PhD in the USA - Types, Cost and Eligibility

Confused about a PhD in the USA? Here’s everything you need to know

The US as a study-abroad country for post-graduate programs is unique in its way since its fundamentals include structured degree programs with comprehensive training and independent research. These extraordinary qualities enhance the appeal of the PhD programs and that’s why many students prefer to study here

Why study PhD in the US?

The US institutions follow a rigorous approach in their graduate programs, which means they provide essential training and emphasis on professional development, which exceeds minimum requirements of ‘traditional’ research-focused PhD programs in other parts of the world.

• In-depth understanding: American PhD programs, on an initial stage, develop a deep understanding of the subject. This forms the basis of your research. So, instead of just focusing immediately on your dissertation proposal, you have the time to first understand what it is all about

• World-leading research institutions: The US institutions are ranked at the top of global league tables, which reflects their considerable investment in research output and expertise

• International perspective: US universities welcome a large number of international students from various countries. Therefore, irrespective of your subject area, you’ll always be part of a diverse academic community

• Innovation: The US is a kind of trendsetter in

  post-graduate studies

  . It is the second country after Germany to switch to the modern PhD degree that includes a structured approach to doctoral training

• Ample opportunities: With 50 states, six time zones and a large number of higher education institutions, whatever you plan to seek from your PhD study, is available to pursue

• Funding: Most of the research-intensive universities in the US are substantially funded. This means more chances of financial aid to students than any other country

Structure of the PhD

PhD programs in the US are a pure research degree. An original research is an essential requirement for an American doctorate since you need to present your rationale behind the thesis.US doctorates begin with taught classes and assessments in the form of a comprehensive exam. Upon completion of which a student finalises their dissertation topic and start with the research.

Duration of PhD

Usually, the duration of PhD in the US is four to six years (full time). In which you’ll spend Year 1 to Year 4 on the coursework stage of the program and Year 2 to Year 4 on the dissertation.The academic year in the US includes two teaching semesters i.e., August-December and January-May. During this time your classes and assessments will take place.

Types of PhD

Mostly, the US universities award the standard PhD or as an academic doctorate, which is equal to PhDs in other countries. However, some programs award professional doctorate degrees which include practical projects and case studies in addition to academic classes and dissertation research like the DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) and EdD (Doctor of Education).The last type of ‘doctoral’ qualification is for students who seek to qualify for regulated professions like law or medicine, for example, JD (Doctor of Laws) and MD (Doctor of Medicine) degrees which are different from academic doctorates.

Eligibility criteria for PhD programs

The eligibility criteria vary as per the institution and stream of the study program. However, the basic requirements are the same across fields:

• 16 years of educational background

• Exceptional academic results in both levels i.e., undergraduate and master’s

• GMAT scores for post-doctoral management programs (some might ask for GRE test scores)

• Results of English language proficiency tests such as the IELTS

• Academic and research projects, internships, or publications

Popular fields of PhD study in the US

• Biological Sciences

• Education

• Anthropology

• Engineering

• Sociology

• Psychology

• Economics

Cost of pursuing PhD in the US

Many American institutions offer PhD programmes therefore, the fees for the same vary a lot. However, actual fees depend upon public and private institutions and sometimes on a students’ resident status:

• Public institutions offer PhD degree normally at an average of $12,737 annually, but for international students, it may be higher

• Private institutions offer PhD at an average of $43,300 annually on graduate programs to all students

Also Read - How you can finance your education in the USAThe modern PhD is a dynamic qualification to develop a wide range of transferrable skills. Therefore, the job market for PhD graduates is quite diverse. Besides, many students pursue careers in higher education including administration and leadership positions and academic posts. While others use their research and teaching expertise into professions of secondary and further education or public administration or industry