Doctor of Education (EdD) Online Programs

EdD is an abbreviation for a Doctor of Education. The EdD degree emerged in the 1920s as scholar-practitioners began seeking doctoral degrees in education that were intended to provide a pathway toward education leadership.^{(See disclaimer 2)} At Grand Canyon University, the EdD is a leadership degree that teaches you to apply current theories and research to new environments. Online EdD programs are offered by the College of Doctoral Studies.

A Doctor of Education degree (EdD) and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree are both terminal degree programs that represent the pinnacle of academic achievement in one’s field. However, they aren’t quite the same. Online Doctor of Education programs focus on the application of theories to actual situations, as well as educational leadership. PhD programs focus more on research, theory and policy, such as educational psychology and learning theories.^{(See disclaimer 3 )}

Debating EdD vs. PhD and which is better depends on the area of study you choose to enter. If you intend on conducting research and teaching theoretical subjects, a PhD may be better for you. If you are looking to enter an administrative or leadership role in education, an online EdD program may be right for you.^{(See disclaimer 3)} In addition, each has different requirements; knowing which one is better is contingent upon your schedule and subject focus. 

How much you can make with a doctorate in education depends on the type of profession and other factors. For a college professor, an EdD degree salary depends largely on the professor’s past teaching experience, as well as their area of expertise and employer. Teaching isn’t the only career possibility, however. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for a postsecondary administrator as of May 2022 was $99,940.^{(See disclaimer 4)}

There are many career paths you can choose to follow. Teaching jobs such as a college professor, or administrative positions such as a school district superintendent or university provost are all positions you can apply to with an EdD degree and relevant experience. Alternatively, you may choose to pursue a career as a curriculum specialist, chief learning officer or education policy analyst. 

Yes, you can be a professor with an EdD degree. While not all colleges may require an education doctorate to become a professor, an EdD is a terminal degree, and it can allow you to position yourself for potentially higher levels of professorship.^{(See disclaimer 5)} 

Yes, an EdD requires a dissertation. Each of GCU’s doctorate in education programs includes a minimum of three dissertation courses. The length of an EdD dissertation is entirely dependent on your chosen topic and how much research you have conducted over the course of the program. 

An Education Specialist (EdS) is a post-master’s level degree that specializes in specific areas of teaching and education. It is considered an advanced degree above a master’s but is not considered a doctorate as it does not require a dissertation. An EdD is an education doctorate that is designed for professionals looking to work toward educational leadership roles.^{(See disclaimer 3)}