Ufology
Possibly the all time weirdest doctoral program in the world, a doctorate in Ufology is offered by Melbourne University in Australia. The study of unidentified flying objects takes students into a world commonly only seen in science fiction. Besides alien spacecraft sightings, students study other exciting fields such as alien abductions and their effect on the human psyche, crop circles and their indigenous history, and the effect of extraterrestrials upon ancient and modern belief systems. Students are able to meet with and interview actual abductees and study relics that some claim to have distinctly alien origins.

Pastoral Counseling
Aimed at professional counselors with a Christian worldview, this doctorate in Pastoral Counseling, available from Liberty University, studies the effect of Christianity on contemporary behavioral sciences. Emphasis is placed on empirical research and its use in tackling major psycho-theological issues, especially the ways in which these issues relate to human behavior in today’s complicated society. Students are taught how to teach and supervise other integrants into the pastoral ministry, as well as help contemporary professionals with insights into theology and their life of faith. The Pastoral Counseling doctorate is aimed at Christians who want to take a leadership role inside their denomination with the goal of communicating to the general public the insights of Christianity.

Advanced Topics in Sexual Issues
A steamy Doctor of Philosophy degree offered by North Central University, Advanced Topics in Sexual Issues explores human sexuality in depth and its effect on the modern and ancient worlds, including a general summary of psycho-sexual development. Gender identity topics are covered including the complex role of both the male and female in society and the sexual applications and characteristics of these roles. Sexual identity is a very dominant part of most every human being and students learn about the biological, cultural, and psychological aspects of this identity and how they affect our everyday lives.

Packaging Technology
Have you ever dreamed of being a professional packager? Are you dying to know all the ins and outs of the science of packaging and storage? Then this Doctor of Philosophy degree in Packaging Technology, available from Michigan State University, is probably for you. Extensive studies are conducted in the fields of package damage, storage stability, and quality preservation. Students learn the science and mechanics behind packaging materials and the complex systems we use in distributing them. A special interest is taken into the effects of modern packaging on the environment.

Somatic Psychology
Coming from the ancient Greek “soma” for living body, a doctorate in Somatic Psychology covers the increasingly complicated relationship that our minds hold with our bodies. Available from the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute, this doctorate delves into the many ways that body language, posture, and expression can give away the psychological history of a person. Somatic Psychology also studies the science of emotional responses and interpersonal relationships and how these fields affect our physical bodies. Hormonal, sexual, digestive, and immune issues and symptoms are studied as to how they function in response to not only prolonged neurological but also prolonged physical stimuli.

Wilderness Therapy
Wilderness Therapy, a doctorate offered by Naropa University, focuses on the outdoors and its therapeutic effects. This program covers four basic areas: ecopsychology, the study of the relationship between us as humans and the rest of the natural world we live in; adventure therapy, a group program which studies the challenges of the outdoors and the ways these can be used as therapy; expressive therapy, the effect of art, music, or other creative manifestations on the healing and therapeutic processes; and some clinical coursework, which takes place in real life scenarios and sharpens students’ counseling skills.

Buddhist Studies
Available from the University of California – Berkeley, a doctorate in Buddhism offers the opportunity to learn everything there is to know about Buddhism, without traveling to Tibet. Students delve in depth into Asian culture and history, learning about Buddhism from a variety of perspectives such as its impact on Asian psychology, art, and cultures. Those interested in this doctorate must learn and be able to read fluently from at least two ancient Asian languages, among them Sanskrit, Pali, Classical Tibetan, Chinese, and Japanese. This study of languages is essential to understanding Buddhist culture and becoming fully capacitated as a Doctor of Philosophy in Buddhist Studies.

Adventure Tourism
Designed for students who wish to develop both their understanding of and skills in outdoor challenges, this doctorate in Adventure Tourism is offered by Liverpool John Moores University, in the United Kingdom. Course details include the study and experience of kayaking, skiing, climbing, etc., and their applications in the world of tourism, as well as the ways these sports interact with the environment. Real life wilderness survival and travel skills are taught, and students are encouraged to promote environmentally conscious tourist adventures. This course also includes an in depth study of the tourism business and its relation to the economic growth of a country.

Mythological Studies
Offered by Pacifica Graduate Institute, this doctorate in Mythological Studies explores the profound links between ancient myths and rituals, art and literature, as well as the effects of these on the human religious experience. The study of myth is approached in an archetypal manner and students are able to apply depth psychology to all their research and studies. A dissertation paper is required in order to obtain a Doctor of Philosophy degree in this field and students must conduct their own research and construct a theoretical basis for their paper in their fourth and fifth years under supervision.

Acoustics
This doctorate is available from Penn State University. Students study the mathematical, physical, and engineering properties of acoustics to give them a greater understanding of this niche field. They may specialize in such real world applications as medical ultrasonics, underwater acoustics, optics, and even speech. A Doctor of Philosophy degree is given after an average of five years of in depth study of the scientific and technological, as well as practical life, properties and applications of acoustics.