Earning an EdD may be a wise career choice if you’re an aspiring leader looking to drive organizational change through advanced educational methods. Many programs cater to busy professionals and offer curriculums and degree completion terms that allow you to study while working.
Many of your fellow program colleagues will also hold significant administrative or professional positions in their fields, which enhances the classroom learning experience and creates opportunities for organic career networking.
The Doctorate in Education
Whether you’re a teacher looking to become a school principal or want to become a change maker at the district level, an EdD can help you take your career to the next level. Educators with an EdD can work in various roles, including trainers, executives, consultants, and policymakers. These positions can pay well, with the average salary for an educator in the US being $109,970.
The EdD degree can help you better understand education systems and the tools to create strategies to help them thrive. Unlike the Ph.D., which is geared toward advanced academic researchers, the EdD is designed for educators and other mission-driven leaders.
With an EdD, you’ll learn to leverage and apply your research skills to real-world problems. And with various specializations, you can align your coursework with your career goals. Online EdD programs can help you find an online educational doctorate that meets your needs. An Education Doctorate (EdD) is one of the two terminal degrees a person can earn through collegiate study.
This degree is geared toward professionals who have a master’s degree in the field of education or related experience and want to advance their leadership and management skills within educational systems, including k-12 school districts, colleges, and universities.
An EdD degree differs from a PhD in that a Ph.D. program is geared toward those conducting academic research and teaching in higher education. At the same time, an EdD is tailored for those preparing for executive-level positions in education. The curriculum of an EdD program focuses more on practical job skills and strategies in education policy, administration, and leadership.
In addition to academic coursework, many programs require students to complete a fieldwork or internship experience and a dissertation. The dissertation focuses on the student’s ability to conduct research and apply knowledge from their coursework in the field of education. Some programs also offer a doctoral capstone project instead of a dissertation, which can be just as rigorous as a traditional dissertation.
Degree Requirements
An EdD may be a good fit if you want to take your education career to the next level. This doctoral degree combines leadership, research, and management skills that prepare professionals to lead mission-driven organizations and change “the way we learn.
A degree like this can also be pursued with an Educational Specialist (EdS) program, a postgraduate degree between a master’s and a doctorate. These programs are often an excellent option for teachers who want to advance their careers but need more time or desire to commit to an EdD’s extensive research and dissertation requirements.
Additionally, students who choose an online EdD program will likely have professional classmates from various industries. This diverse cohort allows for a precious learning experience as you gain perspective and insight from peers working full-time in your field.
It can also help you build organic career networking opportunities that will continue well after your graduation. It’s true regarding the dissertation process, which can be essential in launching your future as a leader.
Degree Specializations
A doctorate is a significant time commitment, so choosing the right program for your career goals is essential. An EdD is geared towards professionals leveraging leadership skills to create strategies and help educational organizations thrive in the modern education system. It is a different degree than a Ph.D., which focuses more on creating academic leaders as teachers and researchers.
Some of the most popular EdD specializations include educational leadership, curriculum and instruction, and adult education. Each offers a unique set of skills and knowledge that prepares graduates for different roles within the academic field.
Many full-time students take seven years to complete their degrees, but part-time adults can earn them in at least five years. It’s also helpful to look for programs that allow you to pursue a specific specialization to customize your studies based on your professional goals. It can help you graduate on time and with more confidence as an educated, qualified leader in the education field.
Doctoral Dissertation
A dissertation is an extensive piece of academic writing based on original research. It is a required part of your degree program and an opportunity to contribute to the body of knowledge in your field. It is an important skill to develop when pursuing a doctorate and may help you advance your career in education or other areas.
An EdD with a leadership concentration can prepare you for elementary, secondary, or postsecondary administration careers. You could manage teachers and staff, implement new programs and curricula, or work on public policy. A Ph.D. in Education can give you the skills to teach at a tier-one university, where you will focus on research and contribute new knowledge to your field of study.
This work focuses on developing broad theories that may impact the future of education. The director of a nonprofit organization works to develop goals, strategies, and operational plans for the organization. An EdD with a leadership concentration can lead these teams, often made up of donors and volunteers, to success by building relationships and leveraging resources.
