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  • Writer's pictureCaleb Kaltenbach

US Distance Learning Ph.D. Programs

Updated: May 19


This post on distance learning includes Ph.D. and D.A. (Doctor of Arts) degrees that can be earned through dissertation-only, independent studies, mentoring models, modular/intensive weeks, once-a-month courses, online, reading courses, self-paced study, synchronous courses/live-streaming, weekend courses, and hybrid (a combination of all the above).


There’s an increase in new professional/practitioner-oriented doctorates. Examples include the Doctor of Criminal Justice, Doctor of Emergency Management, Doctor of Forensics, Doctor of Global Leadership, Doctor of Strategic Leadership, etc. There’s also been a slight re-emergence of the Doctor of Science degree (e.g., New Jersey City University, Jacksonville State University, etc.). While someday I want to blog on new practitioner degrees, please note that I’m choosing not to list practitioner doctorates. Also, the Doctor of Business Administration and Doctor of Social Science degrees are omitted even though these degrees can be seen as equivalents to a Ph.D. (depending on the school).


***Depending on the concentration, some Ph.D. concentrations might be listed more than once.


Enjoy and check back often, as I will be updating this list often.


Aerospace

Architecture

Applied Behavior Analysis

Biblical Studies, Theology, Ministry

Business, Leadership, Management, Organizational Psychology/Development

Communication

Communication-Related, Marketing, Media

Criminal Justice, Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Management

Economic Studies, Finances, Philanthropy

Education

Education- Age Specific, Reading, Literacy

Education- Curriculum & Instruction

Education- Educational Leadership

Education- Educational Psychology

Education- Educational Technology

Education- Higher Education Leadership

Education- Policy, Students, Advising

Education- Special Education

Engineering

Exercise Science, Physical Science, Kinesiology, Sports, Nutrition

Fine Arts- Media, Film, Performing Arts

Health-Related

History

Hospitality, Fashion

Human Resource-Related

Human Services, Community Engagement, Family Studies

Humanities, Interdisciplinary Studies, Liberal Studies, English, Literature

Information Systems & Technology, Computer Science

Intercultural Studies, Cultural Studies

International Studies

Library Science

Mathematics

Music

Nursing Parks & Recreation

Psychology (Psychology-Related)

Psychology- Counseling, Marriage & Family

Psychology- Counselor Education & Supervision

Public Administration, Public Policy

Science- Biology, Physics

Science- Agriculture, Earth Sciences, Environmental Studies, Geography

Social Science, Sociology, Social Work

Technology



Aerospace

The University of Alabama

Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering & Mechanicals


University of North Dakota

Ph.D. in Aerospace Sciences

Architecture

Morgan State University

Ph.D. in Architecture, Urbanism & Built Environments


University of Missouri- Columbia

Ph.D. in Architectural Studies

Applied Behavior Analysis

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis


Endicott College

Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis


Simmons University

Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis



Biblical Studies, Theology, Ministry

***See my post entitled U.S. Distance Learning Ph.D. Programs in Leadership, Ministry, Bible, and Theology

Business, Leadership, Management, Organizational Psychology/Development

***See my post entitled Distance Graduate Degrees in Leadership, Management, and Organizational Psychology

Communication

Liberty University

Ph.D. in Communication


Regent University

Ph.D. in Communication


University of North Dakota

Ph.D. in Communication



Communication-Related, Marketing, Media

American University (Washington D.C.)

Ph.D. in Communication


Clemson University

Ph.D. in Rhetorics, Communication & Information Design


Idaho State University

Ph.D. in Rehabilitation & Communication Science


Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Ph.D. in Media & Communication Studies


Texas Tech University

Ph.D. in Technical Communication & Rhetoric


University of Alabama

Ph.D. in Communication & Information Sciences

Criminal Justice, Security, Emergency Management

Dakota State University

Ph.D. in Cyber Defense


Keiser University

Ph.D. in Criminal Justice


Liberty University

Ph.D. in Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice & Homeland Security, or Public Policy & National Security Policy


Nova Southeastern University

Ph.D. in Criminal Justice or Cybersecurity Management


Oklahoma State University

Ph.D. in Fire and Emergency Management Administration


Texas A&M International University

Ph.D. in Criminal Justice


University of North Georgia

Ph.D. in Criminal Justice

Economic Studies, Finances, Philanthropy

Indiana University

Ph.D. in Philanthropic Leadership


Kansas State University

Ph.D. in Personal Financial Planning


Liberty University

Ph.D. in Public Policy and Economic Policy


University of Scranton

Ph.D. in Accounting

Education

Biola University

Ph.D. in Educational Studies


Claremont Graduate University / San Diego State University

Ph.D. in Education


Johns Hopkins University

Ph.D. in Education


Lesley University

Ph.D. in Educational Studies (Individually Designed)


Regent University

Ph.D. in Education


Seattle Pacific University

Ph.D. in Education


Trinity International University

Ph.D. in Educational Studies


Union Institute & University

Ph.D. in Educational Studies


University of Arizona- Global Campus

Ph.D. in Education


University of Idaho

Ph.D. in Education


University of North Dakota

Ph.D. in Educational Foundations & Research


Utah State University

Ph.D. in Education (various concentrations available)

Education- Age Specific, Reading, Literacy

Clemson University

Ph.D. in Learning Sciences or Literacy, Language & Culture


Concordia University- Chicago

Ph.D. in Leadership & Early Childhood Education -or- Leadership in Reading, Language & Literacy


East Tennessee State University

Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education


Georgia State University

Ph.D. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education


New Mexico State University

Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction (majors- Bilingual/TESOL, Critical Pedagogies, Early Childhood Education, and Language, Literacy & Culture)


St. John University

Ph.D. in Literacy


The State University of New York- Albany

Ph.D. in Literacy


Texas Woman’s University

Ph.D. in Reading Education


University at Buffalo- The State University of New York

Ph.D. in Curriculum, Instruction, & the Science of Learning


University of Wyoming

Ph.D. in Literacy Education

Education- Curriculum & Instruction

Andrews University

Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction


Concordia University- Chicago

Ph.D. in Leadership and Curriculum & Instruction


Grand Canyon University

Ph.D. in Psychology- Cognition & Instruction (Qualitative or Quantitative)


Kansas State University

Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction


Keiser University

Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction


Liberty University

Ph.D. in Education, Curriculum & Instruction -or- Advanced Educational Studies, Curriculum & Instruction


Mercer University

Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction


The State University of New York- Albany

Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction


Texas Tech University

Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction


Texas Woman’s University

Ph.D. in Child Development & Early Education


University of Toledo

Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction


University of Wyoming

Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction

Education— Educational Leadership

Andrews University

Ph.D. Educational Leadership

Columbia International University

Ph.D. in Educational Leadership


Concordia University- Chicago

Ph.D. in Leadership & Educational Leadership -or- Leadership & Teacher Leadership


Hampton University

Ph.D. in Educational Management


Indiana State University

Ph.D. in Educational Administration


Keiser University

Ph.D. in Educational Leadership


Liberty University

Ph.D. in Advanced Educational Studies & Educational Leadership -or- Higher Education, Administration & Educational Leadership, or Education & Organizational Leadership

Mercer University

Ph.D. in Educational Leadership & P-12 School Leadership


Old Dominion University

Ph.D. in Educational Leadership


Pacific University- Oregon

Ph.D. in Education & Leadership


Purdue University

Ph.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies


Texas Tech University

Ph.D. in Educational Leadership Policy


Texas Woman’s University

Ph.D. in Education, Leadership & Organization


University of Kentucky

Ph.D. in Educational Leadership


University of Nebraska- Lincoln

Ph.D. in Educational Studies and Educational Leadership & Higher Education


University of North Texas

Ph.D. in Educational Leadership


University of Texas- Arlington

Ph.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies

Education- Educational Psychology

Grand Canyon University

Ph.D. in Psychology- Cognition & Instruction (Qualitative or Qualitative)


Michigan State University

Ph.D. in Educational Psychology & Educational Technology


Texas A&M University-Commerce

Ph.D. in Educational Psychology


Texas Tech University

Ph.D. in Educational Psychology

University of South Dakota

Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychology in Education: Human Development & Education Psychology


The University of Tennessee- Knoxville

Ph.D. in Educational Psychology & Research


University of Washington

Ph.D. in School Psychology

Education- Educational Technology

Concordia University- Chicago

Ph.D. in Leadership and Educational Technology


Georgia State University

Ph.D. in Instructional Technologies


Grand Canyon University

Ph.D. in Psychology- Educational Technology Integration (Qualitative or Quantitative)


Keiser University

Ph.D. in Instructional Design & Technology


Liberty University

Ph.D. in Advanced Educational Studies and Instructional Design & Technology or Education and Instructional Design & Technology


Michigan State University

Ph.D. in Educational Psychology & Educational Technology


Mississippi State University

Ph.D. in Instructional Systems & Workforce Development


Old Dominion University

Ph.D. in Education, Industrial Design & Technology -or- Education & Technology Education


University of Hawaii- Manoa

Ph.D. in Learning Design & Technology


University of North Texas

Ph.D. in Learning Technologies


University of Wyoming

Ph.D. in Learning, Design & Technology

Education- Higher Education Leadership

Andrews University

Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration


Azusa Pacific University

Ph.D. in Higher Education

Colorado State University

Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership


Concordia University- Chicago

Ph.D. in Leadership and Higher Education


Hampton University

Ph.D. in Educational Management


Indiana State University

Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership


Kansas State University

Ph.D. in Adult Learning & Leadership


Lesley University

Ph.D. in Educational Leadership


Liberty University

Ph.D. in Education and Organizational Leadership, Higher Education Administration & Educational Leadership -or- Higher Education Administration & Student Affairs


Mercer University

Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership


Mississippi State University

Ph.D. in Community College Leadership


Old Dominion University

Ph.D. in Community College Leadership


Texas Tech University

PhD. in Higher Education


Troy University

Ph.D. in Global Leadership & Higher Education


University of Kentucky

Ph.D. in Educational Leadership


University of Nebraska- Lincoln

Ph.D. in Educational Studies and Educational Leadership & Higher Education


University of North Texas

Ph.D. in Higher Education

Education- Policy, Students, Advising

Kansas State University

Ph.D. in Leadership in Academic Advising -or- Student Affairs in Higher Education


Liberty University

Ph.D. in Education & Educational Law -or- Public Policy & Education Policy

Oklahoma State University

Ph.D. in Higher Education/Educational Leadership & Policy Studies


Old Dominion University

Ph.D. in Education & Human Resources


Regent University

Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies and Human Services for Student Affairs

Education— Special Education

Concordia University- Chicago

Ph.D. in Leadership and Special Education


Liberty University

Ph.D. in Advanced Educational Studies & Special Education -or- Education & Special Education


Texas Tech University

Ph.D. in Special Education

University of Northern Colorado

Ph.D. in Special Education


University of Toledo

Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction & Special Education

Engineering

Auburn University

Ph.D. in Polymer & Fiber Engineering


Binghamton University- The State University of New York

Ph.D. in Systems Science


Boston University

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering


Carnegie Mellon University

Ph.D. in Electrical & Computer Engineering


Clarkson University

Ph.D. in Civil & Environmental Engineering


Colorado State University

Ph.D. in Systems Engineering


The George Washington University

Ph.D. in Systems Engineering


Johns Hopkins University

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering


Michigan Technical University

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering


Mississippi State University

Ph.D. in Computational Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering (Aerospace, Chemical, Civil, Engineering Education, and Mechanical Education), or Industrial & Systems Engineering


Texas A&M University- College Station

Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Engineering

Old Dominion University

Ph.D. in Engineering Management & Systems


The University of Alabama

Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering & Mechanicals or Mechanical Engineering

University of Alabama- Huntsville

Ph.D. in Industrial & Systems Engineering (Majors: Engineering Management, Industrial Engineering, and Systems Engineering)


University of Maryland

Ph.D. in Reliability Engineering


University of North Dakota

Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering -or- Electrical Engineering -or- Energy Engineering -or- Environmental Engineering -or- Geological Engineering -or- Petroleum Engineering


University of South Carolina

Ph.D. in Civil Engineering -or- Computer Engineering -or- Mechanical Engineering -or- Nuclear Engineering


The University of Tennessee- Knoxville

Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Ph.D. in Systems Engineering

Exercise Science, Physical Education, Kinesiology, Sports, Nutrition

Ball State University

Ph.D. in Human Bioenergetics


Concordia University- Chicago

Ph.D. in Leadership, Health & Human Performance -or- Leadership & Sports Leadership


Drexel University

Ph.D. in Health & Rehabilitation Sciences


Grand Canyon University

Ph.D. in Performance Psychology


Middle Tennessee State University

Ph.D. in Human Performance


Troy University

Ph.D. in Sport Management


University of Houston

Ph.D. in Kinesiology


University of Kentucky

Ph.D. in Physical Science


University of Texas- El Paso

Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences- Kinesiology

Fine Arts- Media, Film, Performing Arts

Liberty University

Ph.D. in Strategic Media


Texas Woman’s University

Ph.D. in Dance


University of the Arts (Philadelphia)

Ph.D. in Creativity


University of Kentucky

Ph.D. in Arts Administration

Health-Related

Azusa Pacific University

Ph.D. in Rehabilitation & Movement Science


Clemson University

Ph.D. in Healthcare Genetics & Genomics


Concordia University- Chicago

Ph.D. in Leadership & Gerontology -or- Leadership, Health & Human Performance


Faulkner University

Ph.D. in Health Sciences


The George Washington University

Ph.D. in Translational Health Sciences


Idaho State University

Ph.D. in Rehabilitation & Communication Science


Liberty University

Ph.D. in Health Sciences (Majors: Exercise & Sport Science or Trauma-Informed Care) or Psychology & Behavior Health Leadership


Nova Southeastern University

Ph.D. in Health Science or Occupational Therapy


Oklahoma State University

Ph.D. in Health, Leisure & Human Performance


Seton Hall University

Ph.D. in Health Sciences


Simmons University

Ph.D. in Health Professions Education


Texas A&M University- College Station

Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences

Texas Woman’s University

Ph.D. in Health Studies or Occupational Therapy


University of Minnesota

Ph.D. in Health Services Research, Policy & Administration


University of North Dakota

Ph.D. in Indigenous Health


University of South Dakota

Ph.D. in Health Sciences


University of Vermont

Ph.D. in Interprofessional Health Sciences (concentrations in Biomedical & Health Sciences, Communication Sciences & Disorders, Integrative Health, and Rehabilitation & Movement Science)


University of Wisconsin- Madison

Ph.D. in Clinical Investigation, Epidemiology, or Population Health


University of Texas- El Paso

Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences


Virginia Commonwealth University

Ph.D. in Health Related-Sciences

History

Florida International University

Ph.D. in History & Atlantic History


George Mason University

Ph.D. in History


Liberty University

Ph.D. in History


University of Florida

Ph.D. in Classical Civilization or Latin & Roman Studies



Hospitality, Fashion

Iowa State University

Ph.D. in Apparel, Merchandising, & Design

Human Resources-Related

Bellevue University

Ph.D. in Human Capital Management


Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Ph.D. in Safety Sciences


Mississippi State University

Ph.D. in Instructional Systems & Workforce Development


Old Dominion University

Ph.D. in Education & Human Resources


Regent University

Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership and Human Resource Development


University of Louisville

Ph.D. in Human Resources & Organizational Development


The University of Texas- Tyler

Ph.D. in Human Resource Development

Human Services, Community Engagement, Family Studies

Concordia University- Chicago

Ph.D. in Leadership & Gerontology


Illinois State University

Ph.D. in Leadership, Equity & Inquiry


Lesley University

Ph.D. in Human Development & Learning


Point Park University

Ph.D. in Community Engagement & Leadership

Regent University

Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies and Human Services Counseling


Texas Tech University

Ph.D. in Family & Consumer Science Education


Texas Woman’s University

Ph.D. in Family Studies


University of Arizona- Global Campus

Ph.D. in Human Services


University of San Diego

Ph.D. in Education for Social Justice


Walden University

Ph.D. in Human Services (M.Phil. or M.S. in Human Services earned en route)

Humanities, Interdisciplinary Studies, Liberal Studies, English, Literature

Amridge University

Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies


Faulkner University

Ph.D. in Humanities