30+ Online EdD Programs, No GRE Requirements

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You’re not alone in looking for online Ed.D. programs with no GRE required. In the first place, earning a Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) degree could help prepare you to take the next step in your career.

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In the same way courses in doctoral education degree programs often focus on decision-making and leadership skills. To clarify, earning an Ed.D. may be able to open doors to leadership positions in fields like these:

  • Education administration
  • Academic research
  • Community college leadership
  • Social justice in education

Finding online Ed.D. programs with no GRE required isn’t always an easy task. Fortunately, some grad schools offering doctor of education programs may not need your GRE scores as part of the admissions package. With this in mind we’ve tracked down some of these doctoral programs. Check out a list of Ed.D. programs with no GRE required further down the page.

If you’re ready to learn how to make organizational change in your local school system, read on below. We’ve got a quick primer on the GRE. For instance tips for applying to an Ed.D. program in the next section.

What is the GRE?

GRE is short for “Graduate Record Examination”. ETS administers the GRE. Not every master’s degree or doctorate requires a GRE. Programs in other subjects use other tests, like the GMAT, MCAT and LSAT. Healthcare programs often require their own exams as well. Online degree programs in education tend to focus on the GRE, if they require test scores.

The typical GRE consists of five sections in the following topics:

  • Analytical writing. This section contains two separate timed tasks of 30 minutes each. You need to analyze one issue and one argument. Some Ed.D. programs may not require this part of the test.
  • Verbal reasoning. Two of the sections cover this topic. Each section contains 20 questions and has a time limit of 30 minutes.
  • Quantitative reasoning. Two sections also cover this topic. Each section contains 20 questions and has a time limit of 35 minutes.
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Do Online Ed.D. programs require a GRE?

Each school’s educational policy determines GRE requirements.

¿What are the types of GRE requirements for Doctor of Education?

There are four main types of GRE requirement for Ed.D. degrees: GRE required, Partial GRE required, optional GRE, and no GRE required.

  • GRE required. Many programs at accredited institutions typically require prospective students to take the GRE and submit their scores. To emphasize, if the program requires GRE test scores, the requirement is usually not negotiable.
  • Partial GRE required. A few of the Ed.D. programs that require the GRE may only ask for a portion of the final test. For example, the written section of the test may not be part of the admissions process at some schools.
  • GRE optional. Some programs may not require GRE scores but could accept them from students who have taken the test. It’s not essential to submit scores to optional programs, but good test results might help your chances of getting in.
  • No GRE required. Face-to-face as well as online programs may not ask for GRE scores at all. These programs are likely not to consider your scores even if you’ve taken the test.

There also may be other exams that may apply at some schools. In California, education graduate students might take the CBSET or CSET tests instead.

Why do some schools not require a GRE?

The GRE is designed to show that you understand a subject. However, there may be other ways to show that as well. In this case a good record of real-world work experience in local school districts and education systems may serve that same purpose.

Some schools may not require either GRE scores or work experience. These programs tend to prefer applicants who hold a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree, or a Master of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Science (M.S.) degree in education.

Admissions criteria for no GRE online Ed.D. programs

Ed.D. programs that focus on online classes each set their own rules for admission. Here’s a short list of requirements that many schools have in common:

  • College transcripts. Many schools typically ask for an official record of your completed credit hours. This document is obtained from the school where you completed your master’s degree. If your Ed.D. program only requires a bachelor’s degree, you should submit your bachelor’s transcript instead.
  • GPA minimum. Many Ed.D. programs require a certain minimum GPA from prospective students. Many requirements are between 2.75 and 3.25. If your GPA doesn’t meet your school’s requirement, you may be able to talk to an advisor about ways to make up for it.
  • Letters of recommendation. Not all programs ask for these, but they may help your case even if they’re not required. Your former teachers or employers are good sources for these letters.
  • Real-world work experience. Some Ed.D. programs may prefer applicants who have spent time working in a local education system. The documentation required to show your work experience may vary from one school to another.

Should you submit GRE scores when it’s optional?

If your school of education lists the GRE as optional, you’re not required to submit your scores. That said, if you’ve taken the GRE and done well, sending in your scores with your application might help boost your chances of success.

Online EdD Programs No GRE Requirement *

You’re hoping to earn an online doctorate in education, no GRE required. We’ve partnered with graduate schools offering online Ed.D. and Ph.D. programs that just might fit the bill. Take a look at our  list of 30 public and private non-profit schools with no GRE Ed.D. programs below. All 30 schools on this list have earned accreditation. Be sure to request more info about the programs that interest you!

*Program GRE requirements are subject to change.

EdD ProgramsAcceptance Rate
Maryville Univerisity
  • Higher Education Leadership
95%
University of Southern Indiana’s
  • Pedagogical Leadership
  • Administrative Leadership
95%
Kansas State University
  • Adult Learning and Leadership
93%
Iowa State University
  • Educational Leadership
91%
Johnson & Wales University
  • Educational Leadership
91%
Southeastern University
  • Curriculum and Instruction
  • Organizational Leadership
90%
National Louis University
  • Higher Education Leadership
86%
Arizona State University
  • Leadership and Innovation
85%
Colorado State University
  • Ph.D. in Education and Human Resource Studies
84%
Saint Joseph’s University
  • Master’s in Business Administration
  • MS in Computer Science
  • Master of Science in Cyber Security
76%
University of North Dakota
  • Education Practice and Leadership
82%
University of New England
  • Educational Leadership
80%
Millersville University
  • Educational Leadership
78%
Grand Canyon University
  • K-12 Leadership
  • Teaching and Learning with an Emphasis in Adult Learning
  • Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Higher Education Leadershi
73%
Point Park University
  • Educational Leadership
70%
Gonzaga University
  • Educational Leadership
66%
University of Michigan – Flint
  • Educational Leadership
66%
Ball State University
  • Educational Administration and Supervision
65%
Concordia University – Wisconsin
  • Leadership in Innovation and Continuous Improvement (LICI)
65%
West Texas A&M University
  • Educational Leadership
65%
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Diversity and Equity in Education
  • Global Studies in Education
  • Human Resource Development
  • Learning Design and Leadership
62%
Liberty University
  • Curriculum and Instruction/Elementary Education
  • Educational Leadership
56%
Missouri Baptist University
  • Higher Education Leadership
52%
Baylor University
  • Learning and Organizational Change
39%
New York University
  • Leadership and Innovation
  • Educational Leadership
20%
University of Southern California
  • Educational Leadership
  • Organizational Change and Leadership
13%
Johns Hopkins University
  • Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education
  • Mind, Brain and Teaching
  • Urban Leadership
  • Online Teaching and Learning
  • Technology Integration
11%
Capella University
  • Adult Education
  • Curriculum and Instruction
  • Educational Leadership and Management
N/A
Franklin University
  • Educational Leadership
N/A
Northcentral University
  • Educational Leadership
  • Instructional Leadership
  • Learning Analytics in K-12 Education
N/A
Walden University
  • Educational Administration & Leadership (Non-Licensure)
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Educational Technology
  • Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
N/A

History of the Doctor of Education

The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree first became available in the 1920s, due to demand for doctorate programs in professional fields. Significantly, the first Ed.D. degree in the U.S. was granted at Harvard University. Today, several countries other than the U.S. offer Ed.D. programs to high-level education pros.

4 Things to Know About Applying for Online EdD Programs No GRE

So, you’re hoping to earn an online doctorate in education without the GRE. Consequently skipping that difficult and expensive test is one major obstacle, averted. But what about requirements besides the GRE? In fact, some graduate schools may choose not to look at applicants’ GRE scores because they place greater emphasis on other parts of the application – like GPA, work experience, or letters of recommendation for admission to their online degrees.

Understanding what Ed.D. programs may look for besides the GRE is key to potentially optimizing your application. So, let’s check out these four other Ed.D. admissions requirements that should be on your radar, if they’re not already:

Your GPA

To everyone knows that your GPA may play a bigger role in your application than you imagined. In fact, some grad schools implement GPA cut-offs that dictate whether you need GRE scores or not. The Ph.D. program at Colorado State University, for example, has no GRE requirement if your GPA for all prior college study is at least 3.0.

Work Experience

Often, Ed.D. programs are aimed at working pros who hope to build on past experience in the field they love. You may find that your doctorate degree program requires a good record of work experience instead of GRE scores. For instance, the University of Michigan – Flint requires three years of work experience in a relevant role at a a P-16 school.

Letters of Recommendation

This is a common requirement, so it may be  a good idea to line up some recommendations if you’re thinking about an Ed.D. program. Each school sets its own requirements, but two to three letters is a typical ask. For this reason some programs may specify that they want letters from your teachers, supervisors, or community leaders. Although other schools may allow you to submit letters from anyone with knowledge of your school or work history. Then again, some schools may not require letters of recommendation. It’s a good idea to check before applying.

Essay or Statement of Purpose

Many schools ask you to submit a written response in your application. For one thing, this requirement is a chance to wow school admins with the quality of your writing and ideas. By all means take this one seriously. To explain, a letter of intent typically describes your goals, plans, and commitment to earning the degree. For instance, an essay may be assigned on a particular subject that has to do with your Ed.D. study.

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