Venture into Lifelong Learning: Attain a PhD or Doctorate Degree in Your Golden Years

Thanks to the burgeoning world of online education, seniors can now earn a degree right from their home without the need to physically attend a college campus. The digital age has brought advanced online degree programs, including PhDs and doctorates, within arm’s reach. Seniors are increasingly seeking these degrees to establish themselves as ‘experts’ in their chosen field, to embark on academic careers, or simply for personal growth and fulfillment. Online education now allows “the university to come to the student,” making geographical location irrelevant. All that’s required is a reliable computer and internet connection.

While both PhD and Doctorate degrees are classified as ‘terminal degrees’—the highest in their respective subject areas—their focus and goals differ. A PhD is geared towards molding students into researchers and academics, while a Doctorate aims to cultivate subject area experts and leaders. The traditional requirement of crafting a dissertation—akin to writing an academic book—and getting it approved by the university faculty could be a formidable task, often spanning years beyond coursework. However, certain online PhD and Doctorate programs have eliminated this requirement, making them considerably more accessible and practical for seniors.

Here are a few such institutions:

Liberty University

Offering a fully online Doctor of Education (Ed.D) Program, Liberty University enables students to complete 54-course credits at their convenience. The institution allows a generous transfer of up to 50% of these credits from relevant graduate-level courses undertaken previously. Each course lasts eight weeks, and the average degree completion time is 18 months. This Ed.D program emphasizes the development of innovative programs and includes a comprehensive ‘capstone’ project.

Frontier Nursing University

Frontier Nursing University provides an online Doctor of Nursing (DNP) program, comprising 33 course credits typically completed within 18-20 months. Besides online flexibility, the program also waives clinical work and entrance exam requirements, making it ideal for students with prior nursing experience. The program also provides personal online coaching.

The University of Tennessee – Knoxville

The University of Tennessee offers a fully online Doctor of Social Work in Clinical Practice and Leadership (DSW) Program. Designed as a fast-track curriculum, it encourages students to undertake three courses simultaneously. Depending on the courses chosen, the program takes between 18 to 36 months to complete. It prepares students for leadership roles in clinical social work settings. While a dissertation isn’t necessary, the program does mandate prior professional experience and education in Social Work.

Boston University

Boston University presents a Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree program, typically completed in 18 months. The program, comprising 10 courses and totaling 33 to 37 credits, starts every September, January, and May. Designed for students with previous professional experience and education in Occupational Therapy (OT), it concludes with a comprehensive final project instead of a dissertation.

University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

UNC at Chapel Hill provides a fully online Transitional Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy, completed within 18 to 24 months. It is ideal for licensed Physical Therapists seeking an advanced degree with a focus on clinical skills. The program may include a final capstone project, depending on the selected practice core classes.