A Doctor of Education (EdD) is also a practitioner focused degree that is designed for those seeking leadership roles within organizations, often academic organizations. For example, you might earn an EdD if you wish to become the principal of a private or public school or the superintendent of a school district. The EdD degree is not the same as a Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD). The PhD program is research-oriented and focuses on theoretical knowledge. It is ideal for educators who want to pursue a high-level career in academia or academic research. In contrast, the EdD degree is focused on practice improvement and positive research-based change. Despite the name and focus on administration in the field of education, the EdD is also well-suited to individuals in other fields who wish to improve their organizational leadership abilities. For example, a graduate might pursue one of can the following non-academic leadership roles:
- Human resources director
- Government administrator
- Nonprofit director
- Program improvement specialist
- Corporate trainer
The Doctor of Education degree emphasizes practical data and behaviors as well as organizational management skills. Students can generally expect to explore topics such as corporate social responsibility, multicultural awareness, strategy execution and ethical decision-making.