Colleges and universities have many differences in their graduate studies admissions processes. They do, however, share a basic common application process. Applicants must meet certain requirements and provide several forms of documentation. These often include letters of recommendation, a scholarly writing sample, a minimum GPA in undergraduate work. Extremely common, too, is the requirement that applicants submit their Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. The GRE is a standardized examination that serves as an assessment of an applicant’s readiness for graduate-level studies.
Sometimes the GRE can itself be an obstacle to applying for a graduate degree program. Preparation for the GRE can cut into time better spent elsewhere, like research and preparation for the actual degree program you’re applying to. What if you’re not a good test taker? Then, the GRE can seem like a locked door or a high wall. Many colleges and universities don’t see the GRE as that important and do not require it in order to apply. These institutions look at other qualities and accomplishments of applicants, such as recommendations, personal statement, GPA, writing sample.
Our list of 20 Online Graduate Degrees: No GRE Required features the online schools that attract prospective master’s and doctorate students who seek a faster path to their academic pursuit by skipping GRE. And because these graduate programs are delivered online, distance learners will find it easy, flexible, and convenient to fit the coursework into their busy lifestyles.
This list features online graduate schools across the country that highlight flexibility, affordability, and quality education in their master’s and doctorate programs. Each graduate school has been approved by the applicable accreditation agency.
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- Southern New Hampshire University
- Regis University
- Northeastern University
- Ball State University
- Fort Hays State University
- Excelsior College
- Nova Southeastern University
- Western Governors University
- Colorado State University-Global Campus
- West Texas A&M University
- Florida Atlantic University
- American University
- Kent State University
- American Public University System
- Wilmington University
- Webster University
- Post University
- Liberty University
- Arizona State University
Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University offers more than 100 graduate degrees that are relatively affordable in several fields of study such as criminal justice, accounting, finance, management, psychology, nursing, marketing, and higher education management among other degrees offered by the university online. One of the most popular degrees offered by SNHU is the Master of Science in Criminal Justice in two concentrations, namely Public Safety Administration, and Advanced Counterterrorism. Coursework is in a rigorous format, and earning a graduate degree is possible in as little as 15 months depending on the students’ timeframe of learning. SNHU’s mission is to make education accessible for everyone, so the university’s admission policies do not require a GRE/GMAT score across all their graduate degrees.
Southern New Hampshire University receives accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Regis University
Established in Denver, Colorado, Regis University provides a rigorous curriculum for students to achieve their professional goals. The university offers more than 130 programs through five primary colleges/schools namely College of Business and Economics, Regis College, College of Computer and Information Sciences, College of Contemporary Liberal Studies, and Rueckert-Hartman College of Health Professions. A Master of Science in Organizational Leadership is one of Regis University’s in-demand programs that prepare students to become effective leaders in the global marketplace. It is offered in an intensive, accelerated format with classes offered every eight weeks. Admission to their graduate programs does not require a GRE test score as described in Regis University’s Anderson College of Business and Computing, and Rueckert-Hartman College of Health Professions.
Regis University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Northeastern University
Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts offers 64 graduate programs ranging from different areas of study. The university has nine intensive colleges that provide quality education and help students to stay ahead in the advancement of their professional careers through the lifelong learning network. Master’s in Criminal Justice, Master’s in Homeland Security, Master’s in Project Management, Master’s in Sports Leadership, and Master’s in Respiratory Care Leadership are some of the university’s popular online graduate degrees. Commitments can either be part-time or full-time depending on the students’ priorities. The majority of the programs are completed in 18 months to 36 months. Some programs do not require a GRE if students already have the professional experience in the related fields such as the 50-credit hour MBA program. This online business degree offers eight concentrations for students who want to strengthen their knowledge and skills.
Northeastern University has garnered accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
Ball State University
Headquartered in Muncie, Indiana, Ball State University has more than 74 programs designed to help students achieve both professional and personal advancements. One of the highlighted online graduate degrees is the Master of Arts in Elementary Education that emphasizes academic strengths and passion. Students can choose a specific specialization ranging from human development and learning, autism, middle school education, computer education for teachers, response to intervention, or gifted and talented education among others. The majority of their master’s programs do not require GRE test scores for graduate school admissions.
Ball State University has earned accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.
Fort Hays State University
Fort Hays State University offers several online, graduate programs through the Virtual College. Among its notable is the Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Counseling, Master of Professional Studies, Master of Science in Education, and Master of Liberal Studies. Each graduate degree program has more than five concentrations from which to choose. Requirements for Admission vary by degree. FHSU’s Master of Liberal Studies does not require a GRE test score, and it has the easiest and simplest admission requirements. Applicants need only a formal application for admission, two letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and an official transcript of all undergraduate and graduate course work. This 31-credit hour online liberal arts degree has four core courses; Introduction to Graduate Liberal Studies, Ways of Knowing in Comparative Perspective, Information Literacy, and Origins and Implications of the Knowledge Society.
Fort Hays State University is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission.
Excelsior College
Albany, New York is home to Excelsior College that offers several high-quality online degree programs that are convenient and affordable. The school is considered as one of America’s leading educators of professional/working adults. Excelsior has more than 30 disciplines offered such as Health Sciences, Business Management, Liberal Arts, Nursing, Public Service, and Technology to name a few. The Master’s Degrees in Public Service is one of the most important degree programs offered by Excelsior that does not require a GRE requirement for admission to the program. Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Master of Public Administration are provided under the Public Service discipline of the school. Students take 8-week online courses that can be accessed anytime that works with their schedules.
Excelsior College has earned accreditation from the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Nova Southeastern University
Located in Davie, Florida, Nova Southeastern University offers more than 150-degree programs in bachelor’s, master, and doctorate studies. The university’s unique online programs include Master of Accounting, Master of Science in Coastal Zone Management, Master of Science in Employment Law, and Master of Science in Criminal Justice among other variety programs offered by Nova. Most of these programs do not require the GRE test score including the Criminal Justice program. It is a 30-hour program that includes elective courses, core courses, and concentrations. Students may choose from 12 specialty concentrations offered by Nova.
Nova Southeastern University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Western Governors University
Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, Utah is a private, not-for-profit online educational institution that offers a variety of career-aligned graduate degrees in four significant colleges namely College of Business, College of Health Professions, College of Information Technology, and Teachers College. Ranging from Master of Business Administration, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Science in Educational Leadership, Master of Health Leadership, and Master of Science in Nursing, WGU has a competency-based education format in which students progress through the mastery of their coursework instead of the timelines specified by the instructors. WGU’s hassle-free admission process does not require a GRE test score across all online graduate degree programs.
Western Governors University garners accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Colorado State University-Global Campus
Formerly established as the Colorado Agricultural College, Colorado State University has a wide range of significant programs and concentrations in different academic interests such as physical sciences and engineering; arts, humanities, and design; management and enterprise; global and social sciences; environment and natural resources; land, plant and animal sciences organization; and health, life, and food sciences. One of the popular programs at CSU’s College of Business Master of Business Administration that teaches students all the principles and fundamentals of business including information systems, accounting, leadership, and human resources, marketing, strategy, and supply chain. This online MBA degree requires 42-credit hours for completion. Core courses include Business Systems and Processes, Supply Chain Management, Financial Reporting, and Analysis, and Applied Data Mining and Analytics in Business among others. No GRE/GMAT is required for admission to the program.
Colorado State University has received accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.
West Texas A&M University
West Texas A&M University offers several graduate degrees that provide leadership development opportunities and network-building collaboration with renowned faculty. The university has a Master of Business Administration, Master of Arts in Communication, Master of Education – Curriculum and Instruction, Master of Science in Engineering, Master of Science in Finance and Economics, and Master of Education- School Counseling that has no GRE requirement upon admission to the respective programs. Some degrees have waived GMAT if the applicants have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
West Texas A&M University has garnered accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Florida Atlantic University
Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, Florida Atlantic University is a public university that provides a vast selection of graduate degree programs across different colleges such as arts & letters, education, medicine; business, engineering & computer science; education, arts & letters, science; and nursing to name a few. FAU offers a Master of Business Administration that requires 40-46 credit hours to complete. Core courses include Leadership and Executive Forum, Operations Management, Global Management Strategy and Policy, Financial Accounting Concepts, and Communication Skills for Business Professionals among other classes in the online MBA curriculum. Admission to the program does not require a GMAT/GRE provided the students have four years of professional experience, an advanced degree, and passing eligibility of his or her credentials supplied by the university.
Florida Atlantic University earned accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
American University
A private research university in Washington, D.C., American University is one of the leading universities that do not require a GMAT or GRE score reports for admission. The university is dedicated to providing a world-class education that is based on experiential and collaborative learning. They believe students’ capacities are not about test scores. One of their notable online graduate degrees is the Master of Business Administration that can be completed in as little as 15 months. This 48-credit hour online MBA program has core courses such as Managerial Accounting and Operations Management, Manager in the International Economy, Strategic Decision Making, Financial Accounting, and Management of Organizations and Human Capital to name a few. The program has six concentrations to choose from. Kogod School of Business from the American University has a No GMAT Policy as part of their admissions process.
American University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
Kent State University
Kent State University is one of the largest regional systems in the country that offers numerous graduate programs in different colleges of Kent. They offer a unique Master of Liberal Arts that requires a minimum total credit hour of 33 to complete the program. Aside from the 27-credit hour elective courses, a three-credit-hour Methods and Approaches to Multidisciplinary, and a three-credit Liberal Studies Essay is required for graduation. It is one of the graduate degree programs offered by Kent State University that do not require a GMAT/GRE test score report for admission.
Kent State University has earned accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.
American Public University System
American Public University System is one of the leading online learning institutions that consists of the American Military University and American Public University. APUS offers several graduate programs that require 36-48 credit hours of coursework. One of the highlighted graduate degrees is the Master of Arts in History that equips students with the essential knowledge and academic journey through crucial historical events, cultures, and people that help shape the world today. This 36-credit hour online history program has mandatory core courses such as Historical Research Methods, and Historiography. Aside from the core requirements, students may choose one out of five concentrations including Global History, American History, Public History, European History, and Ancient & Classical History. The GRE test score report is not needed for admission.
American Public University System garnered accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.
Wilmington University
Located in New Castle, Delaware, Wilmington University is a private, doctoral research institution that has a variety of online graduate programs to choose from. The degrees are completely available 100% online in the technology, arts and sciences, health profession, business, social and behavioral sciences, and education. Wilmington University’s graduate admission process is one of the easiest in the country with no GRE/GMAT test score report needed. They offer a Master of Science in Accounting, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Applied Family Science, Master of Science in Administration of Justice, and Doctor of Education among many other degrees offered by Wilm U.
Wilmington University has received accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
University of Saint Mary
Established in Leavenworth, Kansas, the University of Saint Mary offers many several online graduate degree programs that cater to working adults with affordable and flexible options. The university has a Master of Business Administration that can be completed in as little as 12 months depending on the students’ timeframe of learning and pace. The 36-credit hour online MBA program allows students to choose in one of six concentrations such as Human Resource Management, Leadership and Organizational Health, Marketing and Advertising Management, Health Care Management, Finance, and General Management. Core courses include Managerial Accounting, Operation Management, Global Management, Organizational Management, and Human Resource Management among many others. No GRE/GMAT Requirement in the admission to the MBA program.
The University of Saint Mary is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
Webster University
Webster University offers a wide variety of online graduate programs with classes students can take home and designed in 24-7 learning accessibility. They offer 35 graduate degrees that do not require GRE/GMAT test score reports for admission. Also, these graduate degrees are offered in several areas of study such as marketing & communications, business, education, criminal justice & legal studies, technology, and healthcare. Ranging from Master of Arts in Legal Studies, Master of Science in Cybersecurity, Master of Educational Technology, or Master of Arts in Public Relations, there are online graduate degrees that are suitable for everyone’s passion and interest.
Webster University garnered accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.
Post University
Post University in Waterbury, Connecticut offers seven accredited online graduate degree programs. One of their in-demand online graduate programs is the Master of Public Administration that can be completed in as little as 18-24 months depending on the students’ pace of learning. This 37-credit hour online program has a unique combination of business courses and graduate-level public administration that enhance students’ business skills and executive administrative skills. MPA core courses include Labor Law and Relations, Ethics in Public Administration, The Future of Management and Leadership I, Risk Management for Public Administrations, and Public Policy to name a few of the many required courses offered by Post University’s MPA. Online graduate admission requirements do not require a GRE.
Post University is accredited by the Connecticut Department of Higher Education and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia is home to Liberty University is one of the innovative institutions that pioneered the distance learning format. They offer more than 400 certificates, associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs across different levels. The university has a vast selection of online master’s degree programs in arts & sciences, communication, visual skills, government, education, law, music, and health sciences. One of the many programs that do not require a GRE is the Master of Arts in History that is taught by professors with industry experience in leadership and professional backgrounds. This online history program requires 36 credit hours for graduation and can be completed in as quickly as 18 months.
Liberty University has earned accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public university that is known for innovation and a reputation of excellence in its online degree programs. The university offers several options for students who are interested in pursuing graduate studies with ASU. Popular online graduate programs include but not limited to Master of Science in Clinical Research Management, Master of Arts in Criminal Justice, Master of Science in Business Analytics, and Master of Science in Electrical Engineering among others. Also, ASU also foregoes GRE Requirements in some of their online graduate degrees such as the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice.
Arizona State University has received accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.