10 Online EdD Programs With No Dissertation 2025

A Doctor of Education (EdD) is considered a terminal degree, meaning that there is no higher education one can receive in this field. This means that EdD graduates are highly regarded, and many of them take up leadership roles in educational administration.

Many doctoral programs require a dissertation, but it is becoming increasingly possible to earn a doctorate in education online with no dissertation. Instead, many programs are turning to capstone projects instead of a traditional dissertation.

Earning an EdD with no dissertation is more possible with the rise of online PhD and doctoral programs. Online programs often have different graduation requirements that may not include a dissertation.

What Is an Online Doctor of Education (EdD) Dissertation?

A dissertation is a significant research project that takes a great amount of time. Students in an EdD program may conduct their research on an issue about the field of education, including methodologies, education policy, or other issues. EdD dissertations typically focus on practical concerns, rather than theory that may pertain only to academia.

Some of the cheapest online EdD programs do not require dissertations and instead encourage students to pursue a capstone project.

Do All EdD Programs Require a Dissertation?

While many EdD programs require a dissertation, others are opting for different capstone projects. Dissertations are more focused on research and theory, while applied projects tend to concentrate on practical solutions.

Since education is such a hands-on discipline, capstone projects are becoming more popular, allowing doctoral students to be directly involved in their field of study. An EdD with no dissertation is still just as rigorous as one with a dissertation requirement, but the focus is shifted away from theory and onto practical applications.

What Are the Requirements for an Online EdD Program?

Every online EdD program is different, but these are some of the most common requirements:

• a master's degree in education or a related field
• work experience in the education field
• transcripts from all higher education institutions

Some programs may also request a personal statement and professional or personal references. There may also be standardized test score requirements (including the GRE) or a GPA requirement.

Online EdD Programs That Don't Require Dissertation

The following EdD programs don't require a dissertation. Instead, they may implement capstone projects or similar learning experiences in place of a traditional dissertation.

1. Rockhurst University

Rockhurst University offers four online EdD programs: organizational leadership, K-12 education, healthcare education, and higher education. All four programs can be completed in two years and do not have dissertation requirements.

• Average in-state tuition: $816 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $816 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Loans through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are accepted.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Liberty University

Liberty University offers a wealth of online EdD programs with capstone projects instead of traditional dissertations. EdD specializations include special education, educational leadership, instructional design, and more. Online students can expect to develop leadership skills and confront real-world problems in the education field.

• Average in-state tuition: $610 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $610 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Military and first responder discounts, scholarships, grants, and loans through FAFSA.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

3. Nebraska Methodist College

Nebraska Methodist College's online EdD program has no dissertation requirement, and full-time students can complete the program in as little as 24 months. That makes this one of the shortest PhD programs featured. Coursework is rigorous and interdisciplinary to set students up for success in a variety of education models.

• Average in-state tuition: $850 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $850 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, employer-related tuition assistance, and loans obtained through the FAFSA.
• Accreditation: HLC

4. University of Southern Mississippi

This educational administration EdD degree will prepare current teachers to become educational leaders. Successful applicants are seasoned teachers with a minimum of three years of professional experience in a school district. Official transcripts and three letters of recommendation are also required.

• Average in-state tuition: $556 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $556 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Robust benefits for military members, including free textbooks, GI Bill assistance, and military-only scholarships. Federal and state loans are also accepted.
• Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

5. Kent State University

Kent State University, located in Ohio, offers an EdD in interprofessional leadership that prepares doctoral students to become educational leaders. Concentration areas include athletic training, educational technology, special education, and more. Instead of a traditional dissertation process, doctoral students will complete a dissertation in practice, which has practical, real-world effects on their own organizations.

• Average in-state tuition: $595 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $605 per credit hour
• Financial aid: The Bowman Fellowship and Wilson Scholarship provide financial aid to new and advanced students, respectively.
• Accreditation: HLC

6. University of North Carolina

The University of North Carolina (UNC) offers an EdD in organizational leadership that does not require students to have a master's degree or have attended any graduate program. Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree, an undergraduate GPA of 3.0, and three years of leadership experience. Students will study research methods, leadership skills, applied research, and more.

• Average in-state tuition: $586 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $1,602 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Employee sponsorship, military benefits through the Veterans' Association, and federal loans are all available.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

7. Wilmington University

This EdD in higher education leadership is competency-based, with graduates showing proficiency in leadership, human resources, technology, social justice, and more. Instead of a dissertation, students work through a unique, 15-credit guided study program led by experienced faculty members.

Higher education leadership offers one of the best EdD salaries, with many roles offering over $100,000 per year.

• Average in-state tuition: $2,139 per course
• Average out-of-state tuition: $2,139 per course
• Financial aid: The Educator Support Scholarship can provide students with up to $5,000. Loans (both private and federal) are also accepted.
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

8. Governors State University

Governors State University's online EdD can be completed with synchronous or asynchronous coursework. Instead of a dissertation, doctoral students will complete a capstone project. There are three concentration areas: superintendent for P-12 schools, nonprofit/social entrepreneurship leadership, and higher education administration.

• Average in-state tuition: $537 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $537 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Dozens of educator-specific scholarships are afforded. Students should also apply for federal aid through the FAFSA.
• Accreditation: HLC

9. University of Virginia

The University of Virginia offers an online EdD in curriculum and instruction designed to be a part-time program. This allows students to continue being working professionals, bringing real problems of practice into the classroom for discussion. Online learning will cover curriculum development, literacy development, and social and emotional learning.

• Average in-state tuition: $622 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $622 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Educator-specific scholarships are afforded to qualifying students but are competitive. Funding through FAFSA is accepted.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

10. Capella University

Capella University is a leader in online education, offering five EdD specializations. Instead of a dissertation, doctoral students will complete a capstone project. The Capella Tuition Cap prevents students from paying more than $32,000 for their degree, making this one of the most cost-effective doctoral degrees listed.

• Average in-state tuition: $765 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $765 per credit
• Financial aid: The Capella Tuition Cap prevents students from having to pay more than $32,000 for this degree. There is also a 10% military discount.
• Accreditation: HLC

How We Rank Schools

Learn.org has a strict set of criteria with which we rank schools. All of the above institutions meet the following requirements.

• Accreditation: We only feature accredited institutions that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This ensures that employers will also recognize them as legitimate higher education institutions.
• Affordable: We look for programs and institutions that are affordable in some way. This can be achieved through low tuition costs, scholarships and funding opportunities, employer tuition assistance programs, or other forms of financial aid.
• Program reputation and quality: These Doctor of Education programs are of the highest quality to ensure that students are prepared for their careers upon graduation. We feature programs with professional development opportunities that real-world employers recognize and value.

Discover Online Doctoral Degrees

These online doctoral degrees are research-based and focus on hands-on, applied learning. Instead of theoretical dissertations, students focus on applied capstone projects to implement real change in their educational settings.

You can discover more online doctoral degrees on Learn.org to further your career and impact your field of study for the better.