What are the Fastest Ed.D. Programs?
The fastest online Ed.D. programs range from 18 months (e.g. GMercy U’s ABD) 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 expect 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 & 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 Ed.D. programs. Here are 11 schools that offer Ed.D. programs you can complete in as little as two years:
- Alverno College
- Ashland University
- Bay Path University
- Gwynedd Mercy University
- Lipscomb University
- Milligan University
- Monmouth University
- New York University
- University of Georgia
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of the Cumberlands
Read on to learn more about each school’s two-year Ed.D. programs.
Alverno College
- Online Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) – Doctoral Completion (ABD Program)
- Online Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) – K-12 Leadership
- Online Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) – Higher Education Leadership
- Online Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) – Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Department: School of Education
Fastest Ed.D. Length: 2-4 Years
Credit Hours: 27-57 Credits
Format: Online with 2 Weekend Residencies
Alverno 2-Year Ed.D. Overview
The School of Education’s fastest online Ed.D. is the 27-credit All But Dissertation (ABD) option. This allows students who have previous coursework & experience to transfer existing credits, complete a dissertation, and earn the Ed.D. with a concentration in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. The syllabus includes 6 dissertation courses and 4 concentration courses, with online coursework and 2 weekend residencies in Milwaukee.
The majority of students in the accelerated ABD option finish in 6 semesters/2 years, but the total time will depend on how many previous credits you’ll be able to transfer in. If you don’t qualify for the doctoral completion pathway, you’re welcome to explore the other online Ed.D. concentrations at Alverno. Just keep in mind that these will be 54-57 credits and may take 3-4 years to complete.
For More Information:
Ashland University
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Department: College of Education
Fastest Ed.D. Length: 2 Years
Credit Hours: 59 Credits
Format: Hybrid (Online & Face-to-Face)
Ashland 2-Year Ed.D. Overview
Ashland’s accelerated Executive Ed.D. in Leadership Studies comes to you courtesy of the College of Education. It’s a cohort-based, hybrid program that combines on-campus coursework (two Friday afternoons and Saturdays per month) with online studies. Core classes are held at Ashland’s Columbus Center in Ohio; campus residencies take place in the summer.
The entire degree takes 2 years to complete on a super-charged schedule, including dissertation work in the second year. In addition to traditional leadership coursework (e.g. policy, organizational behavior, etc.), the syllabus also includes individualized mentoring throughout the entire process.
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Bay Path University
Location: Longmeadow, MA
Department: Graduate College
Fastest Ed.D. Length: 2 Years
Credit Hours: 30
Format: Online with Optional Weekend Intensive
Bay Path 2-Year Ed.D. Overview
For its Online Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership & Organizational Studies, Bay Path has a standard, 3-year program and an accelerated 30-credit All But Dissertation (ABD) Option. The ABD pathway is aimed at students who have completed all requirements for a doctoral degree, with the exception of a dissertation at an accredited institution of higher learning.
The ABD pathway is 6 semesters/2 years, with an optional Immersive Weekend experience. Before tackling an action-focused Dissertation in Practice (DiP), you’ll take a number of research-based leadership courses (e.g. Leading Transformation and Change in Higher Education). During the DiP, you’ll also be able to participate in small online study/work groups called Leader-Scholar Communities.
Gwynedd Mercy University
- Online Accelerated All But Dissertation (ABD) Ed.D.: Leadership in PreK-12 Schools and School Districts
- Online Accelerated All But Dissertation (ABD) Ed.D.: Leadership in Higher Education
- Online Accelerated All But Dissertation (ABD) Ed.D.: Leadership in Special Education
- Online Accelerated Executive Ed.D. in Education Leadership
Location: Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania
Department: School of Graduate and Professional Studies
Fastest Ed.D. Length: 18 Months – Less Than 3 Years
Credit Hours: 27-54 Credits
Format: Online with Weekend Residencies
GMercyU 2-Year Ed.D. Overview
GMercyU’s fastest online Ed.D. is the All But Dissertation (ABD) option, offered by the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. This 18-month accelerated Ed.D. is tailored to students who already have a portfolio of previous coursework, scholarship, and career evidence for the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). Once you’ve been accepted, you’ll be required to take 27 credits at GMercyU, but you’ll be able to choose from 3 concentration areas, with options for certification. Coursework is online, with one mandatory weekend residency.
If you don’t have any previous coursework, take a look at GMercy U’s Online Accelerated Executive Ed.D. in Education Leadership. This is a full-bore, 55-credit online doctorate that takes less than 3 years to complete. It includes online coursework, a field experience, two on-campus residencies, and one international study experience (international residency travel costs are included in tuition). Plus administrators and principals with at least 3 years of experience have the option to earn a Superintendent Letter of Eligibility in Pennsylvania.
Lipscomb University
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Department: College of Education
Fastest Ed.D. Length: 2 Years (On-Campus); 3 Years (Online)
Credit Hours: 54 Credits
Format: On-Campus or Online with 4 Intensives
Lipscomb 2-Year Ed.D. Overview
Lipscomb’s accelerated Ed.D. in Learning Organizations and Strategic Change is the brainchild of the College of Education. It’s a Christian-based Ed.D. that’s offered in two formats: a cohort-based, on-campus program that takes 2 years to complete and an online version that takes 3 years to finish. The online program includes three on-campus intensives and a 10-day international experience in the first summer.
Are you currently working in K-12 or higher education? Lipscomb offers a generous 20% in-service scholarship to all full-time educators. We also wanted to note that the university uses a capstone model. Instead of a dissertation, Ed.D. students collaborate in small teams (2-3 students) on a practical research-based project.
For More Information:
Milligan University
Location: Milligan, Tennessee
Department: School of Social Sciences and Education
Fastest Ed.D. Length: 24-30 months
Credit Hours: 57 Credits
Format: Hybrid (Online and Face-to-Face)
Milligan 2-Year Ed.D. Overview
Milligan’s full-time, cohort-based Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is offered by the School of Social Sciences & Education. It’s an accelerated doctorate that’s designed to foster system leaders and help K-12 teachers earn their certification as school administrators (e.g. principals or assistant principals). Coursework is a blend of online learning, hybrid classes, and face-to-face experiences, including Saturday residencies.
If you put the pedal to the metal, you can finish the entire program in 24 months. 45 credits are devoted to leadership classes, including 9 credits that are cross-listed with courses from Milligan’s MBA; the remaining 12 credits are reserved for your dissertation. You’ll also be assigned a mentor who will guide you through practicum experiences, portfolio building, and research seminars.
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Monmouth University
- Ed.D. in Educational Leadership
- Ed.D. in Educational Leadership: P-12 Focus
- Ed.D. in Educational Leadership: Higher Education Focus
Location: West Long Branch, New Jersey
Department: School of Education
Fastest Ed.D. Length: 2 Years
Credit Hours: 54 Credits
Format: Hybrid (Face-to-Face and Online)
Monmouth 2-Year Ed.D. Overview
The School of Education has consolidated its cohort-based Ed.D. in Educational Leadership into 2 hard-core years. This accelerated Ed.D. is available in a flexible format—you can choose how often you wish to come to campus and how much you want to study online. On-campus coursework typically takes place on alternate Saturdays and selected Thursday nights.
Over the course of the 54-credit syllabus, you’ll tackle 5 learning strands, including a Transformative Leadership Project that will form the basis of your dissertation. Ed.D. students at Monmouth have the freedom to select elective courses in higher education or P-12. But you can also mix and match electives to suit your career goals.
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New York University
Location: New York City, New York
Department: NYU Steinhardt
Fastest Ed.D. Length: 2 Years
Credit Hours: 42 Credits
Format: Online with 2 Week-Long Residencies
NYU 2-Year Ed.D. Overview
NYU Steinhardt has packed a lot into its fast Online Ed.D. in Leadership and Innovation. Over the course of 2 years, you’ll be expected to tackle 17 courses and take part in two week-long immersive residencies. The residencies are a blend of seminar-style sessions, discussions, exercises, a Master Speaker Series, and project presentations.
Like many universities, NYU has replaced the traditional Ed.D. dissertation with a capstone model. NYU Steinhardt calls this the Problem of Practice (POP) and it expects applicants to have a POP in mind when they apply for the program. Be sure to check out the Problem of Practice (POP) Guide in the Admissions section before you start crafting your application essay.
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University of Georgia
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Department: Institute of Higher Education
Fastest Ed.D. Length: 2 Years
Credit Hours: 52 Credits
Format: On-Campus (8 Four-Day Weekends Yearly; 2 Week-Long Study Trips)
UGA 2-Year Ed.D. Overview
If you’re interested in an accelerated Ed.D. with a global perspective, the Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education Management at UGA’s Institute of Higher Education (IHE) is well-worth a look! It’s a fast-track, 2-year program with eight weekend meetings per year in Atlanta (Thursday afternoon through Sunday afternoon) and two international week-long summer experiences in Europe and Asia.
There are no electives in this cohort-based doctorate. Instead, the curriculum focuses on core concepts such as the entrepreneurial university, commercialization in higher education, and the global context. All of this work culminates in a dissertation. The tuition and program fee includes all meals, lodging, books and some international travel, but it does not include travel expenses to and from the program site.
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University of Pennsylvania
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department: Graduate School of Education
Fastest Ed.D. Length: 2 Years
Credit Hours: 20.46 Course Units
Format: On-Campus (Monthly Course Sessions and 2-Week International Experience)
Penn 2-Year Ed.D. Overview
Aspiring Deans and Presidents take note—the Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education Management at Penn’s Graduate School of Education is designed for seasoned, senior-level professionals. Applicants are expected to have 10+ years of experience. It’s a cohort-based Ed.D. with monthly course sessions and an intriguing global experience that takes place at the beginning of the second year.
The curriculum is a mix of research credits, high flying coursework (e.g. higher education finance, public policy, student and campus services, etc.), faculty roundtables, and dissertation work. Program fees are inclusive of all books, meals, on-campus hotel accommodations, and the majority of costs associated with the international trip. But you will need to budget for extra travel expenses to the program from your home.
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University of the Cumberlands
Location: Williamsburg, Kentucky
Department: Department of Education
Fastest Ed.D. Length: 3 Years or Less
Credit Hours: 60 Credits
Format: 100% Online (Optional On-Campus Classes)
UC 2-Year Ed.D. Overview
UC’s Department of Education has come up with a flexible Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership that can be tailored to almost any specialty area of educational interest (e.g. business). It’s billed as 100% online, but you do have the option to attend Saturday classes on-campus. A nice bonus for working professionals.
One thing to note—this doctorate is a little longer than some of the other options in our list. UC states that it can be completed in 3 years or less, but you’ll still have to fulfill all of the required 60 credits, including a dissertation. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible for a number of mid-level career titles (e.g. school administrator, principal, etc.).
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