Florida is home to some of the country’s biggest and best universities in the USA, and many offer PhD programs.
If you’re considering getting your doctorate in the Sunshine State, whether online or on-campus, it’s can be overwhelming to know what to look for in a program before taking the time to apply. What courses are offered? What’s the tuition? Can you get accepted?
That’s why in this post, you’ll get answers to all these questions and can see an overview of the best PhD programs in Florida.
Here’s the short list to get started:
- The University of Florida, College of Education
- Nova Southeastern University, College of Computing & Engineering
- The University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine
- University of Central Florida
- Florida State University, College of Education
- The University of West Florida
- The University of South Florida, College of Education
- Florida International University, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
- Florida Institute of Technology
- Florida Atlantic University, College of Business
Read on to learn everything you need to know about the top PhD programs in Florida.
The 10 Top PhD Programs in Florida
The University of Florida, College of Education
The University of Florida is a prestigious public university in the state and ranks #5 among the top public universities in the nation. This is one of the PhD programs Florida offers in the field of education, where you get the option to specialize in one of the many concentration areas. You have ten different options, from Computer Science Education to Educational Technology and ESOL/Bilingual Education to Reading & Literacy Education.
- Courses include: Educational policy analysis, mentoring for career development, and educational psychology: human development.
- Credits: 90 (post-bachelor’s)
- Duration: 5 years
- Tuition: $12,744
- Financial aid: Fellowships, scholarships, graduate assistantships, dissertation awards, and travel awards.
- Delivery: On-campus
- Acceptance rate: 30%
- Location: Gainesville, Florida
Nova Southeastern University, College of Computing & Engineering
Nova Southeastern University, a private institution, is also among the top universities in Florida with many high rankings. The Ph.D. in Computer Science offered by the university is one of the Florida PhD programs with two path options: BS to PhD and MS to PhD. The course delivery is through a blend of online and on-campus means.
- Courses include: Design & analysis of algorithms, artificial Intelligence, and advanced network security.
- Credits: 51 (BS to Ph.D.) or 66 (MS to Ph.D.)
- Tuition: $1,346 per credit
- Financial aid: Fellowships, scholarships, and grants.
- Delivery: Online and on-campus
- Acceptance rate: 93%
- Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
The University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine
Miller School of Medicine’s faculty is renowned for research in brain and nervous system functions. It uses advanced approaches and tools such as light-sheet microscopy, optogenetics, and computer-brain interfaces for the studies. By choosing this PhD in Neuroscience program, you will be studying one of the long-standing and globally recognized doctorate programs in Florida.
- Courses include: Introduction to biomedical sciences, molecular & cellular neuroscience, and neuroanatomy.
- Credits: 80
- Duration: 5 years
- Tuition: Full funding
- Financial aid: Fellowships, health insurance, tuition support, and stipends.
- Delivery: On-campus
- Acceptance rate: 28%
- Location: Coral Gables, Florida
University of Central Florida
University of Central Florida Online has been well-known for its fully online programs and offers over 100 different online programs in various disciplines at present. This Ph.D. in nursing is among the Florida online PhD programs that offer you both BS to Ph.D. and MS to Ph.D. tracks. The program aims to develop professionals who can contribute to interdisciplinary solutions to advance global healthcare through research, education, and service.
- Courses include: Theory in nursing science, scientific writing for nurses & healthcare professionals, and research approaches & designs for nursing & healthcare.
- Credits: 72
- Tuition: $327.32 per credit
- Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, loans, and waivers.
- Delivery: Online plus 2 on-site intensives per year
- Acceptance rate: 36%
- Location: Orlando, Florida
Florida State University, College of Education
Counseling Psychology and School Psychology (Combined PhD)
FSU is among the elite universities in the country and is located at the oldest site of continuous higher learning in Florida. It is known for rigorous research in advanced fields of technology, sciences, humanities, etc., based on a tradition of critical thinking and liberal arts. This Ph.D. offered by the university is the only APA (American Psychological Association)-approved doctorate in Florida combining School Psychology and Counseling Psychology.
- Courses include: History & systems of psychology, psychopathology & development, and foundations of school psychology.
- Duration: 4-7 years
- Tuition: $479.32 per credit
- Financial aid: Scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, grants, work-study, and loans.
- Delivery: On-campus
- Acceptance rate: 37%
- Location: Tallahassee, Florida
The University of West Florida
EdD, Instructional & Performance Technology
The University of West Florida is one of the top-performing universities in the nation and has many rankings on various fronts. Unlike the general-track online PhD programs Florida offers in education, this Ed.D. program has a focus on technology. It is an applied doctorate that aims to turn students into educational leaders who conduct applied research and develop solutions related to the areas of performance and instructional technologies and technology integration.
- Courses include: Leadership in performance improvement, advanced instructional design & technology, and design of non-instructional performance solutions.
- Credits: 54
- Duration: 36 months
- Tuition: $384.60
- Financial aid: Grants, scholarships, and loans.
- Delivery: Online
- Acceptance rate: 53%
- Location: Pensacola, Florida
Florida International University, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
Florida International University has an innovative approach to the medical curriculum, which aims to create socially accountable medical professionals. This Doctor of Medicine program imparts medical knowledge encompassing all areas through various classroom and training settings and using advanced tools, such as NeighborhoodHELP™, that provide interprofessional learning experiences.
- Courses include: Pathology & infectious disease, nervous system & behavior, and family medicine.
- Duration: 4 years
- Tuition: Refer to tuition page
- Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, and loans.
- Delivery: On-campus
- Acceptance rate: 50%
- Location: Miami, Florida
The University of South Florida, College of Education
PhD in Curriculum & Instruction – Career & Workforce Concentration
The University of South Florida is not as old as many other universities but is the fastest-rising university in the nation as per the US News & World Report. There are many online doctoral programs Florida offers with working professionals in mind. This Ph.D. is one such program making it convenient for such people to maintain a balance between work, education, and other commitments. It aims at developing the current and future workforce in the industry that acknowledges the global and technological impact on education, work, and the economy.
- Courses include: Design of systematic studies in education, emerging workplace competencies, and comparative study of career workforce education systems.
- Credits: 59
- Tuition: Refer to tuition page
- Financial aid: Grants, scholarships, and loans.
- Delivery: Online
- Acceptance rate: 49%
- Location: Tampa, Florida
Florida Atlantic University, College of Business
Florida Atlantic University welcomes students to a collaborative and supportive student-faculty community which significantly helps scholarship flourish. This Ph.D. in Finance program offers all facilities for students to conduct research in specific areas of interest to address existing issues and communicate results to the academic world, government, and the industry. Unlike online PhD programs in Florida, it is strictly for full-time on-campus study with the requirement of taking at least nine hours of course load in the fall and spring semesters.
- Courses include: Empirical methods in finance, risk management, and advanced microeconomics.
- Credits: 80
- Duration: 4 years
- Tuition: $371.82 per credit
- Financial aid: Research and teaching assistantships, tuition reimbursement, loans, and military/veteran benefits.
- Delivery: On-campus
- Acceptance rate: 78%
- Location: Boca Raton, Florida
Florida Institute of Technology
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
Florida Institute of Technology is a reputed private research institution offering mainly STEM-based programs, including aerospace studies, biomedical sciences, and business. This is among the online doctoral programs in Florida in business that require minimal on-campus attendance. Usually, the class meets two days per month for the initial four semesters and one day per month for the remaining four semesters.
- Courses include: Cost & managerial accounting, supply chain management, and tax management & strategy.
- Credits: 42
- Duration: 3 years
- Tuition: $1,288 per credit
- Financial aid: Grants, scholarships, loans, and employer tuition assistance.
- Delivery: Online and on-campus
- Acceptance rate: 66%
- Location: Melbourne, Florida
Popular Florida PhD Programs Majors
Whatever your preferred field of study, you’ll find a wide range of options at Florida’s many universities that will allow you to explore your areas of interest and advance your career.
Some of the most popular majors in Florida institutions are:
- Nursing
- Education Leadership
- Medicine
- Computer Engineering
- Business
- Electrical Engineering
- Biomedical Sciences
How to Earn a Doctorate Degree near Florida
It’s important to do your research before choosing your preferred doctorate program in or around Florida. Consider factors to help you choose the right program for you, such as:
- Specializations offered
- Tuition and costs
- Special rules for out-of-state students
- The reputation of the faculty
- Job prospects
For example, if you are interested in studying aviation, you’ll be happy to know that the country’s largest aviation school, the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, is located in Florida.
You can research the faculty of the schools you’re considering through online reviews, networking, and asking current and former students. Make a shortlist of the colleges based on this research and other considerations like specialization, tuition, financial aid, and alumni profiles. Check the admission requirements for the colleges and prepare accordingly.
Once accepted into the program, you’ll need to satisfy the program requirements to earn your doctorate. Most Florida PhDs involve a combination of coursework and a dissertation, though some programs focus more heavily on the research component, and others are almost purely coursework-based. Florida PhD programs usually take between three and seven years to complete, though some Florida online PhD programs can be completed in less time, even in as little as a year.
Key Takeaways
A PhD is usually considered the highest qualification you can earn in any field. This advanced degree will help you broaden your knowledge in your field of specialization and deepen your understanding of key concepts and principles. There are PhD programs in Florida that cater to all kinds of students, in online and offline formats, and with a wide range of majors, from computer science to aviation and finance to educational leadership.
Still not sure which doctorate program is right for you? Look at our round-ups of the best fully-funded PhD programs and the highest paying PhDs.
Lisa is a full-time writer specializing in career advice, further education, and personal development. She works from all over the world, and when not writing you'll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or enjoying a glass of Malbec.
