As an online doctoral student who has also worked in admissions with doctoral degree candidates, I’ve learned that it’s important to define and articulate your goals when choosing a program, including one that’s online.
A doctorate can not only help boost your career but also establish you as a leader and expert in a given field. As working adults, finding the time to travel to campus and attend evening classes can be very demanding and complicate your work-school-life balance. An online doctoral degree may be the best option.
Before enrolling, consider your strengths and passions, and ask these three questions to help you decide on the best option to meet your professional and personal needs.
[Explore four reasons online learning works for working adults.]
1. Will the online doctoral program directly benefit my career? Online students typically want to advance in their career or change fields by earning their degree. Because of the length of many online doctoral programs, focus on what you want your career to look like five to seven years down the road.
For myself and the majority of doctoral students I speak with, the right online program also teaches skills that we can apply immediately to our current full-time jobs. The online option allows you to do that from your own home or office, maximizing your time more effectively.
2. What does the face-to-face component look like? Many online doctoral programs have required symposiums to attend on campus or at another location. This is your opportunity to meet university faculty, administrators and students face to face and could occur several times throughout the online degree program.
A symposium is similar to a convention — with inspiring speakers and engaging breakout sessions to help students learn more about specific topics as well as the dissertation process.
My experience with symposiums has been phenomenal, allowing me to spend one-on-one time with faculty from other prestigious institutions. There were also networking events that gave students opportunities to connect in person and build stronger relationships. I even had conversations with U.S. students who work abroad and who I would have probably never met in a traditional program.
Check with your institution about travel costs. I had to cover my round-trip airfare and transportation to and from the airport out of pocket, though the symposium, hotel and food were included in the tuition.
3. How flexible is the online doctoral program? Doctoral programs can take anywhere from three to seven years to complete. Online programs may allow you to take one or two classes at a time; taking two each term may allow you to complete the degree in closer to three years. However, due to seasonal work schedules, planned family events or unforeseen issues, you may have to adjust your course schedule from session to session.
[Discover questions to ask about flexibility in an online degree program.]
Many students need to take breaks when obligations for work, school and life become out of proportion. An online doctoral degree may allow you to take what’s known as a standard period of nonenrollment. Almost every online doctoral student I have spoken with had at least one time when they wanted to call it quits or needed a break. Using a nonenrollment period will allow you to keep your priorities in check with the flexibility and convenience of studying online.
The takeaway: Finding an online doctoral program that directly ties to your career can be challenging but is doable if you ask the right questions. Weigh whether you have the time-management skills for shorter face-to-face symposiums and virtual instruction versus frequent on-campus classes.
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Ask 3 Questions to Choose an Online Doctoral Degree Program originally appeared on usnews.com
