What is the difference between Ph. D programs with coursework and those without it?
It seems to me that there are several advantages; none of these are suitable for every student. It's up to you whether enough of them apply to you, to make it worth doing a taught PhD:
- A PhD with a bit of coursework in the first year will help those who are crossing over into a discipline that they're not already deeply embedded in: it will give you some hand-holding through the things you'll need to know but don't yet;
- it should (if taught well) also teach you some extra research skills;
- it will give you some indication as you progress as to how well you're doing, compared to how well you should be doing if you're going to finish
- it will allow you to explore different aspects of the field, to help you finalise your thesis topic
- it may, depending on the country and institution, give you an intermediate degree at the end of the taught section, such as an MRes, which will count for something even if you then don't go on to do the full PhD
- it lessens the culture-shock for those going straight from fully-taught study to a research degree.
One thing to keep in mind is that there are international differences as well. In Germany, for instance, doctoral programs almost never require coursework as part of the research program requirements (although it may be mandated for purposes off establishing degree equivalency, if you come from a foreign country or have a degree from another field). This is because it is assumed that you have taken all the necessary courses as part of your Master's program, which is considered the follow up to the bachelor's rather than the precursor to the doctorate.
The reverse is true in the US: I don't know of any PhD programs there that don't require courses, for the reverse reason.
Also, a coursework PhD program is very useful for someone (like me) who took a break from academia to work for a couple of years - it would be invaluable in refreshing those basics that have atrophied during the time spent at industry.