Regionally Accredited Ph.D. in 8-12 Hours per Week with No Weekends?

This number of hours per week seems low for doctoral study, especially if you want to ensure a high grade in the course. Without knowing the length of the term, it is hard to estimate, but you should plan on about 15 contact hours for every semester hour, plus 45 to 60 study hours for every semester hour for doctoral study. Figure a safe bet of 75 total hours for each doctoral semester hour. That would give you (3 x 75) 225 divided by 15 weeks or about 15 hours per week to ensure a good grade. Add more time if you are easily distracted or doing the academic work after a long day, etc. in the low productivity hours.

 

Phd

I'm close to defending my PhD and I'll be honest, I think many people dramatize the amount of work involved. If you've been in a fast-paced, demanding job before, it will seem like no big deal. The key is motivation. Are you really motivated? I don't think it matters why, as long as you are. With a good adviser and in a program that's flexible, that amount of work should be fine. Talk of 30 hour weeks has never been my experience, and I am in a highly respected, large brick and mortar state program. The people who never finish were never motivated to begin with.