When considering an online Ph.D. degree, it can be easy to fall back on some well-quoted myths that seem to have taken root as facts. However, we know that both popularity and skepticism of these online Ph.D. programs have been on the rise. It makes sense to quote and dispel some of these myths so that as a prospective student of these kinds of programs, you understand exactly what you’re getting into.

This is also partly because more and more people tend to dismiss online Ph.D. programs without really understanding them or what they have to offer. Here are some myths that you might be operating on about online Ph.D.

Online doctorate degrees are less credible
It’s easy to understand where this myth comes from. Since accreditation itself is such a tricky topic for most folks to understand, it seems like an easy way out to quote all online degree programs as not credible and less worthy. This narrative makes it so that students don’t even think of approaching an online program even if they are in need of it.

A good way to work around this is to understand accreditations and how they work in the case of online higher education. If you pick a university or school that is accredited by the state and the federal government offering online courses, then the degree you pick from an online course is just as accredited and valuable as a traditional degree from that university.

Online Ph.D. degrees are easier and simpler
Yes, you’re going to be spending less time interacting with faculty and peers. You’re also going to be spending no time sitting in class. So, it can seem like it’s less serious and difficult when compared to a traditional Ph.D. degree. However, this is far from the truth. An online Ph.D. degree is not a shortcut to a traditional one. As a student, you still have to conduct research and write all of your dissertations and present them as you normally would.

Cheaper means lesser quality
This is two whole myths rolled in one. Not only are all online accredited Ph.D. degrees cheaper, but if you find online Ph.D. degrees offered by a reputable institution at a good price, it doesn’t mean it’s going to take away from the quality of education. There just is more versatility online than in traditional schools.