Accelerated Online Doctoral and Ph.D. Programs

A doctorate can unlock new opportunities in research and teaching, but those degrees have traditionally been expensive endeavors.

The rise of accelerated online doctoral degrees is changing that. You don’t need to step away from your career to earn the highest degree in your respective field. And you can even get your doctorate on a fast-tracked schedule in an accelerated program.

With an accelerated online doctoral program, you can take all your courses online and complete them even faster than in a traditional program. The only requirements you typically need to fulfill in person are research and clinical experiences.

Doctoral programs typically take 5-7 years to complete, but you can finish an accelerated degree in almost half the time, often in three or fewer years.

You’ll take the same high-level academic courses in an accelerated doctoral program at a faster, more condensed pace.

“Accelerated doctoral programs can be an excellent fit for highly motivated individuals who have a clear vision for how the degree aligns with their goals,” said Stephanie DeBord, a higher education practitioner.

That fast-tracked completion, however, means more intensive classes. DeBord warned that accelerated degrees “are a tremendous commitment, and the workload and rigor will be intense.”

The following are some accredited schools that offer online accelerated doctoral programs you can finish faster than the typical 5-7-year timeline.

According to National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) data from 2019-20, an online doctoral program costs, on average, about $10,000 less than an in-person program.

You may pay even less for your online doctoral program with financial aid like grants and scholarships. On average, students paid more than $2,000 less for their online doctoral programs after financial aid.

Whether you’re an in-state or out-of-state student also makes a difference. At the University of Florida, for instance, tuition is $531 per credit hour for in-state students, but it’s $1,255 for out-of-state students.

That isn’t always the case: At Oregon State University, students pay $614 per credit for their Ph.D. in counseling program whether they’re a state resident or not.

To see if you qualify for financial aid, submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and see if you are eligible for loans and grants, the latter of which you don’t have to pay back.

Unlike most undergraduate programs, you may qualify for paid research or teaching. Reach out to your program advisors or professors to discover opportunities.

While a traditional doctoral program takes about 5-7 years to complete, an accelerated one reduces that time down to 2.5-3 years. However, the credit and research requirements stay the same.

Accelerated programs condense your classes into shorter semesters, meaning your classes will require much more work in a shorter period of time.

Credit requirements and program length will vary widely depending on your specific doctoral program and topic.

Whether an accelerated doctoral degree is worth it depends on what you value as a student.

You’ll earn your online accelerated doctorate faster than usual and get into the workforce or move up faster, but you’ll also be doing more work in a shorter amount of time within an already intense program.

However, the program will also cost less than usual since you’ll be in school for less time. If you come in with college credits, teach, or get paid for research while in school, that cost may be even lower.

“An accelerated doctorate often condenses years of rigorous work into a much shorter time frame — it’s doable, but it requires strong time management and a deep commitment,” DeBord said. “If you thrive in fast-paced environments and are ready to fully immerse yourself, an accelerated doctoral program could be a fantastic way to reach your goals more efficiently.”

It’s important to consider your schedule before enrolling in an accelerated program. Talk with your program advisor to gauge the workload and whether a job is possible while you’re in school.