10 Best Doctoral Programs That Accept Transfer Credits in 2026

There are many doctoral programs that accept transfer credits, but you should research this before applying to a new program. Various graduate programs will perform a credit evaluation and work with you to honor the courses you've already completed at another reputable institution. Explore some of the best options below.

Can You Transfer Doctoral Credits?

Yes, some institutions accept transfer credits from other doctoral or master's programs. Although transferring PhD programs can be complex, it is a common practice, especially with certain ''All But Dissertation (ABD) completion programs.'' If you are unsure whether your new doctoral program will allow this, ask the program director specifically about your previous academic work.

10 Best Doctoral Programs That Accept Transfer Credits

Here are some of the top programs for doctoral students with transfer credits. This section describes each program, available transfer options, tuition costs, and other financial aid information.

1. National University

National University has multiple ways to transfer credits into its doctoral programs, including dissertation completion programs. If you have reached ABD status, you can finish your doctorate at National University in several fields, such as education, psychology, data science, business administration, and human resource management.

• Estimated tuition cost: $442 per credit hour
• Financial aid: The financial aid website mentions university scholarships and California-based grants.
• Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

2. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Mercy University will help you finish your doctorate if you have reached ABD status in either a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Education (EdD) program. This spans several fields but must involve some component of educational leadership.

The school accepts transfer credit, provided you complete at least 27 credit hours at Gwynedd Mercy.

• Estimated tuition cost: $1,182 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Graduate students are eligible for scholarships, grants, and other financial resources.
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

3. Carson-Newman University

Carson-Newman University offers a degree completion program for students with doctoral credits in education from other institutions. All it takes to complete the program is 24 additional credit hours, focusing on course topics like quantitative research, qualitative research, comprehensive exams, and dissertation work.

• Estimated tuition cost: $585 per credit hour
• Financial aid: This university offers more than $17 million in needs-based funding every year.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

4. University of Phoenix

The University of Phoenix is an online college that offers degrees at every level and allows incoming students to transfer up to 27 doctoral credits. Its website has a convenient option for scheduling a conversation regarding transfer credit evaluation. This applies to doctoral degrees in four disciplines: business administration, education, health administration, and management.

• Estimated tuition cost: $659 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Online doctoral students have access to federal loans and federal grants.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

5. Liberty University

Liberty University's website features a detailed ''transfer credit matrix,'' showing students how many credits may transfer for all its doctoral and master's degree programs. A PhD in aviation, for example, requires 60 credit hours, but doctoral students can transfer 30 credit hours from other institutions.

• Estimated tuition cost: $610 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Liberty University participates in federal loan programs, offers scholarships, and grants generous military tuition discounts.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. Franklin University

Franklin University offers doctoral degree completion options in fields like psychology. The university cooperates with students to finish a self-driven doctoral research project, allowing them to utilize credits from other doctoral or master's programs. You can transfer up to 24 credit hours toward finishing a doctorate.

• Estimated tuition cost: $748 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Graduate students can apply for federal/state aid along with institutional and private loans.
• Accreditation: HLC

7. Walden University

Walden University has transfer credit options for 33 doctoral programs in fields such as nursing, psychology, public administration, social work, and criminal justice. Each program has a different transfer maximum, including 25 credit hours for students pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA).

• Estimated tuition cost: $630 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Walden's website mentions state grants, loans, federal loans, and tuition assistance options.
• Accreditation: HLC

8. Capella University

You can transfer credits to fulfill up to 75% of a doctorate at Capella University, but it depends on which program you enroll in. The best chance of transferring credits successfully involves elective courses since most of Capella's doctoral programs have open-elective policies. The university encourages students to review each program carefully to estimate which courses would be eligible for transfer.

• Estimated tuition cost: $525 to $1,020 per credit hour
• Financial aid: This online college offers scholarships, grants, and other funding resources for graduate students.
• Accreditation: HLC

9. University of Illinois - Chicago

The University of Illinois - Chicago has a website section devoted to ''transfer of credit,'' which offers detailed explanations of its policies for prospective doctoral students. The university usually assumes master's degree holders possess about 32 transferable credits. PhD students can only use transfer credits to fulfill 40% of their degree programs.

• Estimated tuition cost: $1,200 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Doctoral students receive funding through assistantships, grants, and scholarships.
• Accreditation: HLC

10. University of Missouri-Kansas City

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) has a transfer credit policy for four of its doctoral programs in fields like nursing, education, and other PhD options. Students can apply transfer credits to cover a maximum of half of their doctoral degree programs.

• Estimated tuition cost: $538 per credit hour
• Financial aid: The university offers graduate students funding through research assistantships, grants, loans, and merit-based scholarships.
• Accreditation: HLC

How We Rank Schools

Check out our criteria for ranking each graduate program. These schools must have academic accreditation, transfer credit availability, affordable tuition, and various degree programs.

• Accreditation: This refers to the review process all reputable universities undergo to ensure top academic standards.
• Transfer credit policy: This list only includes schools with generous credit transfer policies.
• Affordability: These institutions also offer affordable tuition rates.
• Program variety: We selected universities with multiple doctoral degree offerings.

FAQs About Doctoral Transfer Credits

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about transferring PhD programs. This explains other aspects of transferring graduate credits into a new doctoral program.

Do Master's Credits Transfer to a PhD?

Yes, this is the most common way to transfer credits for new PhD students. Some academic departments even offer different degree timelines for students with a master's degree from another institution versus those without graduate credits.

Does Capella University Accept Doctoral Transfer Credits?

Yes, Capella University, a popular online college, accepts transfer credits for some (but not all) of its doctoral programs. If you wish to know how many credits may transfer, contact the school directly for more details.

How Many Transfer Credits Can I Use Toward a Doctorate?

Each university and doctoral program has a different policy for PhD transfer credits. Some may permit you to transfer credits to fulfill 25% or even 75% of the doctoral requirements.

Do Online Doctoral Programs Accept Transfer Credits?

Yes, there are several doctoral programs that accept transfer credits, especially at online colleges. Some of the most flexible online institutions will permit you to transfer credits to fulfill up to 75% of the doctoral degree requirements.

Explore Online Doctoral Programs

Browse through Learn.org to discover more about online doctoral programs in every academic field. We also have plenty of resources to help you identify flexible and affordable online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and more.