• How Long Does IT Take to Get a PhD?
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How Long Does IT Take to Get a PhD?

A Ph.D., or Doctor of Philosophy, is among the highest of degree levels and is sometimes considered the most difficult to complete because it requires candidates to write and defend a dissertation, take courses and pass several tests. Many individuals earn a Ph.D. in order to conduct research, become a college professor or both.

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Length of Time it Takes to Get a Ph.D.

Time it Takes to Complete Ph.D. Courses

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), full-time Ph.D. candidates typically take advanced courses during their first few years of study (www.bls.gov.) The number of course credits required to get a Ph.D. may vary widely, depending on the university and the doctoral program. For example, the University of Akron requires 36 course credits to earn a Ph.D. in Polymer Science, whereas DePaul University mandates 60 course credits for a Ph.D. in Computer and Information Sciences.

Colleges typically require doctoral students to take nearly all of their courses in a specific discipline, although they may have the option to take elective courses, both in and outside of their department. For example, doctoral candidates in speech pathology may be able to take electives like anatomy, and students pursuing a doctorate in exercise physiology might have the option to choose electives such as epidemiology. Additionally, schools typically require Ph.D. candidates to speak a foreign language, which they may need to demonstrate via an oral exam.

Time it Takes to Complete Exam Requirements

Doctoral students periodically take a series of exams until they complete their Ph.D. program. During the first year of Ph.D. studies, candidates typically take a comprehensive exam to gauge their knowledge in their chosen field of study. Additionally, students take a candidacy exam to test their general knowledge of a specific Ph.D. discipline.

School departments typically create the exams but some allow students to choose the specific subjects within a discipline that the test will cover. For example, Stanford University allows candidates for the Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering to consult with their advisors and choose four topics for the qualifying exam. Many schools allow students who fail the test to retake it, but that may delay the time it takes to get a Ph.D.

Time it Takes to Complete Dissertation Requirements

After completing coursework, Ph.D. students research and write a dissertation, a book-like document that must show thorough knowledge of a discipline and contribute new research to the field. Candidates must defend the dissertation's assertions before a faculty committee. The length of time it takes to write and defend a dissertation depends on factors such as the Ph.D. program, dissertation topic and whether the candidate is a full- or part-time doctoral student. Including the Ph.D., it typically takes 5-6 years to complete a doctoral program, according to the BLS (www.bls.gov.).

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