Distance Learning Phd in History

[Bana81]

Hi, 

Is it possible to do a Phd in History as a distance education learning ? Which universities offer such programs? Is it looked down upon ? 

[psstein]

Is it possible? Yes, it is. If you want to use the PhD for anything beyond a vanity project, it's not advisable.

[ladydobz]

The only university I've seen offering it is Liberty University, although there has been a lot of conversation within the AHA and OAH about it with very little resolution. As psstein said, I wouldn't recommend doing one online (based on what I've heard from those on the AHA and OAH forums) currently. 

[JamesJCD]

Depends on your circumstances I suppose. Liberty University is the only PhD in History that is being offered online (that I'm aware of). I'm currently attending this program and I see no issue with it, but my aspirations are not to go be a Harvard professor; I'm looking for a position as an Adjunct Professor in addition to teaching history at a high school with the possibility of becoming a full-time professor in time. Additionally, I do not have the opportunity to attend a residential program as it would not work with my work/family life. 

 

Liberty may be the only one dipping their toes in the water as far as PhDs are concerned, but plenty of "Ivy League" institutions are already offering distance learning Master of Arts in History degrees, including Harvard. A colleague of mine completed his history program at Harvard while simultaneously completing another program online some months ago. How long will it be before Harvard or Arizona State offer a PhD online? I would bet they are thinking of introducing programs as we are still in this world of pandemic and endemic viruses and there is a lucrative market of adults who would pursue it; though there is the possibility it never happens. Harvard offers online master's degrees, including the field of history, via their extension program.

 

In addition, many reputable institutions, that are beyond scrutiny, offer PhDs in other disciplines such as Texas A&M's Doctor of Engineering and PhD in Interdisciplinary Engineering. The trend seems to be the continuance of expanding online education, history is just slow to follow suit in my humble opinion.

[Averroes MD]

There are probably some British schools that would take your money here.