Looking for a "unicorn" doctorate program

[hlg38]

Sigh. I've searched the Internet (and these forums) up and down until I've gone cross-eyed. At this point, I think I'm suffering from information overload, and I haven't really found what I'm looking for. 

I am seeking a doctorate program (I don't care what it's in or what kind of "D" it is) for personal satisfaction reasons. I am not trying to do anything specific with the degree, though I do require that it's regionally accredited (and that the accreditation is not under warning, if so).

I'm looking for a program that matches the following criteria:

1. 100% online
   
2. Regionally accredited 
   
3. Rolling admissions
   
4. USA-based university, no colleges
   
5. Has a highly flexible transfer credit policy to lower the cost and time of the program
   
6. Extremely affordable, though, if they allow a lot of transfer credits, this can vary
   

I have the following degrees under my belt:

• M.Ed. Instructional Design and Technology - American College of Education
  
• M.Ed. Adult Education and Training - American College of Education
  
• MHRM: Organizational Performance - Colorado State University Global
  

I am seeking any option besides ACE. I realize this is the most inexpensive option. I would like to complete a doctorate program with a university, not a college. It's just important to me.

Does a program like this exist?! I find programs that come very close, but they only allow admission once a year. I'm looking to get started in January or February of 2025.

[newdegree]

University of the Cumberlands might be the right fit for you. They accept 18 transfer credits out of their 60, leaving you with 42 credits to complete. $415 per credit, and I believe classes are 7/8 weeks long each. They have an Ed.D. program in Educational Leadership, which can be completed online, but they have a USA-based University and campus. Textbooks are also free, I believe. The next terms are January 6 (spring term) and May 05 (summer term) for applications. They are regionally accredited. 

https://www.ucumberlands.edu/academics/g...ership-edd
https://www.ucumberlands.edu/admission-a...on/tuition
https://catalog.ucumberlands.edu/preview...eturnto=23
https://www.ucumberlands.edu/admission-a...admissions
https://www.ucumberlands.edu/admission-aid/apply

[newdegree]

Have you also considered Liberty University? They offer different Education Doctoral Programs and allow 50% transfer credits. The cost is 595-650 per credit, depending on whether you attend full-time or part-time. If you are military or retired, they offer $300 per credit. They also provide a first responder discount and a Sophia partnership discount. The program is 54 credits, so if you transfer 50% in, you have to finish 27 credits. They have open admissions and a USA-based university and campus. They are regionally accredited. They offer many different doctoral programs as well. I believe the application is free to apply?

https://www.liberty.edu/online/education...struction/
https://www.liberty.edu/academics/doctoral/
https://www.liberty.edu/online/tuition-and-fees/

[hlg38]

Have you also considered Liberty University? They offer different Education Doctoral Programs and allow 50% transfer credits. The cost is 595-650 per credit, depending on whether you attend full-time or part-time. If you are military or retired, they offer $300 per credit. They also provide a first responder discount and a Sophia partnership discount. The program is 54 credits, so if you transfer 50% in, you have to finish 27 credits. They have open admissions and a USA-based university and campus. They are regionally accredited. They offer many different doctoral programs as well. I believe the application is free to apply?

https://www.liberty.edu/online/education...struction/
https://www.liberty.edu/academics/doctoral/
https://www.liberty.edu/online/tuition-and-fees/

Thank you, good recommendation. I am actually in talks with them now (as of this morning). The 650 per-credit price point is slightly steep in my view, but my hope is to transfer in a large amount of credits. I'll see where this goes.

[newdegree]

Have you also considered Liberty University? They offer different Education Doctoral Programs and allow 50% transfer credits. The cost is 595-650 per credit, depending on whether you attend full-time or part-time. If you are military or retired, they offer $300 per credit. They also provide a first responder discount and a Sophia partnership discount. The program is 54 credits, so if you transfer 50% in, you have to finish 27 credits. They have open admissions and a USA-based university and campus. They are regionally accredited. They offer many different doctoral programs as well. I believe the application is free to apply?

https://www.liberty.edu/online/education...struction/
https://www.liberty.edu/academics/doctoral/
https://www.liberty.edu/online/tuition-and-fees/

Thank you, good recommendation. I am actually in talks with them now (as of this morning). The 650 per-credit price point is slightly steep in my view, but my hope is to transfer in a large amount of credits. I'll see where this goes.

If they accept at least 24 credits, the total would be around 20k, which is not bad, but the program can be completed fast. Contact both schools and see which option works best.

[bjcheung77]

Please also inform us which ones you have applied to and already looked into, otherwise, just like the previous replies, we would be recommending you similar degrees from institutions that have already been recommended in the graduate section. There are a few doctoral programs from 20-25K, you may be interested in the Emporia or UCA PhD programs in that price range...