University of Phoenix Online
Since 1976, University of Phoenix has been a recognized leader in adult education. Their commitment to high educational standards and exceptional student service has made them the largest private accredited university in the United States. With campuses in many locations across the United States, University of Phoenix has helped thousands of working professionals achieve their academic and career goals every year. They can help you, too. You'll have our proven record of success behind you. • 95% of our graduates are highly satisfied with the impact we've made on their careers 50% indicate a promotion or advancement within one year of obtaining their degree.
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Jones International University (Online)
Whether you're looking to advance in your current career or embark on a new career path, Jones International University has the depth of degree programs to assist you in reaching your goals. We offer a variety of accredited, online degree programs designed specifically for working adults. We offer industry-specific programs in today's most dynamic fields, such as business, education, and communications. The right education can mean the difference between moving ahead in your chosen career or standing still. Jones International University employs the brightest minds from the world's leading universities, including Stanford University, Columbia University and Thunderbird to create highly relevant and practical learning experiences. Programs: Master of Arts in Business Communication, Master of Business Administration. Locations: Online. Programs: Business, Communication, Education, Healthcare, Information Technology.

American InterContinental University (Online)
Programs available at American InterContinental University include Visual Communications, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Business Administration, Associate's of Business Administration, Bachelor's of Business Administration, BBA Management, BBA Marketing, BBA Health Care Management, BBA Human Resources, Master's of Business Administration, MBA Management, MBA Marketing, MBA Health Care Management, MBA Human Resources, Marketing, BBA Marketing, MBA Marketing, Health Care Management, BBA Health Care Management, MBA Health Care Management, Education, Master's of Education, Information Technology, Associate's of Business Administration, Information Technology, Bachelor's of Information Technology, Master's of Information Technology, and more.

The Art Institute (Online)
Designed for a variety of people who share a common interest in art and design, AI Online offers programs in many lucrative creative fields, allowing students to develop their creative potential as it suits them. Through a balance of curriculum, technology, instruction and interaction, an online degree can start you on the road to a successful creative career. Advertising, Graphic Design and Game Art are just a few of the many fields offered by AI Online, with course material presented by only the most qualified and competent instructors, devoted to your future as a productive member of the arts and design industry. A degree or diploma from AI Online can finally enable you to fulfill your creative passion at your own pace.
Online Degree Programs at The Art Institute Online Bachelor's Degrees - Bachelor of Science in Advertising - Bachelor of Science Degree Completion Program in Culinary Management - Bachelor of Science in Fashion & Retail Management - Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design - Bachelor of Science in Interior Design - Bachelor of Science in Interactive Media Design
Diploma Programs Diploma in Digital DesignDiploma in Residential PlanningWeb Design Diploma
Associate of Science Degrees Associate of Science in Graphic Design Associate of Science in Interactive Media Design

Baker College (Online)
With Baker College Online, students can earn their Master's degrees, Bachelor's degrees, Associate's degrees, or Certificates at home, on the road, or anywhere else in the world that fits their schedule and circumstances. Baker Online's classrooms are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week because students complete all their work during times that are convenient for them, making their schedules more flexible and their lives easier. Baker College Online courses are not self-paced; classes begin and end on specific dates and program work has definite deadlines. For students with busy schedules, Baker Online provides an ideal method for earning degrees.

Benedictine University Online
Adult and continuing education at Benedictine University offers the resources and opportunities of a large university tailored to suit the needs of career-oriented students. From Business to Medicine to Computer Science, the programs are numerous and comprehensive, able to suit many varied interests.

Boston University (Online) Boston University CIC, Boston University Corporate Education Center MSCIS Clinical Investigation Certificate
Boston University's Master of Science Degree in Computer Information Systems is designed for working professionals with a desire to advance their careers in the IT field, featuring a concentration in Security and a concentration in Database and Knowledge Management. According to government reports*, information security and database management are among the fastest growing and highest-paid segments of the IT job market. Boston University's MSCIS program has been designed and developed by industry leaders who know what it takes to succeed in today's technology-focused marketplace. Learn more about Online Computer Training at Boston University today.

THE PH.D. IN A NUTSHELL

The doctoral student takes advanced courses in a chosen field, usually in small seminars or independent studies. The coursework typically takes three to four semesters of full-time study. Once the coursework is complete, the doctoral candidate must pass written and/or oral doctoral qualifying exams, proving that they have sufficient background to proceed with independent research.

The qualifying exam is given by the candidate's committee, usually three to five professors in the candidate's program who agree to guide the candidate's research. The Ph.D. candidate then pursues original research and writes a book-length thesis or dissertation. Once the dissertation is complete, the candidate must orally defend its conclusions before the committee. When the candidate successfully defends and deposits the finished dissertation with the university, the title "doctor" has been earned.

ACCREDITATION

Because the doctorate is an elite degree, program accreditation is a serious concern. Even the U.S. government has been taken in by diploma mills posing as legitimate advanced degree-granting institutions. The prospective student should carefully assess the credentials of any university before committing to a lengthy and difficult program of doctoral study. Any school offering a quick and easy Ph.D. shouldn't be taken seriously, and it certainly shouldn't get any of the student's hard-earned money.

Only accredited programs of study can grant a meaningful doctorate, an advanced degree that is recognized by professional organizations, board of licensure, and potential employers. Both the degree-granting university and its accrediting agencies must be carefully checked with the U.S. Department of Education.

MENTORING

Mentoring is a crucial part of doctoral study, whether the student is pursuing the Ph.D. or another doctorate degree. Faculty who first teach and then form the candidate's committee also write the letters of recommendation that eventually get the candidate a job. In essence, the candidate borrows the prestige of the scholars who serve on the committee and write on his or her behalf. One of the lessons of doctoral study is: Work with the best people.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATION AND LICENSURE ISSUES

While the Ph.D. may be sufficient as a credential, professional affiliation--membership in organizations of fellow experts in one's field--is necessary for career advancement. Before committing to a program of doctoral study, it's a good idea to see if the program has the stamp of approval of the professional organizations in that field.

Some doctor of philosophy degrees and other doctorates require additional licensure before their degree holders can actually practice the profession for which they've trained. A Ph.D. or PsyD in psychology, for example, isn't sufficient to qualify its holder to set up a counseling practice. Where licensing will eventually be necessary, the doctoral degree seeker should make sure that the degree program is recognized by the licensing agency before investing time and money in it.

POPULAR FIELDS FOR DOCTORAL STUDY

Even leaving aside the "first professional" doctoral degrees--the J.D. (juris doctor) in law and the M.D. in medicine--the doctorate still takes many forms and has many variations. Online doctoral degree programs, with few exceptions, require as much as a year of residency and/or field work or other clinical experience. Some fields require supervised practicums leading to licensure.

Here are a few of the most popular doctorates that are available online:

PSYCHOLOGY (Ph.D.; PsyD)

Both the Ph.D. in Psychology and the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) can be pursued through online study. The former is sometimes considered a research and teaching degree while the latter is considered a counseling degree, there are no hard and fast rules as to which is which. Sub-specialties include clinical psychology, counseling psychology, educational psychology, or organizational psychology.

EDUCATION (Ph.D.; EdD)

As a general rule, the Ph.D. in Education prepares graduates for academic teaching or administrative careers whereas the Ed.D. prepares primary and secondary school administrators or teachers in academic departments of education. ENGINEERING (PhD; DCS)

Ph.D.s in many branches of engineering can be pursued through distance learning. Popular areas of study include computer science (sometimes called a Doctor of Computer Science or DCS), electrical engineering, civil engineering, and mechanical engineering. Some programs award a Doctor of Engineering degree (D.Eng).

PUBLIC HEALTH (Ph.D.; DPH)

Doctoral degrees in public health prepare graduates for administrative or research careers in community health or related social health fields, including epidemiology. The Doctor of Public Health degree (DPH) usually emphasizes public health policy studies.

BUSINESS (Ph.D; DBA)

The Ph.D. in business or the Doctor of Business Administration degree prepares graduates for research and teaching positions in business.

Regardless of the chosen field of study, a doctoral program is challenging and deeply satisfying. Doctoral researchers take their places in the global intellectual community. The doctorate degree holder both creates new knowledge and shares that knowledge with professional peers at conferences and with the public through writing, media, and public presentations. Those with doctorates shape the world in which we all live and help us understand it.

Sources:
"The brains business." Economist 376.8443 (Sept. 10, 2005).
"Going the Distance," by Sherry Reuter and Rosalind E. Schwartzberg. Applied Clinical Trials 13.10 (October 2004).
National Center for Education Statistics
"Online colleges come into their own," by Paul Tosto. Saint Paul Pioneer Press (MN)(July 18, 2005).
"Online degrees," by Holly Dolezalek Training 40.5 (May 1, 2003).
Online-Education Survey Finds Unexpectedly High Enrollment Growth," by Scott Carlson. Chronicle of Higher Education 51.14 (Nov. 26, 2004).
"Sink or Swim?" by Alana Klein. University Business 7.4 (April 2004).
"Taking the E-Train," by Doug Bartholomew. Industry Week/IW 254.6 (June 2005).
U.S. Department of Education