When I was doing my PhD we had two older students in our class, about 50 years old. One was a woman who had worked in big Pharma and decided to pursue her passion. The other guy had been a documentary filmmaker. No one batted an eyelid at their age. People do what they do for many reasons, OP.

The women that you're referring to aren't old. You sound like my 12 year old, OP.

I have a PhD in health policy. Most of my student peers were well into their 40s, with a majority getting the degree to have more credibility behind their name. They were already in high ranking positions, sr. director in a pharma company for a example, and most people they interacted with professionally were doctors in some capacity so they felt the need to match that.

Personal fulfillment and in my case brick and mortar highly regarded college. I would never get a grad degree from online program. In fact, that never crossed my mind. I don't see how this is even crossing your mind?

To each his own OP. Not everyone monetizes education. Maybe people just want to learn something new. Plain and simple.

DW made it a goal to finish her PhD before 50. She was 2 weeks shy of 51 when she defended her dissertation. Our kids were 6y.

My mom got her PhD a couple of years ago, aged 62. She got her PhD from Georgetown, in a field related to that in which she had worked for most of her life. She did the PhD because of intellectual curiosity, and has since published one book and is working on her next. She paid for it and could afford to do so, and is looking forward to continuing to research and write for many more years.

I recently finished my doctorate at age 46 (and happen to have a 9 month old grandchild) and am far from finished with my career. For me, completing my doctorate was a personal goal and an avenue to expand my career in a different direction. I am sitting here today pondering four attractive job opportunities (making well over 6 figures). Apparently, my experience in the field coupled with the education is attractive to potential employers.

P.S. I also run mountain marathons, bike, ski, and many other things you probably assume women my age do not do... sorry OP, I'm saving knitting and Jeopardy for my 80's.

OP, are you childless and unmarried and nearing 40?

OP, why do you care so much? Most SAHMs in this area or work-PT/lean back moms can afford the degree--they are probably doing it for the enjoyment. I work with some moms whose kids were their first priority (including a brilliant one who went to HYP) and now are doing grad degrees for the enjoyment that their kids are older.

(If they just want career/income advancement there are other paths/certs/degrees they would be pursuing. A PhD is rarely something done for the money.)

Anonymous wrote:Yes, OP, all 50 year old women are washed-up grandmothers who can't compete with a young genius like you! And they should all just invest their money in something like Lularoe. They couldn't possibly have intellectual interests.

Did one of those women beat you for a promotion at work?

No, I am not willing to lower my market value to $32 an hour.

They're getting ripped off with online doctorates.

OP, if you want to start a small business, start a small business. That sounds like hell to me, and I thought writing a dissertation was pretty awful.

If they have been adults long enough to have raised kids, they have dealt with small businesses and know how hassled small business owners are?

Yes, OP, all 50 year old women are washed-up grandmothers who can't compete with a young genius like you! And they should all just invest their money in something like Lularoe. They couldn't possibly have intellectual interests.

Did one of those women beat you for a promotion at work?