How to Be a Good PhD Student
If you’re curious about how to be a good PhD student, this article is a good place to start. As a professor for over 30 years, much of that as a Dissertation Committee Chair, I’ve watched many students navigate the …
What Is the Life of a PhD Student Really Like?
Life of a PhD student? Hell. That about sums it up. Okay, that’s not a very satisfying answer. Nor is it completely true. Life as a PhD student doesn’t always feel like hell. It does sometimes, but it’s also an …
Is a PhD Worth It?
Is a PhD worth it? That depends on who’s asking. If you’re talking about the educational benefits, the opportunity to make new discoveries, or the chance to make a difference, then the answer is almost always a resounding “yes.” However, …
PhD Candidate vs Student
You make the transition from PhD student to PhD candidate after you complete all your coursework and your comprehensive exams (if required). A PhD candidate’s sole task is to conduct their research and write their dissertation. In other words, a …
Do you Need a Master’s to Get a PhD?
In the traditional academic model, at least in the United States, you get an undergraduate degree, followed by a master’s degree, and then finish your academic journey by getting a PhD. However, that isn’t the only way. Do you need …
Double Doctorate: Can You Get Multiple PhDs?
A question I’ve gotten a few times: “Can I get a double PhD?” The answer is yes, you can under most circumstances. But why? While there are some exceptional cases, generally I’d discourage people from pursuing a second PhD. Here …
How to Get a PhD
Many people go into the process of getting a doctoral degree with big plans and even bigger dreams. Perhaps you want to do research that will change the world. Maybe your goal is to be a guide for the next …
What to Do After Getting Your PhD: 5 Next Steps
What to do after finishing your PhD is a surprisingly common challenge for students who have recently graduated. So if you’re asking this question, you’re not alone. After years of hard work and passing on enjoyable opportunities to get your …
Why Get a PhD? 5 Good Reasons (and a Few Bad Ones)
Why get a PhD? There are many reasons to get a PhD; some personal, some professional. We are all driven by our own unique needs and desires, and each of us will have different reasons for wanting to pursue a …
How Much Does a PhD Cost?
Many people have dreams of getting a PhD and returning to the classroom to guide young students. Others want to complete a doctorate to embark on a career of cutting-edge research. These are admirable reasons to embark on the road …
