Back just fifty years ago, you could walk in to almost any trade, work as an apprentice for a given time and then take over a full time position in your desired role. If you wanted to be a mechanic, you watched and learned from the owner of the mechanics shop where you were working. Companies large and small were loyal to their workers and working your way up in a company was done by spending time with and building relationships with those higher up on the corporate chain. There were far fewer trades that required extra schooling to be promoted or even hired. You started young in your trade and enjoyed a lifelong career at that company with retirement benefits and all.

Nowadays, turnover is quick and options are few. Finding a job is difficult even for those with highly marketable degrees. It is virtually impossible to walk in to a business, present your desire to be a mechanic and actually get a job. You are required to go to a tech school, community college or university in order to obtain even entry-level jobs in mechanics or other trades. A college teaching degree requires hours of expensive course work and practical work for little pay. Things are different now. That is why we need more options for the youth of today. Their futures are looking bleak and the simple fact is, no one has time or money to spend all their time in a classroom. Student loans are becoming too high and students are now required to work long hours as well as study.

Fortunately there are newer options for those who are looking to further their education and make a way for themselves in this modern, go-getter day and age. Since the economy and jobs have changed, the way education operates has also changed. Getting a degree online has become a household phrase. Whether you are thinking of getting a community college degree online or you’re considering doing a distance education MBA course, online study is the way to go. It prevents you from over stressing yourself with long hours at work and at your university or college. It give you time with your family and at your job while leaving you a perfect amount of time to study for your course work. It’s no wonder online education is becoming a new way of life for everyone from the fresh out of high school to the mature executives.

A doctorate is the highest educational achievement that you can earn and there is much respect associated with having those letters behind your name. Only one out of a hundred people have a doctorate, so that reverence is certainly due. Also, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, someone with a doctorate degree earns one to two million dollars in lifetime earnings more than someone with a master’s degree. With numbers like that, what are you waiting for?

Ph.D. or Doctorate?

It seems that there is some confusion when it comes to the difference between a doctorate and a Ph.D., or Doctor of Philosophy. Actually, a Ph.D. is one of several doctorate degrees that you can earn. Doctorate degrees can be broken down into two types: professional doctorates and research doctorates.

People who earn professional doctorates apply their degree to a specific profession, as opposed to an academic field of study. These include M.D. (Doctor of Medicine), J.D. (Juris Doctor), DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine), and PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy) among many others.

Research doctorates include the Ph.D. and are often focused on a particular subject. Here is a breakdown of some of the more popular doctorates available in the United States:

• Ph.D. or Doctor of Philosophy: This degree is normally earned by those who want to go into research or Academia. There are many fields in which you can earn a Ph.D. including history, mathematics, and chemistry.

• Psy.D. or Doctor of Psychology: If you want to be a psychologist, than you can either earn a Ph.D. in psychology or this degree.

• DBA or Doctor of Business Administration: This degree is for people who are interested in the theory of management. Those who earn this degree normally go into research or teach on a college level.

• Ed.D. or Doctor of Education: If you are looking to become a school administrator than this degree is for you.

• D.A. or Doctorate of Arts: This degree emerged in the 1960s and is offered in many of the same subjects as a Ph.D, particularly arts and humanities. It is often labeled the “teaching doctorate.”

What does a doctorate entail?

Most doctorates require that you have a master’s degree in a related field of study. Once you are accepted you begin with a rigorous course of study, especially for the professional degrees such as M.D. or J.D. The professional degrees are normally followed by an exam, such as the bar examination, and/or an internship, such as a residency. With Ph.Ds and other research doctorates, courses are normally followed by an exam and then the writing of a thesis or dissertation. These dissertations can be anywhere from 50 to 450 pages in length and commonly focus on a particular area of expertise. For example, someone pursuing a doctorate in U.S. Economic History might write a dissertation on the effects of Soviet Union socialism on U.S. economic policies during the Great Depression. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the average time it takes a student to earn their doctorate is seven years. However, there are some accelerated programs out there and a lot depends on how long it takes you to write your dissertation.

Online Study is a Great Option

If you are interested in a doctorate degree, do not rule out online colleges. Three of the five most popular doctorate degrees (according to the Department of Education) are available through online study; these are Doctor of Psychology, Doctor of Engineering and Doctor of Education. Online learning is an extremely convenient way to learn. The courses are offered in a format that works around your schedule. This is perfect for people who have a career that they do not want to take time off from, or if they have a family. In fact, online doctorates are so flexible that there really is no reason not to finally reach this highest level of achievement.  Get immediate, free enrollment information via Online MBA Accounting, Online MBA Business or Online MBA College.