Short Doctoral Programs: Everything You Need to Know [In Short]

No matter which doctoral program you choose, it’s going to take commitment on your part to finish your doctorate.

You can do it.

But why not earn your doctorate even faster with an accelerated yet rigorous doctoral program designed to help you finish faster?

“Great,” you say, “but where can I find the shortest doctoral programs?”

Glad you asked. This brief guide will help you learn all you need to know about finding–and finishing–a shorter doctoral program.

Ph.D. vs. Applied Doctorate: What’s the Difference?

Many people think there’s only one doctorate degree, the Ph.D. In reality, there are two types of doctorate degrees: Ph.D. and applied doctorate.

What’s the difference between a Ph.D. and an applied (or professional) doctorate?

A Ph.D. program focuses on academic research with the intention of expanding the discipline. On average, a Ph.D. may take up to eight years to complete. A doctorate degree typically takes four to six years to complete—however, this timing depends on the program design, the subject area you’re studying, and the institution offering the program.

An applied doctorate program focuses on leveraging existing research to improve the practice of the discipline. Many professional doctorate programs take close to six years to finish. Start-to-finish online doctoral programs like Franklin University’s take much less time; about three years to complete.

Because applied doctorates focus more on application than theory like Ph.D. programs, they can be ideal for busy, working professionals.

How to Find the Shortest Doctoral Program

 If you’re going to spend the time, energy, and money it takes to earn a doctorate–whether that’s with a program that takes 3, 6 or 8 years–you need to ensure you’re getting a high-quality education.

So, rather than focusing on the length of your program, consider the method of instruction. As a working adult, you’ll want an online program that offers you the flexibility and scheduling that works for you. (By the way, with good time management, you can expect to finish an online program faster than a campus-based one.)

Keep in mind, however, that online doctoral programs are not created equally. While a program might promise you’ll finish in 12 months or less, you want to make sure that the program is worth the investment. Chances are, the shortest doctoral programs don’t have the quality of education or program reputation you’re looking for.

With a reputable online doctoral program, not only can you finish in about three years, you’ll get a rigorous education that’s professionally designed to deepen your knowledge and improve your critical thinking and leadership skills while opening new career opportunities.

Earning a doctorate is challenging and rewarding, but do you know what to really expect? Download this free guide for tips and insights to help you prepare for success.

5 Ways to Shorten the Time It Takes to Finish Your Doctorate 

The time it takes to earn a doctorate depends on a lot of things–including you!

Of course, there are program requirements, instructional  methods and a host of other things that come into play to impact when you’ll graduate, including these five things:

1. Dissertation Methodology and Approach
The culmination of your doctoral degree is your dissertation. With on-campus programs, it often takes a year or two just to choose a topic for your dissertation. With integrated programming and support, some accelerated programs can help you jump start your dissertation and complete it in one year.

2. Part-time vs. Full-time Enrollment
While a part-time program may offer more flexibility than a full-time one, it also takes longer to complete. No matter what you decide, just keep in mind that total time commitment matters.

3. Transfer Credit Eligibility
If you can get credit for previously completed graduate-level coursework, it can decrease your time to graduation. Look for programs that make it simple and easy to transfer credit so you can finish your doctorate faster.

4. In-person vs. Online Classes
The strict scheduling of in-person classes can make it more difficult to get the credits you need in a timely fashion, especially if you’re taking classes while working a full-time career position. Online classes give you the flexibility to complete courses around your schedule. Just remember, that you’ll need a little self-discipline to stay on-track.

5. Personal Commitment
Perhaps the biggest influence on the time it takes to complete your doctoral program is personal commitment. It’s up to you to figure out how to take a full course load, conduct research, and write your dissertation, all while balancing your personal and professional life. But don’t worry, you can do it with support and encouragement from your friends, family, instructors and peers.

3 Signs of High-Quality, Accelerated Doctoral Program

When it comes to reducing the time it takes to earn your doctorate, the good news is that you have a lot of options. The not-so-good news is that you need to be mindful of your doctoral program’s quality.

Not only does quality matter, it varies widely. Be sure to take a deep dive into the program to find out how the university builds its curriculum. Ask about both the university’s accreditation status and whether the institution is recognized in your industry.

In addition to the obvious sign (accelerated coursework), here are three hallmarks of a high-quality, accelerated, online professional doctoral program that you can look for.

1. Applied Coursework
If you’re a working professional, you’ll want to find a professional doctorate program that helps you apply doctoral-level thinking, research and communication skills to real-world challenges.

2. Student Support
There’s no reason to take on a doctoral program alone. So, find a program with built-in support and student services.

3. Academic Resources
Doctoral programs are heavily research-based, so make sure your program has access to libraries, librarians and research assistants who can help you find what you need.

How to Know If a Doctoral Program Is Right For You

Whatever the reason you want to go after your doctorate (and there are many), it’s a big decision. You may be among the many professionals who want a doctorate to improve their chance for advancement and earning potential.

But money alone may not be a good enough reason. Perhaps that’s why the Chronicle of Higher Education says that 50% of doctoral students quit before they even finish. That being said, according to labor analytics firm Lightcast, there were 219,893 doctoral-level degree completions in 2021 alone.

The bottom line is that if you’re going to do this thing, you want to finish your doctorate, don’t you?

To make sure you’re choosing the right program for the right reasons, stop a minute to think about your expectations, identify your goals and ask yourself the following questions:

3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting a Doctoral Program

1. Am I truly passionate about my course of study?
Passion is the key to success in any doctoral program. The process of earning a doctorate and the doctoral coursework is challenging and, at times, difficult. So, it can help to have an intense curiosity and desire to learn about your chosen topic. If you’re not truly enjoying what you’re studying, the temptation to quit will be a lot stronger, especially when the going gets tough.

2. Am I motivated to learn new concepts and ideas?
This may seem like a no-brainer, yet an open mind and willingness to learn and grow can make or break your doctoral pursuit. If you’re only looking to update your résumé with the doctoral credential, consider other avenues for an advancement. A doctoral program is not for the faint of heart or spirit; rather, it’s for anyone who will put forth the effort required to stretch themselves far beyond what they already know or are comfortable with.

3. Am I willing and able to commit the time, energy and headspace required?
Balancing a career with family, friends and other commitments is challenging enough. Add in a doctoral program and things can get even more complicated. But don’t let that discourage you. Instead, resolve to schedule your time wisely and protect the time required to complete your coursework, as well as research, write, edit and defend your dissertation. 

Next Step: Find the Right Doctoral Program

If you’re ready to invest the time and hard work it takes to get your doctorate, finding the right program is your next step.

Using the tips found here, be sure to evaluate your doctoral program holistically. While you may have thought you wanted the shortest doctoral program, now you know that you want a program that fits your professional goals, learning style and lifestyle.

Remember that accelerated online degree programs can make earning your doctorate faster and more attainable for highly motivated students like you.

Look for a program that’s built around the needs of working professionals, lets you apply what you learn while you’re learning it, and has the support and resources you need (including an innovative dissertation approach like Franklin’s No-Fear Dissertation™) so you can be sure you’ll make it to the finish.

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How to Complete Your Doctoral Journey

Discover common pitfalls and the 5 key metrics that will help you finish your doctorate degree.