Online Doctoral Degrees
Reach the highest levels of your field.
Conquer Your Doctorate, Fulfill Your Ambitions
Dreaming of your doctorate, but held back by the extremely high cost of doctoral programs? We know how prohibitively expensive and time-consuming a terminal degree can be, which is why we’ve intentionally designed our online doctoral programs to be affordable and achievable in as little as three years.1
We’re committed to helping you start and finish your doctorate with support every step of the way. We help you take on your dissertation with a guided sequence of coursework built right into your program, paired with a dedicated dissertation committee. And you’ll have writing resources and research support always at your fingertips.
Turn your dream of a doctoral degree into reality at ACE.
Skills and Knowledge Gained
Earning a doctorate qualifies you for the highest levels of leadership within your field. But the doctoral journey itself is a unique experience within academia that helps you grow as a scholar, professional and person. By the end of your program, you’ll not only have contributed original research to your field, but you’ll have increased your skills in:
- Conducting and evaluating research
- Identifying effective evidence-based strategies
- Analyzing data
- Designing studies
- Solving complex problems
- Fostering innovation
- Leadership
- Grit and resilience
Doctoral Degree Admission
Along with ACE’s general admission requirements, prospective doctoral students must have a minimum of a master’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Our Ed.D. in Nursing Education requires you to also have an active, unencumbered registered nursing license.
Find detailed admission requirements for your program of interest on the program’s page.
*Source: Student Right to Know
Doctorate FAQs
How long does it take to get a doctoral degree online?
The length of an online doctoral degree can vary depending on the higher education institution and how long it takes to finish your dissertation. The dissertation is often what takes the longest and can drag out the length of your program. That’s why we’ve intentionally designed our doctoral programs with a built-in guided dissertation to help many of our doctoral candidates finish in as little as three years.1
What is the difference between an Ed.D. and a Ph.D.?
An Ed.D. is a doctorate in education, while a Ph.D. is a doctor of philosophy. Both are terminal degrees. However, Ed.D.s are focused more on practical application while Ph.D.s are geared toward theory and original research. Ed.D.s are a great fit for those who want to lead others and implement change, while Ph.D.s are better for careers in research or academia. For a full comparison of these two types of doctorates, read our guide.
Can I work full-time while earning a doctorate online?
It depends on the structure of the program. Some online doctorates require you to log on at certain times and some also have a residency component, which can make it difficult for those who also have a full-time job. ACE’s online doctoral programs are fully asynchronous and do not have a residency component, allowing our students to complete the program on their schedule while juggling other commitments.
What is the total cost of an online doctoral degree?
Doctorates can be expensive. However, we make them attainable by offering doctorates for under $25,000.2
What are the admission requirements for ACE’s doctoral programs?
Prospective doctoral students must submit official transcripts showing completion of a master’s degree or higher with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Our Ed.D. in Nursing Education has an additional requirement of an active, unencumbered RN license. We do not require the GRE, an essay or an interview.
Are ACE’s doctoral programs accredited?
ACE is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Learn more about our accreditations here.
Do doctoral programs require a dissertation?
Yes. ACE’s doctoral programs guide you through the dissertation chapter by chapter. If you don’t feel quite ready for a dissertation but want to engage in high-level scholarship, an education specialist degree is a great option.
What career opportunities are available after earning a doctorate?
Doctorates can open doors to high-level leadership in any field. You can pursue positions at director, administrative and executive levels. You can use your expertise to become a consultant, policymaker or analyst. You can also work within higher education as a lecturer, professor, dean, provost, or college or university president.
1This is an estimated time to completion. Actual completion time may vary depending on the number of transfer credits applied, availability of courses, a satisfactory pace, successful course completion and meeting program milestones as required.
2All values shown are an estimated value of the cost of tuition and fees. Actual amounts may vary depending on the number of transfer credits applied to the selected program hours, the pace and satisfactory completion of the selected program, the receipt of scholarship or grant amounts, or adjustments to tuition or fees as described in the Catalog Right to Modify Tuition section. State sales and use tax will apply where required by law.