Normally, admission into any Doctorate Degree program requires that the student has earned their Masters Degree. There are certain graduate programs that will allow coursework on a Doctorate Degree to commence immediately after earning a Bachelors Degree.

Accredited online Doctorate Degree is an academic degree that indicates the completion of the highest level of academic achievement possible. In order to receive an accredited online Doctorate Degree, the graduate student must first complete a course of prescribed classes, perform original research, and compose a publishable dissertation or thesis.

Accredited online doctorate programs enable students to gain the highest levels of proficiency possible in their subject, while preparing them to push the limits in their specialty, if they so desire.

By pursuing accredited online doctorate programs, students can:

1. Save time and energy commuting to campus.
2. Pursue the degree at their convenience.
3. Complete doctoral study in less than the traditional three years.
4. Maintain their present job and income.

Accredited online doctorate Programs are designed to give students a chance to explore a subject fully to gain the greatest levels of proficiency in that area.

Accredited online doctorate Program gives students the valuable opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies while maintaining their current positions and income. Research doctorate degrees are pursued by students who seek to become experts in their particular field and are the most commonly earned doctorate degree. Professional doctorate degrees, such as J.D. and M.D., are required to perform in certain specialized fields such as medicine, dentistry, law, psychology and chiropractics.

There are two basic types of accredited online doctorate degree programs students may pursue – professional or research. There are also honorary doctorates, which are not necessarily academic and can be awarded for notable contributions to a particular field. Online doctoral programs give students the opportunity to earn professional or research degrees.

While it’s typical for a student to declare a minor in a different field altogether-say, an international trade law major might choose a minor such as Chinese language if he or she intends to work within the Asian marketplace-a concentration is often closely linked with the major, more tailored to a specific job description. Someone looking to establish a career related to electronic teaching methods and new media in education, for instance, might pursue a masters degree in education with a concentration in distance learning, or instructional technology.

Credit hour requirements for concentrations vary greatly; programs typically require anywhere between 12 credit hours and 36 credit hours to complete degree requirements for a concentration within the primary degree program. This varies from one institution to the next, and of course, is dependent on the nature of the concentration itself.

Let’s take a look at a few education degree programs and concentrations to see what’s out there, and to help you better understand how selecting an education concentration might best serve your goals.

Educational Technology

Instructional or educational technology is a growing field that emphasizes the use of technology in education, both in the classroom and as a platform for distance learning programs. It encourages the design and implementation of a wide variety of tools to facilitate and advance students’ potential for learning. With modern curricula being built around the use of digital technology and new media, a master’s degree in education with a concentration in educational technology provides teachers with a valuable technological skill set and a solid working knowledge of e-learning methods. Those who understand and embrace these emerging learning methods are in high demand these days, whether it be in education or in private and corporate settings. Check out the International Society for Technology in Education’s Educator’s Resource page to learn more about this exciting, ever-changing field.

Curriculum and Instruction Strategies

A masters degree in education with a concentration in curriculum and instruction strategies can help teachers improve and strengthen their classroom practices. Exploring such areas as student literacy, inclusion and educational leadership, this concentration helps prepare instructors to better implement practical solutions to problems encountered both inside and out of the classroom. There are plenty of related concentrations in education that are associated with curriculum and classroom methodologies that can also benefit administrators, curriculum developers and department heads, among others. In addition, various teacher certifications are contingent upon completing concentrations like curriculum and instruction strategies.

Inclusion

As a practical theory, inclusion is another name for (or synonymous with) what may have been formerly known as “special education”. New educational models emphasize the inclusion of special needs children in the traditional classroom-built around the premise that children who learn together, learn to live together. A concentration in inclusion is designed to provide K-12 classroom teachers and administrators with critical theory and practical knowledge related to special education inclusion-offering educators the opportunity to study and improve upon professional practices, and in some cases, receive special education teacher certification as well.

Language and Literacy

Concentrations emphasizing reading, writing and literacy allow students to focus their attention on the study of how people develop, communicate and process written and spoken languages. This field explores complex relationships between these developmental processes, and how they reflect and relate to institutions, communities and cultures. Naturally, this field appeals to teachers of language and writing, but also has crossover value to those involved in studying new communication methods, particularly as they relate to technological advancement and ever-changing modes of communication. A concentration in language and literacy can prepare students for a broad array of career options, and also puts the graduate student in touch with the most fundamental elements of education: language and communication. The International Reading Association offers an excellent online resource, full of journals, publications and helpful Web tools for literacy and language professionals worldwide.

Hopefully this article has generated some ideas and gotten you thinking about how you can augment your education graduate program with a concentration-maybe you had already considered exploring one of the concentrations listed above. Again, it’s important to remember that specialization is the name of the game now, and while you’re beginning to pursue a graduate degree in education, give some serious consideration to setting yourself up with a concentration of study; you’ll be that much more successful and fulfilled as an educator in the long run.

Many people are still reluctant about finishing a degree online, unsure of its success rate and credibility. Some also cannot imagine how one will be able to finish an advanced degree completely online, wondering how the clinical rotations will be made. Typically, in an online program, most of the academic coursework required for obtaining an advanced degree is done online according to a schedule that best suits the student. Any required clinical experience is coordinated with a local hospital or a facility affiliated with the school.

Besides the convenience and flexibility, another major benefit of distance learning is having access and being able to interact with instructors and counselors through email, bulletin boards, live chat, virtual classrooms, and phone calls. These various technologies provide online students with unlimited and unsurpassed support from professors and academic counselors.

Most online nursing students will also have a school adviser who will work with them online, on a one-on-one basis. As opposed to traditional classroom learning, the student’s curriculum can be customized and planned according to the student’s particular needs and goals. Online students will also be assisted in the process of application, scholarships, tuition plans, and even career planning.

Besides the fact that an online degree is more affordable than going to a traditional school, everything that you need to fulfill most of your courses is right at your fingertips-a computer and an internet connection. Most online universities will outline additional requirements such as books and laboratory equipment. Normally, your online degree program will cost 30 to 50% less than a traditional school program. Of course, the cost will vary from one school to another with more prestigious schools charging more than lesser-known ones. However, going with a well-known school is much safer and reliable. You would still want your diploma to bear a reputable school above your name.

Different schools will offer various specializations and advanced degrees but most online schools will offer RN, MSN, and Nurse Practitioner programs. Some Masters in Nursing Programs offered online will offer specialization in Nursing Education or combine Management or Healthcare Administration. Depending on what you want to finish, you can choose a school that offers the program you wish to take. Just make sure that the online school is accredited and certified by a nationally recognized and official nursing licensure organization.