2-Year Ed.D. Programs

What are the Fastest Ed.D. Programs?

The fastest online Ed.D. programs range from 18 months to just under 3 years. You won’t find anything quicker! We’ve provided a detailed description of all of them in our listings. Accelerated Ed.D. programs tend to fall into 3 broad categories:

• Full-Time Doctorates in Educational Leadership: These types of Ed.D. programs are similar to traditional doctorates in leadership, but with a fiercer schedule. Universities may try to pack 54-60 credits into a 2-3 year time span. It’s achievable, but it will be challenging.
• Executive Doctorates: Executive Ed.D. programs are aimed at mid-level and senior-level professionals who want a 2-year plan. These doctorates often have a fair number of campus components (e.g. monthly weekend sessions); some will also include an international experience. You can learn more about these in our Executive Ed.D. Programs Guide.
• All But Dissertation (ABD) Completion Doctorates: ABD options are tailored to folks who already have previous course credits, work experience, and career achievements on their résumé. Typically, the university will conduct a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) to determine how many credits will be left on your degree. So you may only have to complete a dissertation to graduate.

If you’re willing to stretch to 3-4 years, you’ll find more variation, such as concentrations in areas other than educational leadership. Check out the database of Online Ed.D. programs for a full list of options.

How 2-Year Ed.D. Programs Work

Accelerated Ed.D. programs are often built for working professionals with a certain level of expertise—educators who want to take a leap up to the next level. That’s why you’ll see 2-year programs designed for aspiring college presidents (e.g. Executive Ed.D. programs), educators who want to become principals or superintendents (e.g. Ed.D. programs in Educational Leadership), and students who just want to finish their dissertation (e.g. ABD).

• Admissions: Because they’re targeted at different crowds, each 2-year Ed.D. program will have a different threshold for admissions; we’ve included a link to requirements so you can assess your chances. Some schools, such as NYU, will expect you to talk about your capstone or dissertation goals. A number of schools will still wish to see GRE or GMAT scores.
• Curriculum: For the most part, the curriculum is going to be similar to a regular Ed.D., albeit in a condensed timeframe. But you may notice more high-level elements (e.g. roundtable discussions) and one-on-one attention (e.g. mentorship).
• Course Credits: 2-year Ed.D. programs in Educational Leadership usually make room for electives or focus areas; some will even help you toward certification in your state. Executive Ed.D. programs will be more rigid in structure. ABD Options are straightforward—you’ll be expected to focus on your dissertation.
• Dissertation vs. Capstone: Check the descriptions and the curriculum link under each profile to learn what’s expected. Many universities still favor a traditional dissertation, which is usually prepared for in the first year and written in the second. But others have gone the way of research-based capstone projects. Lipscomb even allows you to work in small teams.

Are 2-Year Ed.D. Programs Offered Online?

Yes! The majority of fast-track Ed.D. programs in our listings are online, with either zero or minimal on-campus requirements (e.g. 2 weekend residencies). In some instances, universities will leave the decision up to you—Monmouth allows you to choose how often you wish to visit campus. To give you the full range of options, we’ve also included details on hybrid programs and Executive Ed.D. programs with monthly attendance requirements.

The fastest online Ed.D. programs aren’t always the best—you should consider the School or College of Education’s reputation, accreditation, and quality markers when you’re making your decision. We also recommend that you speak with recent online Ed.D. alumni. They will tell you the good and the bad about the program and offer advice on making the most of distance learning.

Finally, if you’re considering any program with campus components, examine the tuition and fees section carefully. Some universities are happy to cover the cost of accommodation in tuition or program fees (e.g. Penn). However, they’re unlikely to compensate you for travel expenses to and from the campus.

Is a 2-Year Ed.D. Program Right for You?

Accelerated Ed.D. programs are—by their very nature—full-time and intense. You’ll be expected to take on a significant workload in two years. If you have a family and a job, it’s going to be quite a ride. Remember, too, that many programs have campus intensives or international trips built into the curriculum. You’ll need to allow for time away from home.

Having said that, if you’re an experienced professional with clear goals (e.g. superintendent certification, job promotion, executive-level position, etc.), a 2-year Ed.D. program may be right up your street. They are some highly respectable names in our listings, including Penn, NYU Steinhardt, and UGA. You don’t need to sacrifice quality for time.

All 2-Year Ed.D. Programs

We scoured our database to find the nation’s fastest on-campus and online Ed.D. programs. Here are 19 schools that offer Ed.D. programs you can complete in as little as two years:

1. Alverno College
2. Bay Path University
3. Brenau University
4. Colorado State University Pueblo
5. Edgewood College
6. Gwynedd Mercy University
7. Lipscomb University
8. Louisiana State University Shreveport
9. Milligan University
10. Monmouth University
11. Nebraska Methodist University
12. New York University
13. Purdue Global
14. Rockhurst University
15. Spalding University
16. Union Institute & University
17. University of Georgia
18. University of Louisiana Monroe
19. University of Pennsylvania

Read on to learn more about each school’s two-year Ed.D. programs.