Pursuing a PhD online in the field of criminology may be right for you depending on a few important factors. For those who have other significant time commitments, an online education is relevant. Those with full-time jobs and families simply cannot dedicate a number of hours during the day for their presence in a classroom. Also, some people live in areas where a half-hour or hour drive (or more) to the nearest institution, where a PhD in criminology is available, is simply not feasible. Such constraints on time make it difficult to pursue a higher degree when it is not convenient. These are just a few of the most common reasons why an online degree such as a PhD in criminology is preferable.
However, it is not as simple as trading online presence for convenience; there are some drawbacks. One concern is that the level of education and prestige may not be up to par with other institutions, although later in this series we will see respectable institutions which offer a PhD in criminology. The other concerns revolve around the online classroom. Simply put, online learning is not for everyone. An online degree, and especially an online PhD in criminology, requires a high degree of commitment, discipline, and focus. After all, you are responsible for your progress, and help is more difficult to obtain than the physical atmosphere of traditional learning environments.
