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Grand Canyon University offers a wide variety of doctorate programs to professionals who are interested in pursuing advanced learning opportunities. No matter the field or program you choose, you will be guided to develop independent research skills that may allow you to make original contributions to your field.
GCU’s College of Doctoral Studies is focused on increasing your specialized knowledge by designing programs that are academically challenging to help build modern leaders. These degrees are both challenging and intellectually stimulating, yet collaborative, with opportunities to network with other doctoral learners. GCU offers terminal degree options in business, education, nursing, healthcare administration, psychology and counselor education and supervision.
From behavioral health to Christian ministry to general psychology, there are a variety of degree options at GCU. The College of Doctoral Studies aims to design graduate degree programs that align with industry needs and emerging issues across specific fields in order to thoroughly prepare professionals to tackle modern challenges with an innovative and ethics-minded approach. Below, you can choose from online doctoral programs applicable to a range of settings — from the corporate boardroom to the patient’s bedside and beyond.1
For those seeking advanced qualifications, a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) may be ideal. Requiring a master's degree for admission, DBA programs teach skills for senior leadership roles and involve practical research, helping you build a strong portfolio. These programs also cover current business practices and theories.
A Doctor of Education (EdD) is a practitioner-focused degree that offers various specializations. Earning an EdD also helps individuals become more effective leaders and learners in their areas of expertise.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is a highly practical and specialized degree designed to empower nurses in advancing healthcare through the application of innovative research. Focused on enhancing patient outcomes and refining healthcare systems, this program teaches a diverse set of skills essential for nursing practice. Through a comprehensive curriculum, participants will delve into various specialized areas, honing their expertise to address contemporary healthcare challenges effectively.
A Doctor of Health Administration (DHA) is the highest degree in healthcare administration, preparing you to manage healthcare organizations effectively. The program covers finance, regulations, human resource management, healthcare policy, planning and communications. Additionally, it instills ethical considerations and strategic vision, helping to enable you to lead confidently into the future.
A PhD, or Doctor of Philosophy, is a doctoral degree available in various disciplines. GCU offers online PhD programs in several focus areas, where students conduct research to advance current knowledge or develop new theories.
The curriculum for each doctorate program at GCU is designed to fit industry needs and expectations and to thoroughly prepare you to develop innovative solutions to field-specific challenges. In graduate-level coursework and throughout the research process for your dissertation, you will be expected to develop advanced competencies and refine your critical thinking, analytical reasoning and communication skills. Students enrolled in a doctoral online program will use our digital learning platform to access coursework, discussion forums and digital projects.1
With a doctoral degree program, you will have the opportunity to gain:
Earning your doctorate online or on campus offers the chance to be recognized as a leading expert in your field — someone who has thoroughly researched and analyzed an aspect of your field and considered how to apply innovative solutions to challenges.1 With advanced academic credentials, you may be prepared to pursue leadership positions in your field.
Specific career paths vary from one field to the next, but in general, individuals who hold a doctorate might pursue a career such as:
Navigating the requirements for doctoral admission is crucial as you prepare for advanced studies and research opportunities. Doctoral admission requirements at GCU may vary by the degree program you choose, such as meeting specific minimum GPA requirements. For detailed information, visit our admission requirements page.
Doctoral students can benefit from instruction by professors who are knowledgeable in their respective fields. You can expect to be closely mentored by your dissertation advisor, who will guide you in developing your dissertation research. The College of Doctoral Studies offers a variety of learner support resources, ranging from the Center for Innovation in Research and Teaching to the Doctoral Community (DC) Network™ to on-campus residencies.
In addition, doctoral coursework is enriched by a broad range of perspectives of your peers — diverse learners from all walks of life. Enjoy opportunities to develop your professional network as you work toward advanced academic credentials.
Our doctoral residency programs offer an immersive environment dedicated to focused research and writing. These residencies provide valuable one-on-one interactions with knowledgeable faculty mentors, allowing for personalized guidance and support. Additionally, you have the opportunity to engage with peers, fostering a collaborative community that can enhance learning and networking. The structured setting of our residency programs can help you make significant progress in your doctoral studies, with concentrated efforts toward achieving your academic and professional goals.
GCU is committed to maintaining high standards of educational quality across all our graduate degree programs. We aim to graduate ethical servant leaders who are prepared to make a positive difference in their community. GCU has been institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. The College of Doctoral Studies shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
GCU invites you to browse the following frequently asked questions and answers to learn more about your academic options at the graduate level.
A doctorate is a type of graduate degree that represents the highest level of academic achievement in a field. For this reason, they are considered “terminal” degrees. Doctorates come in many different forms, such as a PhD, EdD, DBA and more.
If you have not yet completed your doctorate, you may be eligible to transfer credits to GCU and complete your program with us. The university employs a convenient bulk transfer process for the transfer of doctoral credits from the same type of degree (e.g., EdD, PhD, etc.) and the same type of content (e.g., Organizational Leadership, Business Administration, etc.). Learn more about how your credits may transfer with GCU’s Progressive Transfer Policy and the many resources available for dissertation support.
The terms "PhD" and "doctorate" are often used interchangeably, but there are some differences in their usage and context. A PhD is considered a specific type of doctoral degree focused on theory-based research and contributing new knowledge to a field. Doctorate is a broader term that encompasses various types of doctoral degrees, including professional doctorates with a practical or professional focus in addition to research. However, not all doctorates are PhD programs. The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is just one form of a doctoral-level program. There are additional forms of doctorates, including an EdD and a DBA.
To gain a better understanding of these terminal degrees, it can be helpful to compare them to the other primary graduate degree program: master’s degrees. A master’s degree is a graduate program, but it isn’t the pinnacle of academic achievement in a field — a doctorate is. A master’s degree may require a thesis, but it does not always require original research like many doctoral programs do. In addition, doctoral candidates typically need to give an oral defense of their dissertation before their academic advisory committee.
Reach the pinnacle in education with a doctorate from GCU.
§ MOU-Alumni 2000 Doctoral-July2025: The Alumni Scholarship for Doctoral Programs is only valid for those applicants who submit a complete application and begin a Doctoral program in July 2025. This scholarship cannot be used in conjunction with any other GCU scholarship or awards and only applies to online and evening programs. Please speak to a university counselor for complete details.
± MOU 9708: This scholarship is only valid for new students who are participating in a GCU evening-campus program, offered on GCU’s main campus, and who submit a completed application to start their program on or before December 31, 2025. If you enroll in an evening-campus program, Grand Canyon University will offer you 20% off the tuition per course for your program. This scholarship will be applied at the same time the tuition charges occur. This scholarship cannot be used in conjunction with any other GCU scholarships/awards. This scholarship will be applied toward your tuition only and does not include fees (i.e., Canyon Connect, Technology, etc.).
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