Seeking out an online doctorate in education no GRE required is a strategic way to quickly get started with an advanced degree in education.
Earning an EdD online can provide advanced training for you to grow your leadership capabilities and make a lasting difference for learners.
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You may work in a local school system, provide higher education leadership for a college, influence educational policies, mentor teens in a community program, or encourage exemplary employee performance.
Online Doctorate in Education Programs
If you care deeply about ensuring that others learn and grow, then you might be an excellent candidate for online Ed.D programs in education. In such a program, you may develop your skills for education leadership. Your work may benefit students, teachers, communities, or workplaces.
The classes in an online EdD program might cover ethical leadership, change management, and classroom diversity. You may also study laws and policies that relate to education. Other topics might include education technology, conflict resolution, school funding, project management, and student assessment.
In addition to these education-related courses, you will also have research-based classes. These can help you become a stronger scholar and prepare you for your doctoral project. Depending on your school’s requirements, you might end your program with a dissertation or another capstone project.
You may have the opportunity to select a concentration track, such as secondary education, higher education leadership, online education, or health care education, in your online Ed.D. program as well.
With a concentration, you can focus your studies around a particular aspect of the education field. This can help prepare you for your particular career goals. Your program may offer concentrations like higher education, instructional technology, or special education.
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Some tracks may require you to gain field experience at a local school. There may even be an internship requirement.
With a doctorate, you may be well-suited for leadership positions among students and educators. Doctoral degrees are common among school administrators, including instructional coordinators, special education directors, principals and superintendents.
An education doctorate would also be good preparation for a career in college administration. If teaching is your passion, then having a doctorate doesn’t have to pull you out of the classroom.
Having a doctoral degree may help you be the best teacher you can be. You could teach in traditional school settings, college classrooms, community organizations, or corporate training programs.
Education Careers & Salaries
In online Doctor of Education programs, you may prepare for leadership roles in teaching and training settings.
Many students in online Ed.D. programs plan to work in children’s schools. You may want to be a school principal at a public or private elementary school, junior high, or high school. Principals work with students, supervise staff, and carry out administrative duties.
With a doctorate, you might also qualify to be a district superintendent who oversees a group of schools. Superintendents are also hired at the regional and state levels.
There may be other administrative positions available to you as well. For example, you might organize academic materials and teaching methods as a district’s instructional coordinator. You may also manage special education services in your school system.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in education pay an average annual salary of $52,380, but with a doctorate you may earn much higher pay each year.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Training and Development Managers | $115,640 |
| Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals | $98,490 |
| Postsecondary Education Administrators | $97,500 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $69,600 |
| Instructional Coordinators | $66,970 |
| Postsecondary Education Teachers | $65,440 |
| High School Teachers | $62,870 |
| Special Education Teachers | $61,420 |
| Middle School Teachers | $60,810 |
| Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers | $60,660 |
Although administrative roles are a common goal for doctoral students, you don’t have to leave the classroom just because you’ve earned an online doctorate in education. Your online Ed.D. studies may enhance your classroom teaching at the elementary, middle school, or high school levels or in a special education setting.
You could also work with children or teens in a community-based setting. Youth development agencies might benefit from your expertise in learning styles and motivation.
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Not all education professionals work with children. Having a doctorate means that you might be able to teach classes to education students in a college. You could also work as a college administrator.
Your understanding of how people learn could also be useful in corporate settings. As a training and development manager, you might coordinate programs for enhancing employees’ knowledge and skills. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in education are expected to increase at a 5% rate through the next decade.
Doctorate in Education Curriculum
For your doctoral program, you may take core classes that focus on education leadership or other topics related to your concentration area. You’ll also study research methods and design.
- Assessment and Instruction: This class can help you become more adept at running student assessments and tailoring instructional methods to fit students’ individual needs.
- Change Management: As a leader, you may need to guide your school or organization through times of transition, and the principles taught in this class can help you do so.
- Classroom Diversity: You’ll explore various factors that affect equity in education, such as race, gender, and economic status, and you’ll discuss ways to develop environments in which all students can reach their full potential.
- Education Ethics: This class will give you a chance to develop a framework for ethical decisions you make as a school administrator or an educational leader.
- Educational Research: You can prepare for your doctoral project with a class that introduces you to various concepts undergirding research in education.
- Instructional Technology: Classroom technology is always changing, and you can explore some of the latest developments in a doctoral class.
- Learning Theories: You will learn more about how students assimilate and recall information, and you’ll talk about what that means for you as a leader in education.
- Organizational Leadership: As a leader in education, you may use the concepts learned in this class to improve operations in your elementary school, community agency, or university.
- Quantitative and Qualitative Research: You’ll learn to use statistics, case studies, and other methods to conduct research in education.
- School Law and Policy: Understanding education law will not only ensure that students receive the education that is afforded to them by law but also teach you to campaign for pro-student policy developments.
In addition to classes like these, you may also need to enroll in multiple courses dedicated to the steps of the dissertation process.
Admissions Requirements
You may face stiff competition for a spot in a doctoral program, so it can help to make sure that your application is as strong as can be. You may need to submit the following materials:
- Personal statement: In an essay, you’ll explain your research and career goals.
- References: These letters will vouch for your leadership potential.
- Resume: Your work experience may influence your readiness for doctoral studies.
- Transcripts: Official records of your previous studies should come from every school you’ve attended.
If you apply to doctorate in education online no GRE required programs, you won’t have to include test scores in your application packets.
Accreditation
The US has seven accrediting agencies that are approved to grant regional accreditation to institutions of higher education.
Regional accreditation affirms that a college holds its departments to high standards and produces well-prepared graduates. A school must undergo a rigorous evaluation process to receive this type of accreditation.
Accredited degrees are respected by employers and other colleges. Attending an accredited school may play an important role in finding a good job or transferring your college credits to another program.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Getting an on-campus or online Ed.D. can help you take your career to the next level, but you’ll first need to fund your degree program.
Before beginning a graduate school program, you may want to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You’ll learn whether you qualify for state and federal grants or loans.
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You can apply for scholarships and fellowships too. If you win a single award or several, these prizes can reduce your tuition obligations. Your employer might also have a program to help pay for graduate studies, especially if your degree will directly contribute to your role within the organization.
Some colleges cover the cost of doctoral studies for students who work as teaching or research assistants. Finally, you may be able to participate in graduate school programs that forgive student loan debt in exchange for working in a disadvantaged school district.
What Can I Do with a Doctorate in Education?
Your online EdD program will help prepare you to be a leader in education. That might mean becoming a school principal or a superintendent. Having a doctorate could also be useful for a career as a head teacher, an instructional coordinator, or a special education instructor.
You can use your education doctorate outside the K-12 school setting as well. You could be a college administrator or a professor who trains students who want to become teachers.
There is also a need for education experts in settings like community youth programs, political advocacy organizations, and corporate human resources departments.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Doctorate in Education?
You may spend around 3 to 5 years completing an online Doctor of Education, but the length of online programs will depend on your school’s structure and your personal time commitments.
Factors that can influence the length of your program may include the number of credits you are able to transfer in, whether you enroll part-time or full-time, and the amount of time it takes you to complete your dissertation or capstone project.
Online degrees in education sometimes go more quickly than on-campus studies because terms can be only 8 or 10 weeks long instead of the usual 16 weeks.
Do You Need a GRE for a Doctorate in Education?
Just as there are online masters in education with no GRE requirement, there are online EdD programs with no GRE required. Without needing to study for the GRE and take the test, you may be able to start your doctoral studies sooner.
Some schools have no GRE requirements. These schools rely on other criteria to determine whether applicants should be admitted. Other criteria may include reference letters, resumes, transcripts, interviews, or personal statements.
Other schools do use GRE scores but grant waivers to select applicants. Having professional experience or a minimum GPA may help you qualify for a waiver.
What Is the Difference Between an Ed.D. vs. a PhD in Education?
A PhD is an academic degree. It is most suitable for people who want to teach at the college level or contribute original research to the field of education.
An EdD, on the other hand, is considered a professional doctorate. It is best for practitioners, such as teachers, school administrators, and training managers. Although you may be able to teach college courses with an EdD, the main focus will be on leadership development with practical, in-the-field applications.
Both are terminal degrees at the doctoral level. Considering your career goals can help you decide which is the better option for you.
Is an Ed.D. Worth It?
Yes, a doctorate in education is worth it for many professionals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, education, training, and library jobs are set to grow at 5% over the next 10 years, faster than the average for all occupations.
Common doctorate in education careers in this field include elementary school principal, college administrator, instructional coordinator, school superintendent, and special education teacher.
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With a doctoral degree, you’ll be considered an expert in your field. Both students and school staff may look to you for guidance. You may rely on your training as you strive to make your educational organization the best it can be.
Universities Offering Online Doctorate in Education No GRE Degree Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
The Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership program at Arkansas State University is highly competitive, features very small class sizes, and requires applicants to already have a masters degree in education or a related field.
Required courses include comparative education, curriculum and instruction, politics of education, and educational leadership.
Arkansas State University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
Baylor University’s Doctorate in Education in Learning and Organizational Change program is beneficial for students interested in pursuing careers in adult learning, human resources, general education, educational consulting, or curriculum development.
The program is conducted mostly through weekly online classes, but there are two on-campus immersion experiences as well.
Baylor University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Capella University offers several different Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Education programs in various education-related fields.
Some of these include educational leadership, instructional design for online learning, reading and literacy, special education leadership, and curriculum and instruction. There are seven other educational-related doctoral programs from which students can choose.
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Students enrolled in the Doctorate in Education in Educational Leadership and Management program at Drexel University can finish the program entirely online with no additional residency requirements. The program takes most students between 3 and 5 years to complete, and there are ten concentration options to choose from.
Drexel University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The Doctor of Education in Higher Education program at Fairleigh Dickinson University is a 45 credit program that takes a little over 2 years to complete. There are 16 total 8 week courses, and they cover a wide variety of topics, such as leadership, retention and enrollment, data analytics, and educational innovation.
Fairleigh Dickinson University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Grand Canyon University’s Doctor of Education in Teaching and Learning program features a concentration in adult learning (quantitative research) that can be completed almost entirely online.
Students will grow and expand their educational skills and knowledge while learning about the most innovative educational theories and conducting their own individual research.
Grand Canyon University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The 54 credit Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership program from Liberty University is an NCATE accredited program that can be taken 100% online. Students can transfer up to half the required credits for completion and will take courses in conflict resolution, advanced learning theory, and educational leadership and public relations.
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Students enrolled in Maryville University’s Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership program can potentially earn their degrees in only 32 months.
They can take all the required courses, including their residency requirements, online. They’ll receive personal mentoring from faculty and be able to complete their courses and dissertations simultaneously.
The Maryville University of Saint Louis is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
Millersville University’s Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership program utilizes the cohort model of education and caps classes at no more than 16 students.
It’s designed specifically for current educational professionals who need flexible, part-time, and mostly online courses. There are required residencies, but they’re completed in students’ school districts.
Millersville University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
National University’s online Doctor of Education program offers several different areas of concentration. These include but aren’t limited to the following: General Education, Social-Emotional Learning, Organizational Leadership, E-Learning, English Language Learning, and Nursing education.
Each concentration requires between 16 to 18 courses and can typically be completed in 33 months to 36 months.
National University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership program at Northwest Nazarene University is designed specifically for current educators hoping to move into educational administration positions.
It takes about 26 months to finish and can be completed entirely online. There’s also an optional summer session to help prepare students for their dissertations.
NNU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Rowan University offers several Doctor of Education programs, a Doctor of Philosophy in Education program, an Educational Specialist program, and a few graduate certificate programs in education that don’t require GRE scores for admittance.
The course curricula, course credit requirements, and program lengths vary depending on the particular program.
Rowan University is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education, a unit of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
St Thomas University’s Doctor of Education in Leadership and Innovation with a concentration in Administration program requires 60 total credits for completion and can be finished in 3 years.
Graduates should be able to confidently manage different educational entities, demonstrate scholarly behaviors and excellent problem-solving skills, and respond to their organizations’ ever-changing needs.
St. Thomas University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The Doctor of Education in Leadership for Organizations program at the University of Dayton is designed for professional students who already hold relevant masters degrees and are looking to move into leadership and administration positions. The program takes 3 years to complete and includes courses on social justice, diversity, and collaboration.
The University of Dayton is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Students at the University of Idaho can enroll in the school’s Doctor of Philosophy in Education program or its Doctor of Education program. The PhD is more scholarly and research-based. The EdD program is for students who want to take on leadership and administration roles in their organizations.
The University of Idaho is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
University of Michigan – Flint’s Doctor of Education program prepares students to take on administration roles in either K-12 schools or institutions of higher education.
The curriculum includes seven required courses and two 13 credit dissertations. Students must also complete a comprehensive exam before they’ll be allowed to begin their dissertations.
The University of Michigan-Flint is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
University of the Cumberlands’s 60 credit educational leadership doctoral program is widely recognized as one of the most affordable programs of its kind in the nation. Although the degree can be completed entirely online, there are optional on-campus classes held on several Saturdays for students who want extra instruction time.
The University of the Cumberlands is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Students interested specifically in learning more about the challenges of rural education can enroll in University of West Alabama’s rural educational doctoral program.
There are four track options that allow students to further streamline their educational paths. These tracks include counseling, higher education administration, teacher leader, and organizational change and leadership.
The University of West Alabama is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The Doctor of Education in Leadership and Learning in Organizations program at Vanderbilt University is a 54 credit program that includes mostly online courses, a required capstone project, and three required on-campus meetings. Most courses are based on three key areas of focus: data analytics, learning and design, and leadership.
Vanderbilt University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
There are 13 available concentration areas in Walden University’s Doctor of Education program. Of these 13 concentrations, there are two that allow students to self-design their curricula and two that are non-licensure concentrations. Another option is available for current administrators only. All classes are taught by highly qualified faculty.
Walden is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
Getting Your Doctorate in Education Online
Through online programs, you may become the leader that today’s learners and instructors need.
In your doctoral program, you’ll explore leadership principles, study learning theories, and consider ways to make education more accessible and equitable for all students. You’ll also study research methods and carry out your own studies.
Completing this online EdD program can help prepare you for respected leadership positions in schools, community organizations, or companies. You may even want to go into higher education leadership.
Whether you are a traditional educator or someone who works in a non-school setting, you may appreciate the advanced insights that you can gain in a doctoral program offering an online Ed.D.
If you’re interested in taking the next step in your educational and professional journey, you may start by checking out accredited online EdD programs.
