Reasons Workers Choose to Earn a Doctorate Degree

In 2001, 1% of U.S. workers, about 1. million, held a doctorate degree. Many professionals choose to pursue intensive study and research through a PhD program for the pure enjoyment of the subject matter. Alternative reasons a professional may earn such an advanced degree is for career advancement or to secure a position in teaching or research. A doctorate degree trains a professional to be an expert and a scholar in his or her chosen discipline.

Financial Rewards of a Doctorate Degree

Earning a doctorate degree certainly comes with financial rewards. A PhD holder earns an average of $1307 per week, whereas a graduate degree holder earns $1064 per week. This translates into a difference of $243 per week or $12,636 per year. Over a lifetime, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that a professional who has earned a doctorate degree will earn $3. million and a professional who has earned a graduate degree will earn $2. million.

Drawbacks to a Doctorate Degree

Of course, the financial data fail to show the complete picture involved in earning a doctorate degree. Costs such as tuition, missed salary, health insurance, and time away from the work field must be taken into consideration. The PhD job market is also characterized by major fluctuations depending on the supply and demand of the doctorate degree labor market. A doctorate degree is typically a very specialized degree and can make finding the perfect job challenging.

Pursuing a Doctorate Degree Part-Time

Although many students who choose to pursue a doctorate degree attend school full-time and take advantage of internships and assistantships, many mid-career professionals choose to begin earning their PhD on a part-time basis. The majority of universities are now offering alternative class schedules and online PhD programs to accommodate students’ work and family responsibilities. College-Pages.com is a valuable source of information that has an extensive list of available programs by subject and degree level.

For specific predictions on earnings and job prospects by career for doctorate degree holders, students may visit the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006 – 2007. Predictions are not always exact, but can be a good starting place for the professional considering a PhD.

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Doctoral programs are geared for individuals who have achieved at the bachelor’s and master’s levels, and understand the basics of teaching and classroom dynamics. A master’s in education offers the skills and knowledge base for teaching on the secondary level and adult education. The basics of leadership and curriculum and instruction methodology are also covered on the master’s level.

There is yet a deeper level of analysis, theory, research, and leadership study provided in the doctoral education program. Communication strategies are vital on this level as an executive in the education field will encounter conflicting opinions of teachers, students, parents and fellow administrators. The Doctor of Education program at he University of Phoenix Online includes a class that is designated to strategies in planning and leading change.

As an aspiring Doctor of Education, you will be researching a great deal to prepare for your thesis. You may also study educational theory and many analytical tools as part of the program. This includes computer programs or applications, especially since an administrator’s measuring stick is sadly but commonly, computerized test scores. Quality administrators understand how to incorporate grade improvements, graduation rates, college admissions and attendance levels into a truly comprehensive evaluation.

In the doctorate in education course of study, students will encounter the economics of educations, as administrators need to deal with such things as the school budget. There is a combination of state, federal and local funding focuses that are shifting regularly. Sometimes, funds are given only for specific programs.

Leadership on the local level has little input regarding the amount of funds alloted and therefore must be innovative in the use of the money that does become available. School politics often arise with funding issues.

Individuals that are interested in educational leadership must be prepared for a dynamic and often turbulent career environment. Doctoral programs are fashioned to train educational leaders in the human relations and communication skills that are necessary for a role in educational administration. A doctor of education will have a career of changing roles and ups and downs.

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Earning a Doctorate degree on-line is an easy choice for someone who wants an advanced college education, but also has to balance a family and personal life. A Doctorate degree earned on-line can often be obtained in 2 – 3 years. Many colleges and universities will also take into account a student’s education and work experience which then can be applied to the Doctorate degree saving precious time and money.

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