Online Doctorate Degree Programs
At Colorado Technical University, you can pursue a doctorate in one of our fully online programs that make it possible to take your education to the next level without putting your life on hold. Our online doctorate courses are designed to be rigorous and challenging, however, with our proprietary online tools and mentors who can provide support and guidance as you move through the program, it's possible to complete your doctorate degree in three and a half years or less. We offer 8 online doctorate degree program options spanning the fields of computer science, management, and nursing.
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- Doctorate of Computer Science
- Computer Science
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- Doctorate of Computer Science
- Computer Science - Big Data Analytics
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- Doctorate of Computer Science
- Computer Science - Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
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- Doctorate of Management
- Management
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- Doctorate of Management
- Management - Executive Leadership
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- Doctorate of Management
- Management - Healthcare Management and Leadership
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- Doctorate of Management
- Management - Homeland Security
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- Doctorate of Management
- Management - Organizational Development and Change
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- Doctorate of Nursing Practice
- Nursing Practice
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Benefits of CTU’s Online Doctoral Programs
At CTU, you’re empowered to take charge of your education, but you’re never alone. Our flexible doctorate courses provide you with the freedom you need to focus on your current obligations and academic goals. As you pursue your chosen doctorate degree online, you’ll have the support of CTU faculty and staff as well as opportunities to forge relationships with advisors and fellow classmates, all of whom could become part of an important network you may have not just while in school, but long after graduation as well.
Doctoral Library
Our online doctoral library provides 24/7 access to approved research materials, including research journals, magazines, conference proceedings, books, theses, videos, and more
Intellipath® Learning
Our intellipath® learning tool can help identify what you already know and anticipate what you’re ready to learn, letting you focus on something new1
CTU Mobile
With CTU Mobile and CTU’s Virtual Classroom, you can access course assignments, use our extensive online library, listen to live chats, read discussion boards, track your grades, and more, whenever and wherever you have an Internet connection
1 intellipath® is not available for all courses
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Online Doctorate Admissions Overview
All prospective CTU students must complete a discussion with an Admissions Advisor and submit a completed application, but there is no GRE requirement for any of CTU’s online doctorate degree programs. All applicants must have earned a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 GPA scale in a master’s program. For Doctor of Management and Doctor of Computer Science programs, applicants must submit official transcripts that verify completion of an accredited master’s degree in a discipline related to the CTU doctoral program to which they are applying. Applicants must also submit a resume containing at least five years of work experience and an essay. See the University Catalog for complete details.
For the Doctor of Nursing Practice program, applicants must submit official transcripts that verify completion of an accredited Master of Science in Nursing program, proof of an active, clear, and unencumbered RN license, and an Attestation of Supervised Clinical/Practice/Practicum form that verifies completion of a minimum of 120 clinical hours at the post-baccalaureate level. Please see the Specialized Admission and Graduation Requirements section of the University Catalog for further details.
Spend Less Time And Money On Your Degree Program
Transfer-In Credits
Qualifying students may be eligible to transfer-in up to 75% of the program credits required to complete their doctorate degree program2
Military Experience
Military education benefits could help cover the cost of doctorate courses and textbooks for those who qualify
Doctoral Advantage
Students enrolled in our master’s programs may be able to substitute up to two doctoral courses for two master’s courses, helping them complete their online doctorate up to 10 weeks faster
Non-Collegiate Experience
CTU may award proficiency credit for experiential learning gained through employment or other applicable, non-collegiate learning experiences2
Doctorates in computer science and management are typically earned in three and a half years at CTU, while the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree is typically completed in 19–24 months. However, because you only need to complete 25 percent of your program’s credit-hour requirements at CTU (we accept eligible transfer credits up to 75 percent of the required credits toward your degree),2 it may be possible to complete your online doctorate degree faster than anticipated.
2 Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
Accreditation
Colorado Technical University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Our business degree programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), and Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program at CTU is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Online Doctorate Degree Programs
Online doctorate degree programs at CTU are designed to be challenging and enriching. That’s why, in addition to rigorous online coursework, students must demonstrate satisfactory completion of a research proposal, and satisfactory completion and presentation of a dissertation or special project (depending upon program). All doctoral students are further required to attend two, two-and-a-half day symposium events that are held virtually or in Colorado Springs, Colorado. These symposia provide our doctorate degree students with valuable opportunities to meet and network with faculty, peers, and special guest-speakers, and serve to enhance the academic experience overall. Our online doctoral programs include:
Doctor of Computer Science
CTU’s online doctoral program in computer science focuses on topics in both computer science and information systems, as well as an orientation to research and writing at the doctoral level. In the Doctor of Computer Science program, students can explore high-level design issues; evaluate methods of maintaining security in distributed systems; develop a software process improvement plan for an organization and design; and test, implement, and report on the results of an experiment. Core courses include current topics in computer science and IT, qualitative and quantitative research methods, research methods and design, and structured courses for your dissertation. The doctorate in computer science is offered as a general track option, or you could choose from concentrations in big data analytics and cybersecurity and information assurance.
Doctor of Management
Colorado Technical University’s Doctor of Management program is designed for management professionals and is offered in four concentrations and a general track. This online doctoral program provides an opportunity for students to enhance their strategic-thinking skills and existing management capabilities with the aim of developing a more robust leadership style suited to taking on higher levels of responsibility in their fields. Core courses include management theory, ethics, application of action research, strategic thinking and organizational alignment, practice and theory of consulting and intervention, leadership theory and development, qualitative and quantitative research methods, and structured courses on the creation and completion of your dissertation.
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Our Doctor of Nursing Practice program is designed for licensed Registered Nurses (RNs) who already possess a Master of Science in Nursing, and who want to better prepare themselves to take on more advanced leadership and administrative roles in the field and work to improve healthcare outcomes through evidence-based processes. Our focused, online doctorate degree program offers the opportunity to earn a degree in 21–27 months,3 without having to press pause on your life. We utilized the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (2006) to develop our comprehensive, practice-focused online doctoral program (https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/Publications/DNPEssentials.pdf), which provides coverage of topics such as healthcare delivery systems, health economics and finance, health policy, research methods, translation of evidence into practice, concepts in population health, and nursing leadership.
3 This doctoral degree program can be completed in 21–27 months, depending on the number of clinical hours that need to be completed; however, many factors will impact your time to completion, including course loads, proficiency and/or, transfer credits and breaks.
What Students Are Saying About Their CTU Experience
[CTU's] commitment to practical, real-world learning and its ability to accommodate working professionals made it the ideal choice for my ongoing academic journey.
Tiffiny B. 2025 Graduate, Doctor of Management
I have obtained all 4 of my degrees from CTU. I found the programs to be consistent and easy to follow, which was an important factor when beginning my educational journey.
Dr. Parker. 2023 Graduate, Doctor of Management
My doctorate from CTU provides credibility in a professional setting while also displaying my ability to complete what I start. I plan on utilizing my degree in academia, non-profit, and government communities.
Dr. Arnold, Sr. 2023 Graduate, Doctor of Management
Frequently Asked Questions
A Colorado Technical University (CTU) online doctorate degree program is an advanced graduate program designed to help students develop specialized expertise, research skills, and leadership capabilities beyond the master’s level through flexible online learning formats. CTU is a Colorado-based university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. CTU offers fully online doctorate degree programs across fields such as computer science, management, and nursing.
These online doctoral programs are designed to be rigorous and challenging, while offering support through CTU faculty, advisors, and online learning tools to help students stay connected and progress toward completion without putting their lives on hold.
Several CTU programs hold programmatic accreditation where applicable, including business programs and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. For information about the agencies that accredit these programs, see our accreditation page.
Yes. Colorado Technical University (CTU) has a transfer-friendly admissions policy that may allow qualifying students to transfer-in up to 75% of the program credits required to complete their doctorate degree program, depending on the program and prior coursework. Students can review how transfer credits are evaluated through CTU’s Transfer-In Guide and learn more through Transfer Students.*
We evaluate:
- Previous college coursework from institutions accredited by agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- CLEP and DSST exam scores and other standardized assessments, including CTU guidance on CLEP examinations and DANTES Subject Standardized Tests.
- Military training and experience, which may be reviewed for transfer and proficiency credit, including ACE-evaluated learning; see CTU's Military Credit Transfer information.
An admissions advisor can provide an unofficial transfer review at no cost through the Admissions page, showing how eligible credits or ACE-evaluated military experience could apply, potentially reducing both tuition and time to completion.
*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible for transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
Tuition for a CTU online doctorate degree is charged per credit hour, and the total cost varies by program and how many credits you complete with the university (books and many standard fees are included in CTU’s published tuition for most online programs).
Resources to help with program costs:
- Transfer credit opportunities can significantly reduce time and tuition. See Transfer Students and Registrar Evaluation Services for policies (transfer credit is evaluated individually and not all credits are eligible).
- Military tuition benefits may help cover the cost of doctorate courses and textbooks for those who qualify. Explore CTU’s Military Benefits.
- Institutional scholarships and need-based grants are offered to qualifying students and awarded after verification of eligibility. See Grants & Scholarships.
- Course materials: For CTU’s Virtual Campus, Total Program Cost includes a custom suite of course materials; for students on the military tuition rate, the course materials charge is waived (no net cost). See the Virtual Campus + Military Tuition & Fees (PDF).
Doctorates in computer science and management are typically earned in about three and a half years at CTU, while the Doctor of Nursing Practice is typically completed in 19-24 months, depending on the program and student pacing. CTU notes that it may be possible to complete a doctorate in three and a half years or less, depending on your schedule and how transfer credit applies.
Because CTU accepts eligible transfer credits of up to 75% *, and students only need to complete 25% of the program’s credit-hour requirements at CTU, completion time may vary by program requirements, pacing, and prior learning. Students can explore degree options through CTU’s online doctorate programs and connect with Admissions to discuss individualized timelines.
*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible for transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
Yes. Colorado Technical University (CTU) offers doctorate classes in flexible online formats designed to support working adults, allowing students to access coursework through CTU’s Virtual Classroom and tools like CTU Mobile while balancing career and family responsibilities. With multiple start dates throughout the year, students can choose a start date that fits their schedule. Details are available through Admissions and CTU’s student portal.
Students also have access to academic and technical support through CTU’s Virtual Campus, and additional policies, expectations, and resources are outlined in CTU's Student Handbook.
CTU offers online doctorate degree programs in several career-focused disciplines, including:
- Management: Doctoral programs designed to support advanced leadership, organizational strategy, and applied research. Learn more about CTU’s Doctor of Management.
- Computer Science: Doctoral study focused on advanced computing, systems, and research-based problem solving. Learn more about CTU’s Doctor of Computer Science.
- Nursing: A doctoral program designed for advanced clinical practice and leadership in healthcare settings. Learn more about CTU’s Doctor of Nursing Practice.