| According to the Survey of Earned Doctorates, as of | | | | is common for students to take two to three years |
| 2004 there was a 3.4 percent increase in doctorate | | | | to complete coursework and three or more years to |
| degrees awarded in the United States. In June, 2004, | | | | conduct pertinent research. The benefit of a Ph.D. is |
| a total of 41,155 research doctorate degrees were | | | | that a holder is qualified to pursue an academic career |
| earned by postgraduate students. The recent | | | | as an expert in their field. Distance learning research |
| increase in doctorate degrees awarded after a | | | | doctorate degrees are conveniently pursued online |
| decade of decline can be partially attributed to the | | | | and can be easily worked around professional |
| convenience of distance learning postgraduate online | | | | schedules. |
| education degrees. | | | | Honorary doctorates. These degrees may be |
| Postgraduate degree programs offer students an | | | | awarded for substantial contributions to a field and |
| opportunity to explore a subject to attain the highest | | | | are not necessarily academic. |
| levels of proficiency in that area of study. Courses | | | | Financial Aid. Federal financial aid and loan programs |
| can be based upon a curriculum or independent study | | | | may be applied to distance learning postgraduate |
| and research. A recent study released by both Penn | | | | online education degrees. Employers may offer tuition |
| State University Outreach Marketing and | | | | reimbursement for coursework. Private loans may |
| Communications and University Continuing Education | | | | also be secured to pay for higher education. Students |
| Association revealed that distance learning is | | | | have several options available that can help them |
| anticipated to grow ten times quicker than | | | | finance their doctorates. |
| on-campus education over the next ten years. | | | | Thesis. Some postgraduate doctorate degrees |
| Further, about 45 percent of college enrollment are | | | | require students to write a thesis. The learner defines |
| adult students who frequently prefer distance | | | | their own area of research and takes years to write |
| learning opportunities to classes on campus. Sun | | | | a detailed paper, which may be made available as |
| Chairman Scott McNealy states, "Technology has to | | | | pertinent information to other students in the field. |
| play a huge role in education. (It's) changed | | | | Coursework. Distance learning postgraduate online |
| commerce...publishing...banking. It's got to change | | | | education degree programs offer students ongoing |
| education big time." | | | | guidance through coursework, email, virtual lectures |
| Distance learning postgraduate online education | | | | and online discussions. Students are, however, |
| degrees afford busy students the opportunity to | | | | expected to work independently and use a variety |
| earn doctorate degrees at their convenience, without | | | | of research resources to complete their course |
| having travel to and attend traditional classes. By the | | | | requirements. |
| time students intend to pursue distance learning | | | | Online Students. A recent national study entitled |
| postgraduate online education degrees, they are | | | | Degrees of Opportunity revealed some interesting |
| usually computer literate, self-motivated and able to | | | | facts about online students. Eighty-nine percent of |
| manage their time properly. These are all essential | | | | those surveyed felt that the benefits derived from |
| elements to success in virtual classrooms. The two | | | | higher education are equal to or even greater than |
| basic types of postgraduate degrees students may | | | | the money, time and effort involved. Lyungai Mbilinyi, |
| earn are professional doctorates or research | | | | Ph.D and author of this report, stated, "Eighty-one |
| doctorates. | | | | percent associated higher education with a sense of |
| Professional doctorates. The United States requires | | | | personal accomplishment and seventy-eight percent |
| terminal professional doctorate degrees to perform in | | | | believed education would better develop their talents |
| certain fields, such as dentistry, medicine, law, | | | | or pursue their interests. Despite the assortment of |
| chiropractics, occupational therapy and psychology. | | | | obstacles many adults face when considering a return |
| Prior to entering these professional doctorate | | | | to school, the overwhelming majority believe the |
| programs, students are required to complete a | | | | resulting benefits have made it worthwhile." Finally, |
| bachelors degree, preferably in a related field. | | | | eighty-four percent of enrollments in higher education |
| Professional doctorate degrees, such as J.D. and M.D., | | | | programs are non-traditional students such as |
| usually do not require students to complete a thesis, | | | | distance learners and adults with jobs. Students who |
| although some do require an original research paper | | | | participate in distance learning postgraduate online |
| to be submitted. Doctorate degrees usually take | | | | degree programs are not only seeking better |
| three years to complete after postsecondary | | | | positions, but the increased knowledge and |
| education, although distance learning postgraduate | | | | self-esteem that comes with an advanced education. |
| online education degrees may be earned more | | | | The study "Growing by Degrees: Online Education in |
| quickly. Because online education courses are often | | | | the United States, 2005" found that full distance |
| geared for the busy adult learner, students can | | | | learning postgraduate online education degree |
| progress at their own pace. | | | | programs were offered by 38 percent of schools. |
| Research doctorates. The research doctorate that is | | | | The popularity of postgraduate online degree |
| most commonly earned is a Ph.D. The time is takes | | | | programs makes it clear they are a viable way to |
| to complete research doctorate degree programs | | | | earn higher education and improve career options. |
| can vary quite a bit, depending on course pursued. It | | | | |