What Is a PhD?


Definition: The PHD refers to a doctoral degree. It is technically getting a degree,but she is awarded in all disciplines. Typically it takes several years of training at themaster's degree, and sometimes up to 8 years of training depending on the field,student research topics, and skills of students. Most doctoral degrees require the completion of course work, comprehensive examinations and dissertations.

Also known as: Doctor's degree, Doctor of Philosophy

Do I need to earn a doctorate?


Doctoral degree is the highest academic degree that can be obtained in the U.S. and other countries. This degree is awarded to students who have completed doctoral degree program. 
There are four main types of doctoral degrees:
Professional doctors - Dr. These degrees are awarded to students who are focused on the profession during the research. An example of a professional doctor is a DBA (Doctor of Business Administration).
Studies of doctor - usually known as a candidate or a PhD or research doctorate usually awarded in recognition of scientific research.
Higher doctor - doctors above is a multi-level research degree awarded in several countries, including France, United Kingdom and Ireland.
Honorary Doctorates - Honorary Doctor are doctoral degrees awarded by some universities that want to recognize the contribution of a person in a particular area.
Where to earn a doctorateThere are thousands of universities around the world that the degree of Doctor of the award. Business students often can choose between campus programs and online programs. Although every program is different, most schools require students to complete at least two years full-time education up to doctorate degree will be awarded.In some cases it may take as long as 8 to 10 years to complete the necessary requirements. Necessary conditions for business students often include an MBA or a master's degree in business. However, there are some schools are willing to admit students into their doctoral programs.
Reasons to earn a doctorateThere are many reasons to consider earning a doctorate in business. For a start, having received his doctoral degree can greatly increase your earning potential. This degree can also qualify you for a more modern and prestigious career opportunities, such as the CEO. Doctoral thesis can also make it easier to get advice or research and teaching jobs.
DBA against a candidateThe choice between a professional degree, such as an administrator, and research, for example, PhD, can be difficult. For business students who want to contribute to the practice of the theory of business and management skills in developing and promoting professional knowledge, DBA, is almost certainly the best academic route to take.
Selecting doctoral degree programFinding the right doctoral degree program may be a problem. There are thousands of schools and educational programs to choose from in the U.S. only. However, it is important that you make the right choice. You will spend several years in the program.You have to find a school that offers the type of degree you want to earn, as well as the type of professor you want to work. 
Some of the most important things to consider when choosing a place to earn a doctoral degree include:
  • Accreditation
  • Cost / financial aid package
  • Curriculum
  • Degree Options
  • Faculty reputation
  • The program's reputation
  • Admission Requirements
  • Explore this topic further

Master's Degree against a doctorate - Tara Kuther, About.com Guide to Graduate School investigates the differences between the two degrees, and gives tips on choosing the best level for you in this online article.
Directory of doctoral degrees in business - DegreeDirectory.org provides directory of articles on different types of doctoral degrees that can be earned in business.
Online doctoral programs - visit OnlineDoctoralPrograms.com, to get an overview of how the doctoral degree program and learn more about earning an online degree.

Doctoral Degree will increase your Internet Recruitment Potential

One of the keys to the success of students in doctoral degree program is a mentor - someone who leads students in their coursework and research for many years it takes to get a doctorate. Mentors can review and respond to the work, including dissertation research, and communicate with faculty members of students. College site in Prescott, Ariz., also notes that mentors can help students create a curriculum for its educational programs, supply lists reading, suggest ideas, provide resources or require added work.
Mentors, as some say, may be even more important to the success of students than doctoral degree program itself. In "Mentoring: a significant factor in the Doctoral Process for Minority Students", Howard G. Adams, CITES, there is no "magic" way to specify the right mentor.Et al. CK Lin, and Helen K. Ezell, along with the Association of American Medical Colleges, to give advice to students seeking the right mentor to help them with their educational programs. Lin Convergence Global Investors, director, and excerpts from Ezell in the "Guide to Success in doctoral and faculty work can be found at the American Speech-Language-Hearing 
Association website. Among their recommendations:Look for specific authors. Students can find a mentor who has written scholarly articles or books on topics that they plan to study. When searching for these types of mentors, students could consider the preparation of solid research in the field that interests them and where they can build a career, not a "fad" of research.
Talking with a mentor and friend. Students can call or e-mail several potential coaches and talk to them, and keep in mind that compatibility is important. In discussing the research mentor and experience, and doctoral degree students of classes, students might consider how well that style mentor meets their needs mentoring. Consider learn from mentors, how many other students, they may be mentoring, as well as the fact that their workplace and the research laboratory as. Students also can learn that too reputation mentor among his peers that Dr. mentor students doing the degree now.
Consider a network of mentors - and funding. Although students may take a doctorate mentor network of colleagues and friends, less than the number of faculty members may have more time to mentor students than established teachers with a large number of professional contacts can. Students also can the prospective teachers to provide the money to pay for doctor degree research program.
Consider the characteristics of a mentor. Some of the features that students might find attractive in a doctoral mentor program: the promotion of accessible, fair, respect, a man who encourages critical thinking, creativity, which contributes to the professional confidence. In cases where students think that they have found well-suited to the coaches, they could attend universities, where these teachers work.

Doctorate of Computer Science: Degree Overview


Although it's true that a bachelor's degree in computer science will teach you a variety of skills that many employers value, graduate work is required for many positions. A Doctorate of Computer Science is the highest graduate degree in the computer science field, and prepares you to work within the University or in professional administration. Please read on to find out more.
As technology becomes more advanced, it is more and more important for computer science professionals to specialize, and develop a more complex understanding of their field. Although it's true that a bachelor's degree in computer science will teach you a variety of skills that many employers value, graduate work is required for many positions. A Doctorate of Computer Science is the highest graduate degree in the computer science field, and prepares you to work within the university or in professional administration. The Doctor of Computer Science program fulfils these requirements, making degree holders much more marketable, and up-to-date. In the field of computer science, doctorate programs typically take two to five years longer than a bachelor's, and include a lengthy dissertation and internship, depending on the program you choose to enroll in. You may focus on the administrative end or the technological end, but most good programs will instruct you in both subjects. There are a variety of areas within computer science that you may wish to focus on. Sample specializations may include: computer graphics, numerical analysis and artificial intelligence.
Advanced courses or research topics may include:
  • Analysis of Algorithms
  • Computer Architecture
  • Computer Graphics
  • Computer Networks
  • Computer Organization
  • Database Systems
  • Advanced Programming Languages
  • Software Engineering
Job prospects are quite good for professionals who have the Doctor of Computer Science degree. According to the US Bureau of Labor, www.bls.gov, the average annual wage for computer programmers was $62,890 in May 2004, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $99,610. The average yearly wage for computer and information scientists was reported to be in the range of $85,190 in 2004, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $132,700. In the computer and information scientists field of computer design, the average salary was listed as approximately $85,530 with the lowest percent earning less than $65,000 and the highest percent earning over $145,000 in 2004.

PHD in Urban Planning: Degree Program Information


Students in a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Urban Planning degree program acquire an advanced understanding of the human and physical environments of a variety of regions. They conduct research aimed at fostering positive social change and improving the quality of life for people in neighborhoods, cities and other metropolitan areas. The flexible nature of the Ph.D. program allows for an individualized learning experience tailored to the students own research and occupational goals.

Ph.D. in Urban Planning

Ph.D. degree programs in urban planning examine topics such as urbanization dynamics and articulation of public space as well as a wide variety of social urban theories, processes and policies. Students learn to understand the process of designing and developing urban areas from economic, environmental, political, spatial and social vantage points. At the doctorate level, students often focus on one specific area, such as planning history and theory, transportation planning, economic development or urban spatial theory. Some schools also require students to select a second area of specialization outside of urban planning and integrate that area into their unique learning experience.

Education Prerequisites

Most schools require candidates for a Ph.D. in Urban Planning to have first completed a master's degree in urban planning or a similar planning-related field. Select schools offer the option of earning a master's degree concurrently with a Ph.D.

Program Coursework

Curriculum in this program is highly customizable, with very few required courses and most classes selected by the student. Completion of the degree program generally takes four years, with the first two dedicated towards coursework and directed study and the last two focusing on dissertation proposal, research and defense. Some courses that a student may encounter include:
  • Contemporary challenges in planning and urban development
  • Planning research reasoning and epistemology
  • Community planning for neighborhoods
  • Planning in newly industrialized countries
  • Analytic research methods and designs

Popular Careers

Although many positions in the field of urban and regional planning require only a master's degree, earning a Ph.D. can increase one's chances of occupational advancement. Ph.D. graduates tend to work in strongly research-oriented positions and often pursue academic or scholastic career paths. Some careers that Ph.D. graduates hold include:
  • Community development planner
  • Regional planner
  • Building, planning and zoning director
  • Neighborhood planner
  • Urban planning professor

Continuing Education

Urban planners have the option of receiving certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). To qualify for AICP certification, one must be a member of the American Planners Association, hold a professional planning job and meet requirements for education and experience. To maintain certification status, planners engage in professional development activities such as courses and seminars.
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