Part-time Ph.D. programs are being brought out by many top-rated universities due to growing demand.
Ph.D. (doctor of philosophy) is a higher qualification after a bachelor’s and master’s degree.
A Ph.D. enables one for easier promotions in jobs, better remunerations, recognition and also satisfaction in education.
Regular Ph.D. is offered in many subjects by reputed universities. Even the number of students taking up these programs is also on the rise.
But interestingly, the number of program students who quit in between is also high.
During Ph.D., one has to work for less pay (on a scholarship or assistantship). Also, their work duration and award of degree largely rely on his or her supervisor. So one finds it difficult from the family front and also the economic front during this period. Since the program requires over 3 years to anywhere up to 8 years, many quit in between.
So part-time Ph.D. programs are a better option. These programs can be done at once own pace and convenience. The beauty is that one can perceive them as being in a job.
A part-time Ph.D. has many advantages over a full-time Ph.D. Let’s see below.
Ph.D. Program Requirements
- One should have qualified a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree for non-professional areas of study.
- For those with professional degrees like engineering, medicine direct admission to Ph.D. is possible with graduation in a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
- Good academic score with at-least a GPA of 5 and varies by university.
- A genuine research interest with an innovative mind.
Part-Time Ph.D. programs Advantages
1. Do it along with your current job/ busyness. If you are into a job to sustain yourself or into a busyness which you cant leave for the sake of higher studies, a part-time Ph.D. is a good option. This is also suitable for housewives who can pursue their education besides taking care of their family.
2. Fewer chances of financial stress: In a full-time Ph.D., fellowships or scholarships are provided for just coping up with daily needs. So if you have a family dependent on you or deriving good monetary benefits from your previous work, it will be tough to continue full-time or regular Ph.D. with the fellowships. So doing a Ph.D. on a part-time basis decreases the chances of financial stress.
3. Do it from your home town: Many of us are fond of our homes or native towns or states. The chances of availability of institutes for regular Ph.D. nearby is low. In these cases, part-time Ph.D.’s are good options to pursue from the comfort of the native state or town.
4. Do it at your own speed: Regular Ph.D.’s have certain strict time limits to do the job; this is a bit lower in part-time Ph.D. So you will have time
5. Gain qualification besides experience: A fresh regular Ph.D. with no experience is less preferred in high-paying jobs than a candidate who has a Ph.D. besides some regular job experience. So if one is into the job and completes his Ph.D. on a part-time basis, he has better promotions and packages than an inexperienced full-timer.
6. Lack of direct harassment from seniors or supervisors in case: It seems that there are cases of mental harassment from seniors in the lab or from the supervisors themselves (this can be seen from recent court cases against supervisors by the students) in regular or full-time Ph.D. On a part-time basis, this is quite low.
7. Less expensive than regular Ph.D.: Regular Ph.D.’s have higher Ph.D. course fees and other benchwork expenses than part-time ones.