Choose an Online Doctorate Degree with No Dissertation Requirements

Doctoral programs may benefit some people. They may allow you to enhance an existing degree. They may also help you get specific skills in advanced areas. This type of higher education may be necessary for some career paths. Some online doctorate degrees may need a dissertation. However there are other doctorate degrees online that may not need a dissertation, as you may see. For some students, not having to do a dissertation may have benefits.

What Is a Dissertation?

A dissertation is a written document. It is a summary of the research performed. In many cases, it is the final part of a PhD program. It typically has the goal of giving a summary of a student’s doctoral studies. It tends to be the final product made after a course of study. As such, it may be quite extensive. It may be very detailed and time consuming.

Dissertations may be a compilation of skills and info. This includes a combination of practical knowledge and academic skill. Sometimes it is the first time a student is published.

A dissertation is not a thesis. Many times it may include a thesis or hypothesis. Students use the research they conduct to prove this idea. They describe in detail how they prove their hypothesis. This should show important results.

Dissertations are typically technical documents. That is, they are meant for an advanced audience. This audience already knows the basics. They understand the industry. The dissertation goes further. It could give insight and prove a point. This may involve a lot of work. That is why some students may not want to complete them. They may want to focus their time on other areas. These may be areas more important to them. Still, it is important to know what is expected of a dissertation.

Dissertation and Dissertation-in-Practice vs. Applied Project

Dissertation

There are two types of dissertations. One is a PhD program. The other is a professional doctorate degree program. Both are very important. Both are the highest level of degree. They are typically a lot alike. Yet, they may have some differences.

A PhD candidate usually presents their research findings as a dissertation. A professional doctoral candidate does this a bit differently. This is done in a doctoral study format. In either case, a person who earns these degrees are likely an expert in their field. They may be able to switch academic careers. They may be able to pursue a different path.

What you learn matters. What you study matters, too. There are more differences to consider in these programs.

Many PhD programs need a dissertation. Some online doctorate degrees do not need a dissertation. They may have a capstone. Both paths typically need a lot of work. They may need intense study. In many cases, a lot of research is needed. You may need to use research skills. Many students use critical thinking. They may also need writing skills. All this results in a final project in a specific professional area.

Most often, the dissertation needs study of the field. This may include advanced research of the field. It may include various topics or areas of study. This is common. This is what a dissertation tends to be.

Dissertation in Practice

You may hear of a dissertation in practice. This is a bit different. This has the goal of addressing a specific program within practice. A student may study a very specific area of concern within the field. This is sometimes called an applied dissertation.

Consider a degree in healthcare. Some students may focus on a dissertation on the subject as a whole. They typically study the industry. They may gain more skills. This may be to get leadership positions later. It may also be to focus in an area like public health. At the end of the study, you are likely to complete a dissertation. It typically covers  what you’ve learned.

Applied Project

In an applied project, the goal is to look for problems in healthcare. Then, you may research solutions for it. You may research the cause of it. Or, create a new methodology of gathering patient data. You may want to install organizational change because of your studies. Your applied project focuses on this.

Online Doctorate Degree Programs with No Dissertation

Online doctorate programs with no dissertation may be an option for some students. An on campus path to education may be an option for many students. Yet, not everyone hopes to attend full time. Some may plan to enroll part time. Others may want to study at a slower rate while working a job. Online doctorate programs and online doctorate degrees with no dissertation may offer more flexibility to achieve this goal.

Not all online doctorate degrees typically need dissertations. Some may. The credit hours may be different. Doctorate programs may range widely. Terms of availability may differ as well. There is usually a lot of versatility in these programs.

Study your career goals. Determine if a DNP, ABD, or other long term goal needs a PhD program completion. Then, consider whether an online version may help you. You may find some schools offer doctoral students more flexibility in a program like this. It may give you access to the education programs you need to enhance your degree. At the same time, you may study from home.

An online Doctor of Education or Online EDD programs may be out there. There may be options for organization leadership. Some may focus on healthcare. Other online PhD programs are typically in many other areas of study. Your goal is to find out if the area of focus you are looking for is available through online education. Not all are.

What’s a Dissertation Really Worth?

As you consider PhD degrees, you may wonder if there is real value in a dissertation. In any school of education, there are typically benefits to improve or modernize. Some online doctoral degree programs aim to do this. They do so, for example, by not needing a dissertation. Instead, students complete capstone projects. They may engage in more field work. Is this better? That depends on your goals and what you think.

It may be hard to find online doctorate degree programs without dissertation requirements. However, they do exist. You may see that soon. Some newer programs typically do not need them. Applied research projects may be a better fit for some programs. One example is in leadership. Learning key skills for your specific area of study may have a lot of value. In this way, doing this type of learning within a current job may be of benefit to some students. It may take the place of a dissertation, then.

Students have to decide what is right for them. Employers may not be interested in the details. You may not find a dissertation is best for your degree field. In that way, a doctoral capstone project may be the better option. It is a more modern option.

Students should learn what potential employers may expect. In some fields, it may matter more so than others. Do this research before making a decision. This may impact which school to attend. Do this before you pick an online or on campus program, too.

List of Online Doctorate Degree Programs Without Dissertation Requirements

Accreditation may also matter when you choose a school. You may want to think about school rankings. Some students also want to consider an area of focus. You may want to learn as much as you can before choosing a school. This may impact your education goals. Resource guides are available from many schools. These may provide this information. Learn what they are for each school before you choose one.

Below are some of the options to consider. These span criminal justice, education degree, Doctor of Philosophy, and many other areas. Could one help you?

Students may wish to consider schools that fit their goals. These schools are examples that may not need a dissertation. Others may be available. Some schools have more than one program offering this. Compare them all.

Here, we break down some of the school options that offer online doctorate degrees with no dissertation. We also note why they may not need dissertations. This may differ from one program to the next. The course of study is also very fluid. Many doctoral students choose their coursework and study. Many programs are available as full time or part time.