1. Identify your field of study: A PhD in Engineering is very different from a PhD in English Literature, and the accredited programs will vary widely.
2. Research accredited universities: Look for universities accredited by recognized regional or national accrediting bodies. For example, in the US, you'd want to look for accreditation from agencies like the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) or the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). International students should check for equivalent accreditation agencies in their home country and the country of the university offering the online program. You can usually find this information on the university's website.
3. Search for online PhD programs: Once you have a field, search online using keywords like "accredited online PhD in [your field]" to find relevant programs.
4. Check program specifics: Carefully examine each program's curriculum, faculty expertise, dissertation requirements, and technological support for online learning.
5. Consider program reputation and rankings: Look at university rankings (US News & World Report, for example, offers rankings for US universities) and check faculty publications and research to gauge the program's reputation.
Instead of naming specific schools (which would be incomplete and potentially misleading), I strongly encourage you to use the steps above to conduct your own thorough research. Searching online using the specific field you're interested in will provide the most relevant and up-to-date information.