Best PhD & Doctoral Programs in Maryland (Campus & Online)

Est. Time: 6 mins

Updated: 04/18/2026

A doctoral degree is the highest attainable degree in graduate school, but how do you know if it’s right for you? Let this guide help you learn more about on-campus and online PhD programs in Maryland.

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Doctoral programs in Maryland can help you advance into teaching, healthcare, research, or executive roles.

With options at schools like Johns Hopkins and Towson, you’ll find in-person, online, and flexible programs across the state.

Most PhD programs take four to six years, but part-time and accelerated options are available.

This guide covers top programs, formats, and costs to help you start your search.

Top-Rated PhD and Doctoral Programs in Maryland

The “best” doctoral programs in Maryland depend on your goals, but some schools stand out for their program variety, affordability, and flexibility.

The programs below offer strong options, including online and hybrid formats.

Use these schools as a benchmark to compare and evaluate other programs.

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University offers top-tier doctoral programs in Baltimore, including options at the Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Students can pursue:

PhD or DrPH degrees
Focus areas in research, teaching, or leadership

Tuition:

~$60,480 (Arts & Sciences)
~$60,960 (Public Health)
~$59,700 (Medicine)

Many programs offer strong funding packages. For example, the PhD in neuroscience includes:

Annual stipend (~$35,600)
Tuition coverage
Health insurance

Why it stands out: Johns Hopkins combines prestige, research opportunities, and robust funding.

Towson University

Towson University offers a PhD in Information Technology, preparing students for careers in academia, research, and industry.

Program highlights:

Focus on computer science, information systems, and IT
18 credits of coursework plus 24+ dissertation credits
Qualifying exam and research publication requirements

Tuition:

$764 per credit (in-state)
$1,400 per credit (out-of-state)

Why it stands out: Towson provides a focused, research-driven program with clear pathways into teaching and technical careers.

University of Maryland Global Campus

The University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) offers fully online doctoral programs in business and management.

Programs include:

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA): Focus on strategy, innovation, and leadership
Doctor of Management (DM): Designed for higher education leaders

Program highlights:

Fully online coursework with brief residencies
Cohort model with the same group throughout the program
54 total credits, typically completed in about three years

Tuition:

$1,087 per credit (in-state and out-of-state)

Why it stands out: UMGC offers flexible, online doctoral programs tailored for working professionals and executives.

As you narrow down your search, take time to research the faculty in each program, including their research interests, publications, and advising style. Finding a mentor whose work aligns with yours can make a huge difference in your experience, support, and long-term success.

Timon Kaple

Types of PhD and Doctoral Programs Available in Maryland

Doctoral programs in Maryland vary widely in format, requirements, and structure.

You’ll find options that include full-time and part-time study, as well as online, hybrid, and fully funded programs that may offer stipends and benefits.

Some programs require the GRE, while others do not, so it’s important to review each program’s expectations.

Explore the options below to find the best fit for your goals and schedule.

Full-Time PhD/Doctoral Programs in Maryland

Students typically take four to six years to complete full-time on-campus or online PhD programs in Maryland. These programs tend to consist of doctoral coursework, comprehensive exams, and a dissertation, usually followed by a dissertation defense.

Examples of quality full-time PhD programs in Maryland are Salisbury University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice and Doctor of Education.

Part-Time PhD/Doctoral Programs in Maryland

A part-time approach to your PhD program in Maryland will likely take five to eight years to complete. Part-time programs are designed for people with full-time responsibilities, like families and careers, as they tend to offer more flexibility through online and hybrid learning formats.

For example, Johns Hopkins University offers quality part-time programs in each of its nine departments, including the School of Medicine and School of Nursing. Visit this part-time PhD and doctoral program page for more part-time PhD options.

Fully Funded PhD/Doctoral Programs in Maryland

Funding is a common problem for PhD students, so many quality in-person and online PhD programs in Maryland and around the country are fully funded. These funding packages usually cover tuition and provide a living stipend and health insurance as part of your teaching or research assistantship.

Popular examples include the University of Maryland’s Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD program and Towson University’s Bridges to the Doctorate program.

No-GRE PhD/Doctoral Programs in Maryland

The GRE is the most common entrance exam for graduate programs across the country. If the GRE isn’t accessible for you or you simply dread exams, research no-GRE doctoral programs. No-GRE programs may have unique admission requirements and delivery modes.

In Maryland, you can find no-GRE programs in the University of Maryland’s Computer Science and Business and Management PhD programs.

Accelerated PhD/Doctoral Programs in Maryland

If you want to earn your doctoral degree within three years, you’ll appreciate an accelerated program. In these programs, you complete coursework, conduct research, and likely write a dissertation, but you may take fewer classes.

Some online doctoral programs only require a year of study. Quality accelerated programs include the University of Maryland’s PhD for Clinicians Program and the fully online Doctor of Management at the University of Maryland Global Campus.

No Dissertation PhD/Doctoral Programs in Maryland

Most PhD and doctoral programs in Maryland require a dissertation, a project that takes two to three years to complete. If you prefer not to write a dissertation, you can pursue programs that don’t have dissertation requirements.

Notable no-dissertation doctoral programs in Maryland include Salisbury University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice and Johns Hopkins University’s Doctor of Education, where practical learning and capstone projects replace the dissertation.

Don’t make decisions about the dissertation lightly. It’s often the most demanding part of your PhD. Choose a topic and advisor carefully, because strong guidance and genuine interest in your research can make the process far more manageable. I had co-chairs (two professors) that kept me moving forward over four years of research and writing.

Timon Kaple

Top Fields for Earning Your Ph.D. or Doctoral Degree in Maryland

Behavioral and Community Health

A PhD in Behavioral and Community Health prepares you to improve public health outcomes through research and policy.

Graduates often work as:

Public health scientists
Professors and researchers
Policy analysts

These roles span both the public and private sectors, focusing on program and policy development.

Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs

Psychology

A doctoral degree in psychology (PsyD or PhD) prepares you for work in clinical practice, research, or academia.

While you can become a counselor without a doctorate, this degree makes you more competitive and opens doors to:

Teaching in higher education
Leading research
Advanced clinical roles

Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs

Information Technology

A PhD in Information Technology is ideal if your interests include computer science, IT, and information systems.

Common focus areas include:

Database systems
Software engineering
Computer networks
Human-computer interaction

Graduates often move into roles in industry, government, research, or academia.

Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs

Education

A Doctor of Education (EdD) helps professionals advance through applied leadership and instructional expertise.

Common specializations include:

Educational leadership
Curriculum and instruction
Learning design

This degree prepares graduates for leadership roles across education settings.

Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs

Quality Example of Hybrid/Online Programs

Frostburg University Doctor of Education

Business

A Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) prepares professionals for leadership and consulting roles in business.

In contrast, a PhD in Business focuses on research and academic careers, including teaching in higher education.

While DBA graduates typically work in industry, some also move into teaching roles.

Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs

Quality Example of Hybrid/Online Programs

University of Maryland Global Campus Doctor of Business Administration

Earning Your PhD or Professional Doctorate Online in Maryland

Online and hybrid doctoral programs in Maryland offer strong flexibility without sacrificing quality.

With many options available, you can choose formats that fit your schedule and goals.

Program formats include:

Fully online: Programs like the DBA or Doctor of Management at UMGC may require no campus visits
Hybrid: Combine online learning with occasional in-person sessions

Online programs often provide flexibility during coursework and dissertation phases, and some — like certain DNP programs — may not require a dissertation.

Before enrolling, confirm any in-person or live session requirements, as expectations vary by program.

Best Online Doctoral Programs in Maryland

About the ranking

Capitol Technology University Laurel, Maryland

Type: Private not-for-profit

Cost: $$$

With its main campus in Maryland near Washington, D.C., Capitol Technology University is a private nonprofit university that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in technology-focused fields like computer science, engineering, information technology, and security. It has 38 doctorate programs, the vast majority of which are available 100% online with no campus residencies or other in-person requirements. Most online programs deliver coursework asynchronously. Some programs may include synchronous components as well, though, so check format details before enrolling.

Program Highlights:

EdD in Cyber Science

Credits: 60
Length: 2 to 3 years
Cost: $950/credit
Mode: Fully online
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

PhD in Aeronautical Science

Credits: 60
Length: 2 to 3 years
Cost: $950/credit
Mode: Fully online
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

PhD in Engineering Management

Credits: 60
Length: 2 to 3 years
Cost: $950/credit
Mode: Fully online
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Academic
CounselingYes

Career
PlacementYes

Student/
Faculty Ratio15

AccreditationMSCHE

Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, Maryland

Type: Private not-for-profit

Cost: $$$$$

Private, highly-prestigious Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, offers 15 online doctoral degree programs that span education, engineering, nursing, and public health. Most of these programs are accessible entirely online, but some are hybrid or blended formats. As you might expect from such an elite private university, tuition costs at Johns Hopkins are steeper than at other institutions. However, Johns Hopkins is committed to making earning a degree at the university within the financial reach of all qualifying students through its numerous financial aid resources. Contact the financial aid office for your degree's academic department for information on available funding opportunities.

Program Highlights:

DNP Executive Track

Credits: 40
Length: 6 semesters
Cost: $1,939/credit
Mode: Online plus on-site immersions
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Ecuation

Doctor of Public Health (DrPh)

Credits: 64
Length: 5 to 9 years
Cost: $1,321/credit
Mode: Fully online
Accreditation: Council on Education for Public Health

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Credits: 54
Length: 4 years
Cost: $1,900/credit
Mode: Fully online
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Academic
CounselingYes

Career
PlacementYes

Student/
Faculty Ratio6

AccreditationMSCHE

Notre Dame of Maryland University Baltimore, Maryland

Type: Private not-for-profit

Cost: $$$

Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDM) (not to be confused with the University of Notre Dame in Indiana) is a private Catholic institution located in Baltimore. Professionals interested in pursuing top-level positions as administrators and educational leaders in occupational therapy education or the postsecondary institution level can earn a PhD in Higher Education online through NDM. The PhD in Higher Education has two online options. The PhD in Higher Education Leadership for Changing Populations prepares students to address administrative and leadership issues resulting from the dramatic demographic shifts impacting the needs and practices of colleges and universities in both the U.S. and around the world. NDM's PhD in Higher Education Leadership for Changing Populations -- Occupational Therapy focuses on the impact of a diversifying population on the occupational therapy profession to prepare educational administrators and educators in the OT field.

Program Highlights:

PhD in Higher Education Leadership for Changing Populations

Credits: 45 plus dissertation
Length: Varies
Cost: $625/credit
Mode: Fully Online
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

PhD in Higher Education Leadership for Changing Populations - Occupational Therapy

Credits: 54
Length: Varies
Cost: $625/credit
Mode: Fully online
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Academic
CounselingYes

Career
PlacementYes

Student/
Faculty Ratio7

AccreditationMSCHE

Salisbury University Salisbury, Maryland

Type: Public

Cost: $$

Salisbury University is a public university located in the Eastern Shore community of Salisbury, Maryland. Salisbury offers two doctoral degree programs that feature online courses of study, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Literacy Studies. Salisbury bills its DNP degree as an “alternative to research-focused doctoral programs” to prepare RNs for leadership positions in advanced practice roles and as nurse educators. Both Family Nurse Practitioner and Leadership Post-Masters to DNP options are available as is a Post-Bachelor's to DNP option. Salisbury's EdD in Literacy Studies allows students to become literacy education leaders in P-12, higher education, and community settings. The curriculum provides a foundational academic framework upon which students can concentrate their studies in a preferred subject area. Coursework is entirely online in an asynchronous format.

Program Highlights:

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Credits: 80 (Post-Bachelor's to DNP); 68 (FNP); 38 (Leadership)
Length: 4 years (Post-Bachelor's to DNP); 3 to 4 years (FNP); 3 years (Leadership)
Cost: $805/credit
Mode: Fully online
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

EdD in Literacy Studies

Credits: 56
Length: 4 years
Cost: $775/credit
Mode: Fully online
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Academic
CounselingYes

Career
PlacementYes

Student/
Faculty Ratio14

AccreditationMSCHE

Towson University Towson, Maryland

Type: Public

Cost: $$

There are three online doctorate options offered by Towson University, a public university in the Baltimore County community of Towson, Maryland. The PhD in Occupational Science prepares students to create knowledge in the scientific study of human occupation as it relates to meaningful and purposeful activities in day-to-day life. It is open to current occupational therapists with master's degrees or select non-OTs with master's degrees in a social science-related field. Both full-time and part-time study and online and hybrid formats are available. Licensed OTs with master's degrees can gain advanced clinical expertise and leadership skills through the Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OCT) program. This program is part-time and features online coursework with a small number of on-site immersion experiences. Towson's PhD in Instructional Technology provides advanced knowledge and skills in technology in digital learning. This degree program is also available in both online and hybrid formats.

Program Highlights:

PhD in Institutional Technology

Credits: 63
Length: 4 to 7 years
Cost: Cost: $669/credit (residents); $1,210/credit (out-of-state)
Mode: Fully online or hybrid
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

PhD in Occupational Science

Credits: 45 to 60
Length: Varies
Cost: $669/credit (residents); $1,210/credit (out-of-state)
Mode: Fully online or hybrid
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD)

Credits: 33
Length: 6+ semesters
Cost: $669/credit (residents); $1,210/credit (out-of-state)
Mode: Online plus on-site immersions
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Academic
CounselingYes

Career
PlacementYes

Student/
Faculty Ratio16

AccreditationMSCHE

Morgan State University Baltimore, Maryland

Type: Public

Cost: $$

Morgan State University, a public university in Baltimore and the largest HBCU in Maryland, offers a Doctor of Education in Community College Leadership in an online format. The program provides the specific knowledge and competencies required to successfully fill professorial positions and other senior leadership roles in a community college setting. Classes are offered in both on-site and online formats, allowing students tremendous flexibility in attending to their studies while continuing to work at their present jobs. Students are required to complete either a specialized internship or practicum at a community college. The program culminates in the completion and defense of a dissertation.

Program Highlights:

EdD in Community College Leadership

Credits: 60
Length: 6 years average
Cost: $545.50/credit (residents); $993.50/credit (out-of-state)
Mode: Fully online
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Academic
CounselingYes

Career
PlacementYes

Student/
Faculty Ratio16

AccreditationMSCHE

Unlock Financial Aid for Your Maryland PhD Program

Paying for a doctoral degree in Maryland involves multiple costs, including tuition, fees, and living expenses.

Many programs offer funding packages with stipends, tuition support, and health insurance, but additional aid may still be needed.

Common funding sources include:

Scholarships and grants
Fellowships
Work-study programs
Research and teaching assistantships

Start your search with university funding pages, where schools like the University of Maryland and Towson list fellowships and awards.

You can also explore state options through the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), which offers funding for specific student groups and high-need fields.