Fastest Online Doctorate in Education (PhD/EdD)
Many have the wrong idea that earning PhD in Education or EdD online is a long process, as many of the most accredited and top universities are also offering accelerated online doctoral programs in education that can be completed in the fastest time as short as 2.5 to 3 years and in addition some of these fastest Online PhD Programs in Education( PhD/EdD) are with no-dissertation option.
What Makes a Doctorate in Education “Fast”?
- 8-week accelerated semesters or year-round enrollment
- Capstone projects instead of lengthy dissertations
- Transfer credits from master’s or EdS degrees
- Online, self-paced or competency-based learning
- No GRE requirements in many programs
The above-mentioned factors not only make it possible to earn your doctorate in education online faster but also ensures no sacrifice of quality or accreditation.
Top Fastest Online EdD & PhD Programs in Education
Purdue University Global – EdD (Education Leadership)
- Duration: ~3 years
- Format: 100% online
- Dissertation?: Yes, but applied/practical
- Accreditation: HLC
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Capella University – Online EdD in Leadership & Management
- Duration: ~3 years (FlexPath)
- Format: Self-paced, competency-based
- Dissertation?: Capstone project only
- Accreditation: CAEP
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University of the Cumberlands – Online EdD or PhD
- Duration: ~3 years
- Format: Online + Dissertation
- Specializations: Curriculum, Leadership, Counseling
- Affordable tuition
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Northcentral University – Online EdD
- Duration: 39 months
- Format: Weekly starts, one-on-one mentorship
- No GRE, 100% online
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University of the People – Online Doctor of Education (EdD)
- Duration: 3–4 years
- Format: 100% online, tuition-free (admin fees apply)
- Ideal for global and low-income students
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Comparison Table – Fastest EdD & PhD Online
| University | Duration | Format | Dissertation-Free? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capella University | 3 yrs | FlexPath | Capstone only | Self-paced, no GRE |
| Purdue University Global | 3 yrs | Online | Applied project | Widely accepted |
| Univ. of the Cumberlands | 3 yrs | Online + Dissertation | No | Affordable, flexible |
| Northcentral University | 39 mo. | Online | No | Mentor-based, weekly starts |
| University of the People | 3–4 yrs | Online | Capstone | Tuition-free option |
Yes, with transfer credits, self-paced programs, and capstone formats, some students finish in 2.5–3 years.
EdD programs are usually shorter and more practice-focused, while PhDs are more research-heavy.
Yes — replacing a multi-year dissertation with a practical capstone can cut a year or more off the timeline.
Most accelerated online EdD and PhD programs do not require the GRE.