Accredited Online PhD Programs

IU offers an online Ph.D. in nursing science for students pursuing a career in nursing education, research, or clinical science. This degree is a hybrid program that blends synchronous video conferences, online learning, and on-campus intensives.

This online degree requires 90 credits. Students may enter the program with a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) or a master of science in nursing (MSN) with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students who already hold an MSN can transfer 30 credits into the program from their master's degree. The curriculum culminates in a dissertation defense.

Applicants need confirmation of support from an IU School of Nursing faculty advisor. They must also submit a personal statement, a resume, and samples of scholarly writing.

Indiana University Bloomington is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Johns Hopkins offers several online doctoral degrees, including a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering. Students develop a study plan in conjunction with their faculty advisor rather than following a formal set of course requirements.

To qualify for candidacy, Ph.D. students must pass a departmental exam typically taken during the third semester of graduate study. This exam is based on core courses. Learners must also pass a Graduate Board oral exam, which tests overall field proficiency.

All doctoral candidates must work as teaching assistants for two semesters. The degree culminates in an original research project, a dissertation, and a dissertation defense.

John Hopkins University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Liberty offers multiple online Ph.D. programs in fields such as history, psychology, advanced educational studies, and theology and apologetics. These online Ph.D. programs require 57-72 credits and take 3-4 years to complete. The programs feature fully online, eight-week courses. Students can transfer up to 50% of the course requirements into these programs.

Many programs offer specializations. For example, education Ph.D. students can choose from concentrations in areas like curriculum and instruction, educational law, and special education. Students must maintain a B or higher in all courses for them to count toward the degree.

Applicants need a master's degree in a related field from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Liberty does not require GRE scores.

Liberty University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

MTU offers 27 Ph.D. programs, including an online Ph.D. in mechanical engineering - engineering mechanics. Online Ph.D. students receive the same quality education, access to faculty, and preparation for independent research as on-campus students.

Enrollees can choose from eight concentrations in areas such as autonomous systems, molecular dynamics modeling, alternative fuels and renewable energy, and mechanics of multiscale materials.

Applicants need a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field with a minimum 3.25 GPA. Students with a bachelor's degree in another field may still qualify but they must complete prerequisite courses. Prospective students must also submit GRE scores, two recommendation letters, and a resume or CV. Recommended minimum GRE scores include a 162 quantitative score and 153 verbal score.

Michigan Technological University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

MSU provides a variety of online Ph.D. programs in areas such as community college leadership, computational engineering, industrial and systems engineering, and instructional systems and workforce development. These degrees prepare students for leadership and research roles in their respective fields.

Online Ph.D. programs at MSU typically require around 60 credits beyond the master's degree. The Ph.D. in engineering program allows students to choose from concentrations in areas such as aerospace engineering, chemical engineering, and civil engineering. All Ph.D. students must complete and defend a dissertation.

Applicants need a master's degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.4 GPA. Prospective students must also submit GRE scores, three references, a statement of purpose, a writing sample, and a CV. Some programs may require an on-campus interview or a certain amount of work experience in the field.

Mississippi State University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

NSU offers online Ph.D. degrees in disciplines including computer science, cybersecurity management, information systems, and nursing. Some programs contain on-campus components, such as in-person residencies.

Online Ph.D. programs at NSU require 60-67 credits and take 2-4 years to complete. Students take core and doctoral research courses and produce a final dissertation. The Ph.D. in criminal justice allows students to select from concentrations in organizational leadership, behavioral science, and juvenile justice.

Applicants need a master's degree in a relevant major from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 3.25 GPA. Candidates must also submit a resume or CV, an essay, and three recommendation letters.

Nova Southeastern University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

ODU offers online Ph.D. programs in fields including instructional design and technology, community college leadership, public administration and policy, and engineering management and systems engineering.

These Ph.D. programs require 48-60 credits and take 2-4 years to complete. Students take core and specialized courses and complete a dissertation. Some programs, such as the Ph.D. in community college leadership, require students to participate in a two-week, on-campus intensive.

Applicants need a master's degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.25 GPA. Candidates must also submit a resume, three recommendation letters, an essay, and GRE/GMAT scores. GRE waivers are available to qualified applicants.

Old Dominion University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Texas A&M offers two online Ph.D. programs: a Ph.D. in plant breeding and a Ph.D. in interdisciplinary engineering. Plant breeding students must work with an educator or supervisor who qualifies as an adjunct faculty member at Texas A&M. Engineering students must work in an industry or laboratory setting that can support a Ph.D. project.

Both degrees require 64 credits beyond the master's degree. Interdisciplinary engineering students must complete and pass a qualifying exam within two years of matriculating into the program. All Ph.D. students must write and defend a dissertation.

Texas A&M considers various factors in the admissions process, including research interests and goals, experience and education, GPA, recommendation letters, and test scores.

Texas A&M University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Texas Tech offers online Ph.D. programs in curriculum and instruction, family and consumer science education, systems and engineering management, and technical communication and rhetoric. Systems and engineering management students must participate in two residencies, consisting of two weeks each summer. The program delivers all other coursework entirely online.

Texas Tech's online Ph.D. programs require 90 credits beyond the bachelor's degree or 60-72 beyond the master's degree. Students typically complete core courses, elective or specialization courses, research seminars, and dissertation credits. All Ph.D. students must write and defend a dissertation.

Texas Tech bases admissions decisions on GPA, recommendation letters, work experience, and test scores.

Texas Tech is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

UT Knoxville offers several online doctoral programs, including a Ph.D. in nursing and a Ph.D. in industrial and systems engineering. The Ph.D. in nursing is a blended program combining two required face-to-face sessions per term, synchronous online activities, structured asynchronous work, and individual mentorship and guidance. The Ph.D. in industrial and systems engineering delivers courses entirely online.

These online Ph.D. programs require 72-83 credits beyond a bachelor's degree. Students progress to doctoral candidacy when they pass a comprehensive exam and defend their dissertation proposal. All of the school's Ph.D. programs culminate in a dissertation defense.

Applicants need a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited school. The engineering management concentration also requires two years of work experience as an engineer or scientist.

University of Tennessee, Knoxville is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

UF provides two online Ph.D. programs: a Ph.D. in classical civilization and a Ph.D. in Latin and Roman studies. These programs prepare high school and community college teachers for leadership roles.

These online Ph.D. degrees require 60 credits beyond the master's degree. Students take classics courses; electives; and language courses in German, French, or Italian. They also complete supervised teaching experiences. In addition, Ph.D. students must pass written exams and a comprehensive oral exam. They must also complete and defend a dissertation.

Applicants need a master's in a related discipline with a minimum 3.25 GPA. Candidates must also demonstrate reading knowledge of German, French, Italian, or Modern Greek.

University of Florida is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

UofM Global offers several online programs, including an online Ph.D. in nursing. This Ph.D. takes 3.5 years of full-time study to complete. Doctoral students work with an advisor and faculty committee to conduct a research project and produce a dissertation.

Applicants need a master's degree in nursing with a minimum 3.0 GPA. UofM does not require GRE scores, but applicants can submit them to compensate for a lower GPA. Applicants must also submit a personal statement, three reference letters, a writing sample, and a CV.

The University of Memphis Global is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

UNLV offers an online Ph.D. in nursing. The program requires students to participate in an on-campus orientation prior to beginning the first semester. Students must also return to campus throughout the degree for oral comprehensive exams, proposal defense, and dissertation defense.

The online Ph.D. in nursing requires 62 credits beyond a master's degree. Learners who hold a master of science in nursing may opt for an accelerated track. All students must complete and defend a dissertation.

Applicants need a master's in nursing or another health-related discipline with a minimum 3.5 GPA, an active registered nurse license, and adequate GRE scores. Candidates must also submit three recommendation letters, two samples of scholarly work, a personal statement, and a CV.

University of Nevada, Las Vegas is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

UND offers online Ph.D. programs in engineering and health disciplines, including degrees in aerospace sciences, biomedical engineering, indigenous health, and nursing. The Ph.D in indigenous health is the nation's first degree of its kind.

Most of these online Ph.D. programs require 90 credits and take 4-7 years to complete. UND delivers courses synchronously so students can participate in real-time interaction with faculty and peers.

Applicants need a master's or graduate degree in a related discipline from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Candidates must also submit a personal statement, a CV, and recommendation letters. Some programs also require GRE scores, an additional research statement, or work experience.

University of North Dakota is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

UNC offers several online Ph.D. programs, including nursing degrees focused on education and special education.

The online Ph.D. programs require 66-81 credits and take 3-5 years to complete. The nursing: education degree requires short campus visits, including a five-day initial orientation. Ph.D. students in the special education program complete courses and requirements entirely online. They must also complete a comprehensive performance assessment and an externship.

Applicants need a master's degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA. Nursing education candidates need a current registered nurse license in Colorado and two years of teaching experience. Candidates for the special education degree must complete a prerequisite graduate research course.

University of Northern Colorado is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.