English Language and Literature Ph.D.: 13.2%
History Ph.D.: 14%
*Statistics for NYU are based on the number of enrolled students and not the number of admitted students. Therefore, expect actual acceptance rates to be slightly higher.
Unfortunately, grad school admissions statistics tend to be more difficult to find than undergrad acceptance rates. But there are ways to search for them — you just have to do a lot of digging and possibly a little reaching out.
Below are our top four methods for finding grad school acceptance rates for the programs you’re applying to.
By far the most reliable resources for grad school admissions statistics are school websites.
Start your search by consulting program and departmental pages, particularly admissions and FAQ pages. Look out for any statistics-related keywords or phrases, such as “admission(s) rates,” “acceptance rates,” “enrollment,” “facts and figures,” etc. Use ctrl+F to move swiftly through large chunks of text.
Not all schools publish grad admissions information online, and those that do don’t always report it in the same way as others. For example, Princeton offers a handy PDF containing acceptance rates for all academic fields of study. On the other hand, Notre Dame gives separate admissions charts for each of its grad programs (which you can access by selecting a program and then clicking “Admissions Statistics”).
Additionally, many schools release admissions statistics without explicitly publishing acceptance rates. In this case, it’s your job to take the statistics provided and use them to calculate an acceptance rate. To find the acceptance rate of a school or program, you’ll need the following information:
The acceptance rate equals the total number of applicants offered admission divided by the total number of applicants and then multiplied by 100, or:
$$\acceptance \rate = {\number \of \applicants \offered \admission}/{\total \number \of \applicants}100$$
Be sure to avoid conflating the number of students who were offered admission with the number of students who accepted their offers of admission. These two concepts sound alike but are actually different. What you’re looking for is the first statistic — that is, the number of admitted students (regardless of whether they decided to enroll).
If you’re having trouble finding admissions statistics by browsing school websites, search on Google for “[Your School] graduate acceptance rate” and see if any relevant school pages appear. While searching for acceptance rates to use in the table above, I consistently swapped “acceptance rate” with similar phrases, such as “admission(s) rate,” “facts and figures,” “student statistics,” “admittance rates,” and “admission(s) statistics.”
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Don’t be afraid to get creative! You can also use phrases like “Ph.D. admissions statistics” or “master’s admissions statistics” to narrow your search even further. Try to think outside the box as you do your research. What are other ways people talk about acceptance rates?
If your school or program doesn’t offer any admissions statistics on its website, go to U.S. News . This website offers official rankings of grad programs as well as lists of the most (and least) selective programs in various fields.
For example, I found a 2016 list of the most competitive online M.B.A. programs and a 2015 list of the most competitive online graduate engineering programs .
If U.S. News doesn’t offer any relevant lists for you to use, try skimming the current grad school rankings to gauge how competitive your program is compared with others in the same field.
One less reliable method for looking up grad school admissions statistics is to look for (unofficial) websites discussing acceptance rates for your school or program.
The Grad Cafe’s admissions results section is a solid place to start. Here, applicants post whether they’ve been accepted, rejected, or waitlisted for grad programs.
Search for your program to get a rough feel for how many acceptances and rejections go out each year. You might notice that certain types of applicants are more active than others. Creative Writing M.F.A. applicants, for example, are prolific posters in winter and spring (during admissions season).
Occasionally, Google itself will provide you with grad school acceptance rates, but this only appears to work consistently for well-known law schools, medical schools, and business schools.
Additionally, while using Google, don’t assume that any acceptance rates that pop up are directly connected to your search terms. For example, when I searched “stanford graduate acceptance rate,” Google gave me this result:
This 4.8 percent acceptance rate is not the acceptance rate for Stanford’s grad programs (what I searched for) but rather the acceptance rate for undergrads. So always cross-check any statistics Google gives you.
You can also consult grad school data websites such as Peterson’s and StartClass . Take their grad school acceptance rates with a grain of salt, though — their data isn’t always verifiable online. If possible, try to compare any data you find on these types of websites with the school websites themselves or U.S. News .
If the internet isn’t giving you the help you need, call or email your schools. Be polite but upfront: ask whether the school calculates acceptance rates for grad programs and where you can find this information online (if available).
If a school refuses to divulge admissions statistics or simply doesn’t report acceptance rates, see if they can give you estimates for how many applications they receive each year, or for how many acceptances they usually extend to applicants in your program.
By this point, you might be wondering how likely it is you’ll actually get into the grad program you wish to attend. After all, acceptance rates are pretty broad — they tell you what everyone’s odds are but not your odds specifically.
Below are three easy steps for determining your odds of getting into grad school, including advice on when it’s better to go for it or choose another program.
First, go to your program’s website and pinpoint the admissions requirements page. Now, ask yourself: do you meet all of the program’s basic requirements? If not, you’ll likely wind up with a rejection (and might not even be able to apply).
However, if you’re still interested in applying, contact the program and ask if they’ll make an exception for you. Your chance of getting accepted is still low, but you’ll at least have your application considered.
If your program strongly recommends qualities you lack, don’t interpret this as an automatic rejection. Sometimes, applicants can make up for deficiencies in other ways. For example, if your undergrad GPA is 3.1 and your program recommends applicants have a minimum 3.2, don’t write off the program — you might still have a shot at getting in as long as the rest of your application is solid.
On the other hand, even if you meet all of a program’s requirements, you’re not necessarily a shoo-in. Remember, all other applicants have met these requirements, too, so you’ll need to find a unique way to make your application stand out.
Your next step is to look up your program’s average GRE scores and GPA to see how your own scores and GPA compare with those of previously admitted applicants.
You can usually find GRE score information on admissions requirements or FAQ pages. You can also search on Google for “[Your School] [Your Program] average GRE scores.” For step-by-step instructions on how to find average GRE scores, check out my article on average GRE scores by school .
For GPAs, you can use the same basic methodology. Check admissions requirements and FAQ pages and use ctrl+F to search for “GPA.” If GPA information is available, you’ll most likely come across minimum GPAs or average GPAs (or both). For more tips on how to find GPA information for your grad schools, read our guide .
Now, compare your own GRE scores and GPA with the averages you’ve found. Below are all possible scenarios and what they mean for you and your odds of getting into the program:
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Now, we get to the final question: do you apply to the program or not? This is a vague question that’s difficult to answer as is. The real questions you should be asking yourself are as follows:
Although acceptance rates and GRE/GPA comparisons are helpful, don’t base your decision to apply solely on how difficult the program is to get into. We can’t know for sure what kind of applicant a grad program is looking for or who they’re willing to make an exception for.
Take a moment to think deeply about how interested you are in this particular program. Be realistic about your chances of getting in — but don’t cross the line into pessimism. If you don’t meet most or all of a program’s expectations and you’re not super invested in it, consider applying elsewhere.
But if you meet some, most, or all of a program’s expectations and you’re extremely interested in enrolling, give the application a go. Remember, it’s totally normal (and even encouraged) to have a few reach schools. Plus, you’ll never get in if you don’t apply!
Grad school acceptance rates quantify for us the selectivity of grad schools and programs. More specifically, acceptance rates tell us what percentage of applicants were offered admission to a particular grad school or program.
With grad school, acceptance rates are often reported for individual schools or programs, not entire universities. Acceptance rates can vary widely depending on program prestige, the type of degree you’re seeking, and how much (or how little) funding a program offers.
Unlike undergrad acceptance rates, grad school acceptance rates are somewhat difficult to locate online. You can look for them using any of the following four methods:
When trying to determine your odds of getting into a program, look at your program’s requirements as well as the average GPA and GRE scores of previously admitted applicants to your program. If your GRE scores and GPA are comparable to those of your program, you have a decent shot at getting accepted. If one or both are lower than your program’s averages, however, you can always try to raise your GRE score with a retake or address your GPA in your statement of purpose.
At the end of the day, what ultimately matters isn’t that you get accepted to a highly competitive grad program but that you make the right decision for you and you alone!
Need help with your grad school application? Learn about the most common grad school requirements and get tips on how to write a grad school CV or resume !
Is your GPA good enough for grad school ? Read our in-depth guide to learn how you can make up for a less-than-stellar GPA and ultimately raise your chances of getting into the school of your dreams.
Do you have to take the GRE for grad school ? When are grad school deadlines ? Check out our guides for answers to these questions and more.
Hannah graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in English and East Asian languages and cultures. After graduation, she taught English in Japan for two years via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel. View all posts by Hannah Muniz
What are the easiest grad schools to get into? Getting into graduate school takes work no matter what school or program you’re applying to, but easier admissions and coursework requirements might make the experience less demanding.
Some factors that can make a master’s program seem easier than others include 100% online classes, no thesis requirement, or a curriculum that isn’t heavily focused on mathematics or science.
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Read on to discover grad programs from various fields of study that are considered less difficult to get into and complete.
While getting into any graduate school takes dedication and work, there are a few things that can make getting into a graduate school easier for most students.
Some factors that can make getting into a graduate school more difficult include a high minimum GPA requirement, a thesis or internship requirement, a high tuition rate, and a low acceptance rate. The easiest graduate schools to get into may not require prerequisites, GRE test scores, or internship experience.
Some master’s programs may be considered easier because they offer a more flexible schedule or major coursework that you’re comfortable with.
Select the program that most interests you to jump to that section of the guide:
You may want to explore your options to decide which program is right for you.
A master’s in accounting can be one of the easiest master’s degree programs for those who have an undergraduate degree in accounting.
While accounting graduate programs involve studying complex formulas and financial concepts, many of these topics are introduced in undergraduate accounting courses. Some topics typically explored include taxation, financial and managerial accounting, and fraud examination. This degree may be useful for mid- to senior-level positions in finance or accounting.
An MBA can help prepare you for a business career as a manager, chief executive officer, or similar administrative role.
A background in business or a similar area of study can be helpful in understanding business and leadership concepts explored in an MBA program. An MBA can be a flexible degree because specializations are usually offered so you can study a certain aspect of business, such as project management or business analytics.
Communication can be one of the easiest masters programs to get into, depending on the school, because it usually doesn’t require a specific undergraduate degree for entry.
Communication graduate programs can be useful for pursuing a career that requires advanced communication techniques, such as marketing manager or public relations manager. Topics typically covered in this program include digital media, mass communication, and public and media relations.
A masters in criminal justice studies criminology and various aspects of crime, such as cybercrime, the justice system, forensics, and crime and justice policies.
Some master’s in criminal justice programs are offered fully online and have accelerated semester schedule options, making the program more flexible. A master’s in criminal justice can be useful for senior-level positions, such as senior correction officer, fraud investigator, federal agent, or criminologist.
A masters degree in education and teaching can help you advance in your career and increase your earning potential. Some education careers that typically require a masters degree include instructional coordinator, dean of students, and principal.
If you currently hold a bachelor’s in education and enjoyed taking the undergraduate coursework required, you might find the courses in a master’s in education easier to complete.
A masters in healthcare administration focuses on the development of leadership skills and practices in the healthcare industry.
Some courses typically offered in this program include organizational behavior, data-driven healthcare management, and legal and ethical issues in healthcare. A master’s in healthcare administration is designed to prepare you for a leadership position in various sectors of the healthcare industry, such as hospital administration, healthcare advocacy, or healthcare consulting.
Some masters in human resources programs are available fully online with a non-thesis track option. Your coursework may review foundational topics relating to HR functions before diving into advanced HR topics related to employment law and ethics, talent management, organizational development, and HR information systems.
This degree can be useful if you want to pursue a leadership position in HR, such as chief HR officer, training and development manager, or HR director.
A masters in human services can introduce you to strategic management practices for human services programs. Financial management, human services program design and evaluation, and social policy and advocacy are a few of the topics that may be studied.
With a master’s in the field, some professionals pursue a career as a human services administrator, human services program director, social and community services manager, or similar leadership role.
An IT masters program builds upon IT fundamentals and concepts typically studied at the undergraduate level. Some topics explored in a master’s in IT program might include IT systems planning and development, database design, and data visualization.
This program may help you develop skills and knowledge in IT and computer science that can be applied to a career in data analytics, IT security, software engineering, or information systems management.
A masters in liberal arts is generally considered a flexible degree program because you have the opportunity to focus your studies on several subjects within the arts and humanities.
This multidisciplinary program may help you develop effective communication, critical reasoning, and problem-solving skills that are essential to a variety of careers. A master’s degree in liberal arts can be applied to numerous industries, such as education, business, or art and entertainment.
A master’s in marketing can be valuable if you’re interested in pursuing a leadership role in the marketing sector of the business environment.
Some careers that may be attainable with this degree include market research analyst, marketing manager, sales manager, and public relations manager. Major coursework for this degree focuses on advanced marketing concepts, such as marketing management, product development, brand management, pricing strategy, and consumer behavior.
A Master of Science in Nursing is generally a career-oriented program that allows current or aspiring nursing professionals to specialize in a specific area of nursing.
Advanced nursing and healthcare topics are the primary focus of major coursework. Some online programs may have in-person residency requirements. An MSN can be useful for many nursing-related careers that typically require a master’s degree, such as advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), nursing educator, or nurse manager.
A masters degree in psychology studies various types of psychology, along with research methods, psychophysiology, and psychopharmacology.
Specializations for this degree are usually available to allow students to concentrate on a specific aspect of psychology, such as industrial-organizational psychology, clinical psychology, or applied developmental psychology. This degree can be useful for many careers in the psychology field that require an advanced degree, such as psychologist, guidance counselor, and clinical social worker.
A Master of Social Work provides an overview of the fundamentals of social work and human behavior before diving into more advanced topics, like research methods for social workers, psychopathology, and social policy.
Most major coursework typically falls under one of the branches of social science. Some careers that typically require a master’s degree in social work or a similar field include school counselor and clinical social worker.
Online masters in sports management degrees introduce students to management strategies and practices relevant to the sports industry.
Some topics that might be explored include sports event and organization management, strategic marketing, sport finance, and facility management. Some careers this degree can be useful for include athletic director, coach, sports event coordinator, and sports facility manager. Non-thesis tracks for this degree are available, which may be completed in less than 2 years.
There are several factors that can influence how easy it is to get into graduate school. To find the easiest graduate schools to get into, you can ask yourself these questions:
Schools often post their acceptance rates online, which is one of the best ways to determine how easy it is to get into the school. Schools with a low acceptance rate are more competitive than schools with high acceptance rates. A high acceptance rate is generally considered at least 50% or higher. This means that at least half of the students who applied were admitted.
Other factors to consider are admissions requirements. Some schools have more rigorous admissions requirements than others. For example, some degree programs require students to hold a specific undergraduate degree to be admitted.
Admissions requirements can differ between graduate schools, but these are some basic requirements you may encounter:
The most basic admissions requirements that nearly every grad school will have include an undergraduate degree and official transcripts.
Some schools may have additional requirements, such as a minimum GPA or standardized test scores. While not all schools request them, many graduate schools also ask for letters of recommendation and a personal statement.
Accreditation is an important factor to consider no matter what degree you want to pursue. Colleges and universities can choose to seek regional accreditation from a regional accrediting agency. Accredited institutions are recognized as offering quality educational services and resources.
Accreditation can be important for graduate school admissions eligibility, employment opportunities, financial aid eligibility, and overall assurance that you’re receiving a quality education. You can search the US Department of Education ’s school database to find accredited postsecondary institutions.
When narrowing down your list of easy graduate schools to get into, affordability can play a key role. To determine if you’re eligible for federal aid, such as student loans, you can submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) through the US Department of Education.
Many schools offer financial assistance to students who demonstrate financial need based on their FAFSA results. Your state may also use these results to determine your eligibility for any state aid opportunities. Financial assistance for college can come in many forms, including loans, grants, work-study programs, employer programs, and scholarships.
The level of difficulty to get into grad school can vary and ultimately depends on the school and program of study. Some graduate schools have more rigorous admissions requirements, such as GRE test scores, an admissions interview, or a high minimum GPA. Is it hard to get into grad school ? Grad schools that are considered hard to get into generally have low acceptance rates.
Easy grad schools to get into typically have high acceptance rates. Some also do not require additional admissions criteria outside of the basic requirements of a bachelors degree and official transcripts.
While every school is different, here are some things graduate admissions offices often look for when considering prospective students:
So, what do graduate schools look for in applicants? If a personal statement is required, graduate schools usually want to know what your interests are and how they relate to the program you’re applying for. Grad schools may also take any relevant work experience you have into consideration. Official transcripts are used to review academic performance and relevant coursework.
There are low GPA masters programs available. A satisfactory GPA score for many graduate programs is a 3.0 or higher. But, there are master’s programs that set the minimum GPA requirements at 2.5 or lower.
While having a low GPA may limit your choices, there are still grad schools that accept students with a lower GPA. There are also other opportunities in the application process—such as in a statement of purpose or letters of recommendation—where you can highlight your academic achievements and strengths.
Some masters degrees that are considered less difficult and can lead to high-paying careers include those in communication, education, human resources, business administration, and information technology.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , here are the median annual salaries of high-paying careers that may be attainable with a master’s degree:
Salary ranges and job availability can vary depending on your chosen industry, level of education, work experience, employer, and location.
Yes, grad school is worth it for many students. Earning a masters degree may demonstrate to employers that you have the skills and abilities to perform specialized tasks or take on additional responsibilities.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for professionals with a master’s degree is lower compared to professionals with an undergraduate degree or no college experience. There are also many graduate degree careers that are expected to have a faster or much faster than average job growth rate over the next ten years.
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
The Academy of Art University offers a limited number of online graduate programs for students seeking a career in the arts. The school does not require GRE or GMAT scores or letters of recommendation to apply. A master’s degree can potentially be earned in just 4 semesters. Many courses are asynchronous or available via Zoom.
Academy of Art University is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission.
Bellevue University does not require test scores from graduate applicants. To apply, prospective students must hold a 2.5 GPA in the last 60 credits of their bachelor’s degrees. A graduate degree may be earned fully online through asynchronous courses. Many courses are taken in an accelerated format, and there are start dates offered throughout the year.
Bellevue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Brigham Young University does not require test scores or letters of recommendation for graduate applicants. Students must complete an ecclesiastical endorsement and hold a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA. Students may be able to complete most of their courses in an online or blended format. Graduate programs are offered in athletic training, chemical engineering, and educational leadership.
BYU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Letters of recommendation and GRE and GMAT scores are not required to apply to Colorado Technical University’s graduate program. The program requires students to have a 2.0 baccalaureate GPA. A graduate degree may be completed fully online or in a hybrid format. Fields of study offered include criminal justice, healthcare management, and computer science.
Colorado Technical University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Many of DePaul University’s graduate programs have no test score requirements and only require a 2.5 undergraduate GPA.
DePaul offers several graduate degrees that may be earned in online or hybrid formats. Most programs offer start dates four times per year, with courses offered in the fall, winter, spring, and summer. Fields of study offered include game programming and artificial intelligence. DePaul University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.
Grand Canyon University does not require students with baccalaureate GPAs of 2.8 to submit test scores. Those with lower GPAs may be admitted with qualifying GMAT or GRE scores. Grand Canyon University offers convenient graduate programs with online and evening classes for working students. Programs are offered in urban ministry, addiction counseling, forensic science, and more.
GCU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Most graduate programs at Herzing University require a 2.7 baccalaureate GPA and a graduate interview to apply. GRE and GMAT scores are typically not required. Herzing offers online graduate degrees in four industries: nursing, healthcare, behavioral health, and business. There are multiple start dates offered throughout the year.
Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Maryland Global Campus requires graduate applicants to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Most programs allow students to enroll and start earning their first 6 credits as long as official baccalaureate transcripts are submitted before the last day of the first term of enrollment. Graduate degrees may be earned in online or hybrid formats. Courses follow a semester schedule. Fields of study offered include cybersecurity management and policy, transformational leadership, and cloud computing systems.
UMGC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Wayne State College does not require graduate applicants to submit GMAT or GRE scores. The school offers several graduate degrees at an affordable tuition rate. All courses are fully online. Courses follow a semester schedule and are offered in the fall, spring, and summer. Many courses are asynchronous. Studies are offered in business administration, special education, and more.
Wayne State College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Weber State University only looks at a student’s last 60 hours of undergraduate credit or their GPA in specific courses for graduate admission.
The school offers graduate programs in fully online and hybrid formats. Most courses follow a semester schedule. Fields of study offered include radiologic sciences, taxation, nursing education, and systems engineering.
Weber State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Whether you’re interested in advancing in your field or pursuing a career that requires a graduate degree, earning an online master’s degree could help you work toward your goals.
There are many reasons why a graduate school could be considered easy to get into, such as them having less strict admissions requirements, greater affordability, or a high acceptance rate. Depending on your chosen field of study, online programs may offer more flexibility that makes it easier to get your graduate degree.
You can take your first steps toward getting a graduate degree by researching accredited schools and online programs that best support your interests and career goals.
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I'm a student at a small LAC, and I'm considering to apply to both math and physics PhD programs. In my school, which is top 15 but do not have large (20 students in each dep.) or well-known departments for either of these fields, students did significantly better on physics PhD admission than on math PhD admission. For math, many students go instead to master's, and only one or two students can make top 40~70 PhD program per year. For physics, some students went to Caltech, Columbia, UCSB, and other high ranked programs in the last year, which was just as usual. A similar phenomena seem to happen not only in my school. Mathgre.com and Physicsgre.com list applicant profiles and admission results for each PhD program, and they show a similar tendency. For example, students accepted to top pure math PhD programs are exclusively those who got nearly 4.0 GPA, took many grad-level courses, had a significant amount of research experience and come from an undergrad institution with a renowned PhD program. On the other hand, students accepted to top physics PhD programs have more diversity in GPA, their undergrad institution, number of grad-level courses taken and amount of research experience.
What causes this difference? Or is my view wrong? If this difference actually exists, I think the following factors are among the causes:
Also, how about the situation when it comes to pure math vs. hep-th in the U.S.?
This is an attempt to gather some data supporting or refuting your hypothesis (or rather a slightly different one). Ideally, we would like a direct comparison of admission rates at top places, but I could only find limited data on admissions rates, so let me start elsewhere. At any rate, some of this data may be of interest.
The annual number of bachelor's degrees in physics is about 8000. From the AMS's annual survey , this number for math is about 28,000. This suggests there may be a lot more PhD program applicants for math. However, I don't have data separating out which math degrees are on a math ed track (or similarly for physics, though I guess the numbers are much greater for math ed), and these people are unlikely to pursue PhDs.
What about actual numbers of PhD students? I didn't see 1st year PhD numbers in physics for recent years but this slightly dated data puts it around 3000 new grad students in physics/astronomy (with about 93% aiming for PhDs), whereas the AMS annual survey has around 3600, and around 5000 if you include masters programs. (Stats and biostats is separate with around 2000, I guess including masters.) These statistics also say the number of physics versus math phd's awarded in recent years are pretty similar (about 1500-1600 for physics compared to 1400 for math). So there may be many more "potential" PhD applicants in math, but both math and physics students seem to compete for roughly the same number of slots in grad programs. (I don't know about how many of the PhD enrollments were domestic BS/BA holders, but we might guess the numbers are comparable as about 54% of enrollments were US citizens.)
So the above data tenuously supports your hypothesis. Can we check this with some actual admission rates?
For physics schools, this website has grad school admission rates. For top schools, the admissions rate seems to be around 10-15% (though Penn State seems to be an anomaly). Unfortunately, I don't know such a nice tool for math schools, but a few math departments mention their admission rates. Northwestern is around 17% (about the same as for their physics program, 16.4%). Notre Dame's is around 20% (a little lower than their 26% for physics).
These were all I could easily find and I'm afraid it's not enough to make any real conclusions, but I might speculate that top math phd programs are only somewhat more competitive than top physics ones if at all. (And in terms of undergrad research experience, I would guess that's more common in physics than in math.)
Edit: One qualitative issue for why you're seeing what you're seeing could be that top schools in math get lots of applications and if an admissions committee isn't familiar with a department, it doesn't know how to evaluate a transcript or the letters of recommendation from there, so it will tend to play it safe and accept students from places it's more familiar with. This is one reason why it's very helpful for students at small, relatively unknown schools to do programs like REUs (or a master's first) where a letter writer from there can compare you with a wide range of students. That said, I know many people who have gone straight from small, relatively unknown schools directly to top math PhD programs.
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While graduate school has its fair share of challenges, some of the easiest online Ph.D. and doctorates feature easy fields of study that make the educational journey more enjoyable.
But interested individuals – you, for example – will also find a field of study easy if and when you have a keen interest and abiding passion for it.
Ph.d. in homeland security.
The identification, prevention, and mitigation of domestic terrorism are students’ primary focus in Ph.D. in Homeland Security programs . Students gain advanced skill sets in conducting rigorous research in homeland security and the appropriate applications of their research in real-world settings.
The theory and practices related to homeland security, including policy creation and leadership opportunities, are also discussed.
The curriculum covers a broad variety of topics but still provides deeper insights. The common courses are in emergency management, terrorism strategy, including counterterrorism and intelligence, and issues in critical infrastructure security. Students must formulate solutions to homeland security issues, evaluate the relationships between their causes and effects, and defend their stand on these issues.
While advanced math and science courses aren’t in the curriculum, the intellectual demands placed on students require exceptional critical thinking, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills. These skills are vital in real-world situations where lives are at stake, perhaps even world peace.
Students must have a keen understanding of national and international dynamics, adopt an interdisciplinary approach, and consider the issues from every possible angle.
These approaches become evident in their dissertation or in other culminating projects, which showcase the students’ expert knowledge and skills in their specialization. The skill sets learned during post-graduate studies are valuable in the workplace, too, whether in academia, think tanks, or the Department of Homeland Security.
Many jobs related to homeland security require top-level security clearance and, thus, current students must be careful about maintaining a spotless legal record. These include Secret Service agents, federal air marshals at TSA, and information security agents at the CIA.
Median Pay: $103,590 per year
Job Outlook: 33%
Job Opportunities: Emergency management directors, information security analysts, and information technology specialists
Best Schools: Colorado Technical University , National University , and Liberty University
The Ph.D. in Theology or Theological Studies degree and the Doctor of Theology (Th.D.) are considered equal since both are advanced research degrees. Both also provide students with in-depth training in the Christian ministry including spiritual and professional formation, usually with a strong emphasis on cultural sensitivity.
Students must possess graduate-level English language writing and speaking skills, leadership skills, robust faith, and Christian values.
Many programs offer concentrations that provide more depth and breadth to the student’s body of knowledge. Common concentrations include Old Testament Studies, New Testament Studies, and Theology and Culture, each having specific electives to customize the degree.
Programs may also give different names to the Ph.D. in Theology or Theological Studies, such as Ph.D. in Religion or Ph.D. in Theology and Apologetics, but these share significant similarities.
For one thing, students train to become teachers and scholars through didactic coursework, research, and internships in faith-based organizations. Another thing is that students must strengthen their faith while strengthening their pedagogical knowledge and skills in preparation for careers in academia, ministry, and community service.
The Bible is obviously at the heart of their studies, but students must read diverse learning materials covering Christian theology in theory and practice. Many of these materials also discuss Christianity in less than favorable light and, thus, enable students to see both sides of the coin.
Being accepted into a Ph.D. in Theology program is fairly easy, but you must have a master’s degree in a related field, such as religious studies, theology, or even ancient history. Many programs have less strict admissions criteria, even admitting people outside of the Christian faith.
Median Pay: $90,160 per year
Job Outlook: 2%
Job Opportunities: Post-secondary theology teachers, ministers and pastors, and religious education directors
Best Schools: Regent University , and Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary
The Ph.D. and Doctor of Education (EdD) degrees are terminal degrees for education professionals with career advancement in their sights. Their advanced skill sets, combined with their extensive work experience, make them qualified for leadership positions, such as school administrators, dean of students, and principals.
Curriculum theory and design, quantitative and qualitative methods in education research, instructional design, and technology integration are among the core courses. These courses are intended to enable students to deepen their understanding of the theories and practices, including their social, moral, and intellectual implications of curriculum development.
Students also learn to design, develop, implement, evaluate, and modify curricula based on the changing needs in education.
Since the dissertation is the ultimate graduate requirement, students must also take it to heart and apply various quantitative and qualitative methods in education research. These include multivariate data analysis, statistical inference, interview and case studies, document analysis, ethnography, data collection, analysis, and presentation techniques.
In a globalized world, students must also develop their interest in the diversity of education, including its subcultures, perhaps incorporating it into their dissertation.
These technical skills are all well and good, but the best education leaders also possess transferable skills that make them stand out! Patience, perseverance, and empathy are among the personal traits of effective teacher-leaders and effective communication and critical thinking skills. Charisma is a bonus if you have it!
The challenge lies in the many reading materials students must complete to comply with the assignment and examination requirements. But if you’re into reading, it shouldn’t be a big deal, not to mention that you will learn a lot.
Median Pay: $97,500 per year
Job Outlook: 8%
Job Opportunities: Instructional designers, academic deans, and department chairs
Best Schools: Texas Tech University , Texas A&M University , and Georgia Southern University
These doctorate degrees are the exception to the rule because students must possess a comprehensive understanding of advanced mathematics and economics.
But for students who love solving math-based problems with real-world applications! Their relative ease is due to the absence of advanced science courses that, in many ways, make a doctorate in finance not exactly rocket science.
There are several similarities between the Ph.D. in Finance degree and the DBA with a Finance concentration degree. Full-time students can take between four and five years to complete their academic requirements, including the dissertation. Both also tackle various finance-related subjects and qualitative and quantitative research methods.
The coursework includes corporate finance, microeconomic theory, statistics, and international finance.
However, the Ph.D. in Finance degree has a more theoretical approach with an emphasis on research, including the development of business knowledge.
Students push for cutting-edge theories in the ever-evolving marketplace while also learning pedagogy to educate tomorrow’s finance leaders. There’s a greater emphasis on the analytical perspective, not on the operational viewpoint that an MBA provides. Professionals who want to become university professors and researchers are more suitable for this degree.
The DBA in Finance degree has a more hands-on practical perspective about finance in particular and business in general. The emphasis is on vocational training for effective applications in real-world settings, less on theory and research. Graduates are then qualified for leadership positions in the corporate world but are also accepted as faculty members in business schools.
Median Pay: $83,660 per year
Job Outlook: 6%
Job Opportunities: College professors, monetary policy experts, and researchers at think tanks
Best Schools: University of Georgia , Liberty University , and National University
Accounting professionals pursue a Ph.D. in Accounting degree to increase their opportunities for career advancement, including their earning potential.
Accountants with a doctorate are qualified for leadership positions in corporate management, finance, and academia, meaning that it’s a degree suitable for both career advancement and change. In general, it can take at least four years to earn the degree, and it costs more than $18,000 per year in prestigious universities.
But there are silver linings, from the scholarships, employer waivers, and assistantships to the increase in competitiveness for plum positions. Ph.D. programs in accounting programs also don’t have advanced math and science courses, so their programs of study are easier to manage than, say, doctorate degrees in aeronautics and engineering.
A Ph.D. in accounting is also a preparation for licensure as a certified fraud examiner, public accountant, and management accountant.
But this isn’t to say that a Ph.D. in Accounting degree is easy-peasy either! Students must have a comprehensive background in accounting, including a master’s degree in accounting or a related field. Sufficient work experience in accounting is also a common admission requirement, aside from the GRE/GMAT scores, letters of recommendation, and personal statements.
Students must also be keen on conducting independent and original research highlighted in an approved dissertation. Since it’s a Ph.D. degree, the dissertation is at the heart of the studies and its culmination. The curriculum includes courses in advanced statistics, accounting theory and research, corporate governance, and microeconomic theory.
Many programs offer concentrations that allow students to become specialists. The popular concentrations are forensic accounting, public accounting, audit accounting, managerial accounting, and accounting information systems.
Median Pay: $134,180 per year
Job Outlook: 17%
Job Opportunities: Chartered financial analysts, certified management accountants, and certified fraud examiner
Best Schools: Capella University , Florida Atlantic University , and Walden University
Students in doctorate in entrepreneurship degree programs are risk-takers whose willingness to find innovative solutions improves business performance.
Their program of study covers topics on finding and exploiting business opportunities, developing and controlling business plans, and leading businesses. Intellectual property, market research and strategies, and networking are also emphasized due to their impact on business success.
The Ph.D. program is the best preparation for students interested in careers as analysts, researchers, policymakers, and teachers. The curriculum emphasizes rigorous research that contributes to existing knowledge and advances entrepreneurship as a discipline. Their research and academic contributions make entrepreneurship an attractive option for many people.
The DBA with Entrepreneurship concentration degree is a practitioner-based degree, meaning students prepare for careers in business. These include practicing entrepreneurs, venture analysts, and business consultants whose expert business knowledge and skills are evident in their body of work, including their businesses and portfolios.
While their curricula don’t contain advanced math and science courses, these are demanding degree programs, too! You must be intellectually curious, possess excellent communication skills and a strong work ethic, and be willing to take risks. The rigorous academic training will also challenge your intellect and determination, open your eyes to the possibilities, and stimulate your creativity.
Ph.D. students work with faculty advisors to generate excellent dissertations worthy of being published in entrepreneurship journals, such as Leadership Quarterly. DBA students may or may not have dissertation requirements to meet due to the practitioner focus of the degree.
Instead, many programs require a capstone project that highlights their potential for success as entrepreneurs or consultants.
Median Pay: $87,660 per year
Job Outlook: 14%
Job Opportunities: Management consultants, university professors, and think tank researchers
Best Schools: Walden University , Regent University , and University of Oklahoma
Many education leaders have either a Ph.D. or an EdD in Educational Leadership and Management because of its rigorous training! Their leadership positions include academic deans, provosts, presidents of universities, K-12 principals, and school superintendents.
Their advanced education included leadership theory and practices, university and community relations, and curriculum design and management.
Ph.D. students, however, are more adept at research and scholarly activities due to their programs’ emphasis on the dissertation as the culminating requirement. EdD students have more practitioner training that can be applied to the broad variety of issues encountered in the classrooms, faculty rooms, and boardrooms of schools.
Nonetheless, both types of doctorate students may take between three and four years to earn the degree, although the number of credits will vary.
Concentrations are offered in many programs, including K-12 schools or higher education. Aside from the electives, these concentrations share several common topics, including law, finance, and communication. Other topics include learning technologies, innovation, and international education, which provide students with useful insights into the emerging trends in education.
Aside from the dissertation, students may also be required to complete an internship and a capstone project. If you want to have an easier time, you may consider non-dissertation programs that require a capstone project or an internship instead.
Nova Southeastern University’s EdD in Educational Leadership program with its Strategic Research Project (SRP) option instead of the traditional dissertation is a prime example.
Median Pay: $97,500 per year
Job Opportunities: College provosts, principals, and school superintendents or administrators
Best Schools: Drexel University , Trident University , and Indiana State University
Human services professionals are dedicated to providing useful and meaningful assistance to individuals in crises, such as homeless people and other people in need.
Their assistance enables their clients to become self-sufficient individuals in the long term, usually through skills training and referrals to community services and resources. Indeed, theirs is a job that positively impacts
Students in Ph.D. and EdD in Human Services programs work or are qualified to work in housing and employment agencies, public safety and emergency relief organizations, and educational institutions. Non-profit organizations are as popular as government agencies and private entities, too.
The Ph.D. in Human Services programs have a more research-focused curriculum culminating in a dissertation . The EdD in Human Resources programs, in contrast, have a practice-based approach, a common thread in EdD programs in all fields of study.
Both, however, emphasize effective leadership in contemporary human services, be it as researchers, teachers, or practitioners with hands-on exposure.
Courses include organizational leadership, enabling students to make informed leadership decisions and learn advanced research methodology. Advanced Math and science courses are absent from the curriculum, but students have plenty of learning materials to read, summarize, and present.
Rote memorization isn’t encouraged since the ultimate learning outcome is leading human services-related research and projects – meaningful insights with practical applications are more appreciated.
Concentrations may be offered, with common ones being gerontology (services for the elderly), family studies and intervention, crisis and intervention, mental health services, and emergency relief in crises and disasters.
Median Pay: $107,680 per year
Job Opportunities: CEO and directors of non-profit organizations, post-secondary teachers, social and community service managers
Best Schools: Nova Southeastern University , University of Arizona , and Houston Baptist University
The beauty of a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice degree lies in its expansive career options , with its holders being qualified for both theory-based and practice-based occupations. Students learn the ropes of the criminal justice system on the graduate level and, thus, become adept at addressing the current issues in the field.
Many programs also offer concentrations intended to advance the knowledge and skills of professionals in a specific specialization. The popular choices are juvenile justice, criminal justice policy, and homeland security. All of these are considered useful for career advancement purposes.
Online programs also make it easier for working professionals to balance their personal and professional commitments through asynchronous technologies.
Regardless of concentration, these programs adopt a multidisciplinary approach since criminal justice has several disciplines from which it draws its body of knowledge. The typical curriculum includes sociology, public policy, behavioral psychology, and organizational leadership, their theories and practices.
Relevant courses also include policy creation and analysis in criminal justice, homeland security policy, and emergency management.
Again, there is no rocket science-level math and science coursework, but students must set aside time for reading voluminous learning materials. Students must have effective reading skills, including skimming and seeing the lessons in a new light and gaining insights from them.
Critical thinking and communication skills are a must since criminal justice issues are among the most complicated in our society.
Most programs consist of 50-75 credits for completion, including coursework, capstone projects, and dissertation. The degree can be earned in five years, minimum, for full-time students.
Job Outlook: 33%
Job Opportunities: Post-secondary teachers, police chiefs, and homeland security administrators/information security analysts
Best Schools: Saint Leo University , California University of Pennsylvania , and Nova Southeastern University
Students in Ph.D. programs in public policy must possess strong critical thinking, analytical thinking, and communication skills because of the interdisciplinary curriculum. The social science-centric doctorate enables students to create positive social change through effective, responsive, inclusive political action.
Public policy professionals are also in the right position to shape and influence regulatory policy, train policy advocates, and research the impact of public policies.
With their formal education, Ph.D. in Public Policy degree holders are qualified for leadership positions in academia, research organizations, and public policy and administration entities. Keep in mind that since it’s a research-centric Ph.D. degree, its professionals are likely to be more effective at research and teaching than in practice-based positions.
Then again, practice-based expertise in public policy can be learned with a Ph.D. degree and work experience.
The core of a Ph.D. in Public Policy program is the dissertation, where each candidate becomes a capable, independent researcher by the end of the research project. The coursework won’t be a challenge to students with less than stellar skills in advanced math and science subjects – there are none of these subjects.
However, the coursework on globalization and development, social policy, environmental policy, and health policy, among others, is as challenging as it is stimulating for persons with considerable intellect.
Concentrations further narrow the scope of study and enable candidates to become specialists in one of the areas of public policy. Examples include politics and institutions, economics, science, technology, and policy studies.
Median Pay: $125,350 per year
Job Outlook: 9%
Job Opportunities: Political scientists, university professors, and policy analysts
Best Schools: University of Maryland , Old Dominion University , and Tennessee State University
Sixty-nine APA-accredited programs offer doctorate degrees in counseling psychology or psychological studies across the United States. Many of these programs offer a research-centric Ph.D. degree. Others offer the Professional Doctorate of Psychology (PsyD) degree , emphasizing clinical practice using applied psychology.
Graduates of both types are eligible to apply for licensure as psychologists. Clinical supervisors, rehabilitation counselors, and marriage and family therapists are other possible licenses.
The Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology is a terminal degree that aspiring and current counseling researchers, counseling educators, and clinical supervisors find suitable for career advancement.
The program of study emphasizes the development of specialist knowledge through the completion of independent research, known as a dissertation. A faculty advisor typically guides the research project, but the candidate performs all the work toward its completion.
Many programs require their candidates to become interns in clinical settings or other field experiences in addition to the dissertation and publishable paper.
While the combination of academic coursework, comprehensive exam, dissertation and paper, and internship seems too much to handle, it doesn’t have to be! These are all typical aspects of Ph.D. programs in any field, and there are effective ways of successfully dealing with them while maintaining your overall health.
Besides, students admitted to Ph.D. programs already have significant work experience in counseling psychology and other related fields! The rigorousness of Ph.D. training isn’t new, especially for students with a master’s degree, but the insights are new and, thus, challenging and stimulating. Students also choose to enroll part-time, meaning there are fewer courses to tackle and fewer demands on their time.
Median Pay: $82,180 per year
Job Opportunities: Clinical supervisors, marriage and family therapists, and rehabilitation counselors
Best Schools: Adams State University , Hampton University , and Texas A&M University
Community health workers, public health administrators, and public health advocates will benefit from the advanced Ph.D. and Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree programs ! Students can perform graduate-level scientific research while also promoting public health.
Graduates find many opportunities as medical and health services managers, epidemiologists, and public health professors. Combined with extensive work experience and leadership skills, these professionals have a profound influence on creating and changing the state of public health, too.
Ph.D. and DrPH degree programs may have different approaches, but their time-to-completion ranges from three to seven years. The number of credits varies, too, between 40 and credits. In terms of approach, the Ph.D. degree emphasizes qualitative and quantitative research expertise, while the DrPH degree is for practitioners.
In the case of DrPH professionals, their duties include promoting public health awareness in schools, organizations, and communities and developing, implementing, and evaluating public health practices.
Core coursework covers epidemiology, preventive medicine, biostatistics, and health policy topics. The culminating requirements are a dissertation and publishable paper for Ph.D. candidates and a special project for DrPH candidates.
In either case, the culminating requirement must pass rigorous standards, among the most challenging aspects of doctorate studies. The voluminous learning materials are also challenging, but students who love reading and learning will find it easier.
Median Pay: $91,510 per year
Job Outlook: 17%
Job Opportunities: Epidemiologists, medical and health services managers, biostatisticians, and medical scientists
Best Schools: Johns Hopkins University , Walden University , and Pennsylvania State University
Most students in Ph.D. in Public Administration programs are already involved in public administration work in government agencies and non-profit organizations.
However, their desire for leadership positions and other career advancement purposes motivate them to pursue a graduate degree. The desire to influence laws, policies, and practices in public administration through impactful research is also a common reason.
There’s a widely held view that it’s an easier degree because of the absence of advanced STEM courses, and it’s true, but it also has its academic challenges. The core coursework covers a broad range of financial management and budgeting in the government sector, strategic planning and management, and stakeholder relations.
Ethics and social justice, performance management and evaluation, and networked governance are also common courses.
Quantitative and qualitative research methods are also discussed in preparation for their application in the dissertation process. The dissertation typically explores a specific issue and offers solutions based on the evidence gathered.
Students may choose from concentrations, but not all programs offer them. Popular concentrations are in public management, ethical leadership, analytics, and non-profit management, and each concentration has its specific set of graduation requirements.
The ethical leadership concentration, for example, enables candidates to address the most controversial and critical issues in public administration. The analytics concentration explores data as a resource and its environment, data modeling, and the database approach, all of which are crucial to more insightful expertise in data management.
The beauty of a Ph.D. in Public Administration degree is the abundance of career opportunities in public administration, from the local to the federal levels.
Median Pay: $86,200 per year
Job Outlook: 25%
Job Opportunities: Operations research analysts, government affairs directors, and policy analysts
Best Schools: Liberty University , University of Illinois Springfield , and Valdosta State University
Students in doctorate in adult and lifelong education programs prepare for career advancement in organizations that provide adult literacy programs. These organizations include community and non-profit entities, government agencies, colleges, and universities, many of which provide free services to their clients.
These wide-ranging services include post-secondary education, military education, and continuing professional education.
The coursework varies between Ph.D. and EdD programs, with Ph.D. programs being more research-focused and EdD programs focused more on practitioner training. However, these programs share core courses that include strategic planning and program evaluation, program planning, policy studies, supervision and professional development, and teaching and learning.
Ph.D. candidates also dive deeper, so to speak, into graduate-level qualitative and quantitative research methods for their dissertation.
Students learn various skills, too, including:
Professionals with an EdD in Adult and Lifelong Education degree are passionate about these aspects, too! Adult education also plays a crucial role in our society’s advancement because it allows adults to gain new knowledge, skills, and values.
As a result, adults become more productive citizens and enjoy a better quality of life. Research conducted into adult education contributes to improving adult education theories and practices.
Median Pay: $55,350 per year
Job Outlook: 5%
Job Opportunities: Adult educator, community-based education and development worker, post-secondary professor
Best Schools: Kansas State University , Michigan State University , and Ball State University
The Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics degree enables candidates to conduct high-level research into the structure and rules of languages. Note that candidates may be required to learn one or more foreign languages in addition to the academic coursework, seminars, and dissertations.
The foreign language requirement boosts the candidates’ job prospects as interpreters/translators, ESL professors, and community development workers abroad.
The requirement for foreign language can be satisfied in many ways. For candidates whose first language isn’t English, proficiency in the language satisfies it. For native English speakers, a demonstration of foreign language competency is typically required.
Linguistics is considered a scientific subject but don’t worry as there are no rocket science-level math and science subjects in the Ph.D. programs. Instead, candidates ask critical questions about current issues and test hypotheses about the studied languages.
The role of language in various settings, from the societal level to the growth of children and adults at the individual level, is also studied. Candidates also study the structural parts of languages, including grammar, semantics, and phonetics.
While Ph.D. programs provide candidates with a comprehensive linguistics background, candidates are also provided with the opportunity for specialization. Concentrations are intended to enable candidates to gain specialist expertise in second language acquisition, linguistics theory, historical linguistics, language variation, and sociolinguistics. Candidates enroll in major and elective courses according to their chosen concentration, but their culminating requirement is an approved individual dissertation.
Job Outlook: 5%
Job Opportunities: ESL teachers, interpreters and translators, and college professors
Best Schools: University of Memphis and University of Mississippi
What makes these online doctorate degrees the easiest.
Earning a doctorate in any field of study demands passion for the subject and perseverance against the challenges. But some factors make it less difficult to achieve! These 15 areas of study were chosen for the following reasons:
Again, your choice of a doctorate program must be aligned with your personal and professional interests, career trajectory, and financial capability.
While every program has its unique learning outcomes, curriculum, and graduation requirements, the typical doctorate program consists of four academic components:
Comprehensive exams are also a common requirement to advance to doctoral candidacy status.
Consider that doctorate programs generally require higher financial outlay due to the higher number of credit hours required for completion. There are also factors like the costs of the dissertation, particularly the research-related expenses, and the money spent on meeting technological requirements.
Students usually buy their computers and required accessories, pay for their Internet connection, and shoulder other study-from-home expenses.
Tuition costs are the most pressing issue when pursuing an online doctorate! Be sure to check the tuition per credit hour and determine its relative affordability in your case. But don’t forget to include the cost of e-books and textbooks, student fees, and other charges that make up the cost of attendance.
There’s also the matter of tuition fees increasing yearly. Since a doctorate can take three to five years, it’s a substantial monetary investment. Scholarships, grants, and assistantships will lead to significant reductions in the financial burden, so be sure to check out every opportunity.
In 2022, the average cost of a doctorate varies between $98,800 and $114,300, depending on the type of degree and school. Be aware that post-graduate students have an average student loan debt of $108,400 at the time of their graduation.
With your doctorate, you must prove that, indeed, you’re an expert in your field of study! You may or may not call yourself a doctor, but you can put the appropriate abbreviation after your name, such as Ph.D. or EdD. You will find that these abbreviations are a ticket toward a wide range of careers, many of which only professionals with doctorate degrees can follow.
Your career options include but aren’t limited to the following:
With your terminal degree, you should be able to forge a career that’s as unique as your educational achievements and professional skills! You also have many opportunities to impact your students, clients, and peers positively, perhaps even change the world.
While only a handful of careers require a Ph.D. or a professional doctorate, these are among the most competitive! Since every applicant possesses a doctorate, the competition may boil down to whoever has the upper hand – and it can be subjective criteria, to boot.
With that said, here are a few examples of careers where a doctorate is a must.
These are all well-paid positions, too, with career advancement opportunities that individuals with bachelor’s and master’s degrees can only dream of!
If you enjoy studying a subject, even when others find it challenging, it’s a pleasure and a privilege! It’s also a point of pride among the small percentage of adults who earn doctorate degrees! The prestige, opportunity for career advancement, and respect from others make the seemingly endless studying worth every minute, too.
For graduates of online Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and doctorate programs, the terminal degree is the pinnacle of their academic career! The financial benefits that come with it, particularly the higher median weekly pay ($1,743) and low unemployment rate (1.5%), are the cherry on top. Indeed, education pays, with studies showing that the more you learn, the higher your earnings and the more secure your job can be!
Furthermore, individuals with doctorate degrees are more likely to contribute more to society’s progress, from paying more taxes to more engagement in civic activities. Their effective access to health, housing, and education services also benefit their families, particularly quality of life and educational opportunities.
Emphasis must be made on the differences between a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and a professional doctorate (e.g., EdD), and these differences will influence your decision. The Ph.D. degree is known as the “research degree” because of its emphasis on the dissertation independent and original research that students complete with the guidance of their faculty advisor.
Graduates of Ph.D. programs usually find employment as professors and researchers in universities, corporations, and think tanks. Professional doctorate degrees are “applied degrees” because their holders apply their knowledge and skills in real-world situations, although participation in research projects is also common.
Like the Ph.D. programs, professional doctorate programs also require student-led research but with another culminating requirement (e.g., a special project or portfolio) .
While every individual with a bachelor’s or master’s degree can pursue a doctorate, not everybody will thrive and benefit from it! You must have an enthusiastic interest in the promotion of advanced knowledge in whatever specific field of study you’re interested in studying.
You must also be willing and able to perform graduate-level academic research to contribute new ideas and findings to the existing body of knowledge.
Your time management skills, overall health, and financial health will also be tested in these easy doctorate degrees and thus, you must plan and be ready for these challenges. In doing so, your journey toward earning a doctorate becomes easier!
Additional Resources:
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Back in May, Noah wrote about the amazingly good deal that is the PhD in economics. Why? Because:
Of course, such a good deal won’t last long now that the story is out, so you need to act fast! Since he wrote his post , Noah has received a large number of emails asking the obvious follow-up question: “How do I get into an econ PhD program?” And Miles has been asked the same thing many times by undergraduates and other students at the University of Michigan. So here, we present together our guide for how to break into the academic Elysium called Econ PhD Land:
(Note: This guide is mainly directed toward native English speakers, or those from countries whose graduate students are typically fluent in English, such as India and most European countries. Almost all highly-ranked graduate programs teach economics in English, and we find that students learn the subtle non-mathematical skills in economics better if English is second nature. If your nationality will make admissions committees wonder about your English skills, you can either get your bachelor’s degree at a—possibly foreign—college or university where almost all classes are taught in English, or you will have to compensate by being better on other dimensions. On the bright side, if you are a native English speaker, or from a country whose graduate students are typically fluent in English, you are already ahead in your quest to get into an economics PhD.)
Here is the not-very-surprising list of things that will help you get into a good econ PhD program:
Chances are, if you’re asking for advice, you probably feel unprepared in one of two ways. Either you don’t have a sterling math background, or you have quantitative skills but are new to the field of econ. Fortunately, we have advice for both types of applicant.
Fortunately, if you’re weak in math, we have good news: Math is something you can learn . That may sound like a crazy claim to most Americans, who are raised to believe that math ability is in the genes. It may even sound like arrogance coming from two people who have never had to struggle with math. But we’ve both taught people math for many years, and we really believe that it’s true. Genes help a bit, but math is like a foreign language or a sport: effort will result in skill.
Here are the math classes you absolutely should take to get into a good econ program:
Here are the classes you should take, but can probably get away with studying on your own:
Linear algebra (matrices, vectors, and all that) is something that you’ll use all the time in econ, especially when doing work on a computer. Multivariable calculus also will be used a lot. And stats of course is absolutely key to almost everything economists do. Differential equations are something you will use once in a while. And real analysis—by far the hardest subject of the five—is something that you will probably never use in real econ research, but which the economics field has decided to use as a sort of general intelligence signaling device.
If you took some math classes but didn’t do very well, don’t worry. Retake the classes . If you are worried about how that will look on your transcript, take the class the first time “off the books” at a different college (many community colleges have calculus classes) or online. Or if you have already gotten a bad grade, take it a second time off the books and then a third time for your transcript. If you work hard, every time you take the class you’ll do better. You will learn the math and be able to prove it by the grade you get. Not only will this help you get into an econ PhD program, once you get in, you’ll breeze through parts of grad school that would otherwise be agony.
Here’s another useful tip: Get a book and study math on your own before taking the corresponding class for a grade. Reading math on your own is something you’re going to have to get used to doing in grad school anyway (especially during your dissertation!), so it’s good to get used to it now. Beyond course-related books, you can either pick up a subject-specific book (Miles learned much of his math from studying books in the Schaum’s outline series ), or get a “math for economists” book; regarding the latter, Miles recommends Mathematics for Economists by Simon and Blume, while Noah swears by Mathematical Methods and Models for Economists by de la Fuente. When you study on your own, the most important thing is to work through a bunch of problems . That will give you practice for test-taking, and will be more interesting than just reading through derivations.
This will take some time, of course. That’s OK. That’s what summer is for (right?). If you’re late in your college career, you can always take a fifth year, do a gap year, etc.
When you get to grad school, you will have to take an intensive math course called “math camp” that will take up a good part of your summer. For how to get through math camp itself, see this guide by Jérémie Cohen-Setton .
One more piece of advice for the math-challenged: Be a research assistant on something non-mathy . There are lots of economists doing relatively simple empirical work that requires only some basic statistics knowledge and the ability to use software like Stata. There are more and more experimental economists around, who are always looking for research assistants. Go find a prof and get involved! (If you are still in high school or otherwise haven’t yet chosen a college, you might want to choose one where some of the professors do experiments and so need research assistants—something that is easy to figure out by studying professors’ websites carefully, or by asking about it when you visit the college.)
If you’re a disillusioned physicist, a bored biostatistician, or a neuroscientist looking to escape that evil Principal Investigator, don’t worry: An econ background is not necessary . A lot of the best economists started out in other fields, while a lot of undergrad econ majors are headed for MBAs or jobs in banks. Econ PhD programs know this. They will probably not mind if you have never taken an econ class.
That said, you may still want to take an econ class , just to verify that you actually like the subject, to start thinking about econ, and to prepare yourself for the concepts you’ll encounter. If you feel like doing this, you can probably skip Econ 101 and 102, and head straight for an Intermediate Micro or Intermediate Macro class.
Another good thing is to read through an econ textbook . Although economics at the PhD level is mostly about the math and statistics and computer modeling (hopefully getting back to the real world somewhere along the way when you do your own research), you may also want to get the flavor of the less mathy parts of economics from one of the well-written lower-level textbooks (either one by Paul Krugman and Robin Wells , Greg Mankiw , or Tyler Cowen and Alex Tabarrok ) and maybe one at a bit higher level as well, such as David Weil’s excellent book on economic growth ) or Varian’s Intermediate Microeconomics .
Remember to take a statistics class , if you haven’t already. Some technical fields don’t require statistics, so you may have missed this one. But to econ PhD programs, this will be a gaping hole in your resume. Go take stats!
One more thing you can do is research with an economist . Fortunately, economists are generally extremely welcoming to undergrad RAs from outside econ, who often bring extra skills. You’ll get great experience working with data if you don’t have it already. It’ll help you come up with some research ideas to put in your application essays. And of course you’ll get another all-important letter of recommendation.
And now for…
Here is the most important tip for everyone: Don’t just apply to “top” schools . For some degrees—an MBA for example—people question whether it’s worthwhile to go to a non-top school. But for econ departments, there’s no question. Both Miles and Noah have marveled at the number of smart people working at non-top schools. That includes some well-known bloggers, by the way—Tyler Cowen teaches at George Mason University (ranked 64th ), Mark Thoma teaches at the University of Oregon (ranked 56th ), and Scott Sumner teaches at Bentley, for example. Additionally, a flood of new international students is expanding the supply of quality students. That means that the number of high-quality schools is increasing; tomorrow’s top 20 will be like today’s top 10, and tomorrow’s top 100 will be like today’s top 50.
Apply to schools outside of the top 20—any school in the top 100 is worth considering, especially if it is strong in areas you are interested in. If your classmates aren’t as elite as you would like, that just means that you will get more attention from the professors, who almost all came out of top programs themselves. When Noah said in his earlier post that econ PhD students are virtually guaranteed to get jobs in an econ-related field, that applied to schools far down in the ranking. Everyone participates in the legendary centrally managed econ job market . Very few people ever fall through the cracks.
Next—and this should go without saying— don’t be afraid to retake the GRE . If you want to get into a top 10 school, you probably need a perfect or near-perfect score on the math portion of the GRE. For schools lower down the rankings, a good GRE math score is still important. Fortunately, the GRE math section is relatively simple to study for—there are only a finite number of topics covered, and with a little work you can “overlearn” all of them, so you can do them even under time pressure and when you are nervous. In any case, you can keep retaking the test until you get a good score (especially if the early tries are practice tests from the GRE prep books and prep software), and then you’re OK!
Here’s one thing that may surprise you: Getting an econ master’s degree alone won’t help . Although master’s degrees in economics are common among international students who apply to econ PhD programs, American applicants do just fine without a master’s degree on their record. If you want that extra diploma, realize that once you are in a PhD program, you will get a master’s degree automatically after two years. And if you end up dropping out of the PhD program, that master’s degree will be worth more than a stand-alone master’s would. The one reason to get a master’s degree is if it can help you remedy a big deficiency in your record, say not having taken enough math or stats classes, not having taken any econ classes, or not having been able to get anyone whose name admissions committees would recognize to write you a letter of recommendation.
For getting into grad school, much more valuable than a master’s is a stint as a research assistant in the Federal Reserve System or at a think tank —though these days, such positions can often be as hard to get into as a PhD program!
Finally—and if you’re reading this, chances are you’re already doing this— read some econ blogs . (See Miles’s speculations about the future of the econ blogosphere here .) Econ blogs are no substitute for econ classes, but they’re a great complement. Blogs are good for picking up the lingo of academic economists, and learning to think like an economist. Don’t be afraid to write a blog either, even if no one ever reads it (you don’t have to be writing at the same level as Evan Soltas or Yichuan Wang ); you can still put it on your CV, or just practice writing down your thoughts. And when you write your dissertation, and do research later on in your career, you are going to have to think for yourself outside the context of a class . One way to practice thinking critically is by critiquing others’ blog posts, at least in your head.
Anyway, if you want to have intellectual stimulation and good work-life balance, and a near-guarantee of a well-paying job in your field of interest, an econ PhD could be just the thing for you. Don’t be scared of the math and the jargon. We’d love to have you.
Update: Miles’s colleague Jeff Smith at the University of Michigan amplifies many of the things we say on his blog. For a complete guide, be sure to see what Jeff has to say, too.
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Should you pursue a masters or a PhD , it will still take several years to complete your degree, even if you are accepted to one of the easiest PhD programs to get into. You could be spending up to seven or eight years of your life pursuing a PhD, only to end up scratching your head thinking about how to transition from academia to industry or how to get a job after grad school . However, if you’re convinced you have the passion, patience, time, and resources to pursue a PhD and see it as a way to advance your career or professional ambitions, then you should read this article to find out more about how to find a postdoc , the easiest PhD programs to get into and how to apply.
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Easiest phd programs to get into, 1. adams state university – doctor of philosophy (phd) in counselor education and supervision (ce&s).
This is an online program offered by Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado. Students must complete 6 credit hours per semester, for up to 3 to 4 years. The entirety of the course is done online, but students are also required to participate in a one-week summer residency every year of their program at the Adams State University campus. This program is easy to get into because you do not need to submit GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores to be considered.
You do need to submit a letter of intent, so you would be better off reading about how to write an effective statement of intent before submitting your application. The length of the letter should be between 3–4 pages and address a series of questions like:
You will also be asked to submit reference letters and a CV; all graduate students should know how to write a CV for grad school , as it is a common requirement for entry into graduate programs. Applicants with a master’s degree in counseling who also hold state certification to work as a counselor in their home state are given preference.
Admission Requirements
UTEP offers several doctorate programs in areas such as biosciences, civil engineering, and business administration, but those programs have several high-level admissions requirements like submitting GRE scores and mastery of complicated subjects like statistics and mathematics. However, the PhD in English Rhetoric and Composition only requires either:
Students who apply with only a bachelor’s degree must first complete the Master of English Rhetoric and Composition at UTEP. They need to complete the six-credit course requirement and present a master’s thesis. After completing their master’s, they continue to complete the PhD program requirements.
Successful students are given up to eight years to complete the degree, but they may receive their PhD sooner as long as they satisfy the 45–51 credit hours required to obtain the degree. What makes this degree attractive is not only the academic requirements, but the many career opportunities afforded graduates who can apply their degree to fields as diverse as education, business, and government.
Prescott College is a private university in Prescott, Arizona, that has a near 99% acceptance rate for all programs, including the newly created PhD program in Sustainability Education. This near perfect acceptance rate stands in contrast to much lower medical school acceptance rates , which are often in the single digits. This PhD program is interdisciplinary and blends disciplines like pedagogy, environmental science, and social justice studies.
The other aspects of the program that make it attractive are the fact that there are few admissions requirements. Students do not have to submit any GRE or GMAT scores. Neither do they have to pay any application fees. Successful applicants can choose to take classes part-time, if they have other responsibilities, but the entire class format is online, which is another accommodation to mature or professional students.
Similar graduate sustainability education programs in the US and Canada last for up to 4 years, but Prescott College does not mention how long their program lasts. The small class size and experienced faculty also make this PhD program an option for someone who wants to pursue research in environmental sustainability, with career options ranging from becoming faculty or working as a sustainability officer for businesses and government.
Contact the program director directly to find out more about admission requirements and other information.
The Rackham Graduate School at the University of Michigan offers a 7-year PhD in Anthropology that has relaxed admission requirements, like not requiring students to take or submit GRE scores or any other standardized graduate school exams. But the program has other requirements, such as the documentation listed below.
Prospective students do not need a master’s degree to apply, but they must have at least a bachelor’s degree. However, students can complete a master’s while on the PhD track. The PhD program has an acceptance rate of 4.6%, so it is one of the easier PhD programs to get into, given that prospective students do not have to take any standardized tests or have a graduate degree.
UTK offers several PhD level programs, but the PhD in sociology is one of the easiest PhD programs to get into since applicants do not need to take the GRE. All successful students must choose from one of the four core concepts to complete the sociology degree, which are:
Students explore each aspect of their chosen subject, which all have their unique credit and non-credit requirements to complete the degree. Along with this first area of study, students must choose a second area of study revolving around social theory or statistics. All students must complete a minimum of 27 credits or 9 courses within each core concept and take another 12 elective credits or 4 courses in one of the other four concentrations, a foreign language course, a graduate certificate in statistics, or a science minor.
If accepted, students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 throughout the duration of the program and meet academic benchmarks established by them and the sociology department. The school does not state the length of the program, but all students must pass comprehensive exams in one of the four main concepts, write a dissertation, and present and defend it orally to complete the degree requirements.
This PhD program gives students seven years to complete all the degree requirements but does not require that they take the GRE or submit GRE scores no older than five years for admission. Some of the admissions requirements are document-based, meaning students must submit several types of writing to qualify.
All applicants must have at least a 2.75 undergraduate GPA, which is much lower than the typical 3.0 that most PhD programs require, to be considered. They must also have an undergraduate or master’s degree. The written requirements include submitting one of the following, with a maximum word count of 1500 words:
Students must also submit a Reasons Statement, in which you are encouraged to talk about the entirety of your background, such as why you are pursuing a PhD, your interests and background in the field, skills and training, and academic honors or awards.
Aside from the above written samples, prospective students must also submit a graduate CV and three letters of recommendation. There are no specific requirements for who must write the letters, but the letter writers are encouraged to write about the candidate’s past experiences and how they connect to the school’s PhD program.
There are as many persuasive reasons to pursue a PhD as there are not to pursue one. If you want to know how to find a PhD topic or program, this article has outlined a few examples of some of the “easiest” PhD programs to get into. But completing a PhD is another matter. There are no “easy” PhD programs to complete since they all take years of hard work and dedication. Ultimately, the easiest program for you will be one you are completely immersed in and thoroughly enjoy; focusing on why the program is a great fit is a winning strategy when preparing your application materials.
One reality you have to confront is that the attrition rate for most PhDs is somewhere between 36–51% across a variety of fields and disciplines ranging from the arts and humanities to engineering and life sciences. The other thing you should know – and something all PhD admission consultants should tell you – is that pursuing a PhD is an all-encompassing commitment that will take over your life. As discussed above, program lengths are measured in years (minimum of five) and there are few guarantees that, if you do finish, you will be able to reap the rewards, at least in the short term.
Another growing demographic comprises people who complete all the requirements to obtain a PhD (coursework, credits) but fail on the most crucial element: writing and defending a dissertation. These students are known as “all but dissertation” and are forced to explain to prospective employers why they failed.
As if actually completing the degree wasn’t hard enough. the labor market is not always welcoming to PhDs either. High-level positions in government and academia often filled by PhDs are not plentiful, and other industries will require skill sets that PhD graduates typically do not have, such as managerial or organizational knowhow.
Whether you benefit from obtaining a PhD in the end depends on many factors, like your field and whether you’re an expert in an in-demand profession (computer science, bioengineering, engineering). While many graduate students enter doctorate programs to secure financial stability, other students are interested purely in acquiring knowledge and researching a topic or subject that they are passionate about. For these students, getting a PhD and all the attendant aspects (learning, investigating, writing) have an inherent value, so the less-than-stellar employment prospects or salary gains are not a priority. That’s not to suggest they are not mindful of the real-world costs of a getting a doctorate; rather, they are willing to put in the effort to fund their studies by applying for grants, working as part-time faculty or securing public or private loans, and accepting the bare-bones lifestyle of many graduate students.
More Employment Opportunities
PhDs do make more money than other degree types, like masters, but not by a lot. Some studies say PhDs earn up to $13,000 more than lower degree-holders, but it is more complicated than that. Those earnings only start to show after decades. Master’s graduates have a head-start on PhDs and enter the workforce much earlier than PhD students, so they start saving and earning more.
PhDs may have more employment opportunities open to them, in either academia or the private sector, but starting salaries for PhDs top out at $50,000. Moreover, by the time PhD graduates start looking for jobs, master’s graduates have already ascended to senior or executive positions earning six figures and more. Positions that offer starting six-figure salaries also do not often require candidates to have PhDs, giving master’s graduates yet another advantage.
Life-Long Research and Learning Opportunities
Money isn’t everything. Many PhD students are not motivated by financial gain or opportunity but are simply passionate about exploring and investigating a particular field for a lifetime. Funding this research is always a concern, but one component of becoming a PhD is learning how to write grant applications or fundraise in other ways that are essential to keeping research projects going.
Learning Valuable Skills
Skills like grant writing, fundraising, and networking are good to have if you want to know how to find a job in academia , and there are private sector companies that value them as well, but PhDs should also try to incorporate other skill sets into their toolkit. If they are interested, they can pursue dual-degree programs that pair a PhD with another degree type like an MBA or a medical degree, such as an MD-PhD program . They can also seek out professional development courses that prepare them for entering the workforce once they complete their degree, if they decide to go into the private sector.
Becoming an Expert
Some of the allure of a PhD is the authority it gives in a specific topic or subject, which means you are someone who is regularly sought out by various sectors and industries for expert advice. Being the foremost expert in a particular field can unlock many opportunities, but your specialty determines how much you can earn or what those opportunities are.
You can find that your expertise suddenly falls out of favor, like all the hundreds of Soviet physicists who had nothing to do once the USSR defunded the space program. But the opposite can also happen. Think of all the previously anonymous MDs and PhDs who became household names during the COVID-19 pandemic because they were experts in virology, immunology, or epidemiology.
The easiest PhD programs to get into are not the easiest ones to complete. Ultimately, if you are thinking about entering a PhD program, you need to weigh the benefits (potentially higher earnings, more employment opportunities, expert-level education) of pursuing the degree and the disadvantages (significant investment of time and money, uncertain job market, lost earnings). Go into the project with eyes open and a topic you want to study for many years, and your PhD experience will be much easier.
There is no easy answer. If you are someone who wants to pursue a particular line of investigation that requires years of observation and experimentation, then getting a PhD may seem like a natural path. But if you are more concerned about raising your earning potential or seeking more senior positions, in general, a master’s degree checks all those boxes without having to invest so much time and money.
Any PhD program that does not require applicants to submit standardized test scores (GRE or GMAT) or have a master’s degree is generally easier to get into than other programs, but these programs have their own requirements, which could involve anything from writing personal statements and letters of intent to one-on-one interviews.
All PhD programs are different, and they can variously require applicants to have a master’s degree, GRE or GMT scores above 300, and demonstrated aptitude in various fields, especially if you are pursuing a PhD in the sciences or engineering. There are also written requirements like submitting letter of intent, research resume , and a record of other notable academic or non-academic achievements.
The answer is yes and no. Over many years, your education and training will pay off as you slowly start to pull away from other degree types in terms of salary. But it will take many years. During this time, other degree holders can attain higher positions and salaries that are comparable to yours, thereby negating any future gains.
The duration of every PhD program is different, but the minimum length of most PhD programs is six years. Some schools have degree time limits – six or seven years, in some cases – meaning you must complete the program and present your dissertation by the time limit or be ejected. Master’s degrees, in comparison, usually take only about two years to complete.
If you are wondering whether you need a master’s or PhD to apply to medical school s, the answer is no. However, if you are applying as a non-traditional medical school applicant who has a master’s or doctorate in another field, it can help improve your medical school application.
The assumption is that PhD graduates generally do very well in the labor market. They do have low unemployment rates when compared to other degree holders. But one obstacle PhD graduates run into is having “surplus schooling”; in other words, they are over-qualified for a majority of positions. Only 2% of positions in the labor market require a PhD, which is one thing to remember if you are thinking about pursuing a doctorate.
The cost of a five-year degree ranges between $150,000 and $200,000, but there are some PhD programs that provide full funding as well as a stipend. PhD students also work as teaching assistants for up to two years and can apply for grants or secure other funding sources like federal aid loans.
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How to make your grad school application stand out, (and avoid the top 5 mistakes that get most rejected).
COMMENTS
I'm an undergrad in mathematics. Recent events mean that I unexpectedly must graduate at the end of the upcoming school year. I hoped to take yet another year after, so as to have the best shot possible at getting into a Ph.D. program. That said, I still hope to try and get in somewhere. Unfortunately I don't have a very strong case for ...
0. Roughly: good grades (3.8+ GPA) in difficult courses, good test scores (80+ percentile on math GRE subject test [not the regular GRE math, which you should get a ~perfect score on without studying]), strong research background and good letters corresponding to it. That will get you into schools in the top ~30.
Walden University was named first in the USA for PhD Education graduates. This is one of the easiest PhD programs to get into, as the University has an acceptance rate of 100%. It is also one of the shortest PhD programs in the field, offering a fast-track option that allows you to transfer up to 50% of your total credits and finish the program sooner.
willxujun. How competitive is math PhD admission for TOP 50 US schools? My background is unconventional. I graduated with B.Eng computer engineering with a math minor. I have a year of real analysis, abstract algebra and linear algebra at introductory level. My results are okay, 4.76/5 overall and so far all A's in maths, except an A- in ...
Yale University. New Haven, CT. #8 in Mathematics (tie) Save. 4.6. A graduate degree in mathematics can help students hone their skills in a specialty area, from algebra and number theory to ...
Maybe the program has all their TA positions tied up with current students who haven't finished yet, or maybe not. Maybe a dean wants to grow the program, etc. Many of these things you just can't know. Most likely, you won't get into MIT, Harvard, Princeton, or Stanford. But once you get into the 20s, 30s and below, the outlook is less clear.
Its PhD in Applied Mathematics is an interdisciplinary program that emphasizes mathematical modeling and computer simulation. The teaching staff is drawn from various disciplines, including engineering, computing, social, and biological sciences. Courses: Real analysis, algebra, and topology-geometry. Units: 47.
Guide to Graduate Studies. The Ph.D. program of the Harvard Department of Mathematics is designed to help motivated students develop their understanding and enjoyment of mathematics. Enjoyment and understanding of the subject, as well as enthusiasm in teaching it, are greater when one is actively thinking about mathematics in one's own way.
17 Top Schools for a Doctorate in Math. 1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Cambridge, MA. 26 Annual Graduates. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a doctor's degree in mathematics.
The typical tuition fee for a PhD in Maths in the UK is £4,407 per year for UK/EU students and £20,230 per year for international students. This, alongside the range in tuition fees you can expect, is summarised below: Situation. Typical Fee (Median) Fee Range.
We've also included a look at minimum GPA because the lower the accepted grade of a school for any program, the easier it may be to get into. This information is based on College Scorecard data. * Sponsored schools. School Name. Acceptance Rate. Minimum GPA. New England College. 100%. 2.75.
Mathematics graduate programs are looking for good grades in upper level courses, like Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra, and Real Analysis. There are no placement exams for that level of study. Or if there are, it's not standard. A PhD program in the US will also start with about 2 years of courses before you jump into research.
It is extremely hard to get into a PhD program in Mathematics. For example, the Harvard PhD acceptance rate is 4.59 percent and the University of Wisconsin has a zero percent PhD acceptance rate over a five-year median. ... Getting a PhD in Mathematics is not an easy task. Students need to learn different math courses, some of which require ...
Many applicants have completed a course in real analysis. This means that undergraduates thinking about graduate school in economics should take 1-2 mathematics courses each semester. About half of the students entering PhD programs in economics earn a Master's degree beforehand. Many shore up their math preparation during this period.
A PhD in Nursing is available through East Carolina University. All coursework is fully online. The low-residency program requires campus visits for immersive experiences for the first 2 years. GRE or GMAT scores are not required to apply. The program offers concentrations in Nursing Education and Nursing Leadership.
For example, in 2016 University of Michigan's math doctoral program had a 17.2 percent acceptance rate, whereas its master's program had a much higher 31.8 percent rate. In this case, the doctoral program is clearly tougher to get into than the master's program.
Herzing University. Most graduate programs at Herzing University require a 2.7 baccalaureate GPA and a graduate interview to apply. GRE and GMAT scores are typically not required. Herzing offers online graduate degrees in four industries: nursing, healthcare, behavioral health, and business.
The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardized test meant for students who intend to apply to graduate programs. Both MA and PhD programs ask for GRE scores. Much like the SAT or ACT in college exams, the test is meant to be a standardized measure of academic preparation and logical skill. The test consists of six sections.
In my school, which is top 15 but do not have large (20 students in each dep.) or well-known departments for either of these fields, students did significantly better on physics PhD admission than on math PhD admission. For math, many students go instead to master's, and only one or two students can make top 40~70 PhD program per year.
Being accepted into a Ph.D. in Theology program is fairly easy, but you must have a master's degree in a related field, such as religious studies, theology, or even ancient history. Many programs have less strict admissions criteria, even admitting people outside of the Christian faith. Median Pay: $90,160 per year.
4+ weeks before your first deadline, email and/or talk to your potential letter writers to let them know you would like to request a letter of recommendation for PhD programs (or REUs or whatever). Potentially set up a meeting to discuss the process with them. Be polite, respectful, organized, and efficient.
Here are the math classes you absolutely should take to get into a good econ program: Linear algebra; Multivariable calculus; Statistics; Here are the classes you should take, but can probably get ...
Easiest PhD Programs to Get Into. 1. Adams State University - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counselor Education and Supervision (CE&S) This is an online program offered by Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado. Students must complete 6 credit hours per semester, for up to 3 to 4 years. The entirety of the course is done online, but ...