What Are the Easiest Ph.D. Degrees to Get?

A doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) is the highest academic degree awarded in most fields of study. U.S. colleges and universities award more than 50,000 doctorates each year. Many people who pursue a Ph.D. have a passion for research, aspire to teach at the postsecondary level, or want to hold leadership roles in their field.

Earning any doctorate is a challenging journey that usually requires 3-6 years of study and includes a significant research component. However, some doctorates may be easier to obtain than others. The easiest Ph.D. depends on your strengths and interests. What feels formidable to some learners may come quickly to you.

Use the guide below to learn more about the easiest Ph.D. to get based on your background and expertise.

STEM is an acronym that stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. While many students might consider these subjects academically demanding, having finely honed skills in your field and an appropriate master’s degree can set you up for success. Thousands of people earn doctorates in these areas each year.

In academia, the term “humanities” covers fields of study related to the human experience, including subjects like history, literature, and religion. The arts are fields related to creation and expression and can include music, writing, studio art, and dance. People who love to create, analyze, or research can thrive as doctoral students in these areas.

Business focuses on maximizing profit, while economics is a social science concerned with the distribution of resources. If you have experience or education in business, you may find it easy to complete Ph.D. programs in these fields.

Social sciences are the academic disciplines concerned with human behavior, problems, systems, and institutions. They include sociology, anthropology, psychology, and political science. Most advanced social science degrees require strong research and analytical skills. You may find these disciplines easy if you understand how to use data to solve problems.

Health sciences are concerned with a scientific focus on human well-being. Unlike a doctor of medicine program, which emphasizes wellness through medicine, health sciences Ph.D. programs explore public health, education, and administration. Depending on your academic and professional background, you can pursue a clinical or nonclinical health sciences doctorate.

As an academic discipline, education is concerned with how people teach and learn. The field draws from theories in sociology, psychology, history, and philosophy. A master’s degree in education coupled with at least three years of teaching experience can prepare you well for the challenges of a Ph.D. in this field.

Environmental studies experts use social and natural science tools to understand how natural ecosystems function and how they shape — and are shaped by — humans. Subfields include hydrology, ecology, and environmental engineering. A blend of the natural and social sciences can provide a strong background for a Ph.D. in environmental studies.

A broadly interdisciplinary field, communications and media includes an array of disciplines concerned with how people communicate one-on-one, in groups, between institutions, and through the media.

No doctorate is easy to earn, but the Ph.D. programs outlined above may be easier to obtain because many of them are more open to students with diverse backgrounds and experience. They also tend to focus on solving large-scale problems in broad fields such as education or communications.

Most reputable Ph.D.s will require 3-6 years of study, an original research project called a dissertation, and 60-90 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree. Online doctorates and hybrid programs that combine in-person and distance learning can help you create a flexible schedule, but the work will still be rigorous and demanding.

In the U.S., only degrees from accredited schools hold value in the marketplace. Accreditation demonstrates that your program has quality and credibility. Though unaccredited schools may offer low-cost degrees, they may also be running a scam. Check your school’s accreditation status by looking for information about accreditation on their website or by checking databases from the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education.

College accreditation is voluntary and can be institutional or industry-specific. Institutional accreditors such as the Higher Learning Commission and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges approve an entire college or university. Industry-specific bodies like ABET or AACSB International accredit individual programs or departments.

A Ph.D. and a professional doctorate are both terminal degrees, but key differences separate the two. A Ph.D. features substantial research requirements, whereas a professional doctorate incorporates advanced practical training.

When it comes to easy doctoral degrees, Ph.D. programs typically run longer and require more intensive study than professional programs. The theoretical focus of a Ph.D. may also prove more challenging than a practical doctorate.

Yes. While no-dissertation doctorates are more common for professional programs, some research-based Ph.D.s may also offer degrees that don’t require a dissertation. Some of these programs have a practical project, while others have a research component that doesn’t have the depth of a dissertation.

No. Though some professional doctorates may take 1-2 years, you generally cannot complete a Ph.D. program in that time. Many Ph.D.s take 3-6 years to complete.

An asynchronous online program may be the easiest Ph.D. to get for working professionals. This delivery method allows you to complete your studies during the hours that suit you best. An asynchronous schedule can also accommodate nontraditional work schedules because of their added flexibility.

The most difficult Ph.D. program depends on how you learn best, but certain disciplines tend to be more difficult. Highly technical programs, such as mathematics and science disciplines, challenge many students. Very involved and intensive programs like engineering may also prove difficult.

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by Accredited Schools Online. Page last reviewed June 14, 2024.