10 Best Online Doctorate in Leadership No Dissertation 2025

There are several academic disciplines that offer doctoral degrees with a specialization in leadership. This may be in the form of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), a Doctor of Education (EdD), or a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in leadership. We'll show you a few ways to attend graduate school and earn an online doctorate in leadership with no dissertation.

What Is a Doctorate in Leadership?

You can earn a doctorate in leadership (no dissertation required) by enrolling in an online EdD program, PhD program, and several other doctoral degree programs. These leadership degrees emphasize the mastery of important topics like organizational development, innovation management, strategic leadership, higher education administration, nonprofit management, executive decision making, human resource management, employee mentorship, and more.

These degrees usually take about two to three years to complete, depending on whether you enroll part-time or full-time.

No Dissertation vs. Dissertation in Leadership Doctorates

Many new leadership programs require training in research methods and problem-solving skills, but do not require a formal dissertation. Such programs focus more on smaller research projects, consulting projects, or capstone projects after completing online coursework, residencies, and other degree requirements. While some graduates may become academic faculty members, leadership doctoral studies often emphasize real-world leadership skills more than research methodology training.

Do All Doctoral Programs in Leadership Require a Dissertation?

There are many online programs and on-campus programs with different degree requirements. It's more common for PhD programs to require a dissertation, whereas educational leadership doctorates may involve more experiential training toward the end of the doctoral program.

Best Online Doctorate in Leadership Programs With No Dissertation

Here is a list of doctoral programs that emphasize higher education leadership, business leadership, and other similar professional concentrations. These help online students to train for leadership roles in fields like education, healthcare, business administration, organizational leadership, nursing practice, and more.

1. Nebraska Methodist College

Nebraska Methodist College has an online EdD in healthcare leadership with no dissertation requirement. Full-time students can finish this online Doctor of Education degree within 24 months. Doctoral students also receive special tutoring to complete a doctoral project involving quantitative research.

• Estimated tuition cost: $771 per credit hour
• Financial aid: This institution offers scholarships, grants, and federal work-study opportunities.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Rockhurst University

Rockhurst University offers an online EdD in higher education with a strong emphasis on leadership. This two-year doctoral program requires no in-person coursework and trains students in topics like curriculum development, cultivating better student learning experiences, and organizational change and innovation.

• Estimated tuition cost: $832 per credit hour.
• Financial aid: Graduate certificates are also available at no extra cost along with standard financial aid packages.
• Accreditation: HLC

3. University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

The University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill has an online EdD in organizational learning and leadership. U.S. News & World Report ranks this department #27 nationwide for its education programs.

• Estimated tuition cost: $586.23 per credit hour
• Financial aid: This flagship school participates in federal loan programs and employer-based tuition assistance.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

4. Liberty University

Liberty University offers a unique Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL), available 100% online, and requires no dissertation. This program aims to place graduates into executive leadership roles. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), top executives make a median annual salary of about $105,000.

• Estimated tuition cost: $610 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Liberty University offers loans, scholarships, grants, and military discounts for graduate students.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. Andrews University

Andrews University has a Doctor of Leadership (DLead) program, which focuses on data-driven decision-making for solving real-world problems. This is a 16-course online program with a doctoral project but no dissertation requirement. It's especially popular among international students from diverse areas like Africa, Asia, and South America.

• Estimated tuition cost: $1,591 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Doctoral students can offset the high tuition costs by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to receive loans, grants, and scholarships.
• Accreditation: HLC

6. University of Miami

The University of Miami offers an online EdD in applied learning services with an emphasis in educational leadership. It consists of 15 courses, seven-week sessions, and one cumulative doctoral project. Full-time students normally finish within 2.5 years.

• Estimated tuition cost: $2,310 per credit hour
• Financial aid: This university encourages students to seek scholarships, loans, and grants after completing the FAFSA, using its school code: 001536.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

7. University of Southern Mississippi

The University of Southern Mississippi has a doctoral program in educational administration with online coursework and no dissertation requirement. Students must possess an education license to apply for this 54-credit program, which typically lasts three years.

• Estimated tuition cost: $578.12 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Over 80% of students receive some kind of financial aid from resources like loans, grants, and scholarships.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

8. New York University

New York University's EdD in educational leadership is 100% online and does not require a dissertation. Graduate students participate in other initiatives involving quantitative research, case study analysis, and other techniques.

According to its website, you can expect to devote 15 to 20 hours per week to this program with a minimum duration of two years.

• Estimated tuition cost: $2,272 per credit hour
• Financial aid: The financial aid options include loans, grants, scholarships, and employer-support programs.
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

9. Spalding University

Spalding University offers the chance to earn an EdD with an educational leadership concentration in just two years while completing coursework online. The degree requirements include a capstone research project and an oral defense of original findings.

• Estimated tuition cost: $850 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Spalding University mentions veterans' benefits, Federal Direct PLUS loans, and private loans for financing graduate education
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

10. Louisiana State University - Shreveport

Louisiana State University - Shreveport has one of the most affordable online programs for educational leadership with a tuition rate of just $415 per credit hour. Its website does not mention a dissertation component, and courses are 100% online in convenient seven-week terms.

• Estimated tuition cost: $415 per credit hour
• Financial aid: This school offers over $12 million in scholarship funding every year for undergraduate and graduate students.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

How We Rank Schools

This section shows how we ranked the schools above. These programs must have academic accreditation, affordable tuition, and a reputation for good online learning environments.

• Accreditation: Each school has an institutional or program accreditation through an accreditor like HLC.
• Affordability: The tuition rates on this list are no higher than $1,000 per credit hour.
• Program reputation: These programs have faculty members dedicated to mentoring graduate students and producing original research in their fields.

FAQs About No-Dissertation Leadership Doctorates Online

These are the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) for no-dissertation doctorates in leadership. This section addresses whether these degrees command the same respect as traditional dissertation doctorates.

Is a Doctorate in Leadership Worth It?

Yes, this is worth it for future leaders with extensive work experience in lower and middle management. If you desire to ascend to executive-level management, then this credential can boost your resume substantially.

Are No-Dissertation Leadership Doctorates Respected?

Yes, all doctorates from accredited universities command respect throughout academia and among working professionals and employers. When you receive your doctoral diploma, it won't mention anything about whether you completed a dissertation. Many employers do not even ask about it unless you pursue an applied research career or decide to enter academia.

What Are the Admission Requirements for a Leadership Doctorate?

Some incoming doctoral students may need to have a master's degree for admission, but this varies by discipline and institution. You will need at least a bachelor's degree and a high cumulative GPA for acceptance.

Some education programs prefer students with teaching experience, whereas nursing leadership programs emphasize other clinical competencies. Also, you may need to submit standardized test scores (e.g., GRE) to qualify for program acceptance and funding opportunities.

Can You Work While Completing a Leadership Doctorate?

Yes, it may be much easier to continue working a regular job and complete a doctorate when you don't have to go through the dissertation process. Check with your doctoral department's program director to make sure you can enroll in doctoral studies part-time.

Discover More Online Doctoral Programs

Learn.org can help you pursue your professional goals faster by exploring the most convenient and affordable online doctoral programs. We encourage you to check out our many other articles on online leadership degrees at every academic level.