November 3, 2008

A PhD or Just Enormous Debt?

Online PhD Programs Articles : A PhD or Just Enormous Debt? by Nick Stoianov

According to a study by the National Science Foundation (www.nsf.gov) only 45 percent of the students entering doctoral programs successfully finish and receive their degrees. Many of those students fund their graduate journey with enormous student loans--in some cases, well in excess of $100,000. This is a huge amount, especially for those who get nothing in return. Once dropped out, students have to start paying back the loans for their aborted education. Adding insult to injury, many of these students get derailed years into the endeavor--after all their coursework is completed and they have only one hurdle--the dissertation--left. Why? The dissertation is an intensely emotional and challenging experience for students, their friends and families, and their advisors. One doctoral student explained, "I get frozen. My goal looks impossible and impractical and I shut down. Managing anxiety, building a thicker skin and learning what you need are important. I needed a whole year just to deal with that. The biggest waste of time is worrying whether I'll be able to finish as well as sitting outside myself and thinking 'Why don't you have any friends? It's Friday night--why are you at home writing?' If I could have condensed all those thoughts, I could have been done a year ago." From lacking understanding or preparation for the task, to having difficulties managing their motivation, to challenges gaining support and communicating effectively with their faculty, students can face one challenge after another. One faculty member in a doctoral psychology program remarked, "Most of the problems come up with people that just don't learn basic research. They don't really know what they're doing." A doctoral student in a prestigious linguistics doctoral program shared, "I don't think any of the writing tasks we did prepared me to write a dissertation. Not at all." In response to these challenges, coaches and consultants who have weathered the storm are emerging to help others complete their journey successfully. For example, Graduate Research Coaching, a division of Koepp Research Corporation (http://www.koeppcorp.com), offers comprehensive services to help masters and doctoral students produce their best work. Since 2002, the company has supported more than 200 graduate students from across the United States, Canada, Europe, and China in completing their theses and dissertations and earning their coveted degrees. For these students who get help, their loans become a worthy investment, indeed.


About the Author
Graduate Research Coaching, a division of Koepp Research Corporation (http://www.koeppcorp.com), offers comprehensive services to help masters and doctoral students produce their best work.

Source: Online PhD Programs, Online Doctoral Degrees, Distance Learning PhD Education Online, Online Doctor University information at goarticles.com

PHD Salary Report

Online PhD Program Articles : PHD Salary Report by Kip D

If you are thinking about obtaining a PhD then you will probably want to know how much money you could stand to make by investing the time and money that it takes to become one. If you don't then you probably aren't going to make it very far as a PhD. As they say if you don't know where you are going then your lost.
The 2007 Average Starting Salaries in the US by Degree are:

- Bachelors: $59,391 - Masters: $73,939 - Doctoral: $86,183

The 2007 Average Salaries for PhDs by Job Listed in Ascending order:

- Assistant Professor, Postsecondary / Higher Education:
Description: Any Assistant Professor at a University. Also includes assistant lecturers and speakers. Average Salary is $55,793

- Professor, Postsecondary / Higher Education:
Description: A Professor at a University or College. Also includes lecturers and speakers. Average Salary is $78,306

- Research Scientist, Biotechnology:
Description: Jobs include Biochemists. Biochemists study the chemical composition and processes of living things. A biochemist studies many from the reaction of food and drugs on living organisms and tissue to the reasons for human growth and aging. Average Salary is $82,222

- Materials Scientist:
Description: These are people at the for front of science when it comes to plastics, polymers, rubbers, metals, alloys and even glass and paper. PhDs in this field work on developing new materials with specific properties for use with specific applications. Average Salary is $83,690

- Sr. Software Engineer / Developer / Programmer:
Description: Jobs include programmers and coding managers. Works as an individual or on a team who write, debug and deliver software programs. Average Salary is $97,883

- Computer and Information Scientist, Research:
Description: These are the inventors of the computer world. PhDs in this field solve and develop solutions to issues in regards to computer hardware and software. Average Salary is $105,714

As you can see if you are considering going for your PhD the computer industry is still the most well paid industry group in this class of education. More and more people in future generations are heading in the direction of computer programmer or CIS professional. The field at this point has managed to easily absorb the inflow of new-interested students and find jobs for new employees with higher education. In the future if things continue down this road it may become a very competitive industry where only the best of the best survive to work another day. For now majoring and going for a post graduate degree in something computer related is probably your best shot for a well-paid and prosperous future.



About the Author
Kip D Goldhammer owns and operates http://www.phdcoursesonline.com Phd Courses for more up-to-date information on higher education.

Source: Online PhD Programs, Online Doctoral Degrees, Distance Learning PhD Education Online, Online Doctor University information at goarticles.com

Pursuing PhD Universities and the PhD Degree

Online PhD Programs Articles : Pursuing PhD Universities and the PhD Degree by Matt Murren

Are you one of those that is never satisfied with your education? You have your Master's degree, now what do you do? For many the next step is to pursue a PhD degree. This starts with a review of the different PhD Universities available to you. There are many PhD Universities and PhD Programs so you must take your time and find the best fit for you.

To obtain your PhD you must select your field and take advanced courses in your area of study. Typically you take smaller seminars, study independently with a distance learning or online program. The courses typically take three (3) to four (4) semesters of full time study.

Now the fun begins..After your coursework is completed, the doctoral student must pass a written or oral qualifying exam. This provides evidence that the candidate has sufficient expertise in the subject matter to proceed with his/her independent research.

How does the the qualifying exam work?

Usually the qualifying exam is given by a committee. For most PhD Universities this consists of three to five professors in the candidate's program who have agreed to guide the doctoral students research. The PhD candidate starts his/her original research and writes a book size thesis or dissertation on the research. When this is complete, the candidate must oraly defend the positions stated in the research before the committee. After the candidate has ben the oral exam with the given PhD University, the title of "doctor" will have been earned.

How do I select the PhD University right for me?

Finding a good fit for you will take research in its own right. Many times the PhD University you select will depend on what field you are studying as many Universities specialize in different areas such as Business, Economics, Psychology, Medicine etc..

The other factor you may want to consider is if distance learning or online learning is a good fit for you and your PhD Degree pursuit. This isn't for everyone.

Simply sit down, open up your web browser and make a list of your top 5-10 PhD Universities that are a good fit in your area of study. Start by marking down the pro's and con's and consider things such as relocation, prestige, financial impacts etc..

Don't take this decision lightly as you will be spending up to six (6) years in achieving the credential of "doctor". You may want to call some of the professors at each institution to get a good sense of each program and so you can further weigh the pluses and minuses.

The pursuit of the doctoral degree is not for the light hearted but well worth the effort. Take your time in selecting the right PhD University and set yourself up for success. Best of luck on your journey.



About the Author
Matt D Murren owns and operates http://www.phd-universities-advisor.com Phd Universities

Source: Online PhD Programs, Online Doctoral Degrees, Distance Learning PhD Education Online, Online Doctor University information at goarticles.com

The Essential Facts Every Student Should Know About Taking A PhD Online

Online PhD Program Articles : The Essential Facts Every Student Should Know About Taking A PhD Online by Wade Robins

The highest achievement anyone could make in his or her academic career is completing a PhD, otherwise known as a doctorate. There is no higher qualification available unless you go on to teach in an academic institution. However, all PhD students are pledging to commit to possibly the hardest and most tiring task they will ever undertake. You have to eat, sleep and breathe your PhD course in order to pass it. It is somewhat surprising, therefore, that online colleges or universities now offer PhD programs as a part of their curriculum.
Accredited online PhD degrees are just as tough as campus based ones, if not more so. Although they retain the degree of flexibility that any online program affords students, accredited online PhD degrees require a lot more time and dedication. You can communicate with an assigned tutor and take online classes, but you are essentially on your own. Online colleges or universities expect extreme dedication and intellectual ability simply because less than 1% of the world's population actually achieves the honor.

The general course content of an accredited online PhD is exactly the same as a campus based PhD. Every PhD student must specialize in a certain area of academia, from physics to literature to business. Within that subject they should then choose one element or group of elements to research and enhance their knowledge on. Campus students are expected to present their findings in a dissertation and oral presentation. They will be comprehensively questioned in the latter to make sure that their knowledge is suitably extensive. To some extent, online colleges and universities also follow these requirements.

Accredited online PhD degrees differ from the normal online degree structure. Although the majority of the degree program, including core and elective classes, continue online as normal, most online colleges or universities insist upon personal attendance to progress meetings, or colloquia. The meetings tend to last at least a week and thus the student is required to be a resident during that period. Capella University is one of the schools that require attendance, justifying it as a necessary evil to ensure that students are progressing and actively working toward their goal.

Accredited online PhD degrees are not only more expensive, costing around $4000 per quarter for tuition, they also last a lot longer than regular online degrees. Most programs are expected to last between four and eight years, although some accelerated learning online colleges and universities aim to get their students through it in two to three years.

It is thoroughly necessary to seriously consider what an accredited online PhD degree will cost you, in terms of freedom and energy, before committing to one. Bachelor degrees online have nothing on these courses. You have to be serious about your education otherwise you will fall flat on your face. However, online PhDs do still allow a sense of freedom and flexibility that may well be welcome when you face such a momentous task.



About the Author
You can also find more information at Online University Medical Degree and online university degree. Onlineuniversitydegreehelp.com is a comprehensive resource to know importance of college degree.

Source: Online PhD Programs, Online Doctoral Degrees, Distance Learning PhD Education Online, Online Doctor University information at goarticles.com

I'm So Glad I'm Not A Loser I Got My PhD In Money At Success University

Online PhD Program Articles : I'm So Glad I'm Not A Loser I Got My PhD In Money At Success University by B Rich

You know what; thoughts of being a loser have always seemed to hunt me down like a pack of misfortune. I couldn't have the right job; get the right girl let alone driving the fancy car of my choice. All I seemed to get was crumbs and this actually got to the point where I was comfortable about being a loser, I accepted every card I was dealt whether good or bad, I was just breathing to be everyone's doormat.
Something had to change, I told my self, no more and this time I really meant it! No more settling for second best, I am going to live my life the way I want to live it. The thing that was giving me so much drive to succeed was jealousy, Yep, pure green envy jealousy, for this kid who was a nobody, his status was even below my loser mentality, but in a matter of couple of weeks he had become a high flyer just from the internet, and I had to find out how he did it. Man, if a dumb ass like that can get rich in a matter of weeks from the internet, I can do it too; I mean how hard could it be.

Instead of surfing for porn that night, I googled for every term about making money on the internet, you know, phrases like GIVE ME THE MONEY NOW, MAKE ME RICH TODAY and every other money making scheme I could think of. Man!!! I hit the jackpot; there were tons of ways to make money on the internet for losers like me. It is so easy all I have to do is be someone's affiliate and the money will come rolling, bummer is, I need a website. Wait, hey here's something, for $49 The Guy Who Made A Billion From A Million will show me how to make my first million tomorrow, All for $49 dollars, wait what's this, Limited number of books only two copies left Buy Now!! So I borrowed my mom's credit card, told her your son's going to get rich and bought How I Made A Billion from a Million let me show you your first million tomorrow. I couldn't wait to get rich. Ok people! This is not what I expected, a stupid pdf file, that's all I get., 60 pages of BS, does that dummy think I have time to read this crap, I just want to get rich and he promised to make me a million $ by tomorrow. And now what's this bonus, Oh my God more books, with more pages. I need to punch someone, and if it's not the jerk who sold me this crap, it's the rich kid from my block for scamming people, no one can make money from reading a stupid book, and it's a lie.

My mom broke my ranting and raving, told me to shut and go sulk somewhere else, she doesn't even know why she believed a loser like me could make anything great of himself. That hurt, but anyway I went down to the pub to drown my remorse. On my third refill, the barman looks at me and says, I know that look, "what look" I asked half angry. He laughed and said "you bought the book didn't you; I can see it in your face", he carried on about some kid who came in the bar a couple of months ago looking down just like me and rambling about some stupid worthless book, So I asked him, what happened to the kid and he said "that same loser, is worth millions now, unbelievable" he found all of that in that book, "plus some school he goes to on the net" echoed the guy sipping a Heineken in the next stool. That night I couldn't get to sleep, I had to find out how he did it.

The more I snooped around to find the truth, the more I saw people just like me duplicating that rich kid and getting rich. The only way for me to find out was to join this school to riches; I took the plunge, paid a $2 dollar registration for 14 days and went to class. This was more than I expected, I was being coached by the most influential people of our time for just $2. The bonuses were real videos and audio tapes that guided me step by step to achieve my dreams. The best paret was, immediately as I joined people just started pouring into my downline from my upline.

Ok! Even though school has turned me from a lazy, doubtful loser into being rich, I'm not complaining at all and guess what? I LOVE BEING RICH.

Ps. the book that sent me to the bar was actually really helpful, after I read it.



About the Author
Life is full of success, find yours JOIN YOUR SCHOOL TO RICHES HERE FOR $2 QUIT BEING A LOSER AND BE RICH NOW

Source: Online PhD Programs, Online Doctoral Degrees, Distance Learning PhD Education Online, Online Doctor University information goarticles.com