When applying to graduate schools in the United States, students who wish to enroll in Ph.D. programs may need to take the GRE General Test, depending on the program and university.
Fortunately, GRE policies vary by institution and program. Some US universities either do not require GRE scores for selected doctoral programs or treat them as optional. In the sections below, we will look at 10 US graduate schools with doctoral-level programs where applicants may be able to apply without submitting GRE scores. Because requirements can change, always confirm the current requirement on the program’s official admissions page before applying.
Top Universities That Do Not Require GRE (Ph.D. Level)
1. Walden University
Walden University offers a wide variety of doctoral programs, with more than 150 specializations, and many are available online.
Some of the areas where the university offers doctoral programs are business and management, criminal justice, and information technology. Walden University states that it does not require GRE or GMAT scores. In most cases, applicants complete an online application and submit transcripts, although some programs may have additional requirements.
2. A.T. Still University
A.T. Still University offers doctoral-level programs in health and health sciences, including the Doctor of Health Sciences and Doctor of Education in Health Professions Education.
Both programs are offered online. The Doctor of Health Sciences is designed for health professionals who want to develop advanced skills in leadership, scholarship, and practice, while the Ed.D. in Health Professions Education is designed for professionals preparing to teach or lead in health professions education. Current admissions materials include items such as transcripts, a résumé, an essay, English proficiency where applicable, and program-specific requirements; the current pages do not list GRE scores among the required materials for these programs.
3. Purdue Global
Purdue University is connected with Purdue Global, a public, nonprofit, HLC-accredited institution that offers primarily online programs for working adults.
Purdue Global offers several doctoral and professional programs, including online doctoral programs and programs through Purdue Global Law School. Purdue Global states that it does not require GRE, GMAT, LSAT, or SAT scores for admission, although specific programs may have additional requirements. For example, Purdue Global Law School’s Juris Doctor admissions process includes an approved admissions test and a telephone interview.
4. Sacred Heart University
Founded in 1963, Sacred Heart University is a private Catholic university in Connecticut and is described by the university as one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the country. Its enrollment now includes more than 9,000 full-time and part-time undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students.
The university offers doctoral programs such as the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, Doctor of Business Administration in Finance, and Doctor of Physical Therapy. Current admissions pages for these programs list requirements such as transcripts, GPA thresholds, résumés, recommendations, statements, work experience, observation hours, or interviews, depending on the program. GRE scores are not listed among the required materials on the current public pages for these highlighted programs.
5. St. John’s University
The next university on our list is St. John’s University. This private higher education provider in New York City is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church.
The beginnings of this institution can be traced back to 1870. Today, St. John’s University offers doctoral-level programs such as the Doctor of Audiology and the Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology. GRE policies should be checked by program: the Au.D. lists GRE scores as optional, while the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. has paused admission for the 2026–2027 academic year and has GRE requirements that vary by applicant background. Applicants should confirm current program availability and testing requirements before applying.
6. Colorado Technical University
Colorado Technical University offers applied doctoral degrees in fields such as computer science, management, and nursing practice. Its online graduate programs do not require GRE or GMAT scores, although applicants still need to complete the university’s admissions process and meet program-specific requirements.
Examples of online doctoral programs include Doctor of Computer Science, Doctor of Computer Science – Big Data Analytics, Doctor of Management, and Doctor of Nursing Practice. CTU’s online doctoral programs are applied doctorate programs with research, dissertation, or doctoral project components, depending on the degree.
7. Duquesne University
Duquesne University was established in 1878 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The university is a private Catholic institution with a wide range of graduate and doctoral programs.
Its School of Education offers programs such as the Ph.D. Counselor Education & Supervision, the Ph.D. in School Psychology, and the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program. However, Duquesne is not a blanket no-GRE university: GRE policies vary by program, and the School Psychology Ph.D. strongly recommends GRE scores. Applicants should review the current admissions page for their chosen program before applying.
Even when GRE scores are not required, doctoral admission can still be selective and may include transcripts, GPA requirements, recommendations, essays or statements, résumés, interviews, and program-specific prerequisites.
8. California Southern University
California Southern University is a 100% online university founded in 1978 and is now a member of the American InterContinental University System. Current CalSouthern doctoral offerings include the Doctor of Psychology and Doctor of Business Administration.
The flexible doctoral programs offered by CalSouthern are designed for working professionals and use online coursework and faculty support. CalSouthern states that its programs have a no entrance exams policy.
9. Lynn University
Since its establishment in 1962, Lynn University has grown from Marymount College into a private university in Boca Raton, Florida. Its doctoral offering includes an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership.
Lynn states that GRE/GMAT scores are not required for graduate admission. Doctoral applicants should follow Lynn’s current Ed.D. application instructions and prepare materials such as transcripts, a statement or essay, and other program-specific items requested by the university.
Lynn’s current application page states that there is no application fee.
10. National University
We end our list of universities with doctoral programs that may not require GRE scores with National University. It is a San Diego-based nonprofit university with many online and flexible degree programs.
National University offers programs across several academic areas, including business, education, health care and nursing, law, social sciences, psychology, engineering and technology, and other fields.
Doctoral-level options include the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice, Doctor of Education, and Doctor of Health Administration.
For many National University doctoral programs, a master’s degree is required. National University states that several online doctoral programs have no GRE/GMAT requirement, but its graduate admissions policy also notes that standardized tests may apply for applicants below the standard GPA threshold. Applicants should review the exact program page before applying.
Universities may use GRE test scores to assess students’ preparation for graduate-level education and gauge their academic potential for advanced studies. However, many doctoral programs now rely on other materials, such as transcripts, résumés, recommendations, essays or statements, interviews, and professional experience. That is why it can be helpful to learn which institutions offer doctoral programs that may not require GRE scores if you have not taken the test yet.
We hope that this article on universities with doctoral programs that do not have GRE requirements was helpful. If you are interested, check out the Available Courses for International Students and Study in the USA Page!
