Is the GRE Required for Online Ed.D. Programs?
When schools talk about the GRE, they’re typically referring to the GRE General Test, which has three separate sections—and scores—for Verbal, Quantitative/Math, and Analytical Writing. But as you’ll see, a number of schools don’t talk about the GRE at all.
- No GRE Required: In fact, 77 out of 146 universities with online Ed.D. programs in our database don’t list the GRE as a requirement. That means ~53% of schools don’t consider GRE scores for online Ed.D. admissions. Instead, plenty of schools ignore the GRE in favor of other benchmarks: academic transcripts, work history & qualifications, references, interviews, and the like.
- GRE Optional: In some cases, universities may include the GRE as a recommended option. You don’t have to submit scores, but the school might look favorably upon your application if you do. Boise State is one example of this—it always likes to see candidates with GRE scores in the 33rd percentile or above.
- GRE Required for Some: In a few cases, GRE scores may be required for a certain group of applicants. For example, if you have discernible weaknesses in your academic qualifications (e.g. low GPA), a school might want extra reassurance. It can also be used as a filtering device. For instance, North Dakota State University asks for GRE scores when it has an unusually high number of online Ed.D. applicants.
- Alternative Exams to the GRE: You’ll also run into a few schools that allow you to submit MAT or GMAT scores in lieu of the GRE. In the case of the University of Findlay, the MAT is mandatory for admission.
Why Do Some Schools Ignore the GRE?
Online Ed.D. candidates are often mid-level career professionals with a serious amount of experience under their belt and a master’s degree in hand. Universities have plenty of quality markers to consider when they’re evaluating Ed.D. candidates; at this stage in the education game, the GRE may simply be irrelevant.
Having said that, it’s worth taking a look at schools where the GRE is required or suggested for the online Ed.D. It means that the school sets high educational standards for doctoral candidates. That’s why you may see the “GRE Optional” marker next to well-known Ivy League schools (e.g. Columbia University) and private research universities (e.g. University of Southern California). You’ll be among smart students in your online classes.
Admissions Criteria for No GRE Online Ed.D. Programs
Interested in online Ed.D. programs without the GRE requirement? Take some time to read the admissions criteria—you can still find plenty of ways to play up your strengths. We’ve included a link to the admissions page in our program database to give you a head-start, but we also recommend you check admissions info in the university’s annual catalog.
How to Impress Admissions Committees
Relevant Master’s Degree: This doesn’t always have to be a master’s degree in education. Universities are often happy to consider other majors, as long as they are in an education-related field. If you’re not sure about the relevance (e.g. master’s degree in psychology), chat to the program coordinator about your options.
Solid GPA on Academic Transcripts: Many schools ask for a GPA of 3.0-3.5 on previous degrees; a few schools will go lower (e.g. 2.75). We’ve also seen universities that have different GPA thresholds for your bachelor’s degree (e.g. 3.0) and your master’s degree (e.g. 3.5). We’ve stated the GPA requirement when we’ve found it, but a number of schools don’t list one at all. Ask the Ed.D. program coordinator if there’s a GPA cut-off—there may not be.
Strong Work Experience: If you’re applying for a leadership concentration, universities will want to see relevant job titles and evidence of your administrative skills. If you’re focused on technology, you may also need to demonstrate your technical prowess. Admission to programs like Baker’s Online Ed.D. in Instructional Design & Performance Technology can be highly competitive, so take a few hours to hone your résumé.
Targeted Personal Statement: Think about how your professional goals match up to a) unique aspects of the online Ed.D. curriculum; and b) the university’s reputation & strengths (e.g. University of West Alabama and rural education). If you’re applying for an educational leadership degree, decide why this school’s Ed.D. program is going to be better than all the other options (e.g. it includes a relevant internship).
Great Letters of Recommendation: Instead of asking for generic praise, talk to your mentors about why you’re interested in the online Ed.D. from a particular university. Explain why it suits your professional goals at this time in your life. They’ll be able to shape their letters of recommendation accordingly.
Specific Professional Credentials: This can happen for specialist online Ed.D. programs in nurse education (e.g. current RN license and an MSN) and any program that’s preparing you for administrative certification (e.g. Superintendent credential).
Should You Submit GRE Scores When it’s Optional?
This is going to be a judgment call. Top-notch GRE scores are always welcome, but you may want to avoid giving the university lower numbers. Here are a few things to consider when you’re making your decision:
- Pros: Taking the GRE shows that you’ve gone the extra mile. If you have a low GPA on your old master’s degree, strong GRE numbers in the past five years may be a way to impress the admissions committee. If you’re applying for a highly competitive Ed.D. program, the GRE is going to give you an extra edge. Plus, you can always take it and then choose not to submit the scores.
- Cons: It’s a pain, it’s expensive, and it requires preparation. And a number of schools simply don’t care that much about it for online Ed.D. programs. You may want to invest your time and energy into honing other parts of your application. Great references and work experience can count for a lot more than GRE scores.
When in doubt, ask! Talk to recent Ed.D. alumni about your concerns and see if they went through the GRE process.
Best Online EdD Programs No GRE Required
1 New York University
Looking for an executive leadership program from a world-class School of Education? Interested in tackling a Problem of Practice in short frame of time? Apply to NYU. Its cohort-based Online Ed.D. in Leadership & Innovation is a high-level program—it’s designed for professionals with 7-10 years of work experience and a master’s degree in education or a related field (3.0 GPA or higher). No GRE is required.
2 University of Southern California
- Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership – K-12 Leadership in Urban School Settings
- Online Ed.D. in Organizational Change and Leadership
Urban education is the name of the game at the USC Rossier School of Education. Its Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership – K-12 Leadership in Urban School Settings and Online Ed.D. in Organizational Change and Leadership are excellent choices for professionals who are interested in areas like equity, diversity, and ethics—check out the research centers. The GRE is optional for both programs.
3 University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign
- Online Ed.D. in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership: Diversity & Equity in Education
- Online Ed.D. in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership: Global Studies in Education
- Online Ed.D. in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership: Human Resource Development
- Online Ed.D. in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership: Learning Design & Leadership
You can choose your own doctoral adventure at UIUC—the 100% Online Ed.D. in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership for professionals in PK-12 and postsecondary settings is available in a wide range of concentrations. You can choose to focus on global issues (e.g. International Education Administration & Leadership ), diversity, HR development, learning design, and more. No GRE is required.
4 Johns Hopkins University
- Online Ed.D. in Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education
- Online Ed.D. in Mind, Brain & Teaching
- Online Ed.D. in Urban Leadership
A cohort-based Online Ed.D. with a global outlook. An applied dissertation that tackles a relevant problem of practice in the workplace. A top-ranked School of Education. There’s a lot to love about JHU’s doctoral program for K-16 educational leaders & administrators. Choose from concentrations in Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education; Mind, Brain & Teaching; or Urban Leadership. You’ll be strongly encouraged to submit GRE scores.
5 Arizona State University
- Online Ed.D. in Leadership & Innovation: PK-12
- Online Ed.D. in Leadership & Innovation: Higher Education
- Online Ed.D. in Leadership & Innovation: Systems, Professional, and Reimagined Change (SPARC)
ASU’s 100% Online Ed.D. in Leadership & Innovation ticks a whole lot of boxes. It’s relatively affordable—in-state & out-of-state rates are the same. It’s flexible & efficient—courses are only 7.5 weeks. And it’s reputable. The Ed.D. won the CPED Program of the Year Award in 2018 and the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College often achieves a top 20 national ranking from U.S. News & World Report. No GRE is required.
6 Boston College
- Online Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education
- Online Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education: Catholic Higher Education
Another excellent option for mid-careerists! BC’s cohort-based Online Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education with three summer residencies is aimed at candidates with 5-10 years of professional experience in higher education or a higher education adjacent field. The Lynch School is a CPED member with a reputation for excellence and it works hard to create cohorts of experienced national & international students. No GRE is required.
7 Boise State University
BSU’s 100% Online Ed.D. in Educational Technology is convenient, well-reviewed, and affordable—in-state & out-of-state students pay the same tuition rates. It’s a great fit for technology leaders—faculty are involved in fascinating research areas, including STEM, immersive experiences, and instructional design. BSU will consider candidates without GRE scores, but applicants with GRE scores in the 33rd percentile or above are preferred.
8 Columbia University
Are you an RN with an interest in teaching? Columbia’s Online Ed.D. in Nursing Education is specifically designed to prepare nurses for positions as college faculty or other educator roles. It’s packed with research-based coursework and practicums in didactic and clinical practice areas. Some courses require students to take part in preceptor experiences. GRE scores are optional, but RN licensure is required.
9 University of South Carolina – Columbia
At USC Columbia, you have options! The 100% Online Ed.D. in Educational Practice and Innovation is available in a number of career-focused concentrations for PK-12 and higher education professionals, including a track in Education Systems Improvement. It’s a program with a practical bent. Courses are only 8 weeks long and all Ed.D. students incorporate an action research model into their full-time job. No GRE is required.
10 Iowa State University
Iowa State’s cohort-based Hybrid Ed.D. in Education is best-suited to students who can arrange to visit the Ames campus for occasional weekend sessions (e.g. once per month). It comes in two tracks—P-12 systems-level leadership and community college leadership—and it’s full of work-focused elements. Field experiences are incorporated into concentration courses and everyone tackles a Dissertation in Practice. No GRE is required.
Most Affordable Online EdD Programs No GRE Required
1 Southeastern University
Cost Per Credit: $500 (Ed.D. Tuition)
Minimum Credits: 54
Minimum Program Cost: $27,000
Southeastern offers two highly affordable Online Ed.D. programs—an educational doctorate in Curriculum & Instruction and another in Organizational Leadership. Keep in mind that if you opt for Southeastern, you’ll be choosing a private Christian university that emphasizes a Christian worldview. No GRE is required, but students are expected to visit the campus for two intensives (one week each).
2 Evangel University
Cost Per Credit: $600 (Ed.D. Tuition)
Minimum Credits: 50
Minimum Program Cost: $30,000
Another Christian university to rank highly in affordability is Evangel. Its 100% Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, Curriculum & Instruction is open to curriculum specialists, school leaders, and university professionals. Plus it’s a state-approved prep program for Missouri superintendent certification. We especially like the fact that it includes an internship and an emphasis on the use of technology as an instructional tool. No GRE is required.
3 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Cost Per Credit: $490 (Ed.D. Tuition)
Minimum Credits: 64
Minimum Program Cost: $31,360
If you’d prefer an alternative to Christian schools, check out the 100% Online Ed.D. in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership from this public research university. It’s available in a wide range of concentrations; it’s affordable for in-state and out-of-state students; and it includes a solid chunk of intriguing elective courses. You can truly customize the doctorate to suit your career goals! No GRE is required.
4 Liberty University
- Online Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction
- Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership
- Online Ed.D. in Christian Leadership
- Online Ed.D. in Pastoral Care and Counseling
Cost Per Credit: $595 (Full-Time Online Tuition)
Minimum Credits: 54-60
Minimum Program Cost: $32,130
Liberty is a private Christian university with a faith-based outlook, so it offers a number of 100% Online Ed.D. programs for K-12 educators (e.g. Educational Leadership) and Christian Leaders (e.g. Pastoral Care & Counseling). Liberty’s doctorates are built for convenience—on-campus intensives are optional and courses are only 8 weeks in length. No GRE is required.
5 University of Findlay
Cost Per Credit: $540 (Ed.D. Tuition)
Minimum Credits: 60
Minimum Program Cost: $32,400
UF’s affordable Online Ed.D. for teachers & administrators comes from a CAEP-accredited College of Education with CPED membership and a solid track record. Almost all of it is online—you’ll only be required to attend a three-day Summer Institute—and it includes a number of useful electives (e.g. Superintendent Internship, Mentoring & Coaching Teachers, etc.). No GRE is required, but candidates should have a minimum MAT score of 400.
School Listings
85 Schools Found
Alabama
Samford University
Orlean Beeson School of Education
Birmingham, Alabama
University of West Alabama
College of Education
Livingston, Alabama
Arizona
Arizona State University
Teacher's College
Tempe, Arizona
Northcentral University
School of Education
Prescott Valley, Arizona
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
Offered Online
Online Doctor of Education in Instructional Design
Offered Online
Online Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Teaching
Offered Online
Online Doctorate of Education in English Second Language
Offered Online
Online Doctorate of Education in General Education
Offered Online
Online Doctorate of Education in International Education
Offered Online
Online Doctorate of Education in Learning Analytics K-12
Offered Online
Online Doctorate of Education in Nursing Education
Offered Online
Online Doctorate of Education in Special Education
Offered Online
University of Phoenix
School of Advanced Studies
Tempe, Arizona
California
Brandman University
School of Education
Irvine, California
National University
Sanford College of Education
La Jolla, California
Trident University International
College of Education
Cypress, California
University of Southern California
Rossier School of Education
Los Angeles, California
Colorado
Aspen University
School of Education
Denver, Colorado
Online Doctor of Education in Leadership and Learning - Healthcare Administration and Leadership
Offered Online
Connecticut
Sacred Heart University
Isabelle Farrington College Of Education
Fairfield, Connecticut
Delaware
Wilmington University
College of Education
New Castle, Delaware
Doctor of Education in Organizational, Learning, Leadership and Innovation - Strategic Leadership
Offered Online
Doctor of Education in Organizational, Learning, Leadership and Innovation - Talent Development
Offered Online
Doctor of Education in Organizational, Learning, Leadership and Innovation - Workplace Learning
Offered Online
District of Columbia
American University
School of Education
Washington, District of Columbia
Florida
Barry University
Adrian Dominican School of Education
Miami, Florida
Southeastern University
College of Education
Lakeland, Florida
St. Thomas University
School of Leadership, Education & Communication
Miami Gardens, Florida
Idaho
Boise State University
College of Education
Boise, Idaho
Northwest Nazarene University
College of Education
Nampa, Idaho
Illinois
National Louis University
National College of Education
Chicago, Illinois
Olivet Nazarene University
School of Graduate and Continuing Studies
Bourbonnais, Illinois
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Department of Educational Psychology and Technology
Chicago, Illinois
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Department of Educational Policy, Organization, and Leadership
Champaign, Illinois
Ed.D. in Learning Design and Leadership - New Learning
Offered Online
University of St Francis
College of Education
Joliet, Illinois
Iowa
Allen College
School of Health Sciences
Waterloo, Iowa
Iowa State University
School of Education
Ames, Iowa
Kansas
Baker University
School of Education
Baldwin City, Kansas
Kansas State University
College of Education
Manhattan, Kansas
Southwestern College
Professional Studies
Winfield, Kansas
Maine
University of New England
Department of Education
Biddeford, Maine
Maryland
Frostburg State University
Department of Educational Professions
Frostburg, Maryland
Johns Hopkins University
School of Education
Baltimore, Maryland
Massachusetts
Bay Path University
School of Education
Longmeadow, Massachusetts
Boston College
Carolyn A. And Peter S. Lynch School Of Education And Human Development
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Northeastern University
College of Professional Studies
Boston, Massachusetts
Regis College
School of Arts and Sciences
Weston, Massachusetts
Michigan
University of Michigan-Flint
School of Education and Human Services
Flint, Michigan
Doctor of Education
Offered Online
Minnesota
Bethel University
College of Education
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Capella University
School of Education
Minneapolis, Minnesota
EdD in Adult Education
Offered Online
Minnesota State University Moorhead
School of Teaching & Learning
Moorhead, Minnesota
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Graduate School of Education
Winona, Minnesota
The College of Saint Scholastica
School of Education
Duluth, Minnesota
Walden University
Riley College of Education & Leadership
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Online Doctor of Education - Early Childhood Education
Offered Online
Online Doctor of Education - Educational Administration and Leadership (for Administrators)
Offered Online
Online Doctor of Education - Educational Administration and Leadership (non-licensure)
Offered Online
Online Doctor of Education - Educational Technology
Offered Online
Winona State University
College of Education
Winona, Minnesota
Missouri
A. T. Still University of Health Sciences
College of Graduate Health Studies
Kirksville, Missouri
Evangel University
Education Department
Springfield, Missouri
Maryville University
School of Education
Saint Louis, Missouri
Missouri Baptist University
College of Education
Saint Louis, Missouri
Nebraska
Bryan College of Health Sciences
College of Health Sciences
Lincoln, Nebraska
Clarkson College
Department of Educational Leadership
Omaha, Nebraska
College of Saint Mary
Department of Education
Omaha, Nebraska
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
Healthcare Management Department
Omaha, Nebraska
New Jersey
Rider University
College of Education and Human Services
Lawrenceville, New Jersey
Rowan University
Graduate School
Glassboro, New Jersey
Saint Elizabeth University
Graduate and Continuing Studies
Morristown, New Jersey
New York
Columbia University in the City of New York
Department of Health & Behavior Studies
New York, New York
Manhattanville College
School of Education
Purchase, New York
Doctor of Education - Higher Education Leadership
Offered Online
New York University
Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development
New York, New York
North Dakota
North Dakota State University-Main Campus
School of Education
Fargo, North Dakota
University of North Dakota
Department of Teaching and Learning
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Practice and Leadership - Instructional Design and Technology
Offered Online
Ohio
Franklin University
School of Education
Columbus, Ohio
Kent State University at Kent
School of Foundations, Leadership and Administration
Kent, Ohio
The University of Findlay
College of Education
Findlay, Ohio
University of Dayton
School of Education and Health Sciences
Dayton, Ohio
Oregon
Oregon State University
College of Education
Corvallis, Oregon
Pennsylvania
California University of Pennsylvania
Department of Secondary Education and Administrative Leadership
California, Pennsylvania
Drexel University
School of Education
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Management - Athletic Administration
Offered Online
Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Management - Creativity & Innovation
Offered Online
Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Management - Educational Administration
Offered Online
Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Management - Global & International Education
Offered Online
Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Management - Human Resource Development
Offered Online
Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Management - Learning Technologies
Offered Online
Gratz College
Graduate Studies
Melrose Park, Pennsylvania
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
College of Education And Human Services
Millersville, Pennsylvania
Point Park University
School of Education
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
College of Education
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
Wilkes University
School of Education
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Johnson & Wales University
College of Education
Providence, Rhode Island
South Carolina
Charleston Southern University
College of Education
Charleston, South Carolina
University of South Carolina-Columbia
College of Education
Columbia, South Carolina
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Practice and Innovation - Education Systems Improvement
Offered Online
Tennessee
Trevecca Nazarene University
Department of Education
Nashville, Tennessee
Texas
Baylor University
Department of Curriculum & Instruction
Waco, Texas
West Texas A & M University
College of Education and Social Science
Canyon, Texas
Virginia
Liberty University
School of Education
Lynchburg, Virginia
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership
Offered Online
Online Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling - Marriage and Family Counseling
Offered Online
Online Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling - Pastoral Care & Counseling
Offered Online
Online Doctor of Education in Curriculum & Instruction
Offered Online
Radford University
College of Graduate Studies and Research
Radford, Virginia
Regent University
School of Education
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Online Doctor of Education in Character Education
Offered Online
Online Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction
Offered Online
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Psychology
Offered Online
Online Doctor of Education in K-12 School Leadership
Offered Online
Washington
City University of Seattle
School of Applied Leadership
Seattle, Washington
Gonzaga University
School of Education
Spokane, Washington
Wisconsin
Concordia University-Wisconsin
College of Education
Mequon, Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Professional Studies in Education
La Crosse, Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
School of Education
Stevens Point, Wisconsin