to your topic of interest. It also helps highlight any gaps that your thesis may be able to fill and identifies prominent authors and works to which you can refer while completing your dissertation.
8. Write and Produce a Thesis and Dissertation
One of the final tasks of your Ph.D. program will be to write and produce a thesis and a dissertation. Your thesis is the question or argument to which all your research will work to answer or prove.
Your dissertation is the collection and presentation of your findings, which should be a comprehensive response to your thesis statement. Dissertations can run in length from 100 pages to 300 pages on average. They often require a significant amount of preparation and effort, along with several months or years of hard work.
9. Defend Dissertation and Public Research
As your final step in your PhD journey, you may be asked to defend your thesis. While this may sound intimidating, it is simply the opportunity for you to present your research and answer questions posed by the thesis committee.
In some cases, this portion of the process is largely symbolic because your dissertation will have already been assessed. Depending on your specific program, this process can take anywhere from 25 minutes to over an hour.
PhD Admissions Requirements
Specific PhD admissions requirements will vary between programs, but most schools typically require the following items:
- GRE or GMAT scores (only some schools require them)
- Statement of purpose
- Undergraduate and graduate degree transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
It’s strategic to research the specific admissions requirements for your schools of interest prior to applying. In addition to these items, some programs may ask for an application fee as well as a resume as proof of experience in your field of interest.
Accreditation
Accreditation is an external and internal review process of an educational program. This process signals to applicants, students, and employers that a program is legitimate.
By choosing to participate in the accreditation process, schools are ensuring that the education they offer is up to current standards. This means that you will most likely be taught by qualified staff members and receive appropriate educational materials.
It is beneficial to check for regional accreditation. This information is often posted on a school’s website, but you can also verify a prospective school’s status by looking through the US Department of Education’s list of accredited institutions.
Is Financial Aid Available?
The most common form of financial aid available to qualifying students is provided by government loans. To determine the amount of federal assistance you qualify for, you can fill out the FAFSA, or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This form takes into account details about your personal life and income to ensure a fair decision based on your circumstances.
In addition to federal aid, you can also apply for state aid, a process which will vary by state. You can also check for available scholarships at your schools of interests. There are often unique opportunities to apply for financial help at each school.
What Is a PhD?
A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is considered to be among the highest academic degrees you can achieve. A PhD program is centered around developing an original thesis and conducting the accompanying research.
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Your final product is often a written dissertation, in which you showcase your research and present your findings. If you are interested in a career in academia or research, then a PhD may be a good fit for you.
Should I Get a PhD?
The question of whether you should obtain a PhD is one that will be determined by your personal career goals and aspirations. As you make your decision, it might be helpful to consider these factors:
- Time and money. Do you have the time and finances needed to complete a PhD?
- Dedication and focus. Will you be able to stay passionate and motivated about one topic while you work through your doctoral program?
- Career goals. How will earning your PhD help propel you toward your professional goals?
Since every doctoral program is unique, you can search for schools that offer the programs that most align with your goals.
Do You Need a Masters to Get a PhD?
No, you do not always need a masters degree in order to earn a PhD, depending on the school and program. While the traditional path to getting a doctorate consists of earning your undergraduate and masters degrees before applying to a PhD program, there are some exceptions.
For schools that allow you to pursue a PhD directly after earning your undergrad degree, you will likely apply as a Master of Philosophy student. After that, you can have the opportunity to submit a thesis proposal for review. If it is accepted, you may be able to continue your research as a PhD candidate.
How Many Credits for a Doctorate Degree?
The amount of credits needed to complete your doctorate will be determined by a number of factors. These include your specific school requirements, the type of degree you earn, your chosen area of study, and the requirements of your state.
Typically, a PhD program will consist of 60 to 120 credits. Your credits will likely be split between electives, major courses, research core courses, and dissertation requirements. Some fields, such as psychology, may require more time and credits to complete.
How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD?
The length of a PhD program varies widely. Most take between 3 to 5 years to complete due to the dissertation requirement.
There are some doctoral programs that require less than 60 credits and do not include a final dissertation. These types of programs can be finished more quickly if you are enrolled full-time. Professional doctorates are more likely to follow this abbreviated structure and are generally intended for students who already have their masters in a specific field.
How Hard Is It to Get a PhD?
Determining how difficult it is to earn a PhD will depend on what you consider to be the biggest roadblocks. As you research your schools of interest, it’s beneficial to check eligibility criteria and admissions requirements. This may be an area of difficulty if you lack the transcripts, finances, or test scores needed to apply.
Alternatively, the admissions process may seem simple, but you might find the prospect of researching one subject over the course of many years a difficult one. It’s strategic to conduct extensive research and consider your career goals as you make your decision.
If Someone Has a PhD, Are They a Doctor?
If someone has a PhD, they are considered a doctor in the academic sense, but they are not a medical doctor (MD).
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A doctoral degree is the highest academic degree you can earn. In this case, the term “doctor” simply refers to one’s formal academic standing. Unlike a licensed medical doctor, someone with a PhD is not qualified to perform and provide medical services.
What’s the Difference Between a Professional Doctorate vs. PhD Degree?
A professional doctorate is typically pursued by those who hold a master’s degree in a specific field. A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is usually taken on by those interested in conducting extensive research into a topic.
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The right degree for you will largely be determined by your career aspirations. Most professionals who pursue a PhD are interested in the field of research or academia.
What’s the Difference Between an MPhil vs. PhD?
An MPhil, or a Master of Philosophy, is a degree that can be taken in place of a PhD or as part of an existing PhD program.
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You might consider pursuing an MPhil if you are short on time but would like to conduct research into a certain topic.
Is a PhD Worth It?
Yes, a PhD is worth it for many students. If you are eager to contribute to the existing research around a particular topic, then this degree may be a good fit for you. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists positive job outlooks for a variety of PhD-level occupations.
For instance, 12% job growth is projected for postsecondary teachers over the next ten years, which is much faster than average. Top executives and management positions are also expected to have positive job outlooks.
Additionally, the research you conduct and the dissertation you create will become part of the larger academic conversation around your area of study. This could be a beneficial way to establish yourself in academia.
Getting Your PhD Degree Online
Getting a a degree from one of the best online PhD programs is a lucrative choice for many students. If you are interested in becoming a leader within academia or contributing significant research to a specific subject area, then this may be a fitting path for you.
Positive job outlooks, higher earning potential, and a multitude of career opportunities also make this degree desirable to many. A number of professionals who earn their PhD go on to pursue leadership roles in education, healthcare, and law.
If you are ready to begin your PhD journey, are are looking for the highest paying doctorate degrees, you can start by researching potential programs from accredited universities today.
