10 Online Doctoral Programs With No GRE Requirement

Preparing for the GRE takes time that working professionals often don't have, especially when you're already balancing a full-time job and planning for several years of doctoral study. Fortunately, many online doctorates now evaluate you on your graduate GPA, professional experience, and writing instead of a standardized test score.

This list brings together no-GRE online doctorates in several fields, so you can compare options whether you're aiming for an EdD, DBA, DNP, DSW, or PhD. You'll also find typical admission requirements, cost ranges, and practical advice for choosing a program that fits your career goals.

What Is the GRE and Why Do Some Doctoral Programs Require It?

The Graduate Record Examination is a standardized test that measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. Traditional research PhD programs have long used it to compare applicants from different undergraduate backgrounds, particularly when admitting students straight from a bachelor's or master's program with limited work history.

Many online doctorates take a different view. Because they're designed for mid-career professionals, admissions committees often find that your master's coursework, leadership experience, and writing samples say more about your readiness than a timed exam, which is why a growing number of programs have dropped the test or made it optional.

Which Doctoral Degrees Commonly Skip the GRE?

Professional, or applied, doctorates are the most likely to skip the GRE. These include the Doctor of Education (EdD), Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctor of Social Work (DSW), and Doctor of Health Administration (DHA), all of which focus on applying research to real problems in your workplace or field.

Online PhD programs in leadership, technology management, and similar applied fields are also increasingly test-free. Some keep the GRE as one option, letting you substitute several years of relevant work experience instead, so it's worth reading each program's requirements closely. Education and nursing have some of the deepest pools, with plenty of online EdD programs with no GRE requirement and a growing number of BSN to DNP programs that skip the GRE.

Top Online Doctoral Programs That Don't Require the GRE

The programs below don't require GRE scores for admission, or they let you substitute professional experience for test scores. They span several disciplines, so focus on the entries that match your field and career plans.

1. Arkansas State University

Arkansas State's online EdD in higher education administration skips the GRE and asks instead for an accredited master's degree with a 3.0 GPA, a resume, two references, a letter of interest, and a scholarly writing sample. Admission is holistic, so your experience and writing carry real weight.

The 51-credit program runs 100% online with no campus visits, and most courses last seven weeks. It follows a dissertation-in-practice model that focuses on a real problem at an institution, and as a member of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate, the program reflects a national framework for practitioner-focused EdDs.

2. Regent University

For a leadership PhD with a faith-based perspective, Regent offers an online PhD in organizational leadership with no GMAT or GRE requirement. To apply, you'll submit transcripts, a resume or CV that outlines your leadership roles, a one-page leadership essay or graduate paper, and a government-issued ID.

The 51-credit program is delivered fully online, with several session starts throughout the year. Coursework explores organizational culture, leadership dynamics, and global economics from a Christian worldview, making it a strong fit if you want to research leadership while staying in your current role.

3. Delaware State University

Delaware State, a historically Black university, offers an online Doctor of Social Work that requires no GMAT, GRE, or other test scores. Applicants need an MSW from an accredited program with a 3.0 GPA, at least two years of post-MSW practice experience, three letters of recommendation, and a short scholarly writing sample.

The 54-credit, cohort-based program can be completed in as few as three years. Synchronous class meetings can be attended virtually or on campus, and you'll finish with a capstone project that you propose, write, and defend before a committee.

4. University of Kentucky

If you'd like to specialize within social work, Kentucky's online DSW offers five concentrations: administrative leadership, clinical social work, military behavioral health, social work education, and sports social work. No test scores are required, and you'll need an MSW with a minimum 3.0 graduate GPA and at least two years of post-MSW experience.

The 42-credit program follows a Core Plus model, which lets you progress at your own pace within a cohort structure. Courses are asynchronous except for a summer residency week, and the program holds Quality Matters certification for the quality of its online course design.

5. Wilmington University

Wilmington doesn't require GRE, MAT, or GMAT scores for its doctoral programs, including its Doctor of Business Administration. Instead, you'll submit bachelor's and master's transcripts, three recommendations, a statement of goals, and a resume, and you may be invited to interview with the admissions committee.

DBA students reach candidacy after 45 credit hours, a 3.0 GPA, and a comprehensive exam, and new course series typically start in spring, summer, and fall. Wilmington designs its doctoral programs for working adults, with online and campus-based options, and the university holds accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

6. Saint Leo University

Saint Leo's online DBA bases admission on your graduate record and experience rather than test scores, asking for a master's degree, a 3.0 graduate GPA, three years of professional work experience, and a resume. Applicants with a GPA between 2.75 and 2.99 may still be admitted after a faculty interview.

Coursework is fully online, with one virtual residency in your first semester, and most students finish in about 30 to 32 months. Saint Leo is a Catholic university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and its business school holds accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

7. Abilene Christian University

Nurses with an MSN can complete ACU's online DNP in as few as 26 months. Admission focuses on your nursing credentials, including a master's in nursing from an accredited school, a 3.0 nursing GPA, an unencumbered RN license, two recommendation letters, and a purpose statement identifying a patient care problem at your planned project site.

The 39-credit curriculum pairs online coursework with 500 clinical hours that you can complete at your current workplace. ACU's DNP holds accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and the university is a private Christian school based in Texas.

8. Duquesne University

At Duquesne, you can choose from two entry points into the online DNP in executive nurse leadership and healthcare management. The post-master's track takes about two years and 35 credits, while the post-bachelor's track runs about four years and 56 credits, and neither lists the GRE among its admission requirements.

Applicants need an unencumbered RN license, a statistics course, and a 3.0 GPA, along with a resume, a goal statement, and transcripts. Strong leadership experience is preferred, and the program, which carries CCNE accreditation, is built for nurses aiming at senior management and executive roles.

9. Indiana State University

Indiana State takes a flexible approach to testing for its online PhD in technology management. If you have at least three years, or 6,000 hours, of relevant work experience, you can apply without GRE or GMAT scores, along with a relevant master's degree and a 3.5 GPA.

The program is offered through a consortium with Bowling Green State University, the University of Central Missouri, and East Carolina University, so you'll take courses from several schools. Specializations include construction management, digital communication systems, human resource development, manufacturing systems, and quality systems, though research seminars and the dissertation defense require some campus visits.

10. University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas offers an EdD in adult and lifelong learning with no GRE requirement, and it's one of the few programs on this list built around a blended format. About 75% of the 60-credit program takes place online, with up to six on-campus sessions each year.

You'll move through the program with a cohort, taking two courses each semester, and most students finish in about 2.5 years. Cohorts alternate between an adult education leadership track and a community college leadership track, and the program uses a preregistered dissertation format designed to reduce common barriers for working professionals.

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university. For this article, each program also needed published admission requirements that either exclude the GRE or allow work experience to replace test scores.

• Accreditation: Every school is institutionally accredited, and programmatic accreditation is noted where it applies to the degree.
• Testing policy: Programs were included only if their published admission requirements didn't call for GRE scores or offered a clear experience-based alternative.
• Online availability: Coursework is delivered fully or primarily online, with any residencies kept short or available virtually.
• Field variety: Schools were chosen to represent several doctoral disciplines, including education, business, nursing, social work, and technology.
• Student outcomes: Program length, cohort support, and dissertation or capstone structure also factored into each selection.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

Typical Admissions Requirements for No-GRE Doctoral Programs

Without a test score in the mix, admissions committees lean heavily on your academic record and professional background. Most programs expect a master's degree with a GPA of at least 3.0, although a few accept slightly lower GPAs after an interview or offer conditional admission.

You'll also commonly submit a resume or CV, two or three letters of recommendation, a statement of goals, and a writing sample that shows you can handle doctoral-level research. Many professional doctorates require several years of relevant work experience, and field-specific programs add credentials such as an RN license for a DNP or an MSW for a DSW.

How Much Do Online No-GRE Doctoral Programs Cost?

Total tuition for an online doctorate usually falls between about $25,000 and $75,000, depending on the school, the number of credits, and whether you attend a public or private institution. Public universities often sit at the lower end of that range, while private schools and programs with larger credit loads tend to cost more.

Beyond tuition, budget for technology and dissertation fees, travel for any required residencies, and the time it may take to finish your dissertation or capstone. Programs with a structured dissertation timeline can help you avoid paying for extra semesters, which is one reason applied doctorates often cost less overall than open-ended research PhDs.

How To Choose the Right No-GRE Doctoral Program

Dropping the GRE removes one hurdle, but the rest of the program still needs to match your goals and schedule. Here are some factors that deserve a close look.

Professional Doctorate or PhD

Applied doctorates such as the EdD, DBA, and DNP focus on solving problems in practice, while PhDs emphasize original research and often lead toward faculty and research roles. Decide which outcome you want before comparing schools, since that choice shapes your coursework and final project.

Dissertation or Capstone Structure

Some programs use a traditional dissertation, while others offer a dissertation in practice, a preregistered dissertation, or a capstone project. If a shorter, more structured path appeals to you, it may help to compare online PhD programs with no dissertation and other applied formats.

Residency and Campus Requirements

Online doesn't always mean fully remote. Check whether a program requires on-campus seminars, virtual residencies, or synchronous sessions, and make sure the schedule works with your job and travel limits.

Field-Specific Accreditation

In nursing, look for CCNE or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accreditation, and in business, look for accreditation from groups such as ACBSP or the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). Programmatic accreditation can affect employer recognition, licensure, and eligibility for certain roles.

Cohort and Faculty Support

Doctoral students often stall during the dissertation phase. Programs with cohort models, assigned faculty mentors, and built-in dissertation courses can make it easier to stay on track and finish on schedule.

Career Outlook With an Online Doctorate

A doctorate can prepare you for senior leadership, consulting, research, and college teaching roles, depending on your field. Teaching at the college level is one of the most common goals, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, postsecondary teachers earn a median annual wage of $85,330, with employment projected to grow 7% through 2035.

The BLS notes that four-year colleges and universities typically require a PhD or other doctoral degree for these positions, though some community colleges hire instructors with a master's. If you'd rather stay in your industry, an applied doctorate can also position you for executive roles in education administration, healthcare, business, and social services.

FAQs About Online Doctoral Programs With No GRE Requirement

Dropping the GRE raises practical questions about how the rest of the admissions and degree process works. These answers cover a few points prospective doctoral students often ask about.

Can You Still Submit GRE Scores If a Program Doesn't Require Them?

Some programs accept optional scores, but many don't consider them at all. At schools like Indiana State, scores can serve as an alternative to work experience, so check each program's policy before you spend time and money preparing for the test.

How Long Does It Take To Earn an Online Doctorate?

Most online doctorates take about three to five years, depending on your pace and the degree type. Post-master's DNP programs like ACU's and Duquesne's can take about two years, applied doctorates such as the DBA and EdD often run close to three, and research-focused PhDs like Indiana State's may stretch to four or more years of part-time study.

How Many Credits Can You Transfer Into a Doctoral Program?

Doctoral programs typically accept fewer transfer credits than bachelor's or master's programs. Delaware State, for example, accepts up to nine transfer credits toward its DSW, and other programs set similar limits, so ask for a transcript review early if you've completed doctoral-level coursework elsewhere.

Can You Work Full Time While Earning an Online Doctorate?

Yes, and most of the programs on this list are designed for working professionals. Part-time course loads, cohort scheduling, and asynchronous classes make it manageable, though you should plan for 15 to 20 hours of work each week and more during the dissertation or capstone phase.

Is Financial Aid Available for Online Doctoral Programs?

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to eligible doctoral students at accredited schools, and filing the FAFSA is the first step. Many students also use employer tuition assistance, scholarships from professional associations, and military benefits, while some universities offer reduced tuition for alumni or partner organizations.

Find No-GRE Grad Schools

Learn.org offers information and resources to help you compare doctoral pathways and admissions policies across fields. Browse programs through Learn.org and connect directly with schools to get personalized details on application requirements, residencies, and dissertation expectations.