Online PhD Programs
Take the Next Step With an Online PhD
Ready to take the next step in your educational journey? Explore Grand Canyon University’s online(See disclaimer 1) PhD programs to gain the education needed to explore leadership roles in your profession and community. At GCU, the College of Doctoral Studies is a community that connects faculty and learners, encouraging collaboration and providing resources designed to support academic progress with online learning flexibility.
Embark on Your Journey of Embracing Leadership
You have the opportunity to discover ways of teaching, leading and training others using advanced knowledge of humans' mental and emotional responses with GCU’s online programs.(See disclaimer 1) Use your skills toward teaching or conducting psychological research within business, government or higher education. Choose from several emphases, including performance psychology, cognitive psychology, I/O psychology and technology, learning and psychology integration.
A Flexible Online Education
Admission Requirements
Earn Your Online PhD From an Accredited University
Discover Online PhD Degrees at GCU
When you join GCU, you’ll become part of an expansive online learning community, with nearly 93,000 students enrolled online in Fall 2023.(See disclaimer 2) The College of Doctoral Studies brings together a virtual community of dedicated scholars and supportive faculty members.
Our online programs are intended to fuel your intellectual curiosity while giving you the tools and opportunity to expand your knowledge base and skill set. Choose from a wide range of degrees designed to suit working professionals across various industries — all offered in a convenient and accessible online format.(See disclaimer 1 )
Quantitative vs. Qualitative
Data-Driven Research and Statistics
If you enroll in a quantitative program, you will be taught advanced research methods that center on quantitative analysis. In contrast to qualitative research, which explores concepts and experiences, quantitative research centers on data interpretation. You will be expected to collect, analyze and synthesize numerical data, and discuss your dissertation.
Analyze How People Think and Behave
You will be taught qualitative research techniques using advanced research methods. In contrast to quantitative research, which involves data interpretation, qualitative research seeks to develop a greater understanding of concepts, experiences or opinions. For example, you may conduct surveys and interviews while working on your dissertation.
"I was really happy I chose to earn my degree from GCU, and what I really liked about the College of Doctoral Studies was that I felt like it was geared toward professionals, not just the traditional college-aged student."
"I was really happy I chose to earn my degree from GCU, and what I really liked about the College of Doctoral Studies was that I felt like it was geared toward professionals, not just the traditional college-aged student."
Median annual wage for those with a doctoral degree(See disclaimer 4)
Career Opportunities
One common motivation for pursuing a doctoral degree is to position yourself for potential career opportunities. The program is designed to empower graduates to pursue leadership positions in their field, as well as to make a positive contribution to the body of research. The career opportunities will vary, depending on the specific program you choose, your chosen field and your intended career trajectory. In general, however, you may decide to pursue an administrative or leadership position.
Frequently Asked Questions
As you consider your educational goals, get answers to some frequently asked questions.
What is a PhD?
Is a PhD and a doctorate the same thing?
Does a PhD increase salary?
Can you get a PhD degree online without a dissertation?
Student Resources
The College of Doctoral Studies is committed to supporting our PhD candidates by providing extensive student support resources. These include on-campus residencies, which provide opportunities for networking, collaboration and close guidance, as well as scholarly networks like the Doctoral Community (DC) Network™.
- Residencies take place on or near GCU’s campus.
- Includes students who have participated in an online class in August or September 2023 and does not include students in a cohort program.
- Gonzalez, M. (2024, Feb. 21). GCU Handles Bulk for Doctoral Transfer. GCU News. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
- The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Employment Projections, as of May 2023, retrieved Sept. 17, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.