EdD vs PhD in Education

• August 30, 2022
• Amanda Hillary

One of the first decisions you’ll need to make if you want to pursue a doctorate in education is whether to apply for a Doctor of Education (EdD) or a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education. The choice between these two terminal degrees, despite their level of equality, can have a significant impact on a person’s career. It’s crucial to take the time to first comprehend the variations in the program curriculum and subsequent employment options related to each degree to guarantee that you select the degree that most closely reflects your future professional aspirations. Discover the differences between an EdD and a Ph.D. in education as you continue reading to decide which program is best for you.

Doctor of Education (EdD): An Overview

A Doctor of Education, abbreviated EdD, is an advanced professional terminal degree that can be earned by completing a graduate-level program in education. It is an advanced professional degree that covers educational leadership, pedagogy, and curriculum development but mainly focuses on applying research and knowledge to educational practices. The EdD degree gives the skills and knowledge necessary for professionals who want to become educational leaders or professors of education.

The Doctor of Education is considered a terminal degree because it cannot be earned as part of another doctoral program. An EdD may also be referred to as Doctorate in Education, Doctorate in Educational Leadership, Doctorate in Educational Administration, and Doctorate in Higher Education. The EdD degree is typically pursued by those who are already working in education and want to advance their careers or those who want to start a career in education.

EdD Benefits & Advantages

The advantages of earning a Doctor of Education (EdD) are as diverse as the job options this degree provides. Apart from gaining the ability to shape educational policy and drive progress, the EdD prepares students for a number of administrative positions while maintaining competitiveness in their sectors. Your dissertation gives you the chance to research a specific area of interest and discover solutions to social problems.

EdD Career Options

The EdD provides you with the knowledge you can put to use in many ways. With this degree, you will be better equipped to take on a range of leadership positions in educational institutions, governmental organizations, and both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors.

Program concentrations enable you to narrow the scope of your EdD. An EdD in Educational Leadership and Management, for instance, prepares leaders for management, but an EdD in Sports Leadership would concentrate on enhancing education within sporting communities. There are many other concentrations available, including those in global education, leadership, administration, innovation, and other important areas of education.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education:  An Overview

A Ph.D. in Education is an academic doctoral degree that can be obtained from universities and research institutions. It is a terminal degree awarded to students who have completed a graduate program at the university level with coursework that includes research, analysis, and writing.

The Ph.D. in Education usually requires students to teach in a university setting while pursuing their degree and fulfill other requirements such as coursework, research, and dissertation writing. The purpose of the Ph.D. in Education is to prepare future educators for their careers. Students will take classes on topics such as pedagogy and instructional design and conduct research on a specific area of interest. Finally, they will write and defend a dissertation on their findings.

Ph.D. in Education: Benefits & Advantages

One of the many benefits of earning a Ph.D. in Education is that it increases social mobility, expertise, and credibility. You develop your technical knowledge and research abilities as a student. Additionally, the Ph.D. program offers students the chance to carry out independent study in a field of interest, contributing new information and developing their own discoveries.

Ph.D. in Education Career Options

With a Ph.D. in Education, your degree emphasis has the same potential to narrow your interests and broaden your professional options as the EdD. For instance, the Ph.D. in Education offers concentrations in policy, leadership, or STEM. Most of these jobs are associated with working as a college faculty member or an educational researcher. As a superintendent, dean, chief learning officer, or director of education, the Ph.D. will qualify you for these and other administrative roles in the field of education.

EdD vs. Ph.D.

The EdD and Ph.D. in Education degrees represent the two most common doctoral degrees in the education field. Still, there are some key similarities and differences between them that prospective students should know about.

Type of Degree

The EdD degree and the Ph.D. in Education are both academic doctorates. They are the terminal degree for someone who has completed a doctoral program in higher education.

Primary Focus

While the EdD degree is for those who primarily want to teach in higher education, the Ph.D. in Education is for those who primarily want to do research in higher education. In other words, the EdD degree is more teaching-focused, while the Ph.D. is more research-focused.

Program Delivery

The EdD and Ph.D. in Education degrees can be taken up on-campus, online, or a blend of both, known as a hybrid model.

Duration

The EdD can typically be completed full-time in two years or part-time in three to five years at some universities, with a residency requirement. The Ph.D. in Education full-time programs require three years to finish, whereas part-time programs usually take four years. The Ph.D. does not need residency, in contrast to the EdD. Do note that these timelines vary by program and institution.

EdD vs. Ph.D. in Education – Which is Better?

Whether you choose the EdD or the Ph.D. in Education, there is much room for you to advance in the teaching profession and the field of education. Neither degree is better than the other. The choice ultimately depends on what is best for your personal and professional objectives; evaluate your requirements and goals and pick what you think is best for you.

Like this article? You can also look up our resources and guides on Choosing a Major, How to Pay for College, Accreditation, Associate’s Programs, Bachelor’s Programs, Master’s Programs, Ph.D. Degrees, and FAFSA.

Amanda Hillary

Amanda Hillary is an Academic Writer, Editor, and Researcher. She holds a Master's degree in English Literature from Harvard University and a Bachelor's in History from the University of California, Berkeley. With over eight years of experience, Amanda has worked extensively on academic papers, research projects, and editorial work across various disciplines, including literature, history, and social sciences.