How Long Would It Take to Get a Ph.D. Going to School Part Time?
- Ph.D. programs generally require students to take anywhere from 60 to 90 credits after the Master's degree. Specific requirements for programs differ, and some of these credits apply to study hours or dissertation hours and not time spent in the classroom. However, doctoral students can expect to complete 30 to 50 classroom credits depending on their program. Most schools consider six credits or fewer as part-time status, meaning it can take anywhere from three to five years to complete the coursework at a part-time level. The exact time frame depends on how many credits the student takes each semester and how many courses the program requires the student to complete.
- Once the Ph.D. student completes his coursework, he faces additional work before earning his degree. Comprehensive exams followed by the dissertation are the final steps in earning the doctoral degree at most schools. Part-time students may complete these requirements at a slower pace than their full-time counterparts. Studying for and taking comprehensive exams can take a semester, at a minimum, and the dissertation can require several years of research and writing, depending on the student's pace.
- Students considering earning a Ph.D. on a part-time basis must ensure that their doctoral program of choice allows part-time study. Some programs, such as the one at Columbia Business School, requires students to go to school full time and complete the program in five years.
Most Ph.D. programs also establish a time limit for earning the degree. For example, the Department of English at the University of California Davis allows students six years to complete the Ph.D. Part-time students should understand the program requirements to ensure they complete the degree within the program's time constraints. - Earning a Ph.D. part time works for some students. A doctoral students who also works full time may struggle to find a balance between full-time work and full-time schooling. A part-time Ph.D. program will help that student balance professional, academic and personal requirements.