1-Year Online Doctoral Programs
It is rare, but not impossible, to get your doctoral degree in less than two years. Learn how to set yourself up for success in a fast-track doctoral program.
Written by
PhDs.me Staff
Last updated
Apr 24, 2023
It is never too early to consider pursuing an advanced degree. Doctoral programs often require a significant commitment of time, with the average time to completion ranging from six to seven years, depending on the field and educational background, as reported by the National Science Foundation.
While most doctoral programs require a significant time commitment, some universities now offer fast-track online programs that can be completed in as little as one or two years. While these programs are not available in all academic fields and are relatively rare, they can be an excellent way to distinguish yourself in a competitive job market. This guide will give you an overview of your options and provide a semester-by-semester timeline to help you understand what to expect in a fast-track doctoral program.
Inside the Fastest Doctorate Programs Online
While one-year doctoral programs are quite rare, there are a few colleges and universities that offer two-year doctoral programs in select academic areas with varying requirements. We will outline the different options below to help you identify which program might be the best fit for you.
1-Year Doctoral Programs
There are only a few accelerated doctoral programs available, but they do exist. One such program is offered by Breyer State Theology University, which provides a one-year doctor of psychology program tailored to those interested in becoming grief counselors.
As with other accelerated programs, applicants are required to hold a master’s degree in psychology, counseling, or a related field. This prerequisite ensures that students possess the foundational knowledge needed to quickly build a more advanced, doctoral-level skill set. In order to graduate, students in Breyer State’s program must complete a “graduate thesis,” also known as a dissertation, or a final project in a specialized area of grief counseling. The program also requires completion of 11 six-hour classes.
Most doctoral programs, regardless of their length or curriculum, typically require a final project or dissertation. This is because earning a doctoral degree signifies that a student has expert-level knowledge in a very specific academic area, and a dissertation or final project is a way to document original ideas and contributions to a field.
Practical Doctorates with no Dissertation
There are doctoral programs that don’t necessitate a dissertation as a graduation requirement. For such programs, it’s typical for students to have a master’s degree in the related field or a closely related area before entering. Some EdD programs, like the one available at Baylor University, follow a non-traditional route by not requiring a conventional dissertation. Instead, students take “dissertation in practice” classes which offer more structured opportunities to explore higher education administration and organizational leadership. The degrees highlighted below can provide insight into what a practical program with no dissertation may entail.
Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership
Learners in this program take a total of 65 credit hours, including 48 hours of coursework, 11 hours of clinical experiences, and six hours of the dissertation-in-practice coursework.
Number of credits: 36
Doctor of Nursing Practice
This online program allows distance students to complete a doctor of nursing degree entirely online, except for clinical requirements. Most learners take 18 to 20 months to complete the program. Additionally, the program does not require a GMAT or GRE score for admission and there is no dissertation requirement for graduation.
Number of credits: 33
Doctor of Education
Degree-seekers need to complete 60 credits of coursework focusing on healthcare organizations, nonprofit institutions, government agencies, and education systems. Most learners need 36 months to complete this program. Applicants must possess a master’s degree from an accredited institution with a 3.0 or higher GPA for consideration.
Number of credits: 60
Significant Amount of Master’s Credits
Currently, numerous doctoral programs mandate students to have either a master’s degree or some credits/prerequisites at the master’s degree level before being admitted into the program. Depending on the program’s design, you may be able to use some or all of the credits from your master’s courses towards your doctoral degree. These programs generally span between 18 to 24 months in duration.
If you wish to fast-track your graduate school journey, one option is to pursue your doctoral degree at the same institution where you obtained your master’s degree. Generally, there is some overlap between the two graduate curricula, and you can often receive credit for courses you have already completed. In a way, it is like earning “dual credit” for certain classes. Furthermore, if you pursue a doctorate at the same school where you completed your master’s degree, there will likely be no difficulties with transferring credits. The following programs demonstrate how you can complete a two-year doctorate degree by utilizing existing graduate credits.
Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision
This doctoral program has no limits on the number of transfer credits from master’s programs that may be applied toward the Ph.D. For graduation, learners need to complete an internship and practicum in addition to 11 core classes.
Number of credits: 60
After this program, degree-holders can pursue a wide variety of careers in higher education, research, and teaching roles. Common jobs for these graduates include academic counselor, university faculty, and counseling supervisor.
Doctor of Business Administration
While this program may take two or three years to complete, Franklin takes special care to ensure that you receive the most credits toward your doctorate as possible. Franklin students save time and money by transferring up to 24 credits of previously earned credits — that’s up to 40% of the credits you’ll need for graduation. Incoming students with 32 or more master’s credits can use that experience to satisfy elective requirements for this degree.
Number of credits: 58
Graduates of this program move on to careers as professors, management analysts, economists, business executives, and many more top business roles.
Accelerated Doctorate Programs
Accelerated programs are designed to help you complete your doctorate in a shorter timeframe than traditional programs. The pace of these programs is faster, with each class covering the same amount of material as a traditional course but within a shorter period of time. For example, an online accelerated finance course may take six to eight weeks to complete, in contrast to a 15- or 16-week semester-long course on campus. If all the mandatory classes for your degree are available in an accelerated format, you can save a substantial amount of time and finish your program in one or two years less than traditional programs.
While most accelerated programs, particularly research-oriented Ph.D. programs, necessitate completion of a dissertation, thesis, or a final project, professional doctorate programs in fields such as business or education administration may not need a traditional dissertation or final project. This requirement has a significant impact on the time it takes to complete your degree. Here are some examples of accelerated degree programs that can give you a better idea of what to anticipate.
Doctor of Nursing Practice
For incoming students with master’s degrees, this MSN-to-DNP program takes only five semesters to complete. Students complete 15 courses, a residency, and a final project. Applicants should possess a 3.0 or higher GPA for consideration.
Number of credits: 35
UF graduates with a DNP often pursue careers as nurse educators, nursing officers, clinical nurse specialists, and advanced practice nurses.
PhD in Forensic Psychology
In addition to offering an accelerated course schedule, Walden will waive up to six PhD-level classes if you enter the program with a master’s degree in psychology or closely related field. Learners can also transfer up to 53 credits toward the degree. Fast-track, accelerated students complete three courses per semester.
Number of credits: Depending on transfer credits, learners usually need around 60 credits of coursework to finish the program.
Graduates with this degree in forensic psychology seek out employment as researchers, college professors, analysts, consultants, and more.
Starting 1- and 2-Year Online Doctoral Programs
There are several things to keep in mind as you prepare for an online doctoral program. If you already have a good idea of which type of degree you want to pursue, use that to your advantage by planning ahead and crossing some things off your list before you apply.
- Get prerequisites out of the wayIf you know which degree you’re interested in, there are prerequisite and foundational courses that you might be able to take before entering a program. You might be satisfying many or all of these credits while working toward a master’s degree. You may choose to take prerequisites online or at a community college. Not only will this save you time when you enter your doctoral program, but you’ll probably save some tuition dollars, too.
- Earn a master’s degreeSometimes a closely related master’s degree will get you pretty far in terms of transfer credits and being able to take a larger workload per semester. Master’s programs also give you the time and space to sort out some further research ideas that could become a part of your doctoral dissertation (if you’re going into a program that requires it).
- Earn a competitive GPAMost doctoral programs expect applicants to possess a strong GPA, whether in their undergraduate or master’s coursework. You’ll likely need a 3.0 or higher GPA to receive consideration.
- Produce a writing sampleIf you’re applying for a research doctorate (PhD) as opposed to a practical, career-focused degree (EdD), your writing sample should showcase your academic research skills and show promise for success in doctoral-level study.
- Provide letters of recommendationMost applications require letters of recommendation from people who can speak to the likelihood of your success in your chosen field. Be sure to give your recommendation writers at least a couple of months of lead time before your applications are due.
Benefits & Challenges of Short Online Doctoral Programs
Benefits
Spend less money on tuition.
You’ll often spend less money overall on expenses and tuition in accelerated programs, particularly if they’re online. Even if you live out of state, many online doctoral programs today will allow you to pay in-state tuition rates, which can be almost half the cost of out-of-state rates.
Less time spent in school.
The faster you get through the program, the more time you can spend giving attention to other aspects of your life. Many graduate students have families, jobs, and other responsibilities that are challenging to manage in traditional, on-campus programs that take three to seven years to complete.
Begin your career more quickly.
A short online doctoral program can propel you into the competitive job market more quickly. If you play your cards right, you’ll be out of school and earning a good salary in only a few years or less.
Challenges
Lack of preparation time before the job market.
Quickly preparing for the job market is not impossible. You’ll just need to use the time you’re in school wisely. This includes meeting with professionals from the career development center at your school, academic advisers, professors, and other mentors to make sure you’re covering your bases, making good professional contacts, and checking out a diverse set of resources.
Time away from other responsibilities.
Even in a fast-track program, you’ll be dedicating a lot of time to your studies and research. Many students learn how to meet the demands of these busy schedules while still making time to take care of other responsibilities. You can get creative with your daily schedule so you can complete school assignments while juggling other things. Thankfully, online degree programs are often extremely flexible in terms of scheduling.
Less time to publish research and network. Professionals who want to work at universities and research institutions want to publish work that’s related to their dissertation or final project before they enter the job market. Spending less time in school shortens this window and means that you’ll have fewer opportunities to network with other students, make professionals contacts, and attend conferences. All of this is manageable if you’re proactive and organized student. By pooling your resources and making good contacts while you’re in school, you can still get a strong foothold in the job market upon graduation.
Online Doctorate Timeline: 2 Years or Less
If you aim to complete a doctorate in one or two years, it’s crucial to adhere strictly to the school’s curriculum and schedule. There is no margin for failure or having to retake classes, as most doctoral-level classes are not available every semester. Here’s an example of what your one- or two-year program might look like.
Nebraska Methodist College offers a doctor of education and leadership in healthcare program for distance learners. Full-time students can finish the program in two years or less, while part-time learners can expect to earn their degree in about three years. Instead of a traditional doctoral thesis or dissertation, NMC requires students to complete a capstone project. This opportunity gives you the chance to demonstrate your expertise in the subject matter without having to spend the extra one or two years after coursework that students typically need to write a dissertation. This program also features an asynchronous course delivery format, allowing you to complete your coursework on your own timeline, provided you keep up with the department’s schedule.
One of the ways this program can maintain its streamlined path to graduation is that all incoming students must possess a master’s degree in an education- or healthcare-related field from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 or higher GPA. Applicants must also submit an official online application, an admissions essay, an updated resume, and their official transcripts. Additionally, applicants need complete an admission interview and meet the school’s English language proficiency before gaining admission to the online doctor of education program. The GRE is not required for admission.
In total, online doctoral students at NMC will need to complete 44 credits for graduation. Requirements for the degree include two on-campus learning intensives that take place during the summer months. In order to stay on track for a two-year graduation, full-time students need to take six to nine credits per semester, including summer semesters.
2-Year Online Doctorate Example Timeline
| Fall | Spring | Summer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year One | Program orientation: 0 credits Leadership in organizations: 3 credits Legal and ethical Issues in organizations: 3 credits Organizational change and accountability: 3 credits | Healthcare policy: 3 credits Biostatistics: 3 credits Organizational outcomes and sustainability: 3 credits | Population health: 3 credits Research: 3 credits Capstone I: 1 credit |
| Year Two | IT in healthcare and education: 3 credits Capstone II: 3 credits | Teaching, learning, and instructional methods: 3 credits Capstone III: 3 credits | Healthcare finance: 3 credits Curriculum planning and education: 3 credits |
Capstone IV: 1 credit
FAQ: 1-Year Online Doctoral Programs
Q: How can an online program help accelerate the doctorate-earning process?
A: In many cases, online programs allow you to work at your own pace and accommodate busy schedules outside of school. Asynchronous course delivery formats do not require you to log in or attend virtual meetings at any specific times. You’ll be viewing recorded lectures and reading course material when you choose in asynchronous formats. On the other hand, synchronous learning formats may require you to work in tandem with other students and interact in virtual classrooms online. In these cases, you’ll still be able to save time by avoiding commutes to campus.
Q: Can I work during this time?
A: It’s possible to work while completing your degree, but it largely depends on your personal learning style, schedule, and work ethic. Doctoral programs, by their very nature, require you to engage with and learn about advanced concepts in your field. In this way, they won’t necessarily rely on rote memorization as you might have encountered in an undergraduate program. If you manage your time well, and can find focused study time within your normal routine, you may be able to continue working while finishing an online doctoral program.
Q: Are fast doctorate programs as good as regular programs?
A: Yes, accelerated online doctorates are valuable programs. You will be getting some non-traditional training and professional development simply because you’re in a fast-track program. They are useful degrees, however, when it comes to securing employment and setting yourself apart from others in the competitive job market.
Q: What are the best fast doctorates to get?
A: The best doctorates for accelerated programs vary among schools and largely depend on your experience and abilities as a student. Practical, career-focused doctorates, such as the doctor of education degree (EdD) or doctor of business administration (DBA), might be better suited for accelerated formats than research-focused programs like doctor of philosophy (PhD) programs.
Resources
- GradHacker
Hosted by the well-known Inside Higher Ed blog, GradHacker provides you with some great tips, tricks, and student advice for getting the most out of your doctoral program. - Grad Resources
This site specializes in providing resources for graduate-level students, mostly in terms of managing mental health and stress. - Imagine PhD
Helping to bridge the gap between academic-focused knowledge and practical skills that are highly valued in outside degree paths, Imagine PhD provides excellent free online resources for graduate students and young professionals with advanced degrees. - Pearson Accelerated
For students who are unsure which academic direction they’d like to take, Pearson offers an interactive college planning tool. Students can enter information that will help them choose academic paths, make financial decisions, and prepare for specific careers. - Purdue Writing Lab
Purdue University offers excellent online resources for graduate students. You’ll be able to find answers to just about any academic writing-related question here, including how to avoid plagiarism, write for specific subjects and fields, and manage writing in English as a second language. - University at Buffalo Graduate School of Education
UB’s list of doctoral student resources can help learners in just about any field get the most out of their online education. From conducting doctoral-level research, writing proposals, and publishing your work to stress and time management, this extensive list will come in handy. - Versatile PhD
This site helps currently enrolled doctoral students and those who have recently graduated locate online resources to better prepare them for the academic and non-academic job market. Available resources include webinars, online networking opportunities, discussion forums, and options for in-person advising and mentorship.