All But Dissertation (ABD) Completion Programs

Trident University International
EdD Degree Completion Program Overview: Trident University International

Greenleaf University (unaccredited, application with Middle States)
Greenleaf University Online Degree Programs

Brenau University
Ed.D. ABD Completion Pathway - Brenau University

Baker College
DBA ABD (All But Dissertation) Online Program | Baker College in Michigan

Alverno College
ABD Option (alverno.edu)

Edgewood College
2021 Doctoral Completion Program | Edgewood College

Nova Southeastern University
Dissertation Completion Project | FCE&SCJ (nova.edu)

Gwynedd Mercy University
ABD (All But Dissertation) Completion Program Online (gmercyu.edu)

Walden University
All But Dissertation? A Great New Option for Doctoral Candidates | Walden University

Northcentral University
Dissertation Completion Pathway | Northcentral University (ncu.edu)

Bay Path University
Higher Education Leadership & Organizational Studies (EdD) Online | Bay Path University

Manhattanville College
Doctoral Application Information | Manhattanville College (mville.edu)

Centenary University
All But Dissertation | Centenary University ™

Indiana Wesleyan University
Online Doctorate of Business Administration Completion Program - DBA Degree | Indiana Wesleyan (indwes.edu)

American College of Education
Online Doctor of Education in Leadership | ACE Online Doctorate Programs

Omega Graduate School (accredited by TRACS, not much info on ABD program)
Tuition and Financing | Omega Graduate School: American Centre for Religion/Society Studies (ACRSS) (ogs.edu)

Wilmington University (may let ABD students transfer in more than 12 credits)
EdD in Educational Leadership (wilmu.edu)

International Technological University (WSCUC issued show cause letter)
PhD in Interdisciplinary Science | ITU

University of Potomac (no info on website yet, but ABD completion offered in all three doctoral programs)
Doctor Programs | Graduate Programs | University of the Potomac

 

My opinions: Trident University International seems to provide one of the quickest programs with few admissions hurdles. Baker College might have the cheapest program among the RA schools with their guaranteed scholarship. Both TUI and Baker will accept unrelated doctoral programs. Gwynedd Mercy allows any background for the Teaching and Learning in Higher Education concentration. I think most of the educational leadership programs will accept just about any major. International Technological University has one of the most interesting majors, but their accreditation is at risk. University of the Potomac is unique in that it offers a Doctor of Computer Science completion program. They're for-profit, but their operations are small, and the admissions process is more personal than what's usually experienced at large online programs. University of Potomac's ABD track is quick, but they require letters of recommendation, may recommend that you take the GRE or GMAT if you have a weak application, and their application fee is $250.

 

I forgot. Northcentral will let you choose from all of their doctoral programs except for a select few. If the other schools don't offer what you want or need, Northcentral probably has it. However, your previous doctoral program must be in the same field.

 

Thanks for putting together this great list. At one point, I felt like I'd want to pursue another doctorate (DBA). It's good to know that TUI and Baker will accept unrelated doctoral work. However, would an ABD program accept someone who isn't ABD (i.e., graduated)? My only motivation for wanting a second doctorate was to adjunct in business courses as well but the online adjunct opportunities in criminal justice have been numerous so far.

If I absolutely felt the need to earn a second Ph.D., I'd go with the University of the Virgin Islands' low-residency Ph.D. in Creative Leadership for Innovation and Change. I get to study here tuition free. However, I don't think I'll pursue another doctorate. I'm more looking into UVI's newly launched MSW. I always wanted to either become an LPC or LCSW. So, maybe I'll apply for Fall 2022 admissions.

 

Oh, wow! You should see how much you love your TT position first. That's a coveted position. Business administration as well as the sub-fields of business do pay very well, though.

I don't think any of these programs will accept students after they graduate; you'd have to start from scratch. Capitol Technology University accepts up to 42 transfer credits, but you'd have to ask them if they'll accept credits from a conferred degree. The entire program is writing the dissertation, but a minimum of 60 credits is required, and they charge nearly $1,000 per credit hour. Instructors at colleges and K-12 schools get a 20% discount.

 

Some of these programs do not require ABD status. Some require a minimum of 30 doctoral credits. TUI requires 28 transfer credits.

 

Yes, that's why I'm waiting until after my first year before deciding on the next educational pursuit, if any. My chair already said it will be a busy first year for me, so I'm bracing myself. Teaching, advising, service, and scholarly engagement are expected. I was told I'd get a course release one semester each academic year to do research. Let's see if I'll get it in spring since I'm teach 4 courses in the fall.

I explored Capitol Tech before when I was thinking of leaving Liberty. They have a great lineup of programs. I believe you can choose between a dissertation or publication of three peer-reviewed articles.

 

That's a good idea. I already have an MBA, but I doubt it would suffice to teach in graduate programs. Also, I think the adjunct world is already so competitive that even if I took 6 doctoral business courses, I might not be viewed as favorable as someone with a DBA, Ph.D., or another terminal degree in business/management. Not sure, though. I would rather take three more doctoral courses in education since I already took three 700-level education electives at Liberty. I also have 3 years of K-12 and a year of adjunct college teaching experience. Maybe an Ed.S. at Liberty could be an option.

 

I didn't realize there was such an after-market for ABDs. One might ponder the reason(s) for this....

 

I see that UVI has an EdS in School Psychology, but that's a more limiting license.

I'm curious to see if the Virginia University of Lynchburg's DHA graduates can land teaching jobs at RA schools. I haven't heard anything from the first cohort.

 

They prob could get adjunct gigs. I know Liberty's requirements for faculty is that the degree is from "an institution accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education." Other RA schools have similar verbiage, especially since ED removed the RA/NA distinction. I would not hire someone whose doctorate did not involve a dissertation or capstone, to teach in a program that requires one. I would be fine with them teaching in an undergraduate or master's program with a capstone requirement.

 

You can add the University of Zambia to list. PhD in Business Management, no thesis, by course work.

 

Their website is terrible, and I don't even know how you can have a PhD without a dissertation. The programs I listed are not no-dissertation programs; they're dissertation completion programs.

 

https://ecampus.unza.zm/

 

Thanks. The one I went to had no curriculum information. The PhD page says there's a dissertation in the third year. Is there an option to transfer in most or all of the coursework?

 

I dont know yet as I am starting the program in September 2021. I received my acceptance letter 3 weeks ago. I think uni Zambia has partnered with Astria Learning to deliver the online programs.

 

Union Institute & University
All But Dissertation (ABD) (myunion.edu)

 

Look at the low cost. Can be done in four semesters. Not sure how long that is on the calendar. They have a summer term, so perhaps it is three per year.

It is not clear how one integrates one's prior learning/credits into the dissertation process, nor to what extent one is limited in terms of research subjects. (I suspect it is limited by faculty members' ability to supervise the research.) Also, it's not clear how interdisciplinarity is addressed--if it is.

This seems like a great opportunity for the ABDs out there.