How Long Does a Doctoral Degree Take to Earn? A Guide to Planning Your Next Step

You have a love of learning, and that’s why you chose to become an educator. But your student journey doesn’t have to stop with your bachelor's or master's degree. Whether you yearn for knowledge or aspire to lead departments, schools and districts, a doctoral degree helps achieve your goals. Before enrolling in a program, some questions must be answered. One of the big ones?

How long does it take to get your doctorate in education?

The amount of time to earn the degree can vary significantly based on focus area, program structure, graduation requirements, and your personal and professional responsibilities outside school. That said, most doctoral degree lengths range from four to seven years. On this page, you can learn about some factors affecting this timeline and what to look for when comparing programs of varying lengths.

For more information about our Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs, contact our admissions office.

What Does It Take to Earn a Doctorate?

Doctoral degrees are the highest honors universities can bestow on graduates, signaling mastery in their field. You can choose from Ph.D. programs that typically focus on theory, academia, and research or pursue a professional degree (e.g., Ed.D., DBA, DNP) focusing more on building advanced administrative and leadership skills.

In this section, we look at the components of a doctoral degree. 

Coursework Phase

Coursework usually takes place in the first year or two of a doctoral program. It covers advanced topics in the discipline and ensures students possess the required research skills. 

Comprehensive Exams

Comprehensive exams are typically taken in the second or third year. All candidates must pass these to demonstrate their deep understanding of the subject matter and preparedness for independent research. 

Research Proposal

After passing exams, the next step involves writing and submitting a research proposal to your advisory committee. This document should cover topics such as your research topic, what makes it an original piece of scholarship, existing literature on the subject, and research methodologies. 

Dissertation or Final Project

The dissertation or final project is a comprehensive scholarship designed to demonstrate an expansive knowledge of your chosen subject. These projects take place toward the end of your degree and can take one to three years to complete. 

Defense Process

After submitting your dissertation or final project, you must go before your dissertation committee to defend it. This usually involves questions about your hypothesis, research methods, and other significant components. The committee will either pass your dissertation (qualifying you to graduate) or ask for revisions.

How Long is a Doctorate Program? A Sample Timeline

Since how long it takes to get a doctoral degree varies based on myriad factors, it can be helpful to see how an actual program functions. This section looks at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's special education doctorate. Regardless of your chosen degree, we have a seven-year limit for completing all doctorates. 

Year 1: First-year students in the special education doctoral program typically focus on advanced coursework and any research area requirements. During this time, they also complete an advisor request form, participate in a first-year review, and undergo annual evaluations. 

The number of credits required can depend on factors such as your chosen focus area or previous education. 

Year 2: Requirements in year two will depend on whether you have completed all coursework requirements or if more are needed. Once those are met, plan to undergo more annual evaluations, turn in an early research project, and complete any qualifying examinations.

Years 3-5: Students must complete any required competencies, including teaching, supervision, grant administration, or dissemination activities. The majority of their time will be spent researching and writing a dissertation.

Once completed, you must successfully defend your dissertation and apply for graduation.

Factors Influencing Doctorate Degree Length

How long is a doctorate program? Several factors can affect the amount of time it takes to earn a doctorate degree, such as your chosen area of focus, graduation requirements, and how much time you can devote to the program. We review some of the most common below. 

Field of Study: According to the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES), in 2023, it took students an average of 5.7 years to earn their doctoral degree after starting it, but that number varied based on individual fields of study. For instance, health sciences students took an average of five years, while humanities and arts graduates averaged 6.8 years. 

Program Structure: In a self-paced doctorate, you control how quickly you complete requirements. Conversely, in a cohort-based model, all students must complete requirements together, meaning this could take longer. 

Student Circumstances: Some students can devote their entire focus and energy towards earning a doctorate. In contrast, others may have responsibilities outside the program, such as being a parent or caring for elderly family members. 

Full-time vs. Part-time Study: As you can imagine, learners working towards their degree on a full-time basis will graduate more quickly than those studying part-time. This is because they can take more classes in the early years, devote more time to studying for exams, and put more effort towards finishing their dissertations. 

Prior Education and Transfer Credits: Some students transition directly into a doctoral program from their undergraduate degree, requiring them to complete additional coursework before proceeding to the comprehensive exam and dissertation portions.

Institutional Requirements: If you are required to complete a teaching or research assistantship as part of your graduation or funding requirements, this may reduce the time you can devote to studies, resulting in a longer program.

How Long Does It Take for a Doctorate Degree Based on Field of Study

While the NCSES found that, across all disciplines, students took an average of 5.7 years to earn their doctorate, the average varies substantially across disciplines. We look at a few of the more common areas of study below. 

Education

Students pursuing an Ed.D. in Education in 2023 spent an average of 5.6 years completing all requirements, slightly less than the 2018 average. 

STEM

STEM candidates averaged 5.6 years after starting their doctoral program. In this field, engineering programs averaged slightly less time at 5.3 years, while psychology doctorates averaged slightly longer at 5.9 years. 

Humanities

Humanities and arts programs require an average of 6.8 years to complete. This could be because dissertations are typically longer than average in these fields. 

Social Sciences

Social science doctoral candidates average six years from enrollment to graduation. 

Business

In business, students averaged five years of coursework, exams, and dissertation work before graduating. 

Healthcare and Clinical Fields

Six Tips for Choosing the Right Doctoral Program Based on Your Timeline

Depending on your chosen field of study, you may be able to select from several different degree delivery options, including part-time, accelerated, and/or online studies. Taking the time to consider your options can result in a better, more fulfilling experience. 

1. Evaluate your available time. While a full-time Ph.D. program may appeal to you initially as it would allow you to finish more quickly, carefully consider your other obligations: enrolling at that level while working full-time and maintaining personal commitments may not be the best option.
   
   
2. Look at program structures (accelerated, self-paced, cohort-based). Depending on the type of Ph.D. you choose to pursue, you may be able to select from an accelerated or self-paced program, allowing you to progress more quickly or slowly. A cohort-based program may be best if you want a more communal experience.
   
   
3. Compare time-to-completion estimates across institutions. If most institutions you look at state that a Ph.D. program will take 5-7 years, but one school states you can finish in only three, consider why that may be. Graduating the fastest may not be the best option for everyone, but it could be for you.
   
   
4. Ask admissions about average completion times. As you get to know prospective programs, don't hesitate to ask questions. Some common questions may cover factors influencing completion times, whether some focus regions take more or less time, and what support services exist to help students avoid falling behind.
   
   
5. Choose between research-heavy vs. applied programs. The right decision will depend on your individual career goals. Research-heavy programs often suit individuals who want to pursue research, teaching, or other theory-heavy positions. Meanwhile, applied programs support graduates looking to work in settings such as administration or leadership.
   
6. Emphasize advisor fit and program support. The amount of time required to earn a doctorate is an important consideration. Still, you should also carefully consider whether the program has an advisor experienced in your chosen area of concentration and if the program's support services are adequate for your needs. For instance, determine whether a prospective school maintains a department in this area if you need assistive learning technologies.

Thinking About a Doctoral Degree in Education? Start Planning Now

Ed.D. programs are perennially popular due to the versatility of the skills taught and the demand the degree garners in the field. 

Whether you want to work in K-12, higher education, policy, or administration, these programs provide the skills and training needed to do meaningful work. 

How long it takes you to earn a doctoral degree in education will depend on program requirements and structure, and whether you enroll on a full- or part-time basis. At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, we maintain a seven-year limit to earn a doctoral degree.

Ready to start the journey of becoming a leader in education? Learn more about what our doctoral degrees in education offer and find education programs that help you achieve your goals.

FAQs

How long does it take to complete a doctorate degree in education?

The amount of time spent earning a doctorate in education will vary, but you can expect the process to take between four and seven years.

How many years does it take to get doctorate degrees with part-time study?

Studying part-time means you will need more time to earn your education doctorate. That said, students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign must complete all requirements within a seven-year timeframe. 

How long does a doctorate degree take online?

Unless taught in an accelerated or self-paced manner, online doctorate programs tend to require the same amount of time as traditional in-person programs. 

How long does it take to get a Ph.D. in an accelerated program?