what is the weirdest phd

Most Unusual Doctoral Degrees You Can Earn Online (PhDs)

Online doctorate degree programs are becoming more varied. We rank some of the most unique and unusual online PhD degree programs.

Key Takeaways

• Online doctoral degrees are growing in availability and variety.
• Graduate students can even take unusual online programs in subjects like cybersecurity, forensics, and holistic health sciences.
• Accreditation is very important when considering online doctorate programs, especially in unusual fields of study.

Featured Programs

As a growing number of colleges and universities offer online doctorate programs, the types of programs that students can choose from are becoming more varied. It’s not unusual to find a graduate program that offers online doctoral programs in areas like counselor education, nursing practice, or educational leadership. But it is far less common to find fully online doctorate degree programs in areas like learning technology, classical civilizations, and music education.

That’s why we’ve highlighted the cool and interesting doctoral degree programs included here. Each offers an online PhD or doctoral degree program that is not commonly offered in the fully online or hybrid format. This makes each of the online doctoral degree programs included here a unique opportunity to advance your career and education while balancing existing work and personal responsibilities.

For a look at how these online doctoral programs stack up against traditional on campus programs, check out our look at the 50 Best Graduate Schools in the U.S.

Otherwise, read on and learn more about how you can earn an online PhD or complete a top-ranked online doctorate program in an unusual subject.

About Accredited Doctorate Degree Online Programs

Whatever subject you choose to pursue, quality and credibility are important when it comes to finding an online PhD. The best online doctorate programs will have proper accreditation:

• Institutional Accreditation : Accreditation is vital for online doctoral programs. It signifies that the online Ph.D programs offered by the graduate school are in compliance with the standards of a Department of Education-approved accrediting body.

A school must also be accredited in order to offer federal financial aid to its online doctorate candidates. When looking for an online doctoral program, seek out options with accreditation from a colleges and schools commission in your region. This stamp of approval is critical for ensuring the quality and credibility of your online program.

• Programmatic Accreditation : In addition to institutional accreditation, be sure that you are only considering doctorate degree programs with programmatic accreditation. For instance, if you seek a doctor of nursing practice, be sure that your online doctoral degree program has accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). If you seek a PhD in business administration, be sure you only consider online degrees with programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Programmatic accreditation ensures you only select from online PhD programs respected in your field.

• Carnegie Classification : The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, or as it is more commonly known, the Carnegie Classification, is a framework for categorizing all accredited, degree-granting institutions in the United States. Originally formulated in 1970 by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and administered through the University of Indiana’s Center for Postsecondary Research since 2014, the Carnegie Classification is “the leading framework for recognizing and describing institutional diversity in U.S. higher education.”

Under this classification, top research universities for doctoral degrees and PhD candidates are identified as either R2: Doctoral Universities for “high research activity” or R1: Doctoral Universities for “very high research activity.” Look for these classifications when considering options for your online Phd programs.

Key Point: The best online doctoral programs will have both institutional and programmatic accreditation.

Admission Requirements

Schools that offer online doctorate programs have different admission requirements. However, in most online doctoral programs will carry the same basic threshold for admission:

• A completed online application
• Official undergraduate college transcripts
• A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
• GRE scores, MAT scores, or GMAT scores
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal interviews
• Personal statement or essay
• Plan of study

Key Point: In many cases, you’ll be eligible to enter a doctoral degree online after earning a bachelor’s degree. However, some specialized online PhD programs may require you to have earned a master’s degree as well.

Curriculum and Courses

Research is typically a central component of your degree program. This is true for fully online doctorate degrees as well as hybrid degrees combining online education with traditional on-campus courses. Regardless of whether you complete a traditional, hybrid or online doctoral program, the typical time to completion is five to seven years.

The typical components of your online doctorate or PhD program may include:

Foundational Courses

While some foundational online doctorate courses may be focused on your specific discipline or area of study, most courses will focus on research methods and experimental design. You may be able to complete many of these requirements through online classes.

Examinations for PhD Candidacy

Many online doctoral students are required to complete certain examinations to enter into online PhD candidacy. This will typically occur after you’ve completed one to two years of foundational courses.

Dissertation

In most cases, the central component of your online PhD program will be the completion of your dissertation. After gaining status as an online PhD candidate, you will typically work closely with a professorial advisor or mentor to develop an original research question.

This research question will form the basis of your dissertation—an ongoing project designed to address this research question through applied research. While you will work closely with your advisor or mentor, much of your dissertation will be rooted in independent research. This is especially true for students pursuing an online PhD.

Oral Defense

Upon completion of the written portion of your dissertation—which will typically present the findings from your original research project—you will be expected to defend your findings. This “oral defense” will typically be conducted by a commission of professors and experts in your field. PhD candidates in some online degree programs may be able to conduct this defense via teleconferencing.

Teaching Requirements

Some online Ph.D programs will also include a teaching component, which will require you to work as an adjunct professor or teacher’s assistant in an undergraduate or graduate school. It may be possible for students in the online doctoral degree program to also serve teaching requirements by instructing online students.

Key Point: The online PhD is a research-focused degree. Your dissertation will be a central part of your online doctoral degree program.

Careers for Students Who Complete Online Doctoral Programs

Accredited online doctoral programs are generally terminal degree programs. This means that students who complete credible online doctoral programs in their field are generally eligible for top positions and opportunities in their field. These opportunities, and the pay scale, may differ from one field to the next.

That said, the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that, in 2021, working professionals with a PhD earned more per hour of work than Americans in every educational demographic.

According to the BLS, the median weekly earning for graduate students with a doctoral degree was $1909. By contrast, those with a master’s degree earned a weekly median of $1574, while bachelor’s degree holders earned a median of $1334.

These higher earnings are reflective of the rarified professional opportunities that await those with a PhD in their field. Working professionals who earn an accredited online doctorate may be eligible to work in the following areas.

• Theoretical Research
• Scientific Research
• Post-Secondary Education
• Public Policy Consultation
• Clinical Practice
• Organizational Leadership

Key Points: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, students with a doctorate will earn more than graduates with a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

What’s the difference between online doctoral programs and online Ph.D programs?

Technically, a PhD is a type of doctorate degree. This means that all online PhD candidates are doctoral students. By contrast, not all doctoral students are PhD candidates.

The primary distinction is that doctoral students are primarily focused on putting existing theories into practice. Depending on your chosen field, your online doctoral degree may require participation in an educational leadership program, engagement in clinical practice, work as a resident in a nursing program, and much more.

By contrast, online PhD students are focused on creating new knowledge in their area of study. This usually means that online PhD candidates are focused on introducing new theories, creating research projects around these theories, and presenting new findings that demonstrate a mastery of existing knowledge and the insight to introduce new ideas into the field.

Today, more working professionals than ever before are pursuing both online doctoral degrees and online PhD programs.

The Most Unusual Online Doctorate Degrees

The online PhD and doctoral programs identified were selected for the unique content of their online doctoral program offerings. In most cases, the degree programs themselves may not be entirely unusual.

However, their availability through online programs or hybrid programs is what distinguishes most of the programs included. The graduate schools identified here are highlighted for making online doctorate programs available to students that are otherwise typically offered through strictly residential degree programs.

North Carolina State University

• #3 Best Colleges in North Carolina 2024
• #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
• #22 Best Research Universities for Social Work Degrees
• #1 Best Online Colleges in North Carolina 2024
• #2 Best Online Master's in Biology
• #3 Best Online Master's Programs in North Carolina 2024
• #3 Best Online Master's in Sports Management
• #4 Best Online Master's in Agriculture and Agribusiness Degree Programs
• #5 Fastest Online Associate Degrees Ranked for 2024
• #5 Best Online Master's in Computer Science Degree Programs
• #7 Best Online Master's Degrees in Accounting
• #8 Best Online MBA Programs in North Carolina
• #8 Best Online Master’s in Counseling
• #9 Best Online Master’s in Engineering
• #10 Fastest Online Bachelor's Degrees Ranked for 2024
• #10 Best Online Doctorate in Education Degree Programs Ranked for Students
• #10 Best Online Master’s in Education
• #16 The Best Online MBA Degree Programs in 2024 Ranked for Students
• #21 Best Online MBA Degree Programs for 2024 with No GMAT Required

Tuition + fees

Student body

Median SAT/ACT

Career Outlook for degree at North Carolina State University

North Carolina State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Earth Sciences
• Engineering
• Mathematics
• Computer Science

Most Influential Alumni

• Munir Ahmad Khan
• Hugh Shelton
• Shree K. Nayar
• Tomoko Ohta
• Christina Koch
• Raymond T. Odierno
• Angie Jones
• Russell Wilson
• John Edwards
• Gregory Washington
• J. Turner Whitted
• Robert Bryant

NC State is noted for a number of unusual doctorate degree programs, which are available through online programs, including its Doctor of Design (DDes) , where students pursue design research in support of those professions creating the artifacts, communications, environments, organizing structures, and systems of the future. The DDes can be completed through distance education but includes a one-week on-campus seminar each semester.

Are looking to get involved. Students note that the campus has a wide selection of activities, athletics, and arts to choose from.

Require a great deal of administrative support. Students report that offices like the Financial Aid department can sometimes be slow to respond to student needs.

Clemson University

• #2 Best Grad Schools in South Carolina 2024
• #2 Best Research Universities in South Carolina 2024
• #1 Best Online MBA Programs in South Carolina
• #2 Best Online Master's Programs in South Carolina 2024
• #2 Best Online Colleges in South Carolina 2024
• #4 Best Online Master’s in Emergency Management
• #4 Top 10 Best Online Communications PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #4 Best Online Master's in Biology
• #8 Best Online Master’s in Human Resources
• #9 Best Online Master’s in Sustainability and Green Technologies
• #9 Best Research Universities with Online Doctorates (PhDs) 2024
• #11 Top 20 Best Online Accredited Doctorate Degree Programs (PhDs) 2024
• #18 Best Data Science Online Master’s Programs
• #18 Best Online Master's in Special Education
• #20 Fastest Online Bachelor's Degrees Ranked for 2024
• #20 Fastest Online Doctoral Degree Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
• #24 Best Online Master’s in Engineering

Career Outlook for degree at Clemson University

Clemson University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• James Dickey
• Strom Thurmond
• Jo Jorgensen
• Anthony Bradley
• James F. Byrnes
• Warren E. Dixon
• Dolph Lundgren
• Thomas Naylor
• Horace Grant
• Dwight Clark
• Deshaun Watson

Among its online doctorate degrees, Clemson offers a PhD in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management (PRTM) . Students enrolled in this program will take core courses such as Behavioral Aspects of PRTM and Grant Writing. The PhD program may be completed entirely through synchronous online courses along with a one-week campus residency each calendar year.

Enjoy college athletics. Clemson’s Tigers enjoy an enormous cultural presence both on campus and in the surrounding region.

Are looking for a college in a lively area. Clemson is located in the foothills of the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, but this also means that the university is a two hour drive from the nearest city.

Pepperdine University

• #1 Best Online MBA Programs in California
• #3 Best Online Colleges in California 2024
• #4 Best Online Master’s in Human Resources
• #5 Best Online Master's Programs in California 2024
• #6 Top 8 Fastest Accelerated Online Psychology Doctorates (PhDs)
• #11 Fastest Online Bachelor's Degrees Ranked for 2024
• #23 Best Online MBA Degree Programs for 2024 with No GMAT Required

Career Outlook for degree at Pepperdine University

Pepperdine University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Political Science
• Religious Studies
• Michael Shermer
• Molefi Kete Asante
• Christine Blasey Ford
• Mike Cernovich
• James Tabor
• Steven Barnes
• John Lasseter
• Michelle Fields
• Mike Aamodt
• Dennis Johnson
• Richard de Mille
• J. Richard Chase

Pepperdine University is noted for a number of unusual online doctoral degree programs, including its EdD in Learning Technologies , which is distinguished by its focus on providing candidates with the expertise to effectively leverage new and emerging learning technologies to facilitate learning and development in the workplace and school. Students in this unique educational leadership program can earn their degree either online or through a hybrid online/on-campus program.

Are looking for a small school where professors are highly accessible. Students report that they enjoy the direct one-on-one attention and support they have received from their instructors.

Are looking for a party atmosphere. Students note that Pepperdine is very welcoming, but that it is not always easy to find recreational activities on nights and weekends.

Boston University

• #3 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts 2024
• #3 Best Research Universities in Massachusetts 2024
• #3 Best Research Universities for Criminal Justice Degrees
• #13 Best Research Universities for Communications Degrees
• #15 Best Research Universities for Education Degrees
• #24 Best Research Universities for English Degrees
• #25 Best Research Universities for Religious Studies Degrees
• #1 Best Online Master's Programs in Massachusetts 2024
• #1 Top 10 Best Online Counseling PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #1 Best Online Master's in Marketing and Advertising
• #1 Fastest Online Bachelor's Degrees Ranked for 2024
• #1 Best Online Colleges in Massachusetts 2024
• #1 Best Online Master's in Art Education and Art Administration
• #1 Best Online Degree Completion Programs for Returning Students
• #2 10 Best Online Master's of Music Education Degree Programs
• #2 Best Online Master's in Project Management
• #2 Best Online MBA Degree Programs No GRE Required Ranked for 2024
• #2 Best Online Master’s in Finance
• #3 Best Online Master’s in Communications
• #3 Best Online Master's in Social Work MSW
• #3 Top 10 Best Online Communications PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #3 Best Online MBA Degree Programs for 2024 with No GMAT Required
• #3 Fastest Online Doctoral Degree Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
• #4 Best Data Science Online Master’s Programs
• #5 Best Online PhD of Computer Science Degree Programs (Doctorates) 2024
• #6 Fastest Accelerated Online Computer Science Doctorates (PhDs)
• #7 Best Online Master's in Management
• #7 Best Online Master's Programs 2024
• #7 Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice
• #13 Fastest Online Master's Degrees Ranked for Students in 2024
• #1 How to Earn Your Master's Degree Without Your Bachelor's Degree
• #15 Top 20 Best Business Schools for MBAs Ranked for Students
• #19 The Best Traditional MBA Programs Ranked for Students in 2024

Career Outlook for degree at Boston University

Boston University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Social Work
• Communications
• Martin Luther King Jr.
• Sheldon Glashow
• Neal Stephenson
• Norman Vincent Peale
• Tipper Gore
• Albert-László Barabási
• Steven M. Wise
• Kim Stanley Robinson
• Bernard Berenson
• Daniel C. Tsui
• Bill Simmons

Boston University offers a number of unique doctorate degrees online, including its Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Music Education . Students enrolled in this highly specialized program will learn strategies for leadership in music education policy and practice in a variety of settings both in and outside of schools. The online program will culminate in a one-week residency on campus.

Are seeking a postgraduate education. Roughly half of the school’s student body is made up of graduate students.

Prefer a small, intimate campus. Boston University reflects the hustle and bustle of a metropolitan campus.

Florida State University

• #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
• #3 Best Grad Schools in Florida 2024
• #3 Best Research Universities in Florida 2024
• #3 Best Colleges in Florida 2024
• #4 Best Research Universities for Criminal Justice Degrees
• #14 Best Research Universities for Social Work Degrees
• #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
• #1 Best Online Master’s in Counseling
• #1 Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice
• #2 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Information Technology
• #2 Best Online Master’s in Information Technology
• #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Computer Science Degree Programs
• #2 Best Online Colleges in Florida 2024
• #3 Best Online MBA Programs in Florida
• #3 Top 20 Best Online Accredited Doctorate Degree Programs (PhDs) 2024
• #3 Best Online Master's in Art Education and Art Administration
• #3 Best Online Master's Programs in Florida 2024
• #4 20 Best Online Master's of Speech Pathology Degree Programs
• #4 Best Online Doctorate in Education Degree Programs Ranked for Students
• #4 Best Online Master's in Social Work MSW
• #4 Best Research Universities with Online Doctorates (PhDs) 2024
• #6 Best Online Master’s in Communications
• #6 Most Affordable Online Criminology Doctorate Programs (PhDs)
• #7 Fastest Online Bachelor's Degrees Ranked for 2024
• #12 Top 50 Best No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #13 The Best Online MBA Degree Programs in 2024 Ranked for Students
• #16 Best Online Master's in Management
• #16 Fastest Online Doctoral Degree Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
• #20 Best Online Master's Programs 2024
• #20 Best Online Master’s in Engineering
• #16 Most Affordable Master's in Counseling Degree Programs Ranked for 2024

Career Outlook for degree at Florida State University

Florida State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Criminal Justice
• Hunter S. Thompson
• Robert Costanza
• Ronald Numbers
• Mark S. Wrighton
• Sylvia Earle
• Michael Berenbaum
• Jim A. Kuypers
• Neil Druckmann
• Norman Thagard
• Barry Jenkins
• Deion Sanders
• Richard W. Rahn

Florida State University is noted for several excellent distinctive online PhDs and doctoral degree programs, including its PhD in Classical Civilization . This unique program is designed for high school teachers and community college teachers who wish to improve their skills, prepare for serious research, and improve their credentials with a more general emphasis in classical civilization. PhD candidates in the online program are expected to take a variety of summer courses and independent studies in order to earn the full share of required credits.

Are looking to participate in campus activities, Greek life, and sporting event attendance.

Prefer a more intimate college experience.

George Washington University

• #2 Best Colleges in DC 2024
• #6 Best Research Universities for Criminal Justice Degrees
• #9 Best Research Universities for Social Work Degrees
• #16 Best Research Universities for Communications Degrees
• #20 Best Research Universities for Nursing Degrees
• #21 Best Research Universities for Business Degrees
• #1 Best Online MBA Programs in DC
• #2 Best Online Master's Programs in DC 2024
• #3 Best Research Universities with Online Doctorates (PhDs) 2024
• #3 Top 10 Best Online Master's of Public Relations Ranked 2024
• #5 Top 18 Most Affordable No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs
• #6 Best Online MBA Degree Programs for 2024 with No GMAT Required
• #7 Top 8 Fastest Accelerated Online Psychology Doctorates (PhDs)
• #10 Top 50 Best No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #7 Best Online PhD of Nursing (DNP) Degree Programs Ranked for 2024

Career Outlook for degree at George Washington University

George Washington University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Anthropology
• J. Edgar Hoover
• L. Ron Hubbard
• Glenn Greenwald
• Bob Woodward
• Allen Dulles
• George Armitage Miller
• Juan Guaidó
• Roger Stone
• James E. Webb
• Michael D. Griffin
• Lester Frank Ward
• Brian Williams

George Washington University is noted for several excellent online doctoral degree programs, many with direct relevance to government agency leadership in the nation’s capital. For instance, students can complete an online Doctor of Engineering (DEng) in Cybersecurity Analytics . Students will learn to plan and implement security measures to protect an organization’s network and systems, implement strategies to track threats and monitor networks for security breaches, and more. Online course completion takes place during weekend sessions.

Are interested in fields like political science, law, and civics. Its location in the U.S. capital makes GW a prime destination for these areas of study.

Don’t wish to attend college in an urban environment. GW is immersed directly in the city of Washington D.C.

Gonzaga University

• #5 Best Colleges in Washington 2024
• #4 Best Online Master's Programs in Washington 2024
• #7 Best Online MBA Programs in Washington
• #12 Top 18 Most Affordable No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs

Career Outlook for degree at Gonzaga University

Gonzaga University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• John Stockton
• Paul Locatelli
• Robert Blair Kaiser
• Thomas Herndon
• Ronny Turiaf
• Bing Crosby
• Kelly Olynyk
• Julie Bergner

Gonzaga offers an array of unique doctorate degrees fully online, including its Doctoral Program in Leadership Studies (DPLS) . Students in this program will study leadership in three dimensions—the leader as a person, organizational complexities, and global systems. This online degree program is delivered through a Jesuit philosophical framework.

Are seeking a beautiful and immersive campus. Gonzaga’s location near Spokane River makes for picturesque views.

Prefer sunshine and warmth. Students note that Gonzaga’s Pacific Northwest locale leads to a lot of gloomy weather.

Saybrook University

Saybrook University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Richard Tarnas
• Melanie Joy
• Christopher Ryan

Among Saybrook University’s unique online doctorate programs is its PhD in Mind-Body Medicine , where candidates will learn how to apply holistic evidence-based therapies to support physical, emotional, social, and mental health through stress management and thought regulation. PhD candidates can choose through fully online and hybrid degree programs.

Are seeking remote learning options. Saybrook is described as a “low residency” institution.

Have financial constraints. Some students describe Saybrook as a relatively costly online/hybrid experience.

Liberty University

• #2 Best Christian Colleges in Virginia 2024
• #3 Best Private Colleges in Virginia 2024
• #7 Best Research Universities in Virginia 2024
• #7 Best Grad Schools in Virginia 2024
• #9 Best Colleges in Virginia 2024
• #19 Best Research Universities for Criminal Justice Degrees
• #21 Best Research Universities for Social Work Degrees
• #1 Best Online Associate Degree Programs That Can Be Completed in 1 Year
• #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Math Degree Programs Ranked for Students
• #1 Best Online Associate Degrees in Virginia 2024
• #1 Best Online Colleges in Virginia 2024
• #1 Best Online Associate in Economics
• #1 Best Online Associate in Philosophy
• #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Music Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
• #1 Top 15 Most Affordable Online Economics PhD Programs (Doctorates) 2024
• #1 Most Affordable Online PhDs in Psychology Ranked for 2024
• #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Christian Counseling Degree Programs
• #1 Best Online Associate in Education
• #1 Best Online Associate in Mathematics
• #1 Top 10 Best Online Bachelor's of Nursing (BSN) Programs
• #2 Accelerated Online Business Administration PhD Programs (Doctorates)
• #2 10 Best Online Bachelor's of Forensic Psychology Programs
• #2 Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education
• #2 How To Get an Online Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies
• #2 Top 10 Best Online Master's of Psychology Degree Programs 2024
• #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Religious Studies Degree Programs for 2024
• #2 Best Online Bachelor’s in Public Administration Degree Programs for 2024
• #2 Top 3 Best Online Economics PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #2 15 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Psychology Programs
• #2 Best Online Associate in Biblical Studies
• #2 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Information Technology
• #3 10 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of English
• #3 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Virginia
• #3 Best Online Degrees for a Career in Teaching Ranked 2024
• #3 Best Online History Doctorate Degree Programs (PhDs) 2024
• #3 Best Online Bachelor’s of Christian Ministry Degree Programs for 2024
• #3 Best Online Master's in Theology
• #3 Best Online Associate in Paralegal Studies
• #3 Top 5 Best Online Criminal Justice Doctorates (PhDs) 2024
• #3 Fastest Accelerated Online Healthcare Administration Masters
• #3 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in the District Of Columbia
• #3 Most Affordable Online Criminal Justice PhDs (Doctorates)
• #3 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity
• #4 Top 16 Most Affordable Online Counseling PhDs (Doctorates)
• #4 Best Online Associate in Accounting
• #4 Best Online MBA Programs in Virginia
• #4 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Illinois
• #4 Top 20 Best Online Accredited Doctorate Degree Programs (PhDs) 2024
• #4 Best Online Doctorate in Organizational Leadership Degree Programs
• #4 Top 8 Fastest Accelerated Online Psychology Doctorates (PhDs)
• #4 Most Affordable Online PhD Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
• #4 Top 15 Most Affordable Online Information Technology PhD Programs
• #4 Best Online Associate in Psychology
• #4 Best Online Bachelor’s of Elementary Education Degree Programs for 2024
• #5 Top 20 Easiest Online Degrees from Accredited Schools in 2024
• #5 Top 10 Fastest Accelerated Online PhD in Criminal Justice (Doctorates)
• #5 Best Online Master's Programs in Virginia 2024
• #5 Best Online Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies
• #5 Fastest Accelerated Online Doctorate of Information Technology
• #6 Best Online Bachelor's of English Degree Programs for 2024
• #6 10 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Accounting Programs
• #6 Best Online Bachelor’s of Graphic Arts Degree Programs for 2024
• #6 Best Online Master’s in Biblical Studies
• #6 Best Online Bachelor's in Strategic Communications Degree Programs
• #7 Top 15 Fastest Accelerated Online Counseling Doctorates (PhDs)
• #7 The Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Bachelor's Degrees
• #7 Best Online Doctorate of Educational Psychology (PhDs) 2024
• #7 Online Colleges That Start Anytime and the Benefits of a Self-Paced Education
• #8 Best Online Associate in History Degrees
• #8 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity
• #8 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Business Administration Doctorates
• #8 Top 10 Best Online Communications PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #9 Best Online Bachelor’s of Early Childhood Education Degree Programs for 2024
• #9 Best Online Bachelor’s of Data Science and Analytics Degree Programs for 2024
• #9 Best Online Bachelor's in Law and Legal Studies Degree Programs for 2024
• #9 Best Online Associate's in Physics
• #9 Best Online Bachelor’s of Education Degree Programs for 2024
• #9 Best Online Master's in Biology
• #9 Best Online Associate in Business Administration
• #10 Best Online Bachelor's in Social Work Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
• #10 Best Online Bachelor’s of Data Science and Analytics Degree Programs for 2024
• #10 Best Online Bachelor's in Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Programs for 2024
• #10 Best Online Bachelor's in Network Administration Degree Programs for 2024
• #11 20 Fastest Accelerated Online English Doctorates (PhDs) 2024
• #11 Best Online Doctorate in Business Administration Degree Programs
• #11 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Master's of Nursing Programs
• #11 Best Online Bachelor's of Finance Degree Programs for 2024
• #12 Best Online Bachelor’s of History Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
• #12 Best Online Master's in Project Management
• #12 Most Affordable Online Applied Behavioral Analysis PhD Programs
• #12 Best Online Master's in Sports Management
• #13 Best Online Bachelor’s of Homeland Security Degree Programs for 2024
• #14 Best Online Bachelor's in Sports Management Degree Programs for 2024
• #14 Best Online Bachelor's of Healthcare Administration Degree Programs for 2024
• #14 Top 18 Most Affordable No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs
• #15 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Master's Degrees
• #16 Best Online Associate in Criminal Justice
• #17 Best Online Bachelor’s in Marketing and Advertising Degree Programs for 2024
• #17 Most Affordable Online Criminology Doctorate Programs (PhDs)
• #18 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Doctorate of Education (PhDs)
• #18 Most Affordable Online Master's Degree Programs Ranked for Students
• #18 Best Online Bachelor's in Computer Science Degree Programs
• #18 Best Online Master’s in Finance
• #20 Best Online Bachelor's in Accounting
• #21 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity
• #23 Best Online Master’s in Counseling
• #25 Best Online Associate in Christian Ministry
• #25 Best Online Bachelor's of Economics Degree Programs for 2024
• #1 Fastest Accelerated Online Associate's of Counseling Degree Programs
• #2 Fastest Accelerated Online PhDs in Education Degree Programs 2024
• #5 20 Fastest Online Bachelor's of Business Degree Programs Ranked 2024
• #5 Top 20 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's in Counseling
• #6 10 Best Accelerated Online PhD Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
• #6 How to Earn Your Master's Degree Without Your Bachelor's Degree
• #6 Best College Majors that Offer Accelerated Degree Programs
• #8 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Counseling Degree Programs 2024
• #14 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Nursing Degree Programs 2024

Career Outlook for degree at Liberty University

Liberty University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Ravi Zacharias
• Susan Wise Bauer
• Michael R. Licona
• Robert H. Smith
• Michael Tait
• Jerry Falwell Jr.

Liberty University is noted for its highly varied array of online graduate degree offerings, including its unique PhD in Business Administration-Entrepreneurship , where students can receive a doctoral-level business administration education with a heavy emphasis on biblical principles of leadership and ethics. This program can be completed entirely online.

Wish to attend the world’s largest seminary—Liberty University’s Rawlings School of Divinity.

Students who do not identify with Evangelical Christianity.

Walden University

• #2 Most Affordable Online Criminology Doctorate Programs (PhDs)
• #3 Accelerated Online Business Administration PhD Programs (Doctorates)
• #3 Top 8 Fastest Accelerated Online Psychology Doctorates (PhDs)
• #4 Best Online Doctorate of Educational Psychology (PhDs) 2024
• #5 Top 10 Best Online Counseling PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #5 Top 5 Best Online Sociology PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates) 2024
• #6 Top 5 Best Online Criminal Justice Doctorates (PhDs) 2024
• #7 Top 15 Most Affordable Online Information Technology PhD Programs
• #7 Most Affordable Online Applied Behavioral Analysis PhD Programs
• #8 Top 8 Best Online Applied Behavioral Analysis PhDs (Doctorates)
• #10 Top 15 Fastest Accelerated Online Counseling Doctorates (PhDs)
• #10 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Business Administration Doctorates
• #10 Top 10 Best Online Communications PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #10 Fastest Accelerated Online Doctorate of Information Technology
• #12 15 Most Affordable Online Public Health Doctorates (PhDs)
• #2 The Fastest Traditional MBA Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
• #6 Fastest Accelerated Online PhDs in Education Degree Programs 2024
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Career Outlook for degree at Walden University

Walden University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• John Antonakis
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Walden University offers several unusual online doctorate programs, including its PhD in Forensic Psychology , where students will take a deeper dive into the biological, psychological, and socioeconomic factors that can drive criminal behavior. This fully online program prepares students to be advisors, thought leaders, and scholarly contributors in the fields of criminal justice.

Are studying nursing, public health, and healthcare administration. Walden is one of the nation’s top degree providers in these fields.

Plan to earn PhDs in psychology. Walden’s PhDs do not have accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA).

See our Guide to Life in Graduate School for valuable tips on applying to and succeeding in your master’s or doctoral degree program.

Or get tips on studying, student life, and much more with a look at our Student Resources .

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Are you curious about earning an unusual Ph.D. degree ? Earning a doctorate degree is a process in itself and not an easy one at that! But because graduate students are fueled by the desire to advance human knowledge, they carry on until they reap the rewards of their hard work. Ph.D. programs give you an obvious advantage both in your personal and professional life.

Also, it offers you that incredible sense of fulfillment and, even as you don’t demand it, you command respect in your field of specialization. For all the right reasons, this academic road less traveled is your golden ticket to a lucrative career.

Are You Sure It’s a Ph.D. Degree?

That said, a doctorate degree is not only for the serious and the conventional. There are also Ph.D. programs for the unique and the unusual! Ever heard of chocolate studies ? You do not have to sacrifice your passion and interest–and taste!–for the sake of science.

Ph.D. programs or an online doctorate degree, no matter how obscure it may sound, is, by all means, an achievement waiting to be earned. If you think you have an unusual interest , we got you! Check out our list of the world’s most unusual Ph.D. and Doctorate degrees and see if anything sounds odd enough for you!

If an odd and unusual Ph.D. program is not for you, check this out: The Most Affordable Online Doctoral Programs in Business Administration (DBA)

Most Unusual Ph.D. and Doctorate Degrees

Ph.d. in packaging.

Packaging saves lives. That is one of the missions of the School of Packaging at Michigan State University (MSU) , the world’s leader in packaging research.

The graduate doctorate program focuses on the science and technology of packaging which is ultimately aimed at making lives better. After all, consumer products, especially food, need sustainable packaging innovation to positively impact the human experience. MSU’s Ph.D. in Packaging is the number 1 and the sole doctorate degree program offered in the US.

Doctoral degrees in this field may seem unusual and random, however, are of the utmost importance for everyone’s well-being.

Ph.D. in Parapsychology

If you believe that human psychology and human interactions defy the laws of science, consider a Ph.D. in Parapsychology. Immerse yourself and investigate the paranormal or the “psychic” phenomena .

The  Koestler Parapsychology Unit (KPU)  of the University of Edinburgh  looks into the field in a broad sense. Belief in the paranormal and the recorded history and accounts of anomalous events are interesting, to say the least. If you’re in this category of the unexplained, discover your ESP and investigate by opting for this doctoral degree.

Ph.D. in Fisheries Science

Do you enjoy fishing? What if you can become a certified expert in the field? Yes, a doctorate program in Fisheries Science is an interesting route that complements the fishing hobbyist in you.

However, Ph.D. programs in Fisheries Science will not require you to go fishing all the time. Doctoral degree students in this field analyze fish populations and the impact of water quality on its rise or drop. An advanced degree in Fisheries Science will catapult you to a sought-after career in the fisheries and wildlife industry verticals.

Oregon State University and Michigan State University offer the country’s top Ph.D. in Fisheries Science programs.

Ph.D. in Puppetry

Puppets are not just for kids; it is an art form . Puppet Arts are a combination of various disciplines. It encompasses arts, humanities, and the sciences. The University of Connecticut’s Puppet Arts Program offers a wide range of graduate degree programs fully committed to studying the ins and outs of Puppetry. UConn is a university that offers a master’s degree, the MA/MFA in Puppetry .

Ph.D. in Wood Science

As its name suggests, Ph.D. programs in Wood Science are a research field that focuses on wood and wood products. Wood Science and Technology is an in-depth study of the physical, mechanical, and as well as anatomical features of wood, a renewable natural resource with countless uses in modern society.

Offered by the State University of New York College’s College of Environmental Science and Forestry , this doctorate degree includes research on the material science of wood which is a crucial aspect in utilizing and manufacturing it.

Ph.D. in Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Celtic

https://youtu.be/5qyZY_dzKok?list=PLKHsjeKo5R6Xc4Q6yUSj4Vd0S17ybRAgT

Ph.D. in  Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Celtic (ASNC) is definitely a doctorate degree program of choice for individuals who are passionate about the history, culture, language, and literature of the British Isles, and Scandinavia.

Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Celtic is a special area of interest offered at Cambridge University  which naturally attracts legions of people who are engrossed in Medieval literature and history. Ph.D. programs in this field are exciting. You will find your studies helpful to others as well.

Ph.D. in Viticulture and Enology

Put simply, Ph.D. programs in Viticulture and Enology are the study of wine. These two fields usually go hand and hand.

Viticulture is the science of grape growing while enology is the study of wine and winemaking, covering an array of research areas including developing the wine palate, to measuring the amount of patience that winemaking requires. As the wine sector is one of the highest-grossing industries worldwide , you earn an advantage by pursuing a Ph.D. in Viticulture and Enology.

Do these unusual Ph.D. degrees make you nervous? Do you need a more traditional Ph.D. degree? Check this out: The Fastest Online Doctoral (Ph.D. and Ed.D.) Degree Programs

Ph.D. in Safenology

Earning a Ph.D. in Information and Library Science could be every bookworm’s ultimate dream. These doctorate degree programs zero in on the process and the methodology of retrieving and managing information in any form.

However, with the technological advances in society especially in publishing, Library Science has seen a decline in demand .  Libraries are symbols of the academic world and it is important to prioritize and preserve the knowledge in books’ precious pages–and it all starts by keeping the actual building protected.

Ph.D. in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management

Leisure and recreation are indispensable to the human experience. It is only natural that experts invest time and research in order to study their effects on human lives. University of Utah’s Ph.D. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism (PRT ) is a great choice for students of Public Administration. Ph.D. programs in this field can be fun and exciting!

Ph.D. in Dramaturgy

Performative Arts is a growing industry  both in academia and in professional theatres. Ph.D. programs in Dramaturgy urge students to analyze the subjects of dramaturgy. Most importantly, it requires hands-on, practical experience in drama and theatre. If you’ve always found acting and entertainment fascinating, find the most ideal choice for you among the various graduate programs in Dramaturgy .

Ph.D. in Educational Assessment/Testing/Measure

If you enjoy taking standardized tests and assessments, this Ph.D. degree is for you! James Madison University offers Ph.D. programs in Assessment and Measurement. They train students in opportunities to research and utilize assessment methods.

Graduates play an important role in maintaining national standards and upholding the reputation of educational assessments. Degree holders will fill and meet the demands for professional evaluation and measurement.

Ph.D. in Animal Husbandry

If working with animals and raising them are activities that interest you, consider a Ph.D. in Animal Husbandry. This basically entails in-depth research and proper training to master animal breeding.

Agricultural schools offering the degree include the Royal Agricultural College in the UK . The basic philosophy behind the field is to improve the science and technology of modern animal breeding through these Ph.D. programs.

Ph.D. in Manga

Kyoto Seika University in Japan offers the world’s first Doctoral Program in Manga. Students focus on Manga theories and are expected to become professors, researchers, authors, and manga artists. As Ph.D. candidates, they conduct cutting-edge research in Manga, which has become a Japanese subculture on its own. In these types of Ph.D. programs, students also study the artistry behind every page.

While it originated in Japan, international students who appreciate Manga share this type of art and form of entertainment with the world. For one of the truly most unusual PH.D. programs , check out this interesting art form.

Ph.D. in Ceramic Science

Ceramics is not just a hobby with origins that go way back to prehistoric times. Advanced Ph.D. doctoral programs that take progressive research in Ceramic Sciences are concerned with the process, characterization, and applications of the structure and functions of ceramic materials.

Because ceramic materials show potential for various engineering applications, they require the attention of researchers, especially Ph.D. candidates. The University of Manchester in the UK offers Ph.D. in Coatings and Ceramics  with a special focus on researching the techniques used in various industries.

Ph.D. in Acoustics

Sound design and engineering are the backbones of a Ph.D. in Acoustics. Acoustics and noise control have scientific implications and require years of research to be perfected. Purdue University is a world-renowned center for graduate degrees.

A Ph.D. program in this university is driven by the engineering aspect of the field to produce practical real-world solutions to lapses in sound design .

Ph.D. in Industrial Hygiene

The Ph.D. program in Industrial Hygiene focuses on contributing to the field of occupational diseases. Its goal is to conduct research on injury prevention in various industries including the environmental and agricultural sectors.

The University of Iowa’s Ph.D. in Industrial Hygiene Program  prepares students to recognize, assess, and control hazards to prevent further diseases and injuries. Because of the training, graduates of this Ph.D. degree are deemed ready to contribute to the overall environmental health.

Ph.D. in Thanatology

Who knew there were doctoral programs that focused on this topic? The grim realities of life, death and the process of grief associated with the latter make up the center of focus in a Ph.D. in Thanatology degree.

As a student of the program, you gain the training and expertise to help aging individuals cope with dying, death, and grief. Doctoral graduates in Thanatology are perfect for becoming compassionate caregivers in hospice facilities.

Practicing professionals in health sciences and even in the academe benefit from the fundamentals of the human experience. The University of Maryland Graduate School Ph.D. in Thanatology is an excellent choice.

FINAL THOUGHTS

These professional doctorate degrees may leave you scratching your head. Who knew they existed, right? No matter how unusual these Ph.D. degrees or doctoral programs are, we assure you that they exist and are available for you! Take your pick and immerse in years of in-depth research as you prepare for career advancement–all while satisfying your curiosity or having fun at it!

And, for some doctoral students, online doctoral degree programs are often available in these fields. Busy working professionals often enjoy learning through an online degree program as they shuffle busy schedules.

In addition, you may also find that many universities will offer a fully funded program to fit your needs. Doctoral studies don’t have to be drab… It can be fun as you earn one of the most unusual Ph.D. degrees!

Additional information: The Best Accredited Online Ph.D. Programs

Exploring the World of PhDs: Insights and Unusual Facts

Earning a PhD is an admirable feat, but it’s also an intricate process filled with unique experiences, challenges, and some unexpected surprises. This article aims to uncover diverse facets of the PhD world, from the surprising graduates to intriguing traditions and pressing queries about its worth.

A common misconception is that only individuals with exceptionally high IQs pursue PhDs. But, is that the case? Let’s explore the average IQ of a PhD holder . While higher education often requires intellectual rigor, it’s crucial to remember that motivation, creativity, and perseverance are equally significant to success in this journey.

Interestingly, the PhD community comprises more than just traditional scholars. It includes individuals from various walks of life, even those from unexpected fields. For instance, did you know that Shaq, the renowned basketball player, has a PhD ? And he’s not the only one in the limelight. The rap artist Yung Gravy also boasts a PhD . These examples underscore that the desire for knowledge and academic advancement isn’t limited to any profession or field.

While it’s true that a full-time PhD program is a significant commitment, many potential candidates question if it’s possible to complete a PhD part-time . Indeed, it’s feasible, but it demands meticulous time management and a whole lot of determination.

Of course, it’s well-known that grad school can be hard . Balancing coursework, teaching responsibilities, and intensive research can lead to significant stress. But, knowing how to cope with these challenges can pave the way for a smoother journey.

As we navigate through economic fluctuations and changing job markets, many are questioning if a PhD is still worth it in 2023 . Comprehensive data analysis can shed light on this debate, helping prospective students make an informed decision.

Finally, let’s turn our gaze towards Finland, a country known for its unique academic traditions. Did you know that in Finland, upon completion of a doctoral degree, graduates receive a doctoral sword and a top hat ? It’s a compelling testament to the diversity of academic customs around the world.

The PhD world is vast, varied, and filled with fascinating facts and insights. Regardless of where your interest lies, one thing remains consistent: the pursuit of a PhD represents a deep commitment to advancing knowledge in your chosen field.

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30 of the Most Bizarre Research Paper Topics of All Time

For many postgraduate students, a Ph.D. thesis will be their magnum opus – the zenith of their academic achievement. And with such a significant amount of time and effort being invested, it’s important that study topics are chosen wisely. Hence, it’s comforting to know that the world of academic research is a far more inclusive, eclectic and remarkably unusual place than one might first assume. However left-field a particular subject might seem, there are almost certainly countless other research papers that wipe the floor with it in the weirdness stakes. Here are 30 of the very strangest.

30. Ovulation: A Lap Dancer’s Secret Weapon

To investigate the theory that estrus – the interval of amplified fertility and sexual awareness often referred to as “heat” in mammals – is no longer present in human females, researchers turned to an unlikely source: lap dancers. A team from the University of New Mexico led by evolutionary psychologist Geoffrey Miller enlisted the help of 18 professional dancers. These dancers documented their ovulatory cycles, shift patterns and the amount of tips they received over the course of 60 days. Published in 2007 in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior , “Ovulatory cycle effects on tip earnings by lap dancers: economic evidence for human estrus?” noted a distinct correlation between estrus and greater income from gratuities, representing what the researchers called “the first direct economic evidence for the existence and importance of estrus in contemporary human females.”

29. Which Can Jump Higher, the Dog Flea or the Cat Flea?

Froghoppers aside, fleas are the overachieving long jumpers of the animal kingdom. Fleas have body lengths of between 0.06 and 0.13 inches but can leap horizontal distances more than a hundred times those figures. But were all fleas created equal in the jumping stakes? To find out which would triumph between the dog- and cat-dwelling varieties, researchers from the Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse , France meticulously recorded the leaping efforts of a collection of both species of flea. Published in 2000, the resulting paper, “A comparison of jump performances of the dog flea, Ctenocephalides canis , and the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis felis ,” declared the dog flea the winner. Yes, the canine-inclined insect jumps both higher and further than its feline-partial opponent. In 2008 the research team scooped the Annals of Improbable Research ‘s Ig Nobel Prize in the biology category – the Ig Nobel Prizes being awards that recognize the feats of those who “make people laugh… and then think.”

28. On Ethicists and Theft

Death row pardons, lottery wins and rain on your wedding day – all (arguably non-ironic) subjects referenced by Alanis Morissette in her 1996 single “Ironic.” One topic that would probably merit inclusion – despite the research not being published until 2009 (in Philosophical Psychology ) – is the revelation that books on ethics are more liable to be absent from the shelves of university libraries than comparable books on other philosophical subjects. “Do Ethicists Steal More Books?” by University of California, Riverside professor of philosophy Eric Schwitzgebel revealed that the more recent, esoteric ethics books “of the sort likely to be borrowed mainly by professors and advanced students of philosophy” were “about 50 percent more likely to be missing” than their non-ethics counterparts. However, Professor Schwitzgebel believes this is a good thing, as “the demand that ethicists live as moral models would create distortive pressures on the field.”

27. Wet Underwear: Not Comfortable

Even babies know it: wet underwear is uncomfortable. Yet precisely why this is so is a question that went unanswered by hard science until 1994, when the journal Ergonomics published “Impact of wet underwear on thermoregulatory responses and thermal comfort in the cold.” The authors were Martha Kold Bakkevig of SINTEF Unimed in Trondheim, Norway and Ruth Nielson at Kongens Lyngby’s Technical University of Denmark . Bakkevig and Nielson had investigated “the significance of wet underwear” by monitoring the skin and intestinal warmth, as well as weight loss, of eight adult male subjects wearing wet or dry underwear in controlled cold conditions. Apart from the obvious “significant cooling effect of wet underwear on thermoregulatory responses and thermal comfort,” the research also discovered that the thickness of the underwear exerted a greater effect on these factors than the material used to make the garment. So now you know.

26. Do Woodpeckers Get Headaches?

In much the same way that we’d presume dragons don’t get sore throats, it would be a reasonable assumption that woodpeckers don’t suffer from headaches – but assumptions are a poor substitute for the authoritative grip of scientific fact. Published in 2002 in the British Journal of Ophthalmology , “Cure for a headache” came courtesy of Ivan Schwab, an ophthalmologist at the University of California, Davis . Schwab’s paper details the raft of physiological traits that woodpeckers have developed to avoid brain damage and bleeding or detached eyes when hammering their beaks into trees at up to 20 times a second, 12,000 times a day. In addition to a very broad but surprisingly squishy skull and sturdy jaw muscles, the woodpecker has a “relatively small” brain – which probably explains a lot.

25. Booty Calls: the Best of Both Worlds?

Compromise, according to U.S. poet and author Phyllis McGinley at least, is what “makes nations great and marriages happy.” It’s also the backbone of the booty call, if research published in 2009 is anything to go by. Appearing in The Journal of Sex Research , “The ‘booty call’: a compromise between men’s and women’s ideal mating strategies,” was written by researchers from the department of psychology at New Mexico State University . The study analyzed the booty-calling behavior of 61 students from the University of Texas at Austin . What’s more, it confirmed its central thesis that “the booty call may represent a compromise between the short-term sexual nature of men’s ideal relationships and the long-term commitment ideally favored by women.” Lead researcher Dr. Peter K. Jonason, now working at the University of Western Sydney , shared follow-up papers in 2011 and 2013, for The Journal of Sex Research and Archives of Sexual Behavior , respectively.

24. Mosquitoes Like Cheese

The mosquito is a formidable and destructive pest. And while it’s known that exhalation of carbon dioxide by its victims acts as a highly compelling invitation to dinner, other smelly signals have been less well documented. Published in The Lancet , Bart Knols’ 1996 research, “On human odor, malaria mosquitoes, and Limburger cheese,” changed that. The entomologist described how Anopheles gambiae , Africa’s most prolific malaria-spreading mosquito, exhibited a keen partiality for biting human feet and ankles. Crucially, the research also showed that these mosquitoes can be attracted to Limburger cheese, a stinky fromage that shares many characteristics with the whiff of human feet, offering potential use as a synthetic bait for traps. Interestingly, Knols is one of the few people to have won an Ig Nobel (for entomology in 2006) and a Nobel Peace Prize (shared in 2005 as part of the International Atomic Energy Agency).

23. Weighing Up Lead and Feathers

It doesn’t require a degree in physics – or philosophy – to understand that a pound of lead and a pound of feathers weigh the same. Yet the question of whether or not they feel the same is rather less straightforward. To examine this, researchers from the department of psychology at Illinois State University enlisted the help of 23 blindfolded volunteers, recording their perceptions of the weight of either a pound of lead or a pound of feathers contained within boxes of precisely the same shape and size. Published in 2007, the paper – “‘Which feels heavier – a pound of lead or a pound of feathers?’ A potential perceptual basis of a cognitive riddle” – discovered that participants rated the pound of lead as seeming weightier with an “above chance” frequency. The suggestion is that factors such as the “muscular forces” required to handle an object could also play a role in perceptions of weight.

22. Cat Food – Yummy?

Despite their notorious penchant for fully, or sometimes partially, dead rodents in their mouths, cats are surprisingly fussy eaters. What’s more, the pet food industry has found that kitties themselves represent unreliable and expensive test subjects in the pursuit of more appealing cat food flavors. Professor Gary Pickering of the department of biological sciences at Brock University in Ontario, Canada detailed a better option in 2009: the human palate. “Optimizing the sensory characteristics and acceptance of canned cat food: use of a human taste panel” describes the bizarre methodology for human tasters to “profile the flavour and texture of a range of cat food products” – including evaluating “meat chunk and gravy/gel constituents.” The impact of this on the number of job applications to the beer- and chocolate-tasting industries remains to be seen.

21. The Unhidden Dangers of Sword Swallowing

While “cat food taster” is unlikely to appear on anybody’s dream job list, at least that profession is unencumbered by the daily risk of serious injury. Sword swallowing, on the other hand, though occupying a similar position on the league table of tastiness, is a rather more hazardous occupation. In order to establish just how hazardous, radiologist Brian Witcombe and world champion sword swallower Dan Meyer analyzed the “technique and complications” of 46 members of the Sword Swallowers’ Association International. Published in 2009 in the British Medical Journal , their research, “Sword swallowing and its side effects,” found that performers had a heightened chance of injury when “distracted or adding embellishments” – as in the case of one unfortunate swallower who lacerated his throat after being disturbed by a “misbehaving macaw on his shoulder.” In 2007 Witcombe and Meyer together received the Ig Nobel Prize in medicine in view of the pair’s “penetrating medical report.”

20. Beer Bottle vs. Human Skull

Common weekend warrior tales would suggest that a beer bottle makes a good weapon in the event of a bar brawl. But would a full or an empty bottle inflict the most damage, and would that damage include fracturing a human skull? These important questions were answered in 2009 by a team of researchers from the University of Bern with their seminal paper, “Are full or empty beer bottles sturdier and does their fracture-threshold suffice to break the human skull?” Dr. Stephan Bolliger and his colleagues tested the breaking energy of full and empty beer bottles using a drop tower. Moreover, they discovered that a “full bottle will strike a target with almost 70 percent more energy than an empty bottle,” but that either is capable of breaking a human skull. Good to know. In a great twist of irony, Dr. Bolliger and co. picked up a 2009 Ig Nobel Prize in the “Peace” category.

19. The Propulsion Parameters of Penguin Poop

The titles of scientific research papers can sometimes be fairly impenetrable to the layman; other times they may take a more direct approach. Published in 2003, “Pressures produced when penguins pooh – calculations on avian defecation” certainly belongs to the latter category. The paper’s authors, Victor Benno Meyer-Rochow of the then International University Bremen (now Jacobs University Bremen ) and Eötvös Loránd University ‘s Jozsef Gal, decided to address the question of how much internal pressure penguins generate for poop-firing purposes. With knowledge of just a few parameters – including the thickness of and distance covered by the fecal matter – the researchers were able to calculate that the birds employed pressures of up to 60 kPa (kilopascal) to eject their bodily waste. The project was inspired by a blushing Japanese student who, during a lecture, asked Dr. Meyer-Rochow how the penguins “decorated” their nests.

18. Lady Gaga and Pop Art

Lady Gaga clearly sees herself as something of an artist: her third album is called Artpop , and last year she voiced her desire to “bring art culture into pop in a reverse Warholian expedition.” But does anyone else agree? In 2012 University of Cambridge student Amrou Al-Kadhi decided to write a few words – 10,000 to be precise – on the subject for his final year undergraduate dissertation. The paper, looking at Lady Gaga’s place in the history of pop art and her role as a voice of cultural criticism, initially encountered some resistance from the Cambridge history of art department. However, after several meetings, the provision of a barrage of YouTube links to Gaga videos such as “Telephone” (which apparently demonstrated her postmodern aesthetic) and “a bit of work,” permission for Al-Kadhi to undertake the research was granted.

17. Even Chickens Prefer Beautiful People

A 2002 research paper by Stefano Ghirlanda, Liselotte Jansson and Magnus Enquist at Stockholm University decided to make inroads into the question – most likely contemplated by very, very few people – of whether “Chickens prefer beautiful humans.” The study saw six chickens trained to “react to” images of an ordinary male or female face. They were then tested on a series of images ranging from the average face to a face with exaggerated male or female characteristics, and a group of 14 (human) students were given the same test. Perhaps surprisingly, the chickens “showed preferences for faces consistent with human sexual preferences.” The researchers claim this offers evidence for the hypothesis that human preferences stem not from “face-specific adaptations” but from “general properties of nervous systems” – perhaps overlooking the possibility that their human test group just had very unusual tastes.

16. Erase Bad Memories, Keep Good Ones

Painful, embarrassing, or traumatic memories have an annoying habit of accumulating over the course of an average lifetime. As Courtney Miller, assistant professor at the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute , puts it, “Our memories make us who we are, but some of these memories can make life very difficult.” With that in mind, Miller led a team of researchers to try and find out whether certain unwanted memories – specifically, drug-related ones – could be erased without damaging other memories. Published in 2013, “Selective, Retrieval-Independent Disruption of Methamphetamine-Associated Memory by Actin Depolymerization” found that, in mice at least, this kind of bespoke amnesia is entirely possible. How? By means of inhibiting the formation of a particular molecule in the brain. “The hope is,” said Miller, “that our strategies may be applicable to other harmful memories, such as those that perpetuate smoking or post-traumatic stress disorder.”

15. The Rectal Route to Curing Hiccups

When beset by a flurry of hiccups, a few minutes of putting up with the involuntary jolting is usually sufficient to get them to subside. However, other times they can become a far more unmanageable problem, beyond the healing scope of even the oldest of wives’ tales. In such situations there’s a surprising but highly effective cure. Published in 1990, “Termination of intractable hiccups with digital rectal massage” details the case of a 60-year-old patient whose seemingly non-stop hiccups were brought to an immediate halt by a massaging finger in the rectum. A second occurrence a few hours later was curbed in a similar fashion. The research from the Bnai Zion Medical Center in Israel notes that “no other recurrences were observed.” The inspiration for the report was Dr. Francis Fesmire, who penned a medical case report with the same title in 1988 and with whom the researchers shared an Ig Nobel in 2006. Fesmire passed away in 2014, and one fitting epitaph from an entertainment-oriented research magazine mused, “Dr. Fesmire found joy and fame by putting his finger on – nay, in – the pulse of his times.”

14. Can Pigeons Tell a Picasso From a Monet?

Theirs is a list dominated by flying, pecking and defecating, and pigeons can now add “appreciation of fine art” to their skill set. Published in 1995, “Pigeons’ discrimination of paintings by Monet and Picasso” came courtesy of Shigeru Watanabe, Junko Sakamoto and Masumi Wakita at Keio University in Japan. And sure enough, the paper presents evidence that pigeons are indeed able to distinguish between works by the two artists. The birds were trained to recognize pieces by either Monet or Picasso; and crucially they then demonstrated the ability to identify works by either creator that had not been shown to them during the training period. Not bad for rats with wings. Professor Watanabe – who went on to explore paddy birds’ appreciation of the spoken word – put the paper into context, saying, “This research does not deal with advanced artistic judgments, but it shows that pigeons are able to acquire the ability to judge beauty similar to that of humans.”

13. The Nature of Navel Lint

It’s a phenomenon that most people will be familiar with: small balls of lint accumulating in the belly button. Still, until fairly recently the mechanism behind this process lacked a satisfactory explanation from the realm of science. Fortunately, that all changed in 2009 when Georg Steinhauser, a chemist and researcher at the Vienna University of Technology , published a research paper entitled “The nature of navel fluff.” After gathering 503 samples of navel lint, Dr. Steinhauser concluded that the culprit behind this common occurrence is hair on the abdomen, which dislodges small fibers from clothing and channels them into the belly button. As the Austrian himself has pointed out, “The question of the nature of navel fluff seems to concern more people than one would think at first glance.”

12. The Effects of Cocaine on Bees

The effects of cocaine on human body movement can be observed in nightclubs the world over on just about any given weekend. And as it turns out, the tediously familiar overestimation of dancing prowess is not just limited to humans. In a 2009 paper entitled “Effects of cocaine on honey bee dance behavior,” a team of researchers led by Gene Robinson, entomology and neuroscience professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , analyzed how honey bees are affected by low doses of cocaine. Honey bees are known to perform dances when they locate an abundant food source; and the team found that administering the drug prompted bees to circle about 25 percent quicker as well as dance more exuberantly and for longer. The bees also exaggerated the scale of their bounty. No surprise there then.

11. Fruit Bat Fellatio

Though its contents are difficult at first to make out, the grainy black and white image above actually depicts two bats engaged in some X-rated nocturnal activity. And that’s precisely the topic that a group of researchers from China and the U.K. chose to explore in their 2009 paper, “Fellatio by fruit bats prolongs copulation time.” The group looked at the copulatory behavior of the short-nosed fruit bat and observed that “females were not passive during copulation but performed oral sex.” More interestingly, the researchers also discovered that the longer the bats spent engaged in fellatio, the longer the copulation itself lasted – and that when fellatio was absent, pairs spent much less time mating.

10. The Possibility of Unicorns

It’s a question that has plagued the internet for decades: could unicorns really exist? The short answer, at least, is no. Still, King’s College London philosophy undergraduate Rachael Patterson decided to investigate whether a full dissertation on the more theoretical aspects of the subject would yield the same conclusion. Her paper, “The Possibility of Unicorns: Kripke v Dummett,” picks up on previous theses by British philosopher Michael Dummett and American logician and philosopher Saul Kripke. Why? In order to see if any more rainbow-hued light could be shed on this important question, of course. Reassuringly, perhaps, neither Kripke nor Dummett claim that these mythical creatures live in reality – although Dummett does posit the idea that in another world they might.

9. Does Country Music Make You Suicidal?

Country music is one of the most popular genres of music in the United States, with a huge audience that encompasses all age ranges. Yet given its recurrent themes of wedded disharmony and excessive drinking, Steven Stack of Wayne State University and Auburn University ‘s Jim Gundlach decided to probe whether country music might have an influence on municipal suicide rates in America. Published in 1992, their research paper, “The Effect of Country Music on Suicide,” actually discovered a strong link between the amount of country music radio airplay in any particular city and the suicide rate among the white population in that area. The reaction was mixed: Stack and Gundlach initially received hate mail, but in 2004 they won the Ig Nobel Prize for medicine.

8. Do Cabbies Have Bigger Brains?

The notoriously demanding exam that London’s black cab drivers must pass is called the “Knowledge” – and with good reason. Covering around 25,000 streets inside a six-mile radius of central London, the test generally requires three to four years of preparation and multiple attempts at the final exam before success is achieved. University College London neuroscientist Eleanor Maguire was inspired to take a closer look at this feat of memory after researching similar examples in the animal kingdom. Published in 2000, the resulting study, “Navigation-related structural change in the hippocampi of taxi drivers,” discovered that “cabbies” had physically larger posterior hippocampi – the areas of the brain responsible for spatial memory – than their non-cabbie counterparts. Professor Maguire’s follow-up study (with Dr. Katherine Woollett) in 2011 confirmed that trained cabbies were better at remembering London landmarks but not as good at recalling complex visual information compared to the unsuccessful trainees.

7. Shrews: To Chew or Not to Chew?

Ever felt so hungry that you could eat a horse? How about a shrew? While such scenarios are never likely to present themselves to the average person, scientists can be an altogether more experimental bunch. Take 1995 paper, “Human digestive effects on a micromammalian skeleton,” by Brian Crandall and Peter Stahl, anthropologists working at the State University of New York . Said paper investigated what would happen to a shrew – which was first skinned, disemboweled, parboiled and cut into segments – if it was swallowed, sans chewing, by a human. Interestingly, many of the rodent’s smaller bones “disappeared” on their transit through the human digestive system, while other portions of the skeleton showed “significant damage” despite the lack of chewing – a promising result to those studying human and animal remains. Following this peculiar paper, Brian Crandall became a science educator hoping to motivate future generations of (hungry) scientists.

6. Gay Dead Duck Sex

In 1935 Austrian physicist Erwin Schrödinger tried to highlight the absurdity of newly developed aspects of quantum theory. In his thought experiment, the strange quantum properties of a system are drawn on to suspend a hypothetical cat in a state of being simultaneously dead and alive. Sixty-six years later, a new piece of research saw the cat replaced by two ducks, in far less paradoxical though no less opposing states of life and death – but now with the crucial addition of gay sex. Published in 2001, “The first case of homosexual necrophilia in the mallard Anas platyrhynchos” describes Kees Moeliker’s bizarre experience. The Dutch ornithologist witnessed a male duck administering a 75-minute raping of the corpse of another male duck, freshly deceased after flying into a window. More recently, Moeliker has presided over an annual commemorative event and public conversation on how to make sure birds stop flying into windows. The event’s name? Dead Duck Day.

5. Love and Sex With Robots

“Intimate Relationships With Artificial Partners” – ludicrous science fiction, or serious science fact? According to the paper’s author, and British International Master of chess, Daniel Levy, “It may sound a little weird, but it isn’t.” Levy earned a Ph.D. from Maastricht University for his thesis, which covered sociology, psychology, artificial intelligence and robotics, among other fields. He conjectured that human-robot love, marriage and even consummation are “inevitable” by 2050. Roboticist Ronald Arkin from Atlanta’s Georgia Institute of Technology points out, “Humans are very unusual creatures. If you ask me if every human will want to marry a robot, my answer is probably not. But will there be a subset of people? There are people ready right now to marry sex toys.”

4. A Better Approach to Penile Zipper Entrapment

Unfortunately, the horror injury that befalls Ben Stiller’s character Ted, in 1998’s There’s Something About Mary , often traverses the realm of fiction to bestow real-world agony upon boys and men who wish they’d opted for a button fly. A 2005 paper by Dr. Satish Chandra Mishra from Charak Palika Hospital in New Delhi, India looked at reported methods of intervention for this most unpleasant of problems and found that many common approaches either take too long or can actually make the circumstances worse. The researchers’ paper, “Safe and painless manipulation of penile zipper entrapment,” details instead a “quick, simple and non-traumatic” method using wire cutters and a pair of pliers – though “painless” does seem a highly ambitious adjective in this particular context.

3. Flatulence As Self-Defense

The idea of a correlation between fear and bodily emissions of one variety or another is not surprising, but a 1996 paper by author Mara Sidoli detailed a much more extreme example of this relationship. In “Farting as a defence against unspeakable dread,” Sidoli described the miserable tale of Peter, a “severely disturbed adopted latency boy” who endured a difficult and traumatic early life. Despite various setbacks in his later growth, Peter demonstrated “considerable innate resilience.” However, he also developed what Sidoli called a “defensive olfactive container,” using his flatulence “to envelop himself in a protective cloud of familiarity against the dread of falling apart, and to hold his personality together.” With such a vivid and prose-rich approach to scientific research, it should come as no surprise that SIdoli scooped the Ig Nobel for literature in 1998.

2. Harry Potter = Jesus Christ

Putting an end, once and for all, to the notion that literary theory sometimes lacks real-world application, “Jesus Potter Harry Christ” is a thesis by Ph.D. student Derek Murphy that looks at “the fascinating parallels between two of the world’s most popular literary characters.” What’s more, after successfully exceeding his Kickstarter funding goal of $888, Murphy’s thesis has been transformed into a commercially available book, published in 2011, which won the Next Gen Indie Book Award for Best Religious Non-Fiction that same year. Though the idea of analyzing the similarities between J.K. Rowling’s boy wizard creation and the Son of God might seem like a frivolous endeavor, Murphy – who is currently doing his Ph.D. at Taiwan’s National Cheng Kung University – assures his public that the book’s contents are “academic and heavily researched.” Now, where’s the fun in that?

1. Rectal Foreign Bodies

Published in the journal Surgery in 1986, “Rectal foreign bodies: case reports and a comprehensive review of the world’s literature” does exactly what it says on the tin. The research, by doctors David B. Busch and James R. Starling, based in Madison, Wisconsin, looked at two cases of patients with “apparently self-inserted” anal objects, as well as available documentation on the subject. Other factors taken into account included the patient’s age and history and the number and type of objects removed. The resulting list of 182 foreign bodies makes for an eye-watering read: of particular note are the dull knife (“patient complained of ‘knife-like pain'”) and the toolbox (“inside a convict; contained saws and other items usable in escape attempts”). The doctors’ paper was recognized for its literary value with an Ig Nobel Prize in 1995. One person’s pain is clearly another’s pleasure.

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Doctor of Philosophy in Blogging

5 Weirdest P.h.D. Programs in the USA

by admin on March 06, 2010

Doctor of Philosophy, PhD, is interpreted as teacher of philosophy or alternatively, DPhil, Dr. Phil. is an advanced academic degree awarded by universities. In many English-speaking countries, the PhD is the highest degree that a person can earn and have to his discourse.    PhD is offered in the most common subjects to some strange topics and issues. Below are mentioned some of the strangest PhDs offered by different universities.

• Landscape architecture PHD : As offered by Edinburgh College of Art, it is a 36-96 months part time course.  Under this course research student are offered with core support course to train them in basic research skills and methodologies. It covers topic and issues like history of the discipline and development of a theoretical basis for practice; current research takes account of cultural diversity; perception of landscape and space; exploitation of new ways to enhance access and minimize barriers, etc.
• PHD in Pastoral Counseling : As offered by Liberty University this course in The PhD specialization in Pastoral Care and Counseling is different in its appeal and approach of combining Christian universal view of mixing up science and practice of contemporary behavioral sciences. This integrated approach is of special interest to individuals who wish to enhance their Christian perspective with contemporary scientific methodology and clinical techniques of the helping professions.
• Doctor of Psychology, Mental Health Administration Specialization : This doctoral program offered by University of Rockies evaluates, explains and defends the complexities of modern mental health delivery system in ever changing industry.  The curriculum of this PHD program prepares a student towards a career as an innovative leader in large mental health organizations.
• Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership : This PHD program is offered by The Chicago School of professional psychology and defines distinction of a manager and leader in organizational set up whether it is a large business or small entrepreneur unit. Offered online this is a post master’s program offered according to needs of busy working professionals.
• Advanced Topics in Sexual Issues : This doctoral level program offered by North Central University emphasizes on physiological, psychological and social cultural variables attached with sexual identity, psychological, cultural and biological aspects of human sexuality, involving an overview of psychosexual development, cultural and individual variations, gender identities and roles.

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Does Shaq Really Have a Ph.D.?

Shaquille O’Neal acts, raps, analyzes basketball on TNT, invests in dozens of companies , and even owns a partial stake in the Sacramento Kings. On top of it all, however, Shaq is a lifelong student.

Many NBA fans might not know that O’Neal is the proud recipient of a doctoral degree. His commitment to education is a sticking point for him.

Shaquille O’Neal goes to college

Shaq initially followed the path of many others when he attended Louisiana State University . Although he valued his education, he knew he faced a lucrative NBA career as the consensus No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. O’Neal began at LSU in 1989 and, according to him, knew he wanted to finish with his degree no matter what, reports The New York Times .

If Ben Simmons goes No. 1 overall, he will join Shaquille O’Neal as the only No. 1 picks from LSU in the NBA Draft. pic.twitter.com/6CfJkpgjCb — ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 23, 2016

Three years later, he left for the NBA, putting his educational goals on hold. Despite his status as an NBA superstar, he wanted to get his degree and used his parents as motivation. “I promised my parents I’d do it. I promised myself I’d do it,” O’Neal said of earning his degree. “It took eight years; it should have taken six or seven. I had some other engagements.”

That eight-year wait ended in 2000 when O’Neal famously missed a game against the Vancouver Grizzlies to attend his college graduation from LSU. “Here he is, almost 30, and he’s graduating from college,” Phil Jackson said per ABC News . “He’s persevered to do it. We wish him well in his graduation; it’s a wonderful thing to do.”

Not every player needs to finish their education. LeBron James hasn’t even gone to college. O’Neal, however, wanted his degree and wouldn’t stop with his bachelor’s. 

Becoming ‘Dr. Shaq’ 

Five years after receiving his degree and fresh off his tumultuous ending with the Lakers , O’Neal received another diploma. He got his master’s degree in business thanks to the University of Phoenix’s online opportunities, reports Harvard blog Ipso Facto . Shaq received a degree in business administration, which should shock no one who’s followed his career.

Meet Dr. Shaquille O'Neal with Barry University President pic.twitter.com/3IYltyz8 — Melissa Adan Vargas (@MelissaABCNews) May 5, 2012

While several big names get honorary degrees from various schools, O’Neal earned his just like any other grad school student. He took what he learned and applied it to his craft away from the court, but he didn’t stop there. 

Attendees at a 2012 convocation for Barry University saw one particularly large graduate in their midst, reports ESPN . Recently retired from the NBA, O’Neal finished his educational goal and received his doctorate in business along with 1,100 other students. O’Neal put himself in an exclusive club of pro athletes with doctorates. He is not technically a Ph.D. but received his Ed.D (Doctor of Education).

Shaquille O’Neal passes it on

Shaq’ss love for education does not stop there, however. Now a father to six adult and teenage children, O’Neal wants to instill his love of learning into the next generation of his family. Referencing the work he saw Miami Heat owner Micky Arison give his son, O’Neal wants his kids to learn the value of hard work and education.

O’Neal said he wants his kids to get at least two degrees before they dip into his money. This way, they can invest their finances similarly to how he does while also learning valuable life lessons. 

Off the court, O’Neal has had about as much success as he did on it. In a world where athletes are often lost outside of their games, O’Neal showed there is a path for even the largest superstars to expand their expertise.

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Bradley Geiser

Bradley Geiser has been a contributing writer since 2019 and works with content for MotorBiscuit and Sportscasting. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English literature and English creative writing from UC Davis.

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The weirdest questions asked about your PhD

Doctoral student ana kedveš asked her colleagues to submit the strangest questions they have faced.

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A PhD is not just about researching, reading and writing. It’s often about convincing others (and ourselves) that we’ve made the right decision by embarking on this journey.

Some questions and advice provide help; others not so much (check out the #unhelpfuladvice on Twitter). Ever since I packed my life in two suitcases and flew over to Warwick (oops, Coventry) to start my studies, people, those dear and close to me, as well as complete strangers, have been asking very random questions.

I was curious to find out if this happened to other PhD students, too. Turns out it did. I laughed and tried to answer some of these…

Why are you doing this?

Are you serious? You’re not crazy, are you? No. But don’t recall the library books I just started reading…I might get a bit upset.

Does anyone care other than you? Yes. My supervisor. (But seriously, yes. Just because something is not in your field doesn’t mean it’s not important.)

Why are you researching that? Because it’s important, interesting and I enjoy it.

Why are you still studying? See above.

Not that kind of doctor

So you will be the type of doctor who can save me on a plane? No, not even on the ground, sorry. Although, I’m sure some PhDs are medics/first aiders…

Can you make meth? Errrmmm…Not really top priority in our research methods training.

So are you going to be a teacher/pharmacist? Are you?

Why do you think a PhD means that you can expect that kind of salary? Some fields value employees with PhD degrees; others do not.

How can you become a doctor of philosophy? You don’t study philosophy? No, I don’t (which is good ’cause I’m terrible at it), but that’s the title, love of wisdom and all that. Take it or leave it.

When will you…

Finish your studies? When I pass my viva. And submit the corrections. I’ll let you know when to bring the cake.

Get a real job? Ouuuch…We’re all doing cutting-edge research in our fields. How much more real can it get?

Get married? When and if I see it fit.

Have a baby? See above.

As random as it gets…

How is your pet? They’re all fine, thanks. We’re teaching them to Skype.

What if you come home with a British husband? PhD degrees don’t come with husbands, British or any other nationality, sorry. We have to make a romantic effort, just like everyone else.

Why does your name have an umlaut? Some names have umlaut. Mine has an “s” with a small “v” over it (looks like this: š, and reads like this: ʃ). It’s OK.

You’re a linguist? So how many languages do you speak then? Oh, sorry, you might have misheard, a linguist, not a polyglot. Ask your local semanticist. (OK, now I’m pushing it…)

Ana Kedveš is a doctoral student at the Centre for Applied Linguistics (CAL) at the University of Warwick . She edits the PhD Life blog, based at Warwick’s Research Exchange, where this post was originally published.

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Affiliation.

• 1 Department of Psychology and Department of Economics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, Canada. [email protected]
• PMID: 20550733
• DOI: 10.1017/S0140525X0999152X

Behavioral scientists routinely publish broad claims about human psychology and behavior in the world's top journals based on samples drawn entirely from Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic (WEIRD) societies. Researchers - often implicitly - assume that either there is little variation across human populations, or that these "standard subjects" are as representative of the species as any other population. Are these assumptions justified? Here, our review of the comparative database from across the behavioral sciences suggests both that there is substantial variability in experimental results across populations and that WEIRD subjects are particularly unusual compared with the rest of the species - frequent outliers. The domains reviewed include visual perception, fairness, cooperation, spatial reasoning, categorization and inferential induction, moral reasoning, reasoning styles, self-concepts and related motivations, and the heritability of IQ. The findings suggest that members of WEIRD societies, including young children, are among the least representative populations one could find for generalizing about humans. Many of these findings involve domains that are associated with fundamental aspects of psychology, motivation, and behavior - hence, there are no obvious a priori grounds for claiming that a particular behavioral phenomenon is universal based on sampling from a single subpopulation. Overall, these empirical patterns suggests that we need to be less cavalier in addressing questions of human nature on the basis of data drawn from this particularly thin, and rather unusual, slice of humanity. We close by proposing ways to structurally re-organize the behavioral sciences to best tackle these challenges.

• Behavioral Sciences / methods*
• Cross-Cultural Comparison*
• Decision Making
• Population Groups*
• Visual Perception

Tips for Online Students , Tips for Students

58 Weird College Majors You Must Know About!

Updated: February 7, 2023

Published: April 7, 2020

While you might think that getting a college degree is only for traditional career paths, the truth is, you can get a degree in pretty much any subject that you can dream of, without exaggerating. So if you’re passionate about a specific field, do your research and you may just find yourself the perfect degree program from our list of weird college majors. Normal is all relative, anyways.

What Are Some Weird College Majors?

Here are some cool college majors that you’ve surely never heard of, plus everything you need to know about them if you decide to pursue a career in one of these unique fields of study ! Why get a traditional degree anyway when you can get a fun degree?

1. The Science Of Decision

This major teaches students to be experts in quantitative methods of making thought-out decisions.

• Job Opportunities: A business consultant or professor.
• Salary Range: $53,315 to $122,313 annually.
• Degree Type: A PhD in Decision Sciences.

2. Ethical Hacking

Learn how to hack a variety of computer programs in an ethical manner.

• Job Opportunities: Information security analyst.
• Salary Range: The average salary is $95,000.
• Degree Type: Bachelor’s degree in information technology.

3. Adventure Education

An adventure education degree teaches you to make the most of the outdoors, as well as how to expose people of all ages to a variety of challenging adventures that allow for self-discovery. When it comes to fun degrees, this is winning hard!

• Job Opportunities: Those with a degree in adventure education can work in outdoor education at a national park, or in a variety of outdoor adventure programs.
• Salary Range: An adventure education specialist can make anywhere between $21,854 – $95,200, depending on their experience and position.
• Degree Type: A bachelor’s degree which can be obtained at Plymouth State University.

4. Cannabis Cultivation

When it comes to fun majors , this one is thankfully still legal despite what you may think, teaching students cannabis growing methods.

• Job Opportunities: Working for a legal cannabis company or being a master grower.
• Salary range: $104,000 on average.
• Degree Type: Bachelor’s degree in organic chemistry.

Learn scientific methods to predict the future. Who said cool college majors didn’t exist?

• Job Opportunities: A psychic.
• Salary range: $40,000 – $60,000.
• Degree Type: A course from the College Of Psychic Studies

6. Theme Park Technology

Electrical engineering is the main focus, with some aspects of civil and mechanical engineering.

• Job Opportunities: Working as an engineer in theme parks.
• Salary range: $45,000 – $80,000 annually.
• Degree Type: A bachelor’s degree in engineering.

Photo from  Pexels

7. astrobiology.

Those who study astrobiology learn about life outside of planet Earth, and get the chance to explore the early evolution of life on Earth. While this may be up there with the weird college majors, it sure is cool!

• Job Opportunities: Those with a degree in astrobiology can work as either a scientist, educator, or astrobiology researcher.
• Salary Range: The average salary for an astrobiologist is $49,000-140,000 per year.
• Degree Type: The typical degree in astrobiology is at the graduate level

8. Digital Mapping

Learn how to create virtual maps.

• Job Opportunities: Working for navigation companies.
• Salary Range: Between $24,000 and $36,000.
• Degree Type: A master’s degree.

9. Auctioneering

This degree teaches you to best auction off items from top to bottom.

• Job Opportunities: As you could have easily assumed, you can work as an auctioneer!
• Salary Range: The average salary for an auctioneer is $46,000 annually.
• Degree Type: A bachelor’s degree that can be received at Harrisburg Area Community College.

10. Psychometrics

Learn how to carefully understand test results.

• Job Opportunities: Interpreting test results for schools or the government.
• Salary Range: $82,393 on average.

11. Bagpiping

This major is perfect for anyone that wants to study bagpiping and make a career out of this musical instrument.

• Job Opportunities: Those with this degree can either work as a bagpiper or can teach others how to play.
• Salary Range: It depends on how much experience the bagpiper has and how many gigs he gets, but on average they make around $200 an hour.
• Degree Type: A Bachelor of Music with a speciality in Bagpiping.

12. Turfgrass Science

The maintenance of turfgrass species.

• Job Opportunities: Golf course maintenance, or other professional lawn care.
• Salary Range: $35,340 on average.
• Degree Type: Bachelor of Science.

13. Bakery Science

This is one seriously tasty major where students are trained in all aspects related to the baking industry — including research and production.

• Job Opportunities: Studying bakery science can open doors for jobs in restaurants, catering, bakeries, hotels, and even food testing labs.
• Salary Range: The average salary for someone in this field is $46,000.
• Degree Type: This is a bachelor’s degree that can be received at Kansas State University.

Photo by  Agung Pandit Wiguna  from  Pexels

14. the beatles.

When it comes to cool majors, this is hard to beat. This program allows students to look at the incredible impact that The Beatles had on many aspects of modern society today.

• Job Opportunities: Anyone who studies The Beatles as a major can work either as a Beatles historian or a popular music specialist.
• Salary Range: $36,850 is the average salary for someone with a specialty in music history.
• Degree Type: A bachelor’s degree.

15. The Science Of Poultry

Applying biology and chemistry to make chicken safe for human consumption.

• Job Opportunities: A quality control specialist or a poultry breeder.
• Salary Range: $59,772.
• Degree Type: Bachelor of science.

16. The Bowling Industry

Taking a degree that specializes in the bowling industry is not only among our list of fun degrees, but it also provides a comprehensive preparation for working in the bowling industry.

• Job Opportunities: Working in any bowling-related job, either in management, sales, or with a more technical focus.
• Salary Range: $45,000 is the average salary for a worker in the bowling industry.

Taking a degree in citrus will teach you about planting, irrigating, pruning, and fertilizing citrus trees.

• Job Opportunities: A degree in citrus can get you a job at at a production company in management or in citrus research.
• Salary Range: $43,000 is the average salary for someone in this field.

18. Canadian Studies

The goal of this degree is to provide students with a deeper understanding of Canada.

• Job Opportunities: Students with a degree in Canadian studies can work at Canadian embassies across the globe, or may become political scientists, sociologists, or anthropologists.
• Salary Range: $53,544 to $87,171 for a job at the Canadian embassy.
• Degree Type: A Bachelor of Arts.

19. Surf Studies

Learn all about the surfing industry, as well as how to run a surfing business.

• Job Opportunities: A surf coach or instructor, run a surf school, host surfing events, work in environmental sustainability.
• Salary Range: $42,493 on average.

20. Enology

The science of growing grapes and making wine.

• Job Opportunities: Winemaking or managing a vineyard.
• Salary Range: $50,000 annually on average.
• Degree Type: Both bachelor’s and master’s.

21. Chemical Safety

The program focuses on both lab and course work in order to become a professional in the field of chemical safety.

• Job Opportunities: Those with this degree can either run a science lab or work as a chemical hygiene officer.
• Salary Range: $61,744 is the average salary for a chemical safety officer.
• Degree Type: A bachelor’s degree in chemistry.

22. Ecogastronomy

Learn to integrate sustainable agriculture, hotel hospitality, and nutrition based on the principles of ecogastronomy, which aims to provide an alternative approach to human food consumption

• Job Opportunities: Working in the restaurant industry, farm management, food policy, nutrition and health assessment.
• Salary Range: $40,000 – $48,500 annually for a position as a food systems coordinator .

23. Comic Art

Students who take this degree study commands of lines, colors, and composition.

• Job Opportunities: Those with a degree in comic art can work as a cartoonist or illustrator.
• Salary Range: The average salary for a comic artist is $39,278.
• Degree Type: A bachelor of fine arts.

24. Diving Technology

A major in diving technology includes learning how to manage a dive business, as well as how to safely dive based on physics and physiology.

• Job Opportunities:  A degree in diving technology can lead to a job as a divemaster, scuba instructor, or even an underwater photographer.
• Salary Range: $54,750 is the salary range for someone that works in the diving industry.
• Degree Type: An associate degree that can be obtained at Florida Keys Community College.

25. Sexuality Studies

Explore human sexuality from all aspects, including historical, cultural, biological, and aesthetical.

• Job Opportunities: Working in social services, counseling, healthcare, and social justice.
• Salary Range: $61,500 is the average salary for a sex therapist
• Degree Type: Bachelor of art.

26. Bicycle Design and Fabrications

Learn how to design and construct a bike.

• Job Opportunities: Bike designer, engineering technician, and production specialist.
• Salary Range: $52,524 on average for a trek bike designer .
• Degree Type: A master’s in engineering.

27. Egyptology

Students who take this degree are given the chance to learn about the cultures, sciences, languages and histories of ancient Egypt as well as their neighbors.

• Job Opportunities: You can work as a historian, a specialized archeologist, or even as an Egyptologist, believe it or not!
• Salary range: The average salary for an Egyptologist is $61,220.
• Degree Type: Either a bachelor’s or a master’s degree from Brown University.

28. Packaging

Learning how to package on an industrial level.

• Job Opportunities: A packaging designer or engineer.
• Salary Range: $89,503 on average.

29. Entertainment Engineering

Students who study this major learn the principles of engineering needed for the entertainment industry.

• Job Opportunities: Those with such a degree can work in the entertainment industry as an engineer for casinos and shows.
• Salary Range: $78,421 is the average salary for someone in this field.

30. Movement Sciences

Movement science involves learning about both the theory and application of movement.

• Job Opportunities: A degree in movement science can get you a job in the fitness industry, as well as in a research lab or in a community organization.
• Salary Range: The average worker with a movement science degree earns $57,000 per year.
• Degree Type: Such a degree is offered at both the undergraduate and graduate level.

Photo by  Nathan Cowley  from  Pexels

31. organ performance.

Learn to play the organ at a professional level.

• Job Opportunities: Performing at a variety of events, working for an orchestra.
• Salary Range: From $37,599 to $81,177.
• Degree Type: Bachelor of Music.

32. Family Enterprise

This major focuses on understanding the ins and outs of running a family business.

• Job Opportunities: With such a degree, you can run a family business, or be a professional advisor for family businesses.
• Salary Range: $62,402 is the average salary for a family business owner, however it varies greatly on the type of business.

33. Jazz Studies

Learn about jazz music techniques as well as its history.

• Job Opportunities: Teaching or performing jazz.
• Salary Range: $41,895 as a jazz lecturer.
• Degree Type: A doctoral of musical arts.

34. Farrier Science

This major studies the art of horseshoeing.

• Job Opportunities: Anyone with this degree can work as a farrier (self-employed) or in the agricultural or equine industries.
• Salary Range: $18,749 to $27,984 is the average salary range for someone in this field.
• Degree Type: Associate degree.

35. Metalsmithing/Blacksmithing

This program teaches students hand skills, as well as critical thinking and aesthetic values.

• Job Opportunities: Blacksmiths generally find jobs in factories, or work for metal fabricators. Many also work as farriers, meaning they take care of horse’s feet.
• Salary Range: The average salary for a worker in this trade is $38,450.
• Degree Type: Trade school is generally where people learn to be a blacksmith.

36. Leisure Studies

Learn how to optimize free time.

• Job Opportunities: Teaching, parks, health and fitness industries.
• Salary Range: $22,230 – $52,063.

37. Fermentation Science

This degree studies wine and brewing, with an understanding of the social and cultural implications of food and drinks.

• Job Opportunities: This degree can help you get a job in a winery, vineyard, distillery, or brewery.
• Salary Range: Such scientists earn an average salary of $81,000 annually.

38. Mortuary Science

A degree in mortuary science teaches students everything they need to know about conducting a funeral service.

• Job Opportunities: A funeral service practitioner.
• Salary range: The average salary for someone with a degree in mortuary science is $54,034.

39. Floral Management

Floral management studies include purchasing, distributing, marketing, and designing a variety of floral products.

• Job Opportunities: Floral design, garden design, or floriculture management.
• Salary Range: $51,179 is the salary range for someone with such a degree.

40. Nautical Archaeology

This major studies the remains of ships and boats from a variety of cultures.

• Job Opportunities: Maritime Archaeology and Conservation or Nautical and Underwater Archeology.
• Salary Range: $92,931 is the average salary for someone in this field.

41. Being A Nanny

This major focuses on training students about child development and how to care for children safely.

• Job Opportunities: A nanny for a family, daycare, or school.
• Salary Range: The average salary for a nanny is $30,000 a year.
• Degree Type: An associate degree.

42. Coastal Sciences

This program focuses on the processes that occur from the coastal zone to the deep waters on the ocean.

• Job Opportunities: A research scientist is the most common job for those who study coastal sciences.
• Salary Range: The average salary for someone with such a degree is $92391.
• Degree Type: Generally a master’s degree.

43. Pop Culture

Students who study pop culture take courses that focus on the many associated aspects, including movies, TV, music, magazines, and festivals. Did someone say fun majors?

• Job Opportunities: Someone with a degree in pop culture can work in public relations, journalism, or advertising.
• Salary Range: $43,835 is the average salary for someone with this type of degree.
• Degree Type: Bachelor of Arts.

44. Shakespeare Studies

An in-depth study of Shakespeare’s work.

• Job Opportunities: Teaching in a school, museum, or theatre.
• Salary Range: $48,000 on average.

45. Puppet Art

The art of the puppet, managing puppet shows.

• Job Opportunities: Theatre performance and design.
• Salary Range: $54,590.
• Degree Type: Bachelor’s degree.

46. The Race Track Industry

All the aspects of a horse race track are learned.

• Job Opportunities: Track secretary, announcer, or journalist.
• Salary Range: $54,000 annually is the average.
• Degree Type: A bachelor’s and master’s.

Learn to perfect your humor in both your performance and writing in one of the most fun majors yet.

• Job Opportunities: A comedian or comedy writer.
• Salary Range: Around $30,000 annually.

48. Digital Currency

Learn the ins and outs of digital currencies such as Bitcoin.

• Job Opportunities: A blockchain developer.
• Salary Range: Between $150,000 and $175,000.
• Degree Type: Master of Science.

49. Bassoon

Learn to play this 19th century instrument.

• Job Opportunities: A professional bassoon player or teacher.
• Salary Range: $25,000 – $43,000 annually.

50. Costume Technology

Learn the science behind costumes for films and shows.

• Job Opportunities: Working on sets for films and shows.
• Salary Range: $38,534 is the average.

51. Gunsmithing

Learn about firearm repair and maintenance.

• Job Opportunities: Freelancer or working for a large production company.
• Salary Range: $31,910 per year on average.
• Degree Type: Certificate program.

52. Resort Management

Hotel management and customer service on a larger scale.

• Job Opportunities: Opening a resort or managing one.
• Salary Range: $45,877 on average.

53. Social Media

Becoming a professional in a variety of social media platforms.

• Job Opportunities: Social media manager.
• Salary Range: Between $34,432 and $56,571.
• Degree Type: Bachelor’s degree.

54. Greenhouse Operations

Learn all about maintaining greenhouses despite seasonal temperatures.

• Job Opportunities: Greenhouse grower specialist, greenhouse marketing specialist, hydroponics or aquaponics specialist, planning and production specialist.
• Salary Range: Between $48,000 and $72,000.

55. Somatic Science

Bodywork and movement studies with a focus on internal physical perception.

• Job Opportunities: A somatic therapist.
• Salary Range: $72,083 on average.
• Degree Type: A master’s degree .

56. Story Telling

Master the art of storytelling in the digital age.

• Job Opportunities: Novelist, entertainer, marketing specialist.
• Salary Range: $56,693 on average for a professional storyteller.
• Degree Type: Seminar.

57. Medicinal Plant Chemistry

Learn the principles of chemistry, physics, calculus, and biology to understand and analyze compounds and chemicals from plant materials in order to work with medicinal plants such as cannabis and botanical supplements.

• Job Opportunities: Research scientist, quality control and assurance of products, drug testing, extraction and analysis of plans and essential oils.
• Salary Range: $79,448 to $105,071 for a medicinal chemist.

58. Wildlife

Learn about the preservation of all species.

• Job Opportunities: A wildlife biologist.
• Salary Range: $51,769

What Is Normal Anyway?

What is normal anyway, and who decided how it would be defined? Perhaps it’s what has been understood to be what most of society is doing, but even if you decide to study one of these weird college majors, it really just means that you have a unique personality, and aren’t afraid to go off the beaten track. Good for you!

Related Articles

Weird PhD Topics

Writing a PhD thesis is the magnum opus of many postgraduate students, the pinnacle of their academic journey and achievement. That is why students cautiously approach topic selection for their thesis, investing a good amount of time and effort in this process. Many students opt for ‘safe’ PhD topics, which do not stand out although their contribution to the existing body of knowledge is undeniable. Luckily, the world of academic research is much more unusual than one can assume, which sometimes results in the selection of strange subject matters by students. In this article, we are looking at some of the weirdest PhD topics that will blow your mind.

1. Is wet underwear comfortable?

Many of us know that children are not comfortable with wet underwear so adults are likely to feel the same discomfort. Still, the reason behind this feeling was undiscovered until the date the journal Ergonomics published a PhD thesis, in which the authors assessed the relationship between wet underwear and thermal comfort in the cold. Eight men agreed to participate in the study and they had to wear wet underwear for 60 minutes at 10 degrees Celsius. All for science! Obviously, it was found that wearing wet underwear caused a significant cooling effect on the participants’ thermoregulatory responses.

2. Does listening to country music provoke suicidal thoughts?

Do you love country music as much as we do? If yes, we have bad news for you! In 1992, two students of Wayne State University and Auburn University attempted to link country music to metropolitan suicide rates. The researchers assumed that country music could nurture a suicidal mood by concerning problems, which were common in the suicidal population, including alcohol abuse and marital discord. You would be surprised but the students managed to establish a strong link between the number of country songs on the radio and suicide rates. With this information in mind, listening to ‘Guitars, Cadillacs’ on repeat might not sound a good idea anymore.

3. Jesus Potter Harry Christ

In his PhD thesis, Derek Murphy attempted to establish a relationship between J.K. Rowling’s beloved character and, well, Jesus Christ. Although it might sound weird or even shocking, Mr Murphy actually demonstrates, with strong arguments and references to academic literature, that the only real difference between Harry Potter and Jesus Christ is that the latter has traditionally been viewed as a real person in history. An interesting spin on this story is added by the fact that the PhD thesis was actually funded through a crowdfunding platform. As a result, Mr Murphy exceeded his initial funding goal, which has allowed for transforming the thesis into a book that can still be purchased. Bear in mind that the book touches a sensitive topic and, hence, it can be viewed by some readers as an attack on faith and belief so reader discretion is advised.

4. Can birds tell Monet from Picasso?

You will not believe but there is a PhD thesis that assesses the extent to which pigeons appreciate fine art. In 1995, the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behaviour published a PhD thesis, according to which pigeons indeed can tell a work by Picasso from a work by Monet. Not bad for a bird with a brain no bigger than the tip of an index finger.

Although these thesis topics seem weird, they nevertheless push the boundaries of our knowledge of this world. If you are intended to write a PhD thesis on a unique or unusual topic but do not know where to start, you can always get assistance from PhD writing services and get help from senior academics who have graduated from top universities.