All you need to know to start your PhD degree in the United States!

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree from USA is considered the highest awarded degree in many US universities and institutes for most fields of studies, it’s a dream course for many international students.

PhD degree is often required when you apply for high-level management jobs, government expert positions, and careers like a university professor, researcher, or scientist in many fields.

Top PhD programs in USA

PhD degrees in USA are offered in a wide range of studies, including technical fields, social sciences and humanities.

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How many years does it take for a PhD degree in USA?

Studying PhD in USA is a series of three phases, wherein, the 1st phase is a course work that requires 1-3 years for completion followed by a preliminary, a comprehensive examination, or a series of cumulative examinations.

In the first phase, examination focus is upon the breadth of knowledge instead of depth. For the composition of a substantial and original contribution to human knowledge in the form of a written dissertation, another 2 to 8 years are usually required.

Depending on the field of study, it takes 4 to 8 years of study after the bachelor's degree to complete PhD program; and it takes a year or two less to complete PhD for students who already have a master’s degree.

How much does it cost to do PhD in USA?

There are many scholarships dedicated for PhD programs at the universities of USA. But generally speaking, the cost of PhDs in USA varies between $28,000 to $55,000 annually depending on the program, specialisation and the university.

Check out more on the cost of study and living in the US

How to choose the right university in USA?

There are 282 universities in the United States that award the PhD degree. To choose the perfect place for your study, you need to consider some important factors, such as:

  • Program availability

  • University ranking

  • Faculty and staff reputation

  • Research facilities

  • Scholarships and funding options offered by the university

  • Graduate employability rate

  • Tuition fees

  • Location

PhD requirements in USA

PhD admission requirements in US vary based on the university and the field of study. But in general, most universities in the US require the below from international students applying for PhD degree there:

Can I work while doing PhD in USA?

The F-1 student visa permits you to work on-campus for up to 20 hours a week during term-time and full-time during the holidays. Moreover, your Curricular Practical Training (CPT) as a PhD student includes work placements and opportunities that are a compulsory part of your PhD program.

However, practically-speaking, studying a minimal PhD can be done while working full time in an unrelated job, if you’re an extreme hard-worker. But that's a big if, though. The danger of working full time is that you won’t make progress without a continuous hectic effort. Thus, it’s generally unrecommend to hold a full-time job while studying a PhD unless you’ve very modest goals for what you intend to do with your degree.

Read more about USA student visa

Kick start your education journey to USA! Speak with your IDP Education counsellor now to turn your study ambition into action!