Find PhD Programs

Sunday, November 29, 2009 posted by Caleb Lewis

Before You Set Out to Find PhD Programs Online…. Know what to look for!

Not all PhD programs are created equal.  And more than that, knowing which PhD program is right for you will require some in depth research.  When you go looking to find PhD programs online, you also have to deal with scams and scammers.  Where to start??

Dealing with Fake PhD Programs Online

Before you start seriously looking at any PhD programs online, you’ve got to familiarize yourself with what distinguishes a creditable, reputable program from a scam.  There are lots of real PhD programs online with great reputations, but unfortunately the ease and inexpensiveness of advertising online has attracted plenty of unsavory PhD “programs” that are out to get your money, not to educate you.

There’s one fool proof way to tell a real from a fake, and that’s to make sure that the college or university is regionally accredited.  You’ll find PhD programs at plenty of these online colleges and universities.  But your first and best defense against scammers is plain old common sense.

If it’s a PhD program that promises you a diploma in return for a check, and a 1 week turn around time, think about it.  There’s no way you’re going to find PhD programs that are real that don’t require a serious commitment to academics.

Find PhD Programs that are Right for You

Once you’ve gotten good at spotting the scams, it’s time to look deeper and find the program that’s right for you.  Find schools that have a program in your field, of course, and check out the faculty that work in that department. You’ll want to find PhD programs that are offered by departments that have a selection of potential advisors you want to work with.  Your relationship with your advisor will be one of the most important factors in how you feel about earning your PhD.