A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a regular full-time program for students who are interested in research and academics. On completing the PhD program, students get the “Dr.” title and a doctoral degree. Usually, it takes around 3 to 6 years to complete the program. Students who are working and want to get their doctoral degree can now enroll in a part-time PhD program. 

Students can also get an honorary PhD online, given to those who have contributed to a specific field. In an honorary PhD online, students aren’t required to clear any examination, coursework, or a dissertation to get this degree. 

Those students who do not wish to do their PhD from a regular, full-time university can enroll in a part-time PhD program. It is an ideal choice for working professionals who want to get a higher degree in PhD but don’t want to leave their jobs. There are many universities that offer part-time PhD program. 

What is an honorary PhD online?

 An honorary degree is a higher academic award who have worked and contributed to societal development. This honorary award is given by many top universities and awarded to eligible candidates from various backgrounds, like leaders, scientists, public figures, etc. An honorary PhD online is different from a regular PhD program, where individuals get the ‘Dr.’ degree after completing their program, which is for 3 to 6 years. Whereas, in an honorary degree, there is no fixed duration. However, the value and recognition received from an honorary degree are similar to a regular PhD degree. 

The award is a symbol of leadership, creativity, and service rather than traditional coursework. Students need to be exceptional in terms of experiments and creativity. The honorary award is given by the universities as it is seen as an admiration for the students and other universities. An honorary degree is a symbol of prestige, which inspires others to pursue the same and make contributions to society. 

Key Highlights of Honorary PhD online

Here are a few highlights of Honorary PhD online- 

• Students will get a doctorate qualification without any prior academic coursework.
• Individuals will receive the “Dr.” title soon after they are qualified from the interview.
• Selected individuals will receive the Honorary award from top universities in convocations or special ceremonies.
• Individuals from diverse backgrounds are recipients of the Honorary award, including artists, social workers, scientists, leaders, and philanthropists. 
• Individuals don’t have to enroll in any courses. 
• On getting their honorary PhD, students will get wider job prospects in their field of specialization.
• Individuals are selected for the honorary award based on their interview rather than other criteria like coursework, dissertation, or viva.

What is the eligibility for an honorary PhD online?

The eligibility criteria for an honorary PhD online are-

• Individuals who have contributed to any specific specialization
• Those who have impactful and exceptional achievements can get an honorary award
• No specific educational requirements are needed to get the honorary degree
• Individuals who have an esteemed reputation in both professional and public life

Honorary PhD online admission process

Students who are interested in getting an honorary PhD online can refer to the following steps- 

• Application submission- Individuals need to apply to the official website of the University. Applications must log in with the required details as asked on the application. On completion of the application, candidates must pay the required fees.
• After Registration – After applying, the University verifies and reviews the candidate’s application. If selected, the candidate will get an initial welcome call and be provided with interview date and time details.
• Interview- The interview will be held online, which usually takes around 1 to 1.15 hours.

On selection, the candidates are selected based on the interview. After clearing the interview, participants will be awarded the degree digitally. They can also prefer to the degree through a convocation too. 

Get  your degree through a Part-Time PhD program

Students who want to get a doctoral degree but do not wish to appear for any entrance examinations can enroll in a part-time PhD program. In a part-time PhD program, students can take classes based on their convenience. It is an ideal choice for students who are working and want to earn a doctoral degree without leaving their jobs. 

A degree through a part-time PhD is considered equivalent to the regular PhD, where students can submit their research within the duration of their PhD. 

Conclusion 

Students who want to get their dream of getting the “Dr.” degree without enrolling in a regular PhD program can get the title through an Honorary PhD online or a Part-time PhD Program. Now, individuals who are working and want to get a doctoral degree and upskill themselves can also get a PhD degree without leaving their jobs.