What is keeping you from earning a doctoral degree?

Earning a doctorate degree is a significant academic achievement, requiring a high level of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. However, many students may face multiple barriers when pursuing a doctoral degree. These barriers can make the process challenging and discouraging. In this blog post, we will explore some of the barriers that students face when earning a doctorate degree.

1. Time: Pursuing a doctorate degree requires a significant investment of time, often taking 3 to 10 years to complete. Doctoral programs require students to take multiple courses, conduct research, and write a dissertation, all while balancing other responsibilities such as work and family. This time commitment makes it difficult for some students to continue with their program, especially if they face unexpected challenges such as health issues or family emergencies.

2. Financial barriers: Earning a doctorate degree can be expensive, and many students struggle to find the necessary funds to complete their degree. Tuition is just the first fee doctoral programs require students to pay, and is often accompanied by textbooks, and other materials, which can be costly. Additionally, students may need to take time off work to focus on their studies, which can lead to a loss of income. For some students, the financial barriers can be significant, and they may need to take on significant debt to complete their degree.

3. Lack of support: The process of earning a doctorate degree can be isolating, and many students may feel unsupported or unacknowledged. Doctoral students often work independently and may not know where to go for information. Furthermore, some students may not have a strong support network, which can lead to feelings of loneliness and frustration.

4. Mental health challenges: The journey toward earning a doctorate degree can be mentally, socially, and emotionally challenging. Doctoral students often experience stress, anxiety, and burnout, which can negatively impact their mental health. They may need to decrease their social interactions in order to make time for program requirements. The pressure to succeed can be significant, and the fear of failure can be a barrier for some students.

5. Demands of research: Research is a crucial component of most doctoral programs, but it can be a significant barrier. Research can be time-consuming and demanding, requiring students to find participants, collect data, and analyze results.

In conclusion, earning a doctorate is a significant academic achievement, but it is not without barriers. The time commitment, financial barriers, lack of support, mental health challenges, and demands of research can all be significant barriers for students pursuing a doctorate degree. However, support from good mentors can help alleviate or decrease some of these barriers and assist students to overcome these barriers and achieve their academic goals. It is essential for students to recognize the challenges they may face and to seek out the needed support to successfully earn their doctorate degree. What other barriers do you see that make earning a doctorate difficult?

Email me at mentoring@deamarx.org and let me know your thoughts!