EdD Programs (No GRE Required)

You don’t need a standardized test score to start (or finish) your doctorate. A growing number of Doctor of Education (EdD) programs have eliminated the GRE entirely, or made it optional. This guide highlights top options across higher-ed leadership, P-12 and district leadership, curriculum & instruction, learning design, and organizational innovation—with direct links to each school’s official admissions page stating their GRE policy.

Career ROI (context): Postsecondary education administrators earned a $103,960 median salary (May 2024) with ~15,100 openings/year (2024–34), per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. An EdD aligned to your role can pay back quickly—especially if you choose a cost-sensible program and leverage employer support. See the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. VU-EDU

What “No GRE” Really Means (and how to read policies)

  • Not required: You don’t need to submit GRE scores for admission.
  • Optional / Waived: You may submit scores, but applications are reviewed without them.
  • Neither required nor accepted: The school will not review GRE scores even if you send them.
    Always verify the exact wording on the program’s admissions page (linked under each school below).

Best EdD Programs With No GRE (or GRE Optional)

Listed alphabetically. Each profile quotes the school’s admissions policy on GRE, with the relevant .edu page linked.

1) Arizona State University (ASU) — EdD in Leadership & Innovation (Online)

GRE policy: “GRE scores are not required for admission.” See ASU’s degree page. ASU Degrees
Why it’s strong: 100% online, cohort-based design for scholarly practitioners tackling problems of practice; multiple start windows. See ASU’s official Degrees listing for program structure and modality. ASU Degrees
Explore: ASU Leadership & Innovation EdD (ASU Degrees) • ASU Online EdD overview

2) Boston College (Lynch) — Executive EdD in Higher Education (Hybrid)

GRE policy: BC posts online admissions info for executive/hybrid pathways without a GRE requirement listed; confirm your track on the program page. (Note: BC’s EdD pages emphasize executive/hybrid structure and do not list a GRE requirement for the Executive EdD; applicants should verify track-specific requirements when applying.)** Executive EdD in Higher Education • BC Online/Executive Programs Rossier School of Education

3) Johns Hopkins University (JHU) — Online EdD (Part-Time)

GRE policy: “GRE (Optional). While not required, GRE scores are strongly encouraged … The Admissions Review Committee conducts holistic evaluations.” See Doctor of Education Admission Details. JHU School of Education
Explore: JHU EdD program page • JHU Online EdD (catalog) Johns Hopkins University

4) National University (NU) — EdD (Online)

GRE policy: “No GRE/GMAT … required.” See NU’s EdD overview (also noting weekly starts, no residency). National University
Transfer/ABD: NU advertises transfer pathways and a separate Dissertation Completion Pathway (DCP) for qualified students (review NU’s doctoral transfer/DCP pages for specifics).
Explore: National University EdD (Admissions/Policy highlights)

5) University of Florida (UF) — Online EdD in Educational Leadership (LEAD) & EdTech

GRE policy: “GRE scores are not required to apply” (LEAD). education.ufl.edu The EdTech EdD page likewise notes: “The GRE is not required for the EdD cohort admissions.” education.ufl.edu
More detail: UF’s LEAD FAQ confirms no GRE beginning with Fall 2024 cohorts. education.ufl.edu
Explore: UF Online EdD — Educational Leadership • UF Online EdD — Educational Technology

6) University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) — EdD (Learning Design & Leadership; HRD and others)

GRE policy: UIUC publishes “No GRE Scores Required” on department pages for EdD routes such as Learning Design & Leadership and Human Resource Development. College of Education+1
Explore: UIUC Online EdD — Learning Design & Leadership • LDL EdD departmental page • HRD EdD College of Education+2College of Education+2

7) University of Kansas (KU) — EdD in Educational Administration / Higher Education Administration (Online)

GRE policy: “GRE exam scores (optional).” See KU’s program detail pages for both EdD tracks. elps.ku.edu+1
Bonus: KU’s online EdD pages also outline flat online tuition (flat-rate programs not subject to additional campus/course fees—confirm on your track).
Explore: KU EdD — Educational Administration (Online) • KU EdD — Higher Education Administration (Online)

8) University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML) — EdD in Leadership in Schooling (Online / On-Campus; STEM option)

GRE policy: “Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Not Required.” Program page lists No GRE Required for both the main EdD and the STEM leadership option. UMass Lowell+2UMass Lowell+2
Explore: UML EdD — Leadership in Schooling • UML EdD — STEM Option

9) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) — Online EdD in Organizational Learning & Leadership; On-Campus EdD in Educational Leadership

GRE policy (Online OLL): “A master’s degree and GRE/GMAT scores are not required.” (admissions page). online.unc.edu
GRE policy (Ed Leadership On-Campus): “Beginning in Fall 2023, the Ed.D … no longer requires the GRE.” (Graduate School site). gradschool.sites.unc.edu
Explore: UNC Online EdD — Organizational Learning & Leadership (Admissions) • UNC EdD — Educational Leadership (Grad page)

10) University of Southern California (USC Rossier) — EdD in Educational Leadership (On-Campus & Online), Global EdD, OCL (Online)

GRE policy: “GRE scores are neither required nor accepted for admission at USC Rossier.” (EDL and other program admissions pages). Rossier School of Education+2USC Rossier+2
Explore: USC EDL (on-campus/online) — Admissions FAQ • USC Global EdD — Admission

11) Vanderbilt University (Peabody College) — Online EdD in Leadership & Learning in Organizations

GRE policy: “GRE is optional (strongly recommended)” for EdD; applications are reviewed holistically without a required GRE. See Peabody’s EdD admissions page. VU-EDU
Explore: Peabody Online EdD — Admissions • Peabody “How to Apply” (GRE optional for EdD) Vanderbilt University

12) (Bonus) University of Florida — Online EdD in Curriculum & Instruction (Teachers, Schools & Society)

GRE policy: UF’s School of Teaching & Learning adopted a GRE waiver for EdD admissions (see program application page; EdTech page also notes no GRE). education.ufl.edu+1
Explore: UF EdD (C&I) Application Instructions • UF EdD (EdTech) Application Instructions

Quick Comparison — No-GRE EdD Shortlist

UniversityModalityGRE Policy (official page)Typical Audience
ASU100% online, cohortNot required (ASU Degrees page) ASU DegreesP-12 & higher-ed innovators seeking applied practice
BC (Lynch)Exec/hybridNo GRE listed on Exec EdD pages; verify per track Rossier School of EducationHigher-ed execs; Catholic-system leaders
JHUFully online, part-timeOptional; not required (admission details) JHU School of EducationWorking pros seeking JHU research environment
National University100% onlineNo GRE/GMAT required (program page) National UniversityABD/transfer-friendly, speed-to-degree focus
UF (LEAD/EdTech)OnlineNot required (LEAD & EdTech pages/FAQ) education.ufl.edu+2education.ufl.edu+2Florida educators; district/admin & EdTech tracks
UIUC (LDL/HRD)Online & on-campus optionsNo GRE required (dept pages) College of Education+1Learning design, HRD, org leadership
KU (Ed Admin/Higher Ed)100% onlineOptional (program detail pages) elps.ku.edu+1Flagship value; flat online tuition
UML (Leadership in Schooling)Online / on-campus; STEM optionNo GRE required (program pages) UMass Lowell+2UMass Lowell+2PK-12 leadership; STEM leadership
UNC (Chapel Hill)Online (OLL); on-campus (Ed Leadership)Not required (both tracks per official pages) online.unc.edu+1Organizational learning; district leadership
USC Rossier (EDL/Global/OCL)On-campus & onlineNeither required nor accepted (Rossier policy) Rossier School of Education+2USC Rossier+2National network; multiple concentrations
Vanderbilt (Peabody Online)Online + 3 conveningsOptional (strongly recommended) (admissions page) VU-EDUData-driven org leadership

How to Choose Among No-GRE EdDs

  1. Match the specialization to your next job title.
  2. Decide your tolerance for residencies/convenings.
  3. Budget for total cost, not just tuition.
    Use each school’s tuition & fees pages and Cost of Attendance to estimate the full price (tuition × credits + fees + any travel). Finance strategically with Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans (up to $20,500/year) and Graduate PLUS Loans (up to the cost of attendance). See Federal Student Aid for loan types, limits, and current interest rates. Vanderbilt University+1

FAQ: No-GRE EdD

Are no-GRE EdDs less rigorous?
No. Policy changes reflect holistic admissions and the reality that experienced practitioners demonstrate readiness through graduate GPAs, leadership roles, writing samples, and interviews (see JHU’s optional GRE language and Vanderbilt’s optional policy). JHU School of Education+1

Will submitting a GRE help at “optional” schools?
Sometimes. If you believe scores strengthen quantitative/verbal evidence (e.g., limited prior research methods), an optional submission can help (JHU notes this explicitly; Vanderbilt “strongly recommends” for EdD). JHU School of Education+1

Can international applicants ignore English-proficiency tests?
No—English-proficiency requirements are separate from GRE and remain in force (see each program’s admissions page).

Do no-GRE programs still require research capability?
Yes. EdDs center on problems of practice, applied inquiry, and capstone/dissertation in practice models. Review curriculum pages for required research methods courses.

Action Plan (Fast)

  1. Shortlist 3–5 programs above that fit your sector, modality, and timeline.
  2. Open each linked admissions page to confirm no-GRE policy for your target term.
  3. Build a quick budget and financing plan using Federal Student Aid resources for loans/interest rates. Vanderbilt University
  4. Prep your statement of purpose to frame a specific problem of practice you intend to address.

Sources (anchor-text)

Scroll to Top