How Long Does It Take to Earn a PhD?

Pursuing a doctoral degree is a yearslong commitment. While various factors could potentially increase or decrease how long it takes to earn a PhD or an applied doctorate—such as a doctoral candidate’s field of study, whether they are enrolled full time or part time, or a program’s attendance format (online versus in-person)—learners should expect to spend at least four or five years in pursuit of their degree.

Terminology: Doctorate, PhD and Applied Doctorate

A doctorate, or doctoral degree, is an umbrella term that describes the most advanced degree that can be earned in a field of study. There are two basic types of doctorates: the PhD and the applied doctorate. Because these are equivalent degrees, what differentiates them is not how advanced they are but rather what each focuses on: the PhD is considered a research degree, while the applied doctorate is considered a professional or practical degree. Other than that, PhD and applied doctorate degree programs have a lot in common: these programs are rigorous, they require the completion of a dissertation or doctoral project, and those who graduate from either program get to use the title “Doctor.”

PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy, a type of doctoral degree whose focus is on conducting original research and contributing to the existing body of knowledge in a given discipline.

Pursuing a PhD involves a significant time commitment—it can take five years or more of fulltime study to complete a PhD degree program, depending on the field of doctorate chosen. For example, according to the National Science Foundation (NSF), in 2024, the most recent year for which data is available, the median number of years from doctoral program start to completion was:¹

• 5.7 years for all fields
• 5.0 years for Business
• 5.0 years for Health Sciences
• 5.8 years for Psychology
• 6.0 years for Social Sciences
• 6.8 years for Humanities and Arts

What Is an Applied Doctorate?

An applied doctorate, or professional doctorate, is a counterpart to the PhD. Whereas a PhD is focused on original research, an applied doctorate’s focus is on the application of advanced concepts and theories in the real world—i.e., in the workplace, or “out in the field.”

One’s decision to pursue a PhD versus an applied doctorate (or vice versa) may depend on factors such as preferred focus (original research versus practical knowledge), desired career path (working in academia versus in a non-academic professional setting) and/or practical considerations (such as whether the program offers doctoral candidates the necessary flexibility to work full-time while pursuing their degree).

Applied doctorate degree programs are often geared toward experienced professionals who already hold a master’s degree in that field. Some of these programs—such as the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) and Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) online degree programs at California Southern University—are specifically designed for working professionals who intend to continue working as they pursue their academic goals. Moreover, it is possible to complete one of CalSouthern’s online doctoral degree programs in as few as four to five years of full-time study.²

Is Pursuing a PhD or an Applied Doctorate Worth It?

Whether or not holding a PhD or an applied doctorate is “worth it” is a personal matter, and there are different reasons why someone might (or might not) decide to commit themselves to pursuing one.

Depending on your chosen career path, holding a doctoral degree—whether a PhD or an applied doctorate—may be necessary. In such cases, a doctorate degree’s worth is obvious. For instance, those who teach in academia typically must hold a PhD or other doctorate in their field of degree.3 In order to practice law, most states require lawyers to hold a Juris Doctor (JD).4 Physicians must hold a medical doctorate, such as a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO).5 And clinical and counseling psychologists typically need a PhD in Psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree.6 (Note that each of these career paths may involve meeting additional licensing, training or other requirements.)

Even in fields where a PhD or an applied doctorate is not necessarily required, holding a doctorate can signal to others that you are an expert in your field, which could come in handy when seeking out new or more advanced opportunities

Another thing to consider is the financial cost of a PhD or an applied doctorate. Your personal finances, the availability of employer-provided financial assistance, whether a program accepts transfer credits, and/or other factors can all play a role in determining not only whether pursuing a doctorate is worth it but also whether it is feasible.

And, last but not least, how long it takes to complete a doctoral degree is also worth considering. Are you willing and able to dedicate four to five years or more to pursuing a doctorate? There may be ways to potentially decrease overall program length—for example, by choosing an online degree program that lets you move at your own pace or one that accepts transfer-in credits—and you should investigate all avenues. Being honest with yourself on this point and being thorough in your research are key to making the best decision for you.

How Long Does It Take to Earn a Doctorate?

Regardless of whether you opt for a PhD or an applied doctorate, pursuing any doctoral degree program will be a multi-year commitment. But there is one additional factor we have not yet covered—the dissertation or doctoral project.

How long it takes to complete, submit and defend a dissertation or doctoral project can significantly impact how long it takes to complete a doctorate degree program. In the United States, there is even an informal status to describe doctoral students who have completed all required coursework and exams but have not managed to complete a dissertation—“ABD,” or “all but dissertation.”

CalSouthern has integrated the dissertation development process into the overall doctoral program design, providing a framework that helps learners stay on track. Doctoral candidates are required to complete a series of credit-bearing doctoral project courses that cover all phases of the doctoral dissertation process, from prospectus development through final dissertation defense and submission. Incorporating all phases of the dissertation process directly into the curriculum and tying it to credit requirements can potentially help to make the process feel less daunting—and earning a doctorate more achievable.

Interested in pursuing a doctoral degree from CalSouthern? Request more info today.

¹ National Science Foundation (NSF), "Median years to research doctorate, by trend broad field of doctorate: Selected years, 1974–2024, Table 1-12," https://ncses.nsf.gov/surveys/earned-doctorates/2024#data.

² Many factors can impact a learner's time to completion, such as course loads, course extensions or repetitions, transfer or proficiency credits, and approved leaves of absence. The program length provided does not include these adjustments. Program completion time also depends on an individual learner's time needed to complete all required doctoral project requirements, which varies by learner. Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible for transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.

³ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, "Postsecondary Teachers," https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm (visited Sep. 25, 2025).

⁴ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, "Lawyers," https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/lawyers.htm (visited Sep. 25, 2025).

⁵ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, "Physicians and Surgeons," https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm (visited Sep. 25, 2025).

⁶ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, "Psychologists," https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm (visited Sep. 25, 2025).

CalSouthern cannot guarantee employment, salary, or career advancement. Not all programs are available to residents of all jurisdictions.

REQ2171205 10/2025