PhD Conversion Program

Convert your doctorate degree to PhD.

PhD Degree Conversion: The Althash University College of Advance and Graduate Studies offer all Doctoral Graduates an optional pathway to convert their other doctoral degrees to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Why convert to PhD?

In most countries a PhD is a basic requirement for a career in academia. It is an introduction to the world of independent research — a kind of intellectual masterpiece, created by an apprentice in close collaboration with a supervisor.

Reason #1: With a PhD Degree, you’ll earn more over your lifetime than the average Master’s degree holder. Getting your PhD will make you more likely to earn a higher salary over someone with just a master’s degree. The median income for an employee with a PhD degree and less than a year experience—meaning the first job out of grad school—was almost $80,000. Someone with a PhD in the sciences, technology, engineering, or math can expect to earn six-figure incomes after getting their PhDs.

Reason #2: You will have unique career options open to you that you won’t get with just a Master’s. In highly competitive fields, certain positions go exclusively to applicants with PhDs. In addition to the salary rewards and the prestigious CV that come with a PhD, there are the connections you will make on your academic journey. As you climb the ladder in your field, you’ll distinguish yourself as an expert, accumulating contacts who will vouch for your work.

Reason #3: Having a PhD Degree gives you the self-confidence that comes with knowing you stuck with your degree, instead of quitting. According to an article in Psychology Today, nothing gives people self-confidence like working towards goals that gives them a sense of purpose. As anyone who is getting their PhD degree knows, the path to earning a doctorate takes a lot of both labor and time. However, while it takes effort, it’s all in service of the field you’re most passionate about. Once you’ve finished your PhD, you will have accomplished something that only a small percent of the population have. You’ll have earned the respect of your colleagues and peers, and done it while distinguishing yourself academically. By receiving the title of doctor, you will earn self-confidence in the most meaningful way.

Reason #4: Your writing skills will improve tremendously as a result of writing a Doctoral Dissertation. In highly-skilled professions, basic writing skills are increasingly rare. According to a study from CollegeBoard, blue-chip businesses spend over $3 billion every year on remedial writing training for their employees. Businesses are desperate to hire good writers, and your PhD is an indication of exceptional writing ability. For an employer who’s searched high and low for good writers to hire, a doctorate signals that you’re a sound investment.

Reason #5: By working with your committee to get your PhD Degree, you’ll have better interpersonal skills. Working alongside professors or peers in grad school requires unique interpersonal skills, which are different from typical cooperation. Academics tend to be independent-minded and ambitious thinkers. Plus, collaborations in grad school are often focused on extremely complex and difficult projects. The level of emotional intelligence it takes to do research in a team a team, will serve you well in any field. Even if you are doing an online PhD degree, there are opportunities for networking and building your communication skills. PhD degree requires building professional relationships with mentors and navigating bureaucracy to access resources. No matter what your field, these are all skills that will give you a head start in achieving your career goals.

What are the requirements?

PhD Conversion Program may be used convert your existing other doctorate degree to a full-blown PhD degree, as determined by your academic advisor and graduate school. Your academic advisor will assist and guide you in fulfilling the PhD Conversion Program requirements

With Dissertation (EdD, DBA, DM, DSW and all other Research & Terminal Doctorates)

1. Dissertation - submit a copy of your research dissertation.

2. Academic Transcript of Records - All research courses you completed in your previous learning institution will fulfill this requirement. In case of course deficiency, the PhD candidate will be advice to take research courses to complete the 12 credit hours requirement.

3. Residency requirement - The PhD candidate must take residency for a minimum of two semesters at Althash University to fulfill the PhD Conversion Program. The student is required enroll in 3 credit hours in Doctoral Dissertation PhD 799B in 2 semesters period.

4. Dissertation defense (Doctoral Dissertation PhD 799B) - Presentation of your existing dissertation to the graduate committee. The candidate can invite a maximum of 4 dissertation panel members out from the existing graduate committee during the defense.

Without Dissertation (EdD, DBA, DM, DSW and all Applied & Professional Doctorates)

1. Doctoral Dissertation PhD 799A - You will need to enroll a minimum of 9 credit hours for your dissertation writing.

2. Academic Transcript of Records - All research courses you completed in your previous learning institution will fulfill this requirement. In case of course deficiency, the PhD candidate will be advice to take research courses to complete the 12 credit hours requirement.

3. Residency requirement - The PhD candidate must take residency for a minimum of two semesters at Althash University to fulfill the PhD Conversion Program. The student is required enroll in 3 credit hours in Doctoral Dissertation PhD 799A in the last semester period for the dissertation defense.

4. Dissertation defense- Presentation of your dissertation to the graduate committee. The candidate can invite a maximum of 4 dissertation panel members out from the existing graduate committee during the defense.

5. Candidacy examination is fulfilled when the student completed the 12 credit hours of research course, see #2 requirement, requirement.

When should I apply for PhD Conversion Program?

​​​​​​We encourage you to submit a portfolio early in your academic program, before taking courses that may duplicate your PhD Conversion Program.

Credentials are evaluated continuously throughout the year, but expect a turnaround time of 8 to 10 weeks for processing your documents, from the time it is received at Alt-U’s PhD Conversion Program Committee until you receive your program acceptance notification letter form the graduate school.

While credentials can be submitted at any time, consider the following dates as guidelines for receiving Prior Learning credits in time for graduation:​

-May 1 for August graduation

-September 1 for December graduation

-February 1 for May graduation​

How much will it cost to avail the PhD Conversion Program?

​​​​After you receive your PhD Conversion Program acceptance notification letter form the graduate school, you need to meet with your academic advisor. Your advisor will determine whether and how the previously awarded credits may be used in the conversion process.

• You may complete and submit a portfolio at any time (after becoming an Alt-U student and meeting with your advisor).

• You will only pay for the course you are required to take in the PhD Conversion Program.

The cost to enroll for Doctoral Dissertation PhD 799A is 100 USD per credit hour and Doctoral Dissertation PhD 799B is 833.50 USD per credit hour. (New rates effective January 1, 2022.)