New Delhi, Sept. 16 -- You may have seen online ads where overseas universities are offering "honorary doctorate" degrees. Some of the people you know may even have received one. If you're tempted as well, this guide is for you.

To check if a program is genuine, first look for accreditation. A valid degree must be offered by an institution approved by a recognised accrediting body.

Next, research the university's reputation as the value of an online doctorate depends on where it comes from. Think about career goals. An online doctorate may help in industry jobs, but traditional PhDs are usually preferred for teaching or research positions in universities.

The subject area also matters. Courses like software engineering work well online...