With advances in technology and more people becoming comfortable with the Internet, more and more students are looking to study online. There are more than four million students enrolled in online study, with that number growing 30% each year.

Although most students obtain bachelor’s and master’s degrees online, the PhD degree is growing in popularity. If you already have a master’s degree and are looking to further your education, there’s never been a better time to do it online. There are many benefits to obtaining a PhD online.

Benefits of Studying for Your PhD Online

- Accelerated degree programs. A PhD often requires five to seven years of study, but can often completed in less time, depending on your schedule and how much time you have to devote to classes.

- Flexibility. No need to drive to campus. You can learn at home, at the coffee shop or anywhere else you have Internet access. Students study on their own schedule, and find time around their work or family obligations to complete assignments. PhD students can take fewer classes per semester or arrange their schedule to make sure the classes fit within their lifestyle.

- Cost and time savings. Although online PhD degrees generally cost the same as on-campus programs, students save money by working from home and not having to pay for gas or parking permits to drive to school. They also don’t have to spend time stuck in traffic or looking for parking.

- Teaching with the student in mind. Whether a person is a visual or hands-on learner, online education works for all students and incorporates different learning styles.

- Access to course material at any time. Unlike traditional college campuses, students can log on and view lectures, discussions, homework assignments and other class information whenever they want. Students can also use their computers to access research articles, school libraries, eBooks and other materials when needed.

- Increased student interaction. In an online classroom, students have to log on and actually participate in the classroom discussion in order to receive attendance credit. This gives everyone a chance to contribute, even the quiet students who may be afraid to speak up in a normal classroom, but feel comfortable online.

- Team building. Many online courses have group work and assignments, emphasizing team work and conflict resolution, skills that are necessary in real life and in the workplace. Online classrooms provide groups and chat rooms for students to collaborate, discuss and review work, eliminating the need to schedule time when everyone in the group is available to meet.

- Less intimidating classroom environment. In an online class, students are anonymous – bascially hidden behind a computer. Other students cannot see them, so they are not judged by what they look like. This gives students more freedom to discuss feelings and ideas without interruptions or judgments from other students. Also, in an online environment, students are given more time to think before commenting.

- Increased accessiblity to instructors. Students on campus can only contact their instructors during office hours, which can be inconvenient. Online, however, instructors have many ways to be contacted – through e-mail, online chats and group discussions.

- Knowledgeable instructors. Many colleges require that the instructors have at least a master’s degree in their subject. This means that instructors provide students with real-world knowledge and knowledge learned while attending school. Also, online instructors can teach from virtually anywhere. Students may have teachers from different parts of the country or even the world, so they learn from their instructors’ diverse knowledge and values.

- Variety of degrees and courses. More than 75% of colleges and universities in the United States offer online degrees. This is beneficial to students who live in remote areas where their program is not available locally.

Accreditation
When choosing an online school, it is very important to ensure that the university is accredited, which means it meets specific educational standards. Check online to confirm your insitution’s accreditation. Enrolling and studying at a non-accredited school could result in waste of time and money.

Employers and Online Degrees
Although there was once a stigma attached to online education, most employers now view online degrees as acceptable forms of education. Online PhD programs focus on finding solutions to operational problems, so many companies are looking for qualified individuals that can research and develop new programs to solve these programs. Online study gives PhD graduates the opportunities that will enable them to find work and prove themselves to companies looking for their advanced skills and input.