doctorate in education requirements

Education (Online), EdD

School of education.

To address the dramatically changing landscape of education in the 21st century, which includes new research on the science of learning, advances in technology, and the emergence of a for-profit education sector, the Johns Hopkins School of Education offers an innovative online Doctor of Education degree program. This EdD program is designed to prepare an exceptional corps of educational practitioner-scholars, both nationally and internationally, who can set a high standard for transformational leadership in education, apply evidence-based practices to improve educational outcomes, and meet the vast challenges associated with improving learning outcomes in both public and private educational environments.

For more information about the EdD program, please visit  https://education.jhu.edu/academics/edd/ . If you have any questions about the EdD program, please contact  [email protected] .

Admission Requirements

At minimum, applicants to the EdD program should hold a master’s degree from an accredited college or university. Previous degrees must document high academic achievement (a minimum GPA of 3.0) in an area of study closely associated with the objectives of the program. If the earned degree or credit is from an educational institution abroad, the candidate’s academic record must be evaluated by a credential evaluation agency before consideration for admission. Applicants must submit the online admission application form, application fee, official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, a curriculum vitae (résumé), online interview, and two letters of recommendation signed by each recommender. These letters should include the following:

• A professor with whom the applicant worked in their master's program who can speak to the applicant's competency to conduct rigorous scholarly work, and
• A colleague/supervisor from the applicant’s professional context/industry who can attest to the applicant's qualifications to pursue a doctorate, the applicant's impact on the recommender’s  professional practice, and knowledge of and support for the applicant's proposed area of research/Problem of Practice.

Additionally, applicants will submit a personal statement including responses to the following:

• Describe a significant Problem of Practice relevant to your current context/industry of professional practice.
• Indicate the importance of this problem within the applicant’s industry and/or their specific context of professional practice.
• Discuss the potential underlying causes for or contributing factors related to this Problem of Practice.
• Discuss the ways in which this problem aligns with at least one or two areas of interest.

All applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be asked to submit video and written responses to question prompts.

International students must fulfill the general requirements for admission and complete additional requirements—see  https://education.jhu.edu/admission-financial-aid/admissions/international-applicants/ .

Note: This program is not eligible for student visa sponsorship .

Students who enter the program will be required to successfully complete a series of pre-orientation modules prior to enrollment in the program. All students are expected to show competence in the content areas of these modules.

Please note that for the online EdD program, an offer of admission is for the specific cohort to which an application is submitted. Students may accept or decline the admission offer only; deferring to a future cohort is not an option.

Program Requirements

Program structure and requirements.

Program requirements include a minimum of 90 graduate credits. Students must enter the program with a master’s degree with a minimum of 36 graduate-level credits, which will be transferred into the EdD program. If a student does not have the required 36 master’s credits, the student will be admitted on a conditional basis and must complete the additional graduate-level credits at an accredited college or university. Students with post-master’s graduate credit in related education content completed prior to admission to the EdD program may petition to transfer in an additional six credits of equivalent coursework with appropriate documentation and with the approval of the EdD program director. Thus, students must complete between 48 and 54 credits at the doctoral level at JHU. The program includes the following required coursework components (subject to change):

• Foundations of Education (15 credit hours)
• Applied Research & Evaluation (12 credit hours)
• Areas of Interest / Electives (15 elective credit hours)
• Doctoral Dossier Research (12 credit hours)*

In addition to successfully completing all the coursework requirements, candidates must also satisfy written assessments and an oral comprehensive examination that document attainment of competencies. They must also complete either an Applied Dissertation or a Dossier Style Dissertation research project, depending upon the year the candidate was admitted to the program as per the following table:

Students who extend their program of study may be required to enroll in additional independent study credits.

With permission, students admitted between Fall 2013 and Fall 2020 may opt into the Dossier Style Dissertation if they choose not to do an intervention.

Problems of Practice and Doctoral Dossier

Students examine a Problem of Practice (POP)—an area of concern they have observed within their professional context—that becomes the focus of the student's Doctoral Dossier, which consists of three main projects described below.

As part of our commitment to social justice, the EdD program does not privilege one form of communication over another. Thus, all components of the Doctoral Dossier can be communicated in a modality of the student’s choosing: video, oral, scholarly writing, or public-facing writing. The Doctoral Dossier is embedded within the EdD program coursework, providing students the unique opportunity to examine an issue important to their field.

To begin their Doctoral Dossier process, students will spend their first year working on a Scholarship of Integration project (Project 1) that focuses on exploration and identification of underlying causes of and factors associated with their chosen POP. Using systems thinking, which includes perspective-taking, and the research literature, students will document their exploration in an introductory narrative that provides the rationale and supporting evidence for their decision to further pursue their research topic throughout their doctoral journey.

During the second year, following completion of the Scholarship of Integration project, students will choose one of the following two options for Project 2:

1. Scholarship of Application: Demonstrate the application of the research to practice. The purpose of this project is to a) consider how the research perpetuates and/or disrupts oppression, b) critique relevant systems, structures, and institutions, and c) determine avenues to effectively disseminate evidence to a wider audience and stakeholder group.

Example projects include: historical analysis of a topic, curriculum creation, community organization, autoethnography, instructional pedagogy, and others.   

2. Scholarship of Teaching: Development and improvement of pedagogical practices. Students examine teaching processes and assessments improve practice.

Example projects include : autoethnography of one’s teaching, innovative teaching materials, curricula, development of new courses, or development of a new pedagogical framework.   

During the third year, following completion of Project 2, students will choose one of the following:

• The scholarship option NOT chosen for Project 2, or
• Scholarship of Discovery: Search for new knowledge. Students conduct evidence-based research that leads to knowledge creation.    

Example projects include: written, oral, or other modalities of research, scholarly publications, empirical study, working paper, or book chapters.                

During the fourth year, students will complete Project 3, write an Executive Summary that ties their three projects together, and write a final reflection of their doctoral journey. The Doctoral Dossier will be presented and assessed during the fourth year.

Students are expected to complete four years of coursework and independent research concurrently. This program is cohort-based, thus if students require a leave of absence for any reason, they will return in the appropriate course sequence with the next cohort the following year.

Problems of Practice and Dossier Style Dissertation (for students admitted Fall 2021 and Fall 2022*)

Students examine a Problem of Practice (POP), which is an area of concern that they have observed within their professional context. This POP becomes the focus of the student's Dossier Style Dissertation. The Dossier Style Dissertation is embedded within the EdD program coursework, which provides students with a unique opportunity to examine an issue important to the organization in which they are employed.

During the first year in the program, students synthesize research literature to understand factors relevant to the POP from a broader systems perspective. During the second year of the program, students conduct an empirical project to investigate their POP within their professional context. Students are expected to collect and analyze data to further understand and refine their identified problem. Based on the evidence in the literature review and empirical project, students will engage in a final project that may further explore an aspect of their POP or articulate a potential solution.

Students will demonstrate mastery of first- and second-year competencies through written and oral comprehensive assessments, which will serve as indicators of readiness for conducting their applied research. Students will then evaluate the effectiveness of this solution as their Applied Project (Year 3). Characteristics of the Dossier Style Dissertation that make it unique to this program include:

• Written assignments within courses that focus on the student's POP.
• Coursework that leads students to consider applications that hold the potential for significant change or impact within their organization and/or have implications for policy.
• Dossier Style Dissertation components that are embedded within coursework and distributed across the three years of the program.

Although somewhat different from a traditional dissertation in its completion and focus, students are nevertheless expected to demonstrate mastery of the relevant literature, to obtain extant and/or collect additional data, and to interpret the results in light of previous studies. The Dossier Style Dissertation will be presented at a final oral defense before a Dossier Style Dissertation Panel.

Typically, we expect that students would complete three years of coursework and independent research concurrently. It is possible that some students may need more than three years to complete their research, in which case they will be required to enroll in at least one credit hour per semester after completion of the required 90 credit hours.

*Students admitted Fall 2021 can choose to complete either the Dossier Style Dissertation or the Applied Dissertation described below. Fall 2022 students may only complete the Dossier Style Dissertation.

Problems of Practice and Applied Dissertation (for students admitted Fall 2013-2021*)

Students examine a Problem of Practice (POP), which is an area of concern that they have observed within their professional context. This POP becomes the focus of the student's Applied Dissertation research. The Applied Dissertation is embedded within the EdD program coursework, which provides students with a unique opportunity to examine an issue important to the organization in which they are employed.

During the first year in the program, students examine their articulated POP to identify underlying causes and associated factors. During the second year of the program, students develop a potential solution, such as an intervention or policy change, and a plan to study the implementation of this intervention as well as proximal outcomes. Students will demonstrate mastery of first- and second-year competencies through written and oral comprehensive assessments, which will serve as indicators of readiness for conducting their applied research. Students will then evaluate the effectiveness of this solution as their Applied Dissertation (Year 3). Characteristics of the Applied Dissertation that make it unique to this program include:

• Coursework that leads students to consider solutions that hold the potential for significant change or impact within their organization and/or have implications for policy.
• Dissertation components that are embedded within coursework and distributed across the three years of the program.

Although somewhat different from a traditional dissertation in its completion and focus, students are nevertheless expected to demonstrate mastery of the relevant literature, to obtain extant and/or collect additional data, and to interpret the results in light of previous studies. The dissertation will be presented at a final oral defense before the student’s Dissertation Advisory Committee.

Typically, students will complete three years of coursework and independent research concurrently. It is possible that some students may need more than three years to complete their research, in which case they will be required to enroll in at least one credit hour per semester after completion of the required 90 credit hours.

*Students admitted Fall 2013-2020 must complete the Applied Dissertation. Students admitted Fall 2021 can choose to complete either the Dossier Style Dissertation or the Applied Dissertation. Fall 2022 students may only complete the Dossier Style Dissertation.

Learning Outcomes

Program goals.

Upon successful completion of the EdD, we expect that graduates will:

• Participate as a self-reflexive, social justice-oriented learner within diverse educational or learning communities.
• Analyze and critique educational practice and research from a social justice and systems perspective.
• Apply relevant methodologies to address critical challenges in education.
• Demonstrate a curiosity for, and a systematic approach to, at least one major topic of study within education resulting in an emerging expertise.
• Integrate research and practice-based knowledge to develop research-informed decisions and opinions about educational experiences, processes, policies, and institutions.
• Communicate effectively to diverse audiences about educational research, experiences, processes, policies, and institutions.

• Future Students
• Current Students
• Faculty/Staff

Admissions & Aid

• Admissions Home
• Application Requirements
• Financing Options
• Diversity Profile

You are here

Application requirements for all doctoral programs (phd).

All of our doctoral programs are designed to develop outstanding educational researchers who have a deep understanding of the scientific, practical and policy issues they study. All require full-time study, and we promise five years of full-time financial support for every student we admit. Our doctoral programs are small, typically ranging from about 25 to 35 new students a year. The small size of our doctoral cohorts creates big educational advantages for students: the classes are almost always small, students receive individualized attention from their advisors, and they have many opportunities to develop close collegial relationships with fellow students.

It is extremely important to demonstrate in your statement of purpose that your interests converge closely with the current research of faculty who work in the program to which you are applying. Other doctoral applicants will certainly do this, and if you don't, you will forfeit an important competitive advantage to them. 

If you wish to contact faculty, please read our Which Degree Which Program article, by Professor Eamonn Callan, which outlines the appropriate process for contacting faculty with whom you share research interests. 

• Program website:  Degrees and Programs/PhD
• Length of Program:  5 years (average length)
• Tuition: fellowship/assistantship salary and tuition guaranteed for first five years of the program (autumn, winter and spring quarters) for all students, including international students. Funding includes two summers.

Application Requirements:

Application form.

Complete and submit Stanford's graduate online application .

Application Fee

The application fee is $125 , is non-refundable, and must be received by the application deadline.

Application Fee Waivers

Stanford offers three types of application fee waivers for which GSE applicants may apply and be considered:

• GRE Fee Reduction Certificate-Based Waiver
• Diversity Program Participation-Based Waiver
• School-Based Waiver

Please visit the Stanford Graduate Diversity website for instructions, deadlines, and the fee waiver application form.

Statement of Purpose

A Statement of Purpose is required. Your statement should be typed, single-spaced and should be between one to two pages . Describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the proposed program, your preparation for this field of study, and why our program is a good fit for you, your future career plans, and other aspects of your background as well as interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study. You may indicate potential faculty mentors as part of your study and research interests. Be sure to keep a copy for your records. What's a Good Statement of Purpose?

A resume or CV  is required of all applicants, depending on which document is most appropriate for your background. There is no page limit for resumes or CVs, though we typically see resumes of one page in length. Please upload your resume or CV in the online application.

Three (3) Letters of Recommendation

Applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation . In the online application, you will be asked to identify your recommenders and their email addresses. Please notify your recommenders that they will receive an email prompt to submit their recommendation online. You can submit your request for letters of recommendation through the system without submitting the entire online application.  Stanford GSE only accepts online recommendations through the application system ; Stanford GSE cannot accept mailed, emailed or faxed recommendations.

Recommendations should be written by people who have supervised you in an academic, employment, or community service setting. We very strongly recommend that at least one of these letters be from a university professor familiar with your academic work. Your recommendations should directly address your suitability for admission to a graduate program at Stanford GSE.

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all three letters of recommendation are submitted through the system by the application deadline , so please work closely with your recommenders to remind them of the deadline.

College and University Transcripts

Transcripts are required from every college and university you have attended for at least one academic year as a full-time student. When submitting your online application, transcripts should be uploaded to the application as a scanned copy or PDF ; this is sufficient for the application review process. Please refrain from sending a secured PDF/transcript with a digital signature as our system cannot upload these properly. The best way to ensure we receive an upload-able document is for you to print out the secured transcript, scan it, and upload the scanned copy (not to exceed 10MB) as a PDF. 

If you earned a degree at the institution from which you are submitting a transcript, please ensure that the degree conferral date and the degree conferred is clearly visible on the document. If you are currently enrolled in a degree program and will not have earned the respective degree by the time of submitting your GSE application, you should submit your most recent in-progress transcript from your institution.

Only if admitted will we contact you with instructions on sending two copies of your official transcripts to our office. We cannot accept mailed, emailed or faxed copies of your transcripts during the application process. Please note: the instructions for sending transcripts on the online application and on the general Stanford Graduate Admissions Office website differ from this Stanford GSE requirement.

Concerning course work completed in a study abroad program

If the coursework and grades are reflected on the transcript of your home institution, you do not need to submit original transcripts from the study abroad institution.

Concerning foreign institutions

If your institution provides a transcript in a language other than English, we require that you submit a translation of the transcript that is either provided by the institution or a certified translator. Translations must be literal and complete versions of the original records.

If your transcript does not include your degree conferral date and the degree conferred , please submit a scanned copy of your diploma, a conferral statement, or a conferral document in addition to your transcript . If you are currently enrolled in a degree program and will not have earned the respective degree by the time of submitting your GSE application, you should submit your most recent in-progress transcript from your institution.

Stanford University requires the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) from all applicants whose native language is not English. The GSE requires a minimum TOEFL score of 250 for the computer-based test, 600 for the paper-based test or 100 for the internet-based test in order to be considered for admission. The Test of Written English (TWE) portion of the TOEFL is not required. Applicants who have completed a four-year bachelor's degree or a two-year master's program (or its equivalent) in the U.S. or at an institution where English is the main language of instruction are not required to take the TOEFL. For more information on TOEFL requirements, please refer to the Required Exams  page on the main Stanford Graduate Admissions website. You may register for the TOEFL test directly at the ETS website .

TOEFL Dates and Deadlines

PhD applicants who are required to take the TOEFL should plan to take the internet-based TOEFL test and have official TOEFL scores sent electronically to Stanford at institution code 4704 (department code does not matter) no later than November 1 . This will give your official TOEFL scores time to be sent from ETS and be received by our system in time for the December 1 deadline. PhD applicants to Knight-Hennessy Scholars should plan to take the internet-based TOEFL test no later than October 16 so your scores can be received by our system in time for the November 16 KHS GSE deadline. Please note that the TOEFL may be taken no earlier than 18 months prior to the application deadline.

Does Stanford accept tests other than TOEFL?

No. We accept only TOEFL scores; we do not accept IELTS or other test scores.

Contact Information

Admissions:  [email protected]  

• Financial Aid
• Current Student Info

Stanford Graduate School of Education

482 Galvez Mall Stanford, CA 94305-3096 Tel: (650) 723-2109

• Contact Admissions
• GSE Leadership
• Site Feedback
• Web Accessibility
• Career Resources
• Faculty Open Positions
• Explore Courses
• Academic Calendar
• Office of the Registrar
• Cubberley Library
• StanfordWho
• StanfordYou

Improving lives through learning

• Stanford Home
• Maps & Directions
• Search Stanford
• Emergency Info
• Terms of Use
• Non-Discrimination
• Accessibility

© Stanford University , Stanford , California 94305 .

• Prospective Students
• Make a gift to the School of Education
• Attend a credential program info session
• Know if my courses meet the prerequisite requirements for the teaching credential
• Find course schedules
• Learn more about the MA part of the Credential/MA program
• Learn about applying to the teaching credential program
• Know if the School offers a part-time, night or summer teaching credential program
• Learn about the cost of the Credential/MA program
• Learn about the Doctorate in Educational Leadership (EdD)
• Learn about the PhD program

• Course Requirements
• PhD Timeline and Milestones
• PhD Advising
• GGE Research Seminars
• Financial Support
• Language, Literacy & Culture
• Learning & Mind Sciences
• Mathematics Education
• School Organization & Educational Policy
• Science & Agricultural Education
• Graduate Group Faculty

PhD in Education

Welcome to the graduate group in education phd program.

Our Ph.D. program critically engages students in contemporary issues that impact education research, policy and practice.  Emphasizing collaboration, the program is an interdisciplinary graduate group that draws its faculty from diverse fields of education, humanities, social science, physical and biological sciences, mathematics, and medicine, and engages with key campus centers and programs, such as the M.I.N.D. Institute and the Poverty Center.

Designed to foster scholarly engagement and impact the practice of education, students may select from 5 areas of emphasis:

• Language, Literacy and Culture
• Learning and Mind Sciences
• Science and Agricultural Education
• School Organization and Educational Policy

Graduates of our program gain deep knowledge of educational theory and practice related to strengthening schools and other educational settings. Our close proximity to California’s state capital of Sacramento also affords students a rich set of opportunities and networks for influencing education policy.

To learn more about applying to our program, visit Admissions & Financial Aid – PhD Program . You are also welcome to attend one of our virtual Ph.D. Information Sessions listed below. You will need to register for the event to receive the Zoom link to attend. 

Thursday, November 9, 3:30-4:30pm (PST) ( Registration Link )

  Wednesday, November 29, 5:30-6:30pm (PST) ( Registration Link )

PhD Student Antoinette Banks Wins $1 Million Black Ambition Prize

Award is for parent-facing app that uses predictive AI to optimize IEP plans

Kaozong Mouavangsou

MA ’16, PhD ’22

The UNE Online Experience

“I felt like I was part of a community, and I felt like I had support. My work was evaluated from different points of view, different levels of education, and different experience levels – and I was able to grab ahold of all of that at the same time. It encourages you to seek out opportunities. It encourages you to push yourself. And in my case, I was able to apply my research to my career.”

- Dianna Montfort, Ed.D.

At UNE Online, our goal is to admit students who demonstrate an ability to be successful in the Doctor of Education program and who will continue that success in their future endeavors. We take a holistic approach to reviewing applications. Our Ed.D. program is designed for lifelong learners, including those seeking personal enrichment and mid-career professionals who are looking to initiate change in their organization. While there is no one typical background for successful applicants, students are characterized by an inclination to take on new challenges and come from fields such as K-12 education, higher education, the military, service agencies, healthcare, business, and nonprofits.

Admission Requirements:

• A Master’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, or its equivalent.
• Applications are reviewed holistically as a determination of academic readiness. The admissions committee values previous academic performance as indicated on transcripts and considers it as part of the review process.
• Computer with an internet connection, including the hardware and software requirements described in our Technical Requirements. Must also possess sufficient computer skills to navigate the internet as all classes are accessed 100% online.

Application Process:

• Completed online application
• Current Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Application Essay / Writing Sample
•  Two professional/academic references
• Official transcripts reflecting conferral of a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.

Note: Transcripts for any coursework appearing as transfer credit on the transcript of the conferred degree can be waived if the coursework is unrelated to the degree being sought. The program admissions committee defines all coursework not eligible for waiver.

Procedures and Policies:

• Applications for admission are accepted through UNE’s online application only. Detailed instructions are included in the online application.
• Official transcripts, as well as other documents to support the application, must be submitted to the College of Professional Studies, either electronically or sent to 716 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME, 04103
• International applicants and applicants with international degrees must have their transcripts evaluated for degree and grade equivalency to that of a regionally accredited US institution. See International Admissions .
• All applicants to UNE must be able to understand and communicate in English to be admitted to the university. UNE accepts several methods of English Proficiency, see International Admissions .
• If an applicant cannot prove English Proficiency in another way, scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are required and must be submitted as a part of the completed application.
• All materials submitted as part of the application become the property of UNE and will not be returned or released to anyone, including the applicant. This policy includes letters of reference, primary and secondary applications, personal statements, transcripts, and other supporting materials.

For additional information on the admissions process and requirements, please access the Doctor of Education website.

Policy Exceptions:

The Doctor of Education program and the EdD Admissions Committee in collaboration with the College of Professional Studies reserve the right to make exceptions to the admissions criteria and to make changes or exceptions to policies and procedures, on a case by case basis, when it deems such a decision is necessary and appropriate.

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Curriculum

Une online’s 51-credit ed.d. program is 100% online and the curriculum is set up in a way for students to engage in:.

• Online lectures, instructor-led discussions and assessments, small group interactions, and limited, optional synchronous sessions
• Courses in educational leadership
• Dissertation writing courses throughout the program
• Completion of a culminating dissertation that displays the research skills necessary to be thoughtful and critical creators of knowledge.  

This program can be completed in three years or in even less time with accepted transfer credits. Each course is worth 3 credits, and is eight weeks long, with two courses per 16-week semester. 

EDU 801: Preparation for the Doctoral Journey (Credits: 3)

This course introduces students to a variety of theories to help support the doctoral journey. The importance of building the dissertation throughout that journey is emphasized. One of the main outcomes of the course is a Literature Review Matrix based on the student’s area of research interest and working topic. The process of inquiry, research and academic writing skills are reinforced, as is the Five-Chapter Dissertation Outline and the alignment of topic with problem, purpose, research questions and research themes for the Literature Review Matrix.

EDU 802: Qualitative Research Design (Credits: 3)

Students will be introduced to several different qualitative research methods from which to explore. Students will participate in activities which align with the building of a potential qualitative study for their approved working topic of choice.

EDU 803: Quantitative and Mixed Methods Research Design (Credits: 3)

Students will be introduced to quantitative, as well as mixed methods research. Students will describe various research designs and evaluate them for appropriateness for their approved working topic of choice. Students will participate in activities which align with the building of a potential quantitative or mixed methods study.

EDU 804: Technology Change in Organizations (Credits: 3)

Technology is ever-changing and the need for demonstrating the ability to construct and put into practice new knowledge about emergent technology is essential. Students will explore and demonstrate an understanding of technological principles, practices and platforms.

EDU 805: Managing Change (Credits: 3)

The ability to create the conditions to effect systematic and productive change is necessary in every profession and organization. Students will be introduced to theories and practices to inform the management of change which might occur due to circumstances beyond one’s control, as well as change which has been strategically initiated.

EDU 806: Policy Analysis (Credits: 3)

Students will be introduced to the importance of analyzing existing policies and revising or developing new ones where policies do not currently exist. Collaboration of multiple stakeholders will be reinforced, as will the implementation of the policy and how it will be put into practice using well-constructed procedures. The power of continuous review and analysis will also be explored.

EDU 807: Constructing the Literature Review (Credits: 3)

This writing intensive dissertation development course will afford students the opportunity to expand the Literature Matrix developed in EDU 801 into a working literature review in Chapter 2. The importance of active engagement in the research process will be emphasized. Students will focus on building on their existing knowledge of their approved working topic through intensive research, analysis, synthesis, and continued alignment of topic with problem, purpose, research questions and specific research themes needed for the literature review.

EDU 810: Ethical Decision Making (Credits: 3)

This course examines traditional philosophical and ethical frameworks as well as moral development in terms of how leaders can practically apply these concepts. Students explore approaches to moral and ethical reasoning and will use these approaches to discuss ethical dilemmas related to leading change in organizations.

EDU 811: Organizational Dynamics (Credits: 3)

Organizational dynamics are complex and ever-changing, particularly as a result of a connected and global society. Each organization or organizational structure, whether it be a family, large company, or university can experience, and be required to manage, different and distinct dynamics. This course will also help students better understand the co-existing similarities that may exist across all organizational environments and structures.

EDU 812: Proposal Capstone I (Credits: 3)

This capstone course is the first of two courses combined to bridge the student’s journey of development in order to prepare a draft of the first three chapters based on the approved working topic. Alignment of topic with problem, purpose, research questions, title, and themes needed in the literature review is reinforced using the Alignment Tool, as well as the Five Chapter Dissertation Outline. Chapters 1 and 2 will be submitted as will the Introduction of Chapter 3. CITI training will also be a priority.

EDU 813: Proposal Capstone II (Credits: 3)

This is the second of two capstone courses designed to provide the opportunity for students to submit a full draft of the dissertation proposal. Intensive focus on a theoretically-grounded methodology in Chapter 3 will take place. Continued alignment of topic with problem, purpose, research questions, title, and literature review themes will be reinforced. Students will be assigned their dissertation committee members.

EDU 814: Dissertation Completion – Phase 1 (Credits: 3)

This is the first of four dissertation courses designed to support and provide the opportunity for students to continue their journey and complete their dissertations within the 51-credit program. The Dissertation Completion Timeline will help guide students, and their dissertation committee. The ideal outcome of this course is intended to be final approval of the three-chapter proposal, a PowerPoint Proposal Presentation, and submission of the IRB application. The Lead Advisor is responsible for approving and submitting the student’s application to the IRB. Should students not be able to meet these goals during this course, they will be afforded the opportunity to move forward into EDU 815 if they have demonstrated they are generally making satisfactory progress, communicating with their committee, and adhering to agreed-upon deadlines.

EDU 815: Dissertation Completion – Phase 2 (Credits: 3)

This is the second of four dissertation courses designed to support and provide the opportunity for students to continue their journey and complete their dissertations within the 51-credit program. The Dissertation Completion Timeline will help guide students, and their dissertation committee. During this course, the ideal goal is for the students (once they have received IRB approval) to recruit their participants and begin their data collection. Should students not be able to meet these goals during this course, they will be afforded the opportunity to move forward into EDU 816 if they have demonstrated they are generally making satisfactory progress, communicating with their committee, and adhering to agreed-upon deadlines.

EDU 816: Dissertation Completion – Phase 3 (Credits: 3)

This is the third of four dissertation courses designed to support and provide the opportunity for students to continue their journey and complete their dissertations within the 51-credit program. The Dissertation Completion Timeline will help guide students, and their dissertation committee. During this course, the ideal goal is for students to analyze their data, report their findings and begin development of Chapter 4 and 5. Should students not be able to meet these goals during this course, they will be afforded the opportunity to move forward into EDU 817 if they have demonstrated they are generally making satisfactory progress, communicating with their committee, and adhering to agreed-upon deadlines.

EDU 817: Dissertation Completion – Phase 4 (Credits: 3)

This is the last of four dissertation courses in which students will finalize interpretation of their findings in Chapter 5, finalize the dissertation, and defend their research to include a PowerPoint Presentation. Students are required to revise the dissertation as needed so that it is of publishable quality and organized using the approved Dissertation Outline. Should students so choose it should also be DUNE-ready so that it can be “published” on the UNE DUNE site. Should students not be able to meet these goals during this course, they will be afforded the opportunity to move forward into the one-credit EDU 818 Dissertation Continuation course if they have demonstrated they are generally making satisfactory progress, communicating with their committee, and adhering to agreed-upon deadlines.

EDU 830: Understanding Educational Theory and Best Practices across Disciplines (Credits: 3)

This course examines educational theory, as well as current best practices in educational research. It is intended to prepare professionals and leaders across all disciplines to connect these theories and best practices in their own organizations and professional environments.

EDU 831: Building the Conceptual and Theoretical Framework (Credits: 3)

This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to build their conceptual and theoretical frameworks and establish a practical and theoretical positioning blueprint to serve as the foundation for their approved working topic, the literature review, and the dissertation as a whole. The benefits of visual representations and concept mapping, as well as their choice of a working methodology within the conceptual framework will be reinforced.

Stacking and Transferring of Credits

UNE Online is now offering students the opportunity to transfer up to four 3-credit courses from their previous UNE post-master’s coursework or two 3-credit courses from doctoral studies from an outside institution. Students who transfer four 3 credit courses into the program have the potential to graduate in less than three years. 

Note : Students must complete the entire Ed.D. degree within five years. Under highly unusual conditions, students may petition for an extension beyond five years.

Please note: If your goal is to become an administrator in the State of Maine, and you currently have your master’s degree, the 30-credit CAGS in Advanced Educational Leadership is the program that would lead to Building Administrator 040 certification in the State of Maine. If you will be working as an administrator outside of the State of Maine, UNE Online highly recommends that you research your specific state requirements for entry-level into assistant principal or principal positions before entering this (or any) program.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition for the University of New England Online’s Ed.D. Degree is competitive among other schools at $830/credit,* and because all of our courses are delivered 100% online, you will not incur the cost of traveling or relocating to complete your degree. (*Note: Tuition is subject to change. Listed tuition does not include the cost of fees, books, or additional credits that may be required, etc. Contact student Financial Services to learn more.)

Cost per Credit: $830

# of credits for program: 51

Typical Cost for Program: $42,330

Accreditation

When choosing an institution of higher education, you want to be sure your investment will hold value upon completion. We are proud to hold NECHE (New England Commission on Higher Education) accreditation at the University of New England and for our graduate programs. NECHE Accreditation ensures a high level of academic quality and public accountability for the education being provided.

The University of New England Online’s Ed.D. faculty and staff are top-notch. They are a team of dedicated professionals and are active and respected in their field. Meet the Education Faculty and Staff

Student Support & Resources

At the University of New England Online, we are committed to providing our students with the highest level of academic and personal support. We understand the unique challenge of adult students who are often juggling school, career, and family, which is why we offer a robust Student Academic Success Center (SASC) and high-touch academic advising. Learn more about Student Support and Resources .  

Ed.D. Basics

What is the difference between Ed.D. and Ph.D.?

The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) is different from a Ph.D. because the Ed.D. focuses on applied practice whereas the Ph.D. is more research-focused.

What professional skills can be gained from an Ed.D. program?

In an Ed.D. program, you’ll learn how to evaluate organizations to find strengths and weaknesses, to conduct thorough research and communicate data-based recommendations, and to improve your individual professional capacity. These skills are invaluable in the modern workplace and will allow you to identify, discuss, and enact organizational-level improvements.

How does getting my Ed.D. help bolster my career going forward?

In addition to becoming eligible for job positions requiring a terminal degree, your increased credibility, knowledge, and skills may also lead to a pay increase, title change, or increased responsibilities. Earning the Ed.D. will enhance your ability to lead others in a variety of situations, engendering confidence and motivation so that you can enact lasting positive change. In short, the Ed.D. will give tools to enhance your career any way you see fit.

The Online Ed.D. at UNE Online

Is the program accredited?

The University of New England is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). This is the same accrediting body that accredits most nonprofit New England colleges and universities, such as those found on this list .

What is unique about the Ed.D. program at UNE Online?

The embedding of the doctoral dissertation development within the entire program makes the Ed.D. program at UNE Online unique. Many doctoral programs, whether they are face-to-face, hybrid, or online, start off with coursework and then only start to look at the dissertation materials late in the program. This allows far too much time to pass without refining the dissertation topic. At UNE Online, students begin to work on their topic exploration starting the very moment they do their admissions essay.

This curricular structure is also a major reason why our program has so few “all-but-dissertation” (ABD) students. ABD is a somewhat common issue in doctoral programs in which students complete their coursework but, for a variety of reasons, never finish or present and defend their final dissertation. By spreading out the work over the course of the program rather than all at the end, we strongly position our students to complete and present their dissertation on time.

When I graduate, what will be written on my diploma?

Your diploma will specify that you graduated with a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from the University of New England.

Who should consider the online Ed.D. program at UNE?

UNE’s Ed.D. program is well-suited for professionals in a variety of industries. Our students and graduates run the gamut from K-12 teachers to superintendents, from nonprofit workers to enlisted military members, military spouses and military officers. Our students also come from healthcare to finance and business. There is no one perfect candidate or background. Anyone interested in furthering themselves personally and/or professionally should consider how UNE Online’s Ed.D. program could benefit their personal and professional goals.

Another reason to consider our program is the opportunity to explore an interest in intellectual development and scholarship. Our program requires original research and relies on the application of theory and research to practice. We have engaged with our students and faculty to create a truly integrated program in which lessons are immediately applicable to almost any work situation.

I have an extremely busy work and family life and cannot attend in-person classes each week. Is this program for me?

Absolutely! Our 100% online format means that you complete your coursework on your own schedule. Without the need to commute to class, you can log in and review readings or complete assignments any time and any place you can bring your computer and access the internet. Your instructors and peers will understand the need for time management, as they are all busy individuals as well.

What kind of support will I receive as a student?

Our motto is “a successful student is a supported student.” Upon entering the program, you will be assigned a dedicated Student Support Specialist to provide you with support and to answer any questions you may have.

Your Support Specialist is your on-the-ground advocate at the University – from questions on textbooks, to registration, to financial aid and more, they are there to help you make your academic journey successful.

This dedicated support runs parallel to the tremendous support you will receive from program staff, course instructors, dissertation advisors, and your peers.

You can learn more about the kind of support you’ll receive by watching our “Student Support at UNE Online” webinar .

As an online student, how will I present and defend my dissertation?

Our Ed.D. program is 100% online, and this includes your dissertation. You will present and defend your dissertation to your committee online through Zoom or a similar software. There is no residency requirement for the Ed.D. at UNE, so you’ll never have to come to campus–unless you’d like to come join our annual Commencement Ceremony, that is!

How long will it take to earn my Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)?

We have carefully structured the Ed.D. so that you can earn your doctoral degree within three years (or fewer, if you have transfer credits). However, students can take up to five years to complete their degree if any issues arise.

Do you have success stories from graduates of this program?

Yes! Several of our students and graduates have been kind enough to share their experience on our website. You can find several of those stories here: https://online.une.edu/education/doctor-of-education/student-success-stories/

How much does the program cost?

Ed.D. tuition and fees are subject to change. An Ed.D. is a significant investment, and it’s worth comparing both tuition rates and fee charges. While an institution may have a higher cost per credit hour than another university, if the institution charges fewer fees, the overall cost may be the same. The most up-to-date information for UNE’s tuition and fees can be found here : https://online.une.edu/education/cost

Admissions and Transfer Credits 

What are the current admissions requirements for the Ed.D. program?

Generally speaking, admission requirements include proof of earning a master’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution or its international equivalent, your resume, an application essay, and two completed application recommendation forms. Further details on these requirements and links to specific documents can be found here.

Do I currently have to be in a leadership position to qualify for this program?

No, you do not have to currently hold a leadership position to qualify for the Ed.D. However, you should show a capacity to grow as a learner and apply new knowledge in a meaningful way. This can be demonstrated in your supporting application materials such as your resume and/or the application essay. Please note any additional admission requirements as well.

Do you accept transfer credits into the Doctor of Education program?

Yes, we do accept transfer credits. Outlined below are the possible transfer circumstances.

Students who are currently, or previously, enrolled in a University of New England College of Professional Studies (UNE-CPS) CAGS or PMC program may apply to transfer up to four 3-credit (maximum of twelve credits) UNE-CPS education courses earned in these programs. Transfer courses for this circumstance must be: 

• Taken and completed in a UNE-CPS CAGS or PMC program
• Taken within five years of application
• Worth 3 credits
• Completed with a grade of “B” or better
• Applies to UNE-CPS courses only

Students who are currently, or previously, enrolled in a doctoral program at another institution may apply to transfer up to two 3-credit courses earned toward this program.

Transfer courses must be:

• Taken at a regionally accredited institution
• Classified as doctoral level earned in a terminal degree program
• Equivalent to one of the required program courses or an elective course that meets programmatic goals
• Applies to external doctoral programs only

I am interested in pursuing this program. How do I begin?

To get started, we welcome you to reach out to an enrollment counselor at (800) 994-2804 or [email protected] to discuss your unique situation, or start your application today .

Ready to learn more?

• May 24, 2022
• Academic Advice

Doctorate in Education: Requirements, Career & Salary

UOTP Marketing

What makes education a unique profession is its massive impact on the world since academic professionals help, teach, and guide students toward their future careers. A more self-seeking reason behind advancing in the education field can be the income increase.

If you recently earned a Master’s degree in education and want to make an influence in the area while also increasing your salary, you can do so by getting a doctorate in education. But, what about Doctorate in Education salary, requirements, and possible career paths? Keep reading and find out. 

What is a Doctorate in Education?

A Doctorate in Education, known as EdD, is the most advanced degree which prepares students for administrative, academic positions, and field leadership. If you are wondering what you will learn during this crucial stage of your academic development, we are listing below some of the courses the University of the Potomac offers you:

• Organizational Development
• Applied Research
• Dissertation
• Dissertation Defense

FREE RESOURCE

Download Our Free Guide to Effective Leadership in the 21st Century

Learn what you need to know about the challenges, trends, and skills shaping today’s leaders.

Doctorate in Education entry requirements

If you are interested in pursuing EdD but are wondering if you are eligible, here is a list of standard doctor of education requirements that U.S. universities usually have:

• Academic interviews
• A Bachelor’s and Master’s degree 
• A GPA of 3.0-3.5
• Resume, including qualifications, motivation letter, and letters of recommendation)
• Student visa (only applies to international students)

How long does it take to get a Doctorate in Education?

When it comes to seeking higher education, time is essential. An EdD’s duration varies depending on the University and may last up to 4 years, which can be a lot for some people as they may not have enough time between work and school. We are aware of that; so, to be flexible while still having time to relax or continue working, the UOTP offers online learning where you will experience the same high quality as students on campus.

Doctorate in Education qualifications and skills 

Now that you know the degree’s requirements and duration, let us tell you about the qualification and skills you will obtain. In the Doctor of Education Program , you will learn how to interpret research literature, identify solutions, and develop contextual applications. Some of the main skills you will obtain throughout the degree are:

• Communication skills
• Organizational skills
• Feedback and evaluation skills
• Mentoring Skills
• Critical thinking Skills
• Collaboration skills

Doctorate in Education Career Possibilities

A question that we hear a lot is regarding the career possibilities that you can get from this degree. Some may be confused that the education field is only for people who want to teach. In contrast, the education field offers a variety of career opportunities that may be in academic or non-academic areas. So, let’s dive right into some doctor of education jobs you may have in the future.

Academic career paths

After finishing your degree, you may want to start looking at academic career paths that fit into the goal objectives that you have set for yourself. Below, we provide you with some academic positions you can get with a doctorate in education. 

University professor

In this career path, your primary responsibility will be to guide students in the right direction while adding value to the University. Professors do that by:

• Building course curriculums
• Preparing course syllabuses
• Presenting lectures
• Mentoring and supervising
• Grading and providing feedback
• Attending training sessions to gain new experience

Academic Dean

As an academic dean, you will be responsible for a specific university department where you will supervise all academic and administrative operations. Academic deans do that by:

• Providing academic support to students
• Monitoring the budget and allocating it to different activities
• Developing strategic plans
• Recruiting potential students
• Conducting instructor evaluations
• Recruiting university staff
• Dealing with disciplinary actions

School principal

This position holds a huge responsibility as school principals deal with almost every school aspect, starting from teacher expectations up to student successes. So, if you are wondering what they do daily, here are a few day-to-day tasks of school principals:

• Setting academic goals
• Supervising school staff and students
• Managing the school budget
• Ensuring school security
• Counseling and disciplining students
• Assuring school funding by meeting with potential donors

Non-academic career paths

Now that you know about academic paths you can pursue, let’s start with non-academic career ones. 

As individuals, we all have unique views on the future. While some students may seek academic employment options after graduation, others may be more interested in non-academic career options. We will go over these non-academic employment choices in greater detail below.

Interested in pursuing a degree?

Fill out the form and get all admission information you need regarding your chosen program.

This will only take a moment.

Message Received!

Thank you for reaching out to us. we will review your message and get right back to you within 24 hours. if there is an urgent matter and you need to speak to someone immediately you can call at the following phone number:.

By clicking the Send me more information button above, I represent that I am 18+ years of age, that I have read and agreed to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy , and agree to receive email marketing and phone calls from UOTP. I understand that my consent is not required to apply for online degree enrollment. To speak with a representative without providing consent, please call +1 (202) 274-2300

• We value your privacy.

Training and development specialist

This position helps businesses create, develop, and implement training programs for employees. They do that by:

• Assessing surveys, interviews, and communication
• Holding training for employees to improve their job performance
• Maintaining attendance, test results, and retraining requirements
• Managing the training budget
• Developing course materials and guides for assignments

Healthcare administrator

A healthcare administrator’s primary responsibility is to monitor the operation of healthcare organizations and improve patients’ experiences. Healthcare administrators do that by:

• Managing patients bills
• Training staff members
• Monitoring budget
• Communicating with the staff
• Developing work schedules for the healthcare staff

Human resources manager

This position helps organizations succeed by building a staff that achieves success along with the company. They do that by:

• Interviewing, selecting, hiring, and training potential candidates 
• Supervising the HR staff
• Administering payroll and benefits for employees
• Dealing with and resolving workplace issues
• Conducting surveys for workplace improvement.

Doctorate in Education Salary and Job Outlook

The salary and job outlook are essential for choosing a career. The average Doctorate in Education annual salary in the U.S. is 80,000$ , and depending on the position and experience, it may go up to 236,000$. As for the job outlook, BLS expects a 10% increase in education sector employment from 2020 to 2030, with 920,500 new jobs predicted. So, by now, you may know the value of this degree.

All in all, enrolling in a Doctorate in Education can be beneficial for you in terms of advancing your career and boosting your income. It is the highest degree of education which takes time, patience, persistence, and hard work, so make sure to find the right time before starting. Consequently, all hard work will be rewarded by being a part of a growing industry now and in the future. Now that you have all of the details for a Doctorate in Education, all there is left for you is to seize the opportunity !

Share it with your friends!

Explore more.

Accounting vs. Finance Degree: Which Major to Choose?

12 Important Bookkeeping Skills You Need for a Successful Career

Recent resources.

What Can You Do with an International Studies Degree [2024]

9 Benefits of Learning a Second Language

Associate’s vs. Bachelor’s: Which One To Choose?

Web Designer vs. Web Developer: What’s the Difference?

INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE?

Chat with an Admissions Officer Now!

• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degrees
• Masters Degrees
• Doctoral Degrees
• Faculty & Staff
• Accreditation
• Student Experience

QUICK LINKS

• Admission Requirements
• Military Students
• Financial Aid

Request More Information

EdDPrograms.org

25 Best Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Programs

Learn more about admission requirements and doctorate in education specializations & coursework. And ask yourself the hard questions about earning an Ed.D. before you apply for program in your area.

Updated with 2024 Rankings on March 1, 2024

What is a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)?

A Doctor of Education is a practice-based, research-driven qualification that will prepare you for leadership roles within your school or organization. During this terminal degree, you’ll often be exploring topics such as educational leadership, effective learning strategies, curriculum design, educational policy, organizational management, and more. Before you even graduate, you’ll be able to apply this newfound knowledge to real-life challenges in your workplace.

Because of its popularity, Schools of Education now offer scores of career-focused Ed.D. specializations. For example:

• A teacher might opt to major in Curriculum and Instruction.
• An education administrator or aspiring superintendent might choose Educational Leadership.
• A college or university professional might land on a specialization in Higher Education.
• A nursing director, military officer, or business executive might be interested in Organizational Leadership.

Explore the detailed descriptions in our on-campus & hybrid rankings to learn more about how each program is structured.

Best Ed.D. Rankings: On-Campus & Hybrid

You may have seen a number of “Best Ed.D.” lists elsewhere in the metaverse. So what are the unique ingredients that go into the rankings of our Top 25 Doctor of Education programs?

• First, we analyzed Times Higher Education (THE) & U.S. News and World Report rankings for graduate education programs, including rankings in specific fields (e.g. higher education administration).
• Using Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) data, we factored student completion rates into our algorithm.
• We also made sure to include data on acceptance rates and earnings for education doctorate graduates from each school.
• Finally, we considered positive signals across these categories. Schools that only did well in one area didn’t necessarily make our rankings. Instead, schools that did well across the board earned the highest scores.

As you’ll discover, we’re highlighting doctorates that are on-campus or hybrid. These innovative programs often combine weekly evening or weekend coursework with summer residencies. Anyone looking to compare virtual options can browse through our separate rankings of the Best Online Ed.D. Programs in the USA.

How Our Placements Changed in 2024

Our Best Ed.D. rankings had a facelift in 2024! Although the big-name players still dominate our top 10, they’ve been joined by even more schools with a history of positive student outcomes, CAEP accreditation, and membership in the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) . Here are a few highlights from our profiles:

• Even though it offers only one Doctor of Education, Harvard has muscled aside the other Ivies and climbed to #1 this year.
• Experienced CPED members like Texas A&M University, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Denver have joined our rankings!
• Hybrid learning is gradually replacing 100% campus instruction—just be aware that you’ll still need to commute to class.
• Schools of Education are freshening up their offerings. UCLA now puts more of an emphasis on social justice; Michigan State has an unusual new program for higher education professionals.
• Many schools have been dropping niche programs and focusing more on leadership majors.

We’ve also modified our profiles to give you a better sense of the school’s strengths in research, outreach, and subject matter. Urban leadership, national educational policy, AI & technology integration, race research, higher education initiatives—whatever you’re interested in, there is a superb Ed.D. program to match.

Top Schools with Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Programs

25 university of southern california.

• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (Multiple Concentrations)

Why Choose USC’s Ed.D. Program?

It’s a name—a big name. The USC Rossier School of Education is a juggernaut in the Los Angeles area. In addition to founding Ednovate in 2012, it has developed long-running partnerships & programs with the Los Angeles Unified School District. It’s strong on equity-focused higher education , urban issues, and education psychology research. It receives outstanding reviews from graduate students. And it’s now collaborating with the USC Institute for Creative Technologies and Army University on the AI Research Center of Excellence for Education . The only big downside is the price.

Ed.D. Offerings at USC

Los Angeles educators in USC’s cohort-based Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (EDL) can choose to focus on one of 4 concentrations: Educational Psychology, Higher Education Administration, K-12 Leadership in Urban Education or Leading Instructional Change. Classes are weekly & evening-based and all applicants are automatically considered for limited, merit-based scholarships of $10,000.

Check the concentration descriptions to learn more about the Dissertation in Practice (DiP)—they vary in format. For example, Higher Education Ed.D. and K-12 Leadership students finish with a traditional 5-chapter dissertation. But Educational Psychology students can focus on a design curriculum that addresses an existing problem of practice.

Note: Looking for a virtual alternative? USC also appears in our Best Online Ed.D. Rankings!

Learn More About the Ed.D. Program:

• USC Rossier School of Education
• Ed.D. Admissions
• Ed.D. Tuition

24 University of Denver

• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
• Ed.D. in Higher Education

Why Choose DU’s Ed.D. Program?

DU’s Morgridge College of Education is a quiet overachiever. It’s an Experienced CPED member with an impressive track record in community engagement and an intriguing assortment of faculty research projects . The gung-ho Center for Rural School Health & Education (CRSHE) is currently collaborating with 50+ school districts in Colorado. Morgridge professors are working with Denver Public Schools on initiatives like the Black Student Success (BSS) team and School Psychology Inclusive Rural and Innovative Training (SPIRIT). And in 2023, the Marsico Institute for Early Learning became an official DU Research Institute.

Ed.D. Offerings at DU

The 3-year, cohort-based Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies is geared toward educators with principal, teacher-leadership, or other formal leadership preparation. It’s a CPED-inspired doctorate, so you can expect a Dissertation in Practice (DiP) with field research in Morgridge’s partner schools and districts. There’s also an optional six-credit hour administrator internship for those who are pursuing an Administrative License through the Colorado Department of Education (CDE).

Your other option at DU is the Ed.D. in Higher Education . This is not a “sit back” doctorate in education—you’ll be expected to consult for Denver-area colleges and universities, tackling a real-life problem of practice in executive leadership and creating an actionable report. Ed.D. students are also encouraged to take part in internships, present at conferences, and collaborate with professors on projects. View the higher education faculty profiles to explore their research interests.

• Morgridge College of Education

23 University of Central Florida

• Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction
• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership

Why Choose UCF’s Ed.D. Program?

Commitment. That’s the word for UCF’s College of Community Innovation & Education (CCIE) . Not only does the CCIE support a Holmes Scholars program for underrepresented Ed.D. & Ph.D. students, it won the 2024 Outstanding Holmes Program award from the AACTE. We applaud it for supporting research centers on literacy, students with disabilities, and virtual technologies. But we particularly love the fact that the UCF Center for Community Schools champions a holistic model of improvement that involves collaboration between a school district, a community-based nonprofit, a healthcare provider, and UCF. In October 2023, the Center got a $3.9 million funding boost from Florida’s legislature.

Ed.D. Offerings at UCF

UCF’s high-flying Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is available in two concentrations: the 63-credit Higher Education track and the 3-year, 54-credit Executive track for PK-12 professionals. Higher Education students will emerge with a traditional dissertation. Executive Ed.D. students tackle a Dissertation in Practice/field project report that focuses on a complex problem in an education organization.

Alternatively, you could consider the Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction (or it’s online counterpart ). You’ll be able to select a 12-credit specialization in a wide range of disciplines—including Instructional Design and Technology, Educational Psychology, TESOL, Reading Education, and more. And you’ll be challenged to complete a 3-credit Laboratory of Practice/field-based experience and a Dissertation in Practice (DiP).

• College of Community Innovation & Education (CCIE)

22 Georgia State University

Why choose georgia state’s ed.d. program.

If you live anywhere near Atlanta, you’ll already know about the College of Education & Human Development . The College has been producing star-quality teachers for decades—more than 90% end up in the Metro Atlanta area and more than 85% are employed in urban high need schools. But it’s also big enough and prestigious enough to have received $29.8 million in funding in 2023 for its research & outreach initiatives . It fosters centers in urban educational excellence and principalship . It funds Ph.D. students through the Dean’s Research Doctoral Fellowship . And it supports a massive alumni network .

Ed.D. Offerings at Georgia State

Senior-level administrators in the PreK-20 arena will find Georgia State’s Ed.D. in Educational Leadership can be adapted to most any situation. Concentrations include Advanced Leadership, Higher Education, and Tier II for Georgia educators. The program hits all the major bases, including central office leadership, and it includes a unique dissertation. After choosing a current issue in educational leadership policy and/or practice, Ed.D. students will be expected to create a literature review and research paper for publication in professional journals.

Aspiring instructional leaders and curriculum specialists in Georgia also have the option to pursue the cohort-based Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction in almost any K-12 subject imaginable! We’re particularly pleased that this doctorate includes a school-based residency requirement, professional engagement activities (e.g. conference presentations), study abroad opportunities, and the chance to add the curriculum and instruction certificate Service Level 7 to your résumé.

• College of Education & Human Development

21 University of Illinois Chicago

• Ed.D. in Urban Education Leadership

Why Choose UIC’s Ed.D. Program?

UIC is one of our top picks for urban educators! The College of Education has an abiding commitment to African American & Latine education and community engagement . It has a highly active & award-winning Center for Urban Education Leadership (CUEL) that’s helping to transform Chicago Public Schools (CPS). It offers scores of rigorous Ph.D. programs. And it’s putting educational leaders to work. 1 out of every 11 CPS principals prepared for their job at UIC. Take a look at the section on recent research grants to learn more about Ed.D. faculty interests. A number of their projects involve wide-scale leadership & policy issues.

Ed.D. Offerings at UIC

The flagship program at UIC is the cohort-based Ed.D. in Urban Education Leadership , designed for aspiring and current school principals. After the first 1.5 years of coursework and supervised practicum experiences, you’ll be eligible to apply for the Illinois Principal Endorsement. After another 2.5-3 years and a culminating capstone, you’ll have a doctorate that has been recognized as an Exemplary Educational Leadership Preparation Program by the UCEA. You may even wish to add on a few courses to earn the Illinois Superintendent Endorsement. This is a competitive program, so get your ducks in a row before applying.

• College of Education

20 University of Pittsburgh

• View All Hybrid Ed.D. Degrees

Why Choose Pitt’s Ed.D. Program?

Connections! Pitt’s School of Education has a global alumni network of 32,000+ educators and a vibrant calendar of networking events for graduate students. Pitt is also an excellent pick if you’re involved in inner city leadership and Black education in Pennsylvania. The Center for Urban Education (CUE) has been active since 2003 and it hosts an educator forum every summer. Take a moment to investigate the Practices of Freedom Project and the PittEd Justice Collective . The Collective has spearheaded efforts such as the Higher Education and Racism Initiative (HEAR), which enables graduate students to publish research on institutional anti-racism in colleges and universities.

Ed.D. Offerings at Pitt

Another bonus? Pitt’s 3-year Hybrid Ed.D. Program is available in a dizzying array of topics, including majors in Education Leadership, Higher Education, and Urban Education. All Ed.D. students participate in a full-day campus orientation, a one-week campus experience, online coursework, and monthly visits to the campus (usually on Saturdays).

Although each major is different, the plan of study is guided by improvement science and applied research—Pitt has been a CPED member since 2010. You’ll also take part in a Laboratory of Practice and complete a Dissertation in Practice (DiP). The Lab is available as a job-embedded, aspirant, or global studies experience.

• School of Education

19 Texas A&M University – College Station

• Ed.D. in Educational Administration: PK-12 Educational Leadership

Why Choose TAMU’s Ed.D. Program?

You’ll be among heady company when you choose TAMU’s School of Education & Human Development (SEHD) for your doctorate! 25% of its students are first generation and almost a quarter are Latino. It’s a particularly strong pick for educators in multilingual settings. The School supports research centers in urban schools, technology-infused learning, and dual language & literacy acquisition. It’s invested in programs like the Project Enhancing Quality Teacher Preparation Through Research-based Instructional Best Practices for Bilingual and English Learners (EBEST) . And it has thousands of alumni working in Texas schools.

Ed.D. Offerings at TAMU

Aspiring school leaders who live in Texas should apply for the Ed.D. in Educational Administration: PK-12 Educational Leadership . This cohort-based, weekend program fulfills the requirements for Superintendent Certification in the state of Texas and meets State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) standards for the superintendent certificate. For your final project, you can tackle a district analysis/redesign, a set of journal-ready articles, or a traditional dissertation.

• School of Education & Human Development

18 Pennsylvania State University – Main Campus

• Ed.D. in Comparative and International Education (CIED)
• Ed.D. in Higher Education (HIED)
• Ed.D. in Lifelong Learning and Adult Education

Why Choose Penn State’s Ed.D. Program?

A global outlook on education. Unique dual degrees. A firm commitment to social equity . These are just three of the reasons Penn State’s College of Education should be on your shortlist. We’re deeply impressed by the sheer variety of faculty projects and the work being done in the College’s many research centers & institutes . From civil rights and educational disparities to rural education and adult literacy, Penn State scholars are involved in nearly every aspect of learning. The College supports a Humphrey Fellowship for international mid-career professionals. It offers plenty of graduate scholarships . And it runs an alumni mentoring program . What’s not to like?

Ed.D. Offerings at Penn State

PreK-12 educators & administrators in Pennsylvania can investigate the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership . It’s a sturdy offering that covers everything from law and policy to organizational theory & practice. You may even wish to take advantage of the Joint Law Degree and Educational Leadership Program . Planning on working overseas? Be sure to consider the Ed.D. in Comparative and International Education . This unusual dual degree explores the analysis & operation of world education systems.

It doesn’t stop at high school! The College of Education also offers an Ed.D. in Higher Education that puts a premium on flexibility—an advisor will work with you to design an individualized program of study. In the Ed.D. in Lifelong Learning and Adult Education , you’ll dig into topics such as family literacy, adult learning theory, and program planning.

Note: Looking for a virtual alternative? Penn State also appears in our Best Online Ed.D. Rankings!

17 University of Georgia

• View All On-Campus & Hybrid Ed.D. Degrees

Why Choose UGA’s Ed.D. Program?

Engagement is at the heart of UGA’s Mary Frances Early College of Education . The College has invested a great deal into its outreach units and it’s doing some fascinating work in autism research and Latino achievement & success . Check out the currently funded research projects , including deep-dives into STEM topics. Student reviews of the College are glowing. Faculty are often praised for their helpfulness and passion. And diversity is prioritized. In addition to hosting an annual DEI Conference , the College runs a Graduate Students of Color Research Mentoring Program and Holmes Scholar Program for historically underrepresented doctoral students.

Ed.D. Offerings at UGA

School and district administrators in the Georgia area are welcome to explore the 3-year, cohort-based Ed.D. in Educational Leadership . This innovative program includes blended coursework, an Advanced Leadership Residency with 750 hours of fieldwork, and an action research dissertation. Teachers even have the option to advance their practice with a doctorate in science education or music education .

Working in the realms of higher education? Consider the 2-year Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education Management , with weekend campus intensives, leadership seminars, and an experiential trip abroad. Cohorts begin each January. The College also offers doctoral programs in adult learning and workforce issues & policy , as well as a hands-on Ed.D. in Student Affairs Leadership that features supervised internships and occasional campus meetings.

16 Ohio State University – Main Campus

• Ed.D. in Educational Studies: Educational Administration
• Ed.D. in Educational Studies: Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA)
• Ed.D. in Kinesiology: Physical Education

Why Choose Ohio State’s Ed.D. Program?

It may not be big, but Ohio State’s College of Education and Human Ecology (EHE) punches above its weight. The College has an abiding commitment to early childhood education ; it even has its own School for Early Learning. Run your eyes down the list of faculty research interests and you’ll also notice strengths in urban education, adolescent & at-risk youth, and social justice. There are multiple opportunities for Ed.D. students to get involved in EHE graduate groups & forums . You may even wish to contribute to the EHE’s Inspire Podcast series.

Ed.D. Offerings at Ohio State

Ohio educators will find two sturdy options in the Department of Educational Studies . The cohort-based Ed.D. in Educational Studies: Educational Administration is built on the department’s P.L.A.C.E. Framework. This 3-year program makes a point of applying “practice, planning, and problem-solving” to real-life issues encountered in professional settings. In contrast, the Ed.D. in Educational Studies: Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) trains mid-career college & university administrators in the skills needed to reform organizations, improve learning, and evaluate teachers.

Unusually, Ohio State also offers an education doctorate in physical education. Current K-12 PE teachers can up their game with the Ed.D. in Kinesiology: Physical Education , offered by the Department of Human Sciences. For the final project, this Ed.D. degree contains a thesis or a non-thesis option.

• College of Education and Human Ecology

15 University of Virginia

• Ed.D. in Administration and Supervision (Hybrid)

Why Choose UVA’s Ed.D. Program?

It’s no wonder that U.S. News and World Report ranks UVA’s School of Education and Human Development as one of the best in the country. It’s keen on community outreach and rich in interdisciplinary research centers & labs . We especially want to highlight its work on the Partnership for Leaders in Education (PLE) initiative. By combining savvy business advice and thoughtful education research, PLE is turning around struggling schools. Over a multi-year timeline, K-12 administrators and teacher leaders learn how to implement system-wide and school changes that are in tune with their community’s needs.

Ed.D. Offerings at UVA

If you’re lucky enough to live in Virginia, UVA has two content-rich & practice-focused Ed.D. programs. In lieu of a dissertation, all Ed.D. students at UVA complete a capstone project. With small cohorts and monthly Saturday meetings, the Hybrid Ed.D. in Administration and Supervision is an ideal choice for the working professional looking to finish a doctorate within 4 years. Or you could consider the innovative and part-time Ed.D. in Higher Education , with service projects and a content minor of your choice.

• School of Education and Human Development

14 Indiana University Bloomington

Why choose iub’s ed.d. program.

IUB isn’t resting on its laurels! The energetic School of Education supports a huge range of undergraduate & graduate programs, backed by 120+ faculty members with interests in everything from art education to Chinese ESL. Browse through the faculty bookshelf to learn more. As an Ed.D. student, you can explore ways to become involved in the School’s global engagement projects, learn from its current research initiatives (e.g. Equity in Action), or help develop its PK-12 outreach . The possibilities are practically endless. If you need a hand in navigating your choices, reach out to graduates. The School has a massive alumni network .

Ed.D. Offerings at IUB

Like many schools, IUB offers a cohort-based Hybrid Ed.D. in Educational Leadership —for K-12 leaders and aspiring superintendents who wish to dive deep into senior-level issues—and a similar Ed.D. in Higher Education for college and university administrators. The Educational Leadership program takes ~3 years to complete. Higher education students who are able to identify a dissertation topic by the end of their second year can finish the Ed.D. degree in 3-4 years.

13 The University of Texas at Austin

• Ed.D. in Cooperative Superintendency
• Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership (Hybrid)

Why Choose UT Austin’s Ed.D. Program?

Yes, UT Austin is one of the best public universities in the country. And, sure, the College of Education has outstanding rankings across the board. But what truly impresses us is how much effort they’ve put into improving the lives of students in their state. Half of its research centers & institutes are focused on Texas educational challenges. The College runs the University of Texas at Austin High School Special Purpose District (UTHSD) . It’s using GEAR UP Partnership grants to support college readiness among underrepresented students in Central and Deep East Texas. And it’s advocating for research-driven policy changes.

Ed.D. Offerings at UT Austin

Aspiring superintendents and chief executives in Texas state education agencies should put UT Austin’s cohort-based Cooperative Superintendency Program on their shortlist. This highly-ranked Ed.D. readies leaders for the mercurial world of public education systems. You’ll take classes like School Restructuring & Renewal and School District Functions and complete a Superintendent Practicum. It takes 30 months/2.5 years to complete.

If you’re aiming for executive or high-level administration roles in education, you can apply to the Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership . In this blended doctorate, you’ll learn about technology in education, student success and learning, and policy and governance from a renowned and diverse faculty. Some e-learning components are offered alongside on-campus work.

• Executive Ed.D. Tuition

12 University of Maryland-College Park

• Ed.D. in School System Leadership (Hybrid)

Why Choose UMD’s Ed.D. Program?

Over the years, UMD’s College of Education has been building up a rock-solid reputation for quality. Alumni praise the encouraging advisors, excellent staff, and flexibility of programs for working educators. (Reviews of the Ph.D. programs are not as fulsome.) Thanks to its position as a major research university near Washington, D.C., UMD has plenty of resources available for practice-based investigations. Within its research centers , you’ll find work on urban initiatives and innovation & improvement in public schools. Within the Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership, you’ll encounter Dr. Sophia Rodriguez and her ImmigrantEdNext lab . The College also hosts a huge number of colloquiums, conferences & events .

Ed.D. Offerings at UMD

UMD’s 3-year doctorate in education is ideal for Maryland K-12 administrators who wish to tackle current school system challenges, collaborate with like-minded peers, and implement system improvement initiatives. Better yet, this Ed.D. is approved by the Maryland State Department of Education for Superintendent II Certification.

The cohort-based Hybrid Ed.D. in School System Leadership is offered in a blended format, with all-day Saturday seminars and online modules. It contains an 8-credit apprenticeship. And—in lieu of a dissertation—it features a real-world capstone project. Bear in mind that you must have Maryland Administrator I Certification or the equivalent to apply.

11 Michigan State University

• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership: K-12 Administration (Hybrid)
• Ed.D. in Leadership for Equity-Minded Change in Postsecondary Education

Why Choose MSU’s Ed.D Program?

It’s easy to fall in love with MSU’s College of Education ! It has a superb national reputation . It makes a point of partnering with Michigan schools on outreach programs. And faculty within its Department of Educational Administration (EAD) are refreshingly diverse. MSU is an especially strong pick for educational leaders with STEM and urban interests. The College funds a dynamic Create for STEM Institute and a number of its current research projects revolve around improving math & science literacy. It has also developed an innovative Urban Educators Cohort Program and Urban Immersion Fellowship for teaching students.

Ed.D. Offerings at MSU

The EAD supports two Ed.D. programs. The 3-year Hybrid Ed.D. in Educational Leadership: K-12 Administration aims to develop diverse leaders for Michigan schools and community organizations. This CPED-approved program blends face-to-face and online learning with summer intensives. In the third year of the program, group capstone projects bring a team of students face-to-face with a community problem of practice. Ed.D. students will also be prepared to meet the standards for achieving Michigan Central Office Administrator (COA) certification.

In 2024, the EAD launched a new degree—the on-campus and cohort-based Ed.D. in Leadership for Equity-Minded Change in Postsecondary Education for higher education professionals. Over the course of 3 years, students in this program will be able to collaborate together on higher education challenges, complete an individual Dissertation in Practice (DiP), and design & sequence a common 45-credit curriculum. This engaging program is the brainchild of MSU’s Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education (HALE) unit, supported by the Center for Higher and Adult Education (CHAE) .

10 Boston College

• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (PSAP)

Why Choose BC’s Ed.D. Program?

It’s no accident that BC’s Lynch School of Education and Human Development prioritizes holistic learning, equity, and community outreach! Jesuit schools have a long history of thinking beyond the classroom. Skim through the section on centers & initiatives and you’ll find innovative work being done in international higher education, educational policy, equitable instruction, and Catholic education. Follow the breadcrumbs to the section on Urban Outreach Initiatives and you’ll discover details on the School’s work with mental health and K-12 teacher education.

Ed.D. Offerings at BC

BC’s Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is a Professional School Administrator Program (PSAP) for systems-level educational leaders and aspiring superintendents. It’s an on-campus, cohort-based doctorate that’s been shaped by CPED principles and refined through consultation with the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS) and the Center for Behavioral Health, Equity, and Leadership in Schools (BHELS) at William James College. On a full-time schedule, you can earn this Ed.D. in 3 years.

Note: Looking for a virtual alternative? BC also appears in our Best Online Ed.D. Rankings!

• Lynch School of Education and Human Development

9 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Why choose uiuc’s ed.d. program.

If you can dream it, UIUC can help you build it. The College of Education has created scores of Ed.D. programs in curriculum & instruction, learning design, language & literacy—the list goes on. In 2023, the College had 70+ tenure-track faculty members (including 30% from underrepresented populations), $74 million in active grants, 1,500+ graduate students, and more than 36,000 alumni. Read the Impact Report and be amazed by the work in AI and embodied & immersive technologies. Pay a visit to the research section and be astounded by the sheer number of centers and faculty-helmed research sites .

Ed.D. Offerings at UIUC

The first place to start is UIUC’s program finder . This will give you an overview of the possibilities. There are plenty of conventional offerings, such as the Hybrid Ed.D. in Educational Administration & Leadership with optional principal or superintendent endorsements. But you may wish to specialize in a field such as diversity & equity and apply a completely fresh way of thinking to your work in P-16 learning environments.

Keep in mind, too, that plans of study & delivery methods will vary widely. For example, students in the on-campus Ed.D. in Higher Education can “build their own” curriculum—only a few research courses are mandatory.

Note: Looking for a virtual alternative? UIUC also appears in our Best Online Ed.D. Rankings!

8 University of California Berkeley

• Leaders for Equity and Democracy (LEAD) Ed.D. (Hybrid)

Why Choose Berkeley’s Ed.D. Program?

Mention the Berkeley School of Education (BSE) to anyone in the world of education and watch their expressions turn to respect. Founded in 1889, this School has seasoned & diverse faculty , abiding research interests in the intersection of technology with education , and a flurry of positive reviews from alumni. It oversees initiatives in literacy & academic talent development. It collaborates with other top-tier California universities on the Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE) project. And it’s part of an amazing network of university and community partners called UC-Links . Check out their innovative programs .

Ed.D. Offerings at Berkeley

There is only one Ed.D. offering at Berkeley, but, boy, is it spectacular! The competitive, cohort-based LEAD doctorate only admits 10-12 students every other year. It’s available in a hybrid format, which means you’ll be required to attend a 4-week summer intensive and 20 all-day sessions (14 Saturdays and 6 Fridays) each year. Some—but not all—weekday courses (late afternoon & evening) are available online. You can work full-time while you study.

You’ll follow a 3-year plan of study, tackling 3 core courses each semester in the first year. Berkeley’s innovative doctorate in education also includes research seminars, LEAD field visits, and a dissertation that’s explicitly designed for submission to journals. Graduates of the LEAD program pursue leadership positions in school districts (e.g. superintendent), as well as C-level roles in non-profit leadership, policy, global educational ventures, and more.

• Berkeley School of Education
• LEAD Frequently Asked Questions

7 University of California – Los Angeles

Why choose ucla’s ed.d. program.

Practice, practice, practice—UCLA’s School of Education & Information Studies (ED&IS) has been sounding the drum for real-world research for decades. The School has created a constellation of K-12 Teaching Schools , which act as sites for research-practice partnerships. It has significant stakes in 20+ centers & labs . Plus it’s the home of the Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) and its Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP). This is the largest and oldest empirical study of higher education in the country. Be sure to reach out to current Ed.D. students for their opinions—UCLA lists contact info in its student directory .

Ed.D. Offerings at UCLA

Although it tends to focus more on Ph.D. and M.Ed. programs, the Department of Education does offer one education doctorate—the urban-focused Ed.D. in Educational Leadership for PK-16 professionals. This program melds experiential learning and practice. It also contains strong elements of social justice leadership, anti-racism, and diversity. Because of its flexibility, Ed.D. graduates can work in community colleges, universities, school districts, educational associations, and the like.

Wondering how it will fit in your busy schedule? The 3-year doctorate contains classes on Thursday evenings and Saturdays. In the first year, you’ll work to improve your research skills and educational practices—coursework covers topics like education law, policy, and educational enterprises. In the second year, you’ll focus heavily on research, equity-centered leadership and field experiences. The third year includes a dissertation practicum.

• School of Education & Information Studies (ED&IS)

6 University of Washington – Seattle Campus

• Ed.D. in Leadership for Learning (L4L)
• Ed.D. in Teacher Education & Teacher Learning

Why Choose UW’s Ed.D. Program?

UW’s College of Education is small enough to have a friendly feel and large enough to support 125+ faculty and scores of research centers . Better yet, 43% of the College’s students identify as BIPOC and—since 2006—9 alumni have been named Washington State Principal of the Year. We love the fact that graduate students praise the support of advisors and the care that goes into programs. And we celebrate the College’s commitment to outreach. It has developed 300+ partnerships with schools and communities, including unique initiatives such as the District Leadership Design Lab (DL2) .

Ed.D. Offerings at UW

The Ed.D. in Leadership for Learning (L4L) is designed for professionals in K-12 school systems. From summer leadership institutes to a 360-hour internship, this cohort-based Ed.D. degree is designed to be challenging. There will be coursework in equitable systems and inquiry-focused leadership, online learning experiences, and a rigorous capstone. You’ll also have the option of earning Washington State Superintendent or Program Administrator certification.

Or you could consider personalizing your studies with the Ed.D. in Teacher Education & Teacher Learning . This program focuses on the transformation of educational systems and explores enactments of justice from communities, families, youth, and teachers. Doctoral students are allowed to work with UW advisors to create a tailor-made plan of study.

5 Vanderbilt University

• Ed.D. in K-12 and Higher Education Leadership and Policy

Why Choose Vanderbilt’s Ed.D. Program?

Vanderbilt’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development has one of the best reputations for education in the country—and it lives up to it. Faculty efforts to advance the fields of leadership & policy are backed by tangible results and initiatives like The Possibilities Project (TPP) . Coursework is evidence-based. And alumni can be found across the country. Be sure to talk to the program coordinator about your professional interests. Peabody has thrown its weight behind all kinds of research centers, including race research & justice and PEER , a research-practice partnership with Metro Nashville Public Schools.

Ed.D. Offerings at Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt’s Ed.D. programs are housed in the Department of Leadership, Policy and Organizations (LPO) . Anyone in the Tennessee area should consider the on-campus Ed.D. in Leadership and Policy . It’s available in a K-12 or Higher Education concentration. For 3 years, you’ll attend courses on Friday evenings and Saturdays, explore the realms of advanced leadership, learning & performance, and collaborate with your cohort. The degree culminates in a year-long capstone project.

Note: Looking for a virtual alternative? Vanderbilt also appears in our Best Online Ed.D. Rankings!

• Peabody College of Education and Human Development

4 New York University

• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies
• Ed.D. in Educational Theatre in Colleges and Communities
• Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration

Why Choose NYU’s Ed.D. Program?

Starry student reviews. A global reputation for excellence. A commitment to holistic learning and interdisciplinary collaborations. That’s why NYU Steinhardt is consistently in the top 5 of our Ed.D. rankings, year after year. Visit the research section and learn more about Steinhardt’s work on equity & transformation in New York City schools. Attend the in-person events or conferences . Read through the bios of education & leadership faculty . Whether you’re on the verge of applying for a directorial position or seeking to advance your career in theatre education, Steinhardt is ready to assist.

Ed.D. Offerings at NYU

Steinhardt offers two in-person doctorates for K-20 educators. The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies is available in a full-time or part-time plan of study, with coursework that covers everything from educational reform to policy analysis. In contrast, the cohort-based Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration is delivered in a 3-year, part-time plan of study. It’s packed with engaging elements, including a 2-week research design workshop and a culminating prospectus & workplace project.

Best of all? Steinhardt offers a unique Ed.D. in Educational Theatre with 4 specializations and all kinds of NYC opportunities. You can take part in NYU’s main-stage productions in the Blackbox Theatre and the historic Provincetown Playhouse, sign up for study abroad programs, and/or attend relevant conferences. Ed.D. scholarships are available.

Note: Looking for a virtual alternative? NYU also appears in our Best Online Ed.D. Rankings!

• NYU Steinhardt

3 Columbia University in the City of New York

• View All Ed.D. Degrees

Why Choose Columbia’s Ed.D. Program?

Columbia’s Teachers College (TC) bills itself is a Graduate School for Education, Health, and Psychology. This explains the interdisciplinary flavor of its research , and its commitment to considering every aspect of learning & development. In fact, over 33% of tenured faculty are psychologists or health educators, lending extra weight to programs such as the Ed.D. in Cognitive Science in Education. If you live in NYC, take a close look at the work being done in urban education and diversity in public schools . The Center for Educational Equity also plays a part in supporting the annual Civic Learning Week.

Ed.D. Offerings at Columbia

When all the Ed.D. concentrations are taken into account, Columbia runs 50+ Doctor of Education programs , easily surpassing the other schools in our rankings. In this top-tier academic candy store, you can have your pick of everything from an Ed.D. in Anthropology and Education to an Ed.D. in Applied Exercise Physiology. Many of these doctorates in education come with certification and non-certification tracks; some feature bilingual extensions.

Aspiring educational leaders may wish to investigate the more conventional offerings in higher & postsecondary education and urban education . The latter is a part-time, cohort-based program that can lead to NYSED School District Leader (SDL) Licensure. Applicants must have a combined 8-12 years of teaching and leadership experience.

• Teachers College

2 University of Pennsylvania

• View All On-Campus & Hybrid Ed.D. Degreees

Why Choose Penn’s Ed.D. Program?

Unlike some public research universities that swallow students in their gaping maw, the Penn Graduate School of Education (GSE) is committed to a personalized experience. The School only has 40 tenured & tenure-track faculty and just over 1,600 students. But small doesn’t mean lazy. Penn is making huge strides in education research . It’s supporting entrepreneurial ventures like Catalyst@Penn . It’s spearheading school partnerships and community engagement activities in Philadelphia. And it’s fostering a global outlook . More than 70% of GSE faculty members are involved in international initiatives.

Ed.D. Offerings at Penn

Penn has created 7 doctorates in education—use the the program finder to narrow down your choices. Mid- to senior-level professionals may wish to pay particular attention to the Mid-Career Ed.D. in Educational Leadership , the Penn Chief Learning Officer Ed.D. and the Executive Doctorate in Higher Education Management . These programs often blend online courses and monthly weekend meetings with week-long summer sessions.

Prefer a customizable program of study? Explore the part-time Ed.D. in Higher Education , with a whopping 16 electives, and the Ed.D. in Reading, Writing, and Literacy , which will allow you to choose one or more concentrations, including Adult Literacy Education. Penn also offers practice-based doctorates in teaching, learning, and teacher education and educational linguistics.

• Penn Graduate School of Education

1 Harvard University

• Ed.D. in Leadership

Why Choose Harvard’s Ed.D. Program?

Because it’s the best of the best. Put aside the name and instead look at what the Graduate School of Education is doing in the areas of public education leadership, childhood development, and policy research. Learn more about its impact work in areas like climate change and immigration education. Read the latest issue of the Harvard Educational Review (HER) . And take a minute to scroll through the 4- and 5-star student reviews online. Getting into Harvard isn’t just about bragging rights. It’s about being part of a world-class Ed.D. experience.

Ed.D. Offerings at Harvard

Whenever you decide to take the reins in school environments, non-profit settings, private companies, or government departments, the Ed.D. in Leadership will be waiting. This full-time, 3-year Ed.D. degree brings together a diverse cohort of 25 students and encourages them to shake up the status quo and translate visionary ideas into successful programs. A full-tuition funding package, stipends, and a paid residency are offered to all students.

In the first two years, you’ll engage with classes such as Thinking Strategically about Education Reform and Practicing Leadership Inside & Out. The third year is consumed by a paid residency, where you’ll work with one of the school’s partner organizations to gain practical experience and make a personal contribution. A strategic project and written capstone go hand-in-hand with the 10-month residency so you can reflect on your successes and challenges.

• Graduate School of Education

How to Choose an Ed.D. Program

Combing through our Best Ed.D. list and other Online Ed.D. rankings can be overwhelming. Here is a list of things to consider when choosing a doctorate in education. Rank them according to your values and priorities.

• Delivery Format: Would you prefer a 100% online, campus-based, or a hybrid Ed.D. degree?
• Program Length: Is the doctorate in education part-time or full-time? Can you fit it into your current work schedule?
• Specializations: Do available Ed.D. concentrations align with your educational and career goals?
• Required Ed.D. Coursework: Are Ed.D. course topics relevant, up-to-date, and applicable to your job?
• Internship & Fieldwork Requirements: Are you interested in supervised leadership experiences?
• Dissertation or Capstone: Would you prefer a traditional, 5-chapter dissertation or a less traditional final project?
• Institutional Reputation: Is your university regionally accredited?
• College of Education & Program Reputation: Does the college hold CAEP accreditation? Is it a member of the CPED ? Does it have a strong research arm?
• Faculty Quality: Are Ed.D. professors currently engaged in the profession? Do their research interests align with yours? Is their experience relevant to your leadership goals?
• Total Cost: Is any internal funding available (e.g. scholarships)? How much do Ed.D. students usually take out in loans? Will you be eligible for a substantial salary bump after graduation?

Ed.D. vs. Ph.D. vs. Ed.S.

There are significant differences between the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), and Education Specialist (Ed.S.) credentials. All of them are advanced degrees, and most require a master’s degree to apply to the program. However:

• Ed.D. The Ed.D. degree sets itself apart from the Ph.D. by focusing on the practical application of knowledge & research, rather than pure theory. Ed.D. programs will contain a traditional dissertation, Dissertation in Practice (DiP), or capstone project.
• Ph.D. in Education: A Ph.D. in Education may have more of a theoretical slant than an Ed.D., with coursework that applies to aspiring professors in academia or research institutions. Ph.D. in Education programs will include a traditional dissertation.
• Ed.S. An Ed.S. typically requires fewer credits than an Ed.D. or Ph.D. — it’s roughly the equivalent of receiving a second master’s degree. It usually does not contain a dissertation.

A Ph.D. in Education and Ed.D. are both research-focused and are—for the most part—considered equivalent degrees. Most institutions simply offer one or the other. That means your choice of program will depend on your career goals.

Pursue an Ed.D. to:

• Become a leader at an educational institution
• Teach courses at the university level (e.g. adjunct professor)
• Get hands-on leadership skills
• Pursue a broader focus on applied research and practical knowledge

Pursue a Ph.D. to:

• Teach education at the university level or become a director of institutional research
• Produce system-wide change
• Understand theories of educational practice
• Conduct rigorous and extensive original research

Pursue an Ed.S. to:

• Create a positive learning environment for students or staff
• Become a school principal, superintendent, or dean
• Focus on developing qualifications for a specific job

Visit our full guides to Ed.D. vs Ph.D. Programs and Ed.S. vs Ed.D. Programs to learn more about the differences and which degree is best for you.

The Ed.D. Admissions Process

An Ed.D. program can be challenging to get into—you’ll need to draw upon all your professional and academic credentials to make it through the admissions process. Ed.D. degrees at well-known schools are highly competitive; even less competitive doctorates in education are intended for well-prepared candidates who have already accomplished a great deal academically. Here’s how to make sure you’re one of those candidates.

Typical Ed.D. Admission Requirements

• Master’s Degree: Ed.D. programs generally require students to have earned at least a master’s degree (or an equivalent number of graduate credits). However, the master’s degree does not necessarily need to be in education. If you already hold an Ed.S. degree, you are often eligible for advanced placement.
• Minimum GPA: Where a minimum GPA is specified, an overall 3.0 (B) or higher is generally preferred.
• Work Experience: If you’ve never worked in the field of education before, it may limit your options. Because the Ed.D. is a practical degree intended for mid-career professionals, at least 3 years of relevant work experience is generally required. This is not always the case—Nova Southeastern University’s Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership is a notable exception—but it’s the norm.
• Letters of Recommendation & Personal Essay: You’re going to need at least two letters of recommendation; most programs also require a personal essay (the format of the personal essay varies widely from program to program). Applicants often treat these two requirements as an afterthought. But in highly competitive programs, the identities of the people writing your letters of recommendation, and the content of your personal essay, can be the most important parts of your application.
• GRE Scores Optional: If you hate the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), we have good news: many Ed.D. programs will accept the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) as a substitute for the GRE. Start your research with our convenient list of No GRE Ed.D. programs . You’ll find 77+ schools that do not require the GRE, as well as details on their admission requirements and available program concentrations.

Ed.D. Admissions Interview

In competitive Ed.D. degrees, it is common for the school to conduct an interview with a prospective Ed.D. student prior to accepting an application. This interview is sometimes conducted online.

In most cases, the purpose of the interview is more to check in with the student — verifying the person’s identity and identifying any obvious red flags — rather than a decisive part of the process. But if the Ed.D. program you’re applying for is especially competitive, we recommend you speak to students and alumni to get a sense of what might be expected.

Ed.D. Admissions Essay

For the doctorate in education, some schools also require an admissions essay, though the format can vary. Maryville Ed.D.’s personal statement essay is fairly complex, requiring both a detailed autobiography and a short dissertation proposal, whereas Northern Arizona University merely asks you to provide a writing sample where you summarize an article in your own words. But whether the required admissions essay is simple or complex, it’s likely to be short.

International Student Requirements

In addition to addressing any relevant student visa requirements, international students who have not already demonstrated English fluency must generally earn a good score on the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam.

How Ed.D. Admission Requirements Differ Between Schools

There is no single Ed.D. admissions process. All worthwhile Ed.D. degrees will require you to fill out an application and send official transcripts, but beyond that admission requirements differ from program to program:

• Some schools require a Master in Education and some don’t.
• Some schools require prior work experience in the field (e.g. 3 years or more) and some don’t.
• Some schools require a high minimum GPA (e.g. 3.0-3.5) and some don’t.
• Some schools require you to take the GRE and some don’t.
• Some schools require an admissions interview and some don’t.
• Some schools require an admissions essay and some don’t.

Since there are no universally accepted admission requirements, it’s wise to make a shortlist of regionally accredited Ed.D. programs and go from there.

Ed.D. Admissions Checklist

Here’s a simple checklist of what Ed.D. applicants should have in hand before starting the application process. Be sure to check with the specific school for admission requirements.

• Relevant contact information for every university you’ve attended in the past, so that you can have official transcripts sent.
• A résumé that shows the necessary work experience.
• Money for the application fee(s), which typically ranges from free to $100.
• Your GRE, MAT, and/or GMAT score information, if required.
• Your TOEFL and/or IELTS score information, if required.
• Two authorities in the field who are willing to write you letters of recommendation.
• A general idea of what you might write in an admissions essay, if required to do so.

The Doctor of Education: What to Expect

During the course of your Ed.D. degree, you’ll typically be expected to tackle doctoral coursework, internships, and a research-based dissertation, DiP, or capstone project.

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Coursework

Classes for the Doctor of Education vary widely by school, which is why we suggest you take a close look at the curriculum before applying. Standard coursework for all doctorates in education will include:

• Qualitative and Quantitative Research
• Writing for Research
• Doctoral Seminar or Capstone
• Dissertation, Doctoral Writing Assessment or “Consulting Project”

Sample Ed.D. Course Titles

Outside of those common denominators, schools will alter the Ed.D. coursework quite a bit. Here are a few real-life examples:

Drexel University has an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership in Management with nine specializations and a set of core courses such as:

• Creative Strategies for Educational Leaders
• Educational Leadership and Change
• Transformative Leadership: Finding One’s Source

Mississippi College’s Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership contains courses such as:

• Comparative Philosophies of Education
• Curriculum Planning and School Improvement
• Instructional Supervision
• Intermediate and Advanced Statistics

University of Southern California (USC) offers a Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership with classes like:

• Challenges in Urban Education: Accountability
• Analyzing Organizational Change and Its Effectiveness
• Education Performance Problems
• Fundamentals of Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Ed.D. Concentrations/Specializations

Some schools offer only one Ed.D. specialization/concentration; others offer ten. We’ve assembled some common titles. This is by no means an exhaustive list—there are more specializations than one could imagine!

• Adult Education
• Athletic Administration
• Curriculum Studies
• Curriculum, Teaching, Leadership and Learning
• Early Childhood Education
• Educational Leadership and School Change
• Global Executive
• Higher Education Administration
• Human Resource Development
• Information Technology
• Literacy Education
• Organizational Leadership Studies
• Urban and Multicultural Education

Ed.D. Internships

Many Ed.D. programs require that students complete a focused internship. This allows students to combine theory with practical knowledge in a supervised environment. Internships create a situation for students to learn from other professionals, become more effective leaders, and apply the skills they have learned in their coursework.

• For some Ed.D. degrees, like ETSU’s Ed.D. with an Administrative Endorsement , this is a 540-hour requirement. All internships are planned and completed in district offices, schools, and community settings under the guidance of a faculty member.
• UNCW’s Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (Educational Administration) includes one internship and other applied learning experience, as well as multiple certificate options that can be completed during the program.

Internships for a doctorate in education often differ by concentration. For example, an internship at a multinational corporation might be arranged for a global executive specialization, whereas a non-profit internship might be arranged for organizational leadership studies. This is yet one more area for students to look into when researching Ed.D. degrees.

Ed.D. Dissertation, Dissertation in Practice (DiP) or Capstone

All Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) programs will contain a large, research-based project. Some Ed.D. degrees opt for a traditional dissertation along the lines of a Ph.D. Other Ed.D. programs contain a Dissertation in Practice (DiP) or capstone project.

Traditional Dissertation

• Doctorates in education that require a traditional dissertation include classes to assist students with each of the steps required to write one (e.g. how to come up with a dissertation topic, how to structure the dissertation, and how to conduct effective research).
• After the dissertation is planned, proposed, and written, the final step is defending it. Typically, an Ed.D. committee will read the student’s dissertation, and—on a set date—faculty members will ask questions of the student to ensure they fully understand the focus area of their dissertation.
• Questions will be open-ended so that Ed.D. students must think critically about their work. The thought of defending a thesis can be stressful, but students are given months to prepare. And committees generally want students to succeed, not fail!

DiP or Capstone Project

Questions to consider before committing to an ed.d., why do i want to earn a doctorate in education.

An Ed.D. can put your résumé at the top of the pile for many positions. But not every position. Do a little market research before making a commitment. Ed.D. holders tend to become school administrators, college administrators, college-level teachers (e.g. adjuncts), and instructional coordinators. If you’re considering one of these roles, it’s doubtful you’ll regret the knowledge gained from this degree.

Do I Really Need an Ed.D. Degree?

The short answer is no—an Ed.D. is not always necessary in order to snag a job in K-20 leadership. However, salaries for elementary and secondary school administrators vary widely; the top 10% make more than $150,000, while the bottom 10% earn less than $66,000. The gap is even more pronounced for postsecondary administrators . A doctorate in education can often help you secure a stronger salary and better job options.

Have a look at our guide to Ed.D. Careers & Salaries for detailed advice on this question.

Should I Study Part- or Full-Time?

If life circumstances allow a full class load, then full-time study is ideal. An accelerated Ed.D. degree takes 2+ years. That’s short enough to avoid feeling too much of a sting from lost income, yet long enough to take advantage of more internship opportunities and on-campus networking.

However, while part-time Ed.D. students may only have time to get the work done (and little else), most will likely walk away with less student debt, which may be worth it even if the doctorate in education takes longer.

What Are the Pros and Cons of an Ed.D. Degree?

• Advancement possibilities in your career
• New learning can revive a passion for your industry
• Opportunity to become a scholar and researcher in your field
• Earn the title of “Doctor”
• Opportunity costs—the time and length of the degree means potentially forgoing other useful ways to spend those years
• May be expensive in terms of both program cost and lost income due to reducing work hours
• Balancing family/work commitments can be challenging

Do I Opt for a Ph.D. in Education or an Ed.D.?

Ed.D. programs might not pack the same punch as Ph.D.s in terms of “perceived” prestige for academic positions, but they serve an important role in terminal degree studies and they’re well-recognized by employers.

The practical application of the Ed.D. is the hallmark of the program. Whereas Ph.D. programs have a strong theoretical research component, Ed.D. programs stress the importance of real-life function and application.

Check out our guide to the Ed.D. vs Ph.D. if you need more help in this area.

• Pennsylvania
• Reciprocity
• Associate's
• Ed Specialist
• Early Childhood Ed
• Elementary Ed
• Secondary Ed
• All Specialties
• Early Childhood
• High School
• All Careers

Teacher Certification Degrees » Teaching Degree Level and Specialty Overview » Doctor of Education Degree Programs

Doctor of Education Degree Programs

• Editorial Process

A Doctor of Education (EdD or, less commonly, DEd) is a professional degree designed to equip graduates with the skills and scholarly knowledge needed for leadership roles in education. Program length is typically around 60 hours and takes two to three years to complete. Continue reading to learn more about EdD degrees.

Table of Contents

• EdD vs. PhD
• Reasons to Pursue an EdD Degree
• Majors and Areas of Study
• Program Options

Admission Requirements

• Core Concepts
• Top-Rated Programs
• Select Program Profiles
• Employment Opportunities

Frequently Asked Questions

Edd vs. phd degree.

In addition to the EdD, the other common education degree available at the doctorate level is the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) . The primary difference between EdD and PhD programs is that EdDs are typically more practice-based and PhD programs are typically more research-based. Generally, graduates of EdD programs tend to go into educational leadership and administrative roles while graduates of PhD programs tend to pursue research and teaching roles, often at colleges and universities. Another major difference is that PhDs in Education tend to fund the tuition in exchange for research or teaching assistantships, while EdDs do not. On the other hand, most EdD students hold full-time jobs while attending the degree program part time, allowing them to self-fund their programs, while PhD students usually attend school full time.

Reasons to Pursue a Doctor of Education Degree

There are various reasons to get an EdD degree. Among them are: 1. To develop your skills. A doctorate in education degree program can help an individual develop their research, critical thinking, and leadership skills and learn how to apply that advanced knowledge to the education field. Those already in leadership positions will learn current best practices that can make them more effective in their jobs.

2. To become a leader in education administration. A Doctor of Education can increase opportunities for positions in school leadership, non-profits, government agencies, healthcare, and more. The possession of an EdD may make candidates more equipped to enter into careers including superintendent, principal, and higher education administrative positions such as dean and chief academic officer. Usually, those pursuing EdD degrees are current teachers transitioning to administration or current administrators honing their skills.

3. To solve problems in the education system. Doctorate in education programs also prepare individuals to solve challenges in today’s education system, from how to best assess student progress to how to incorporate technology in education. Some EdD graduates go into research, nonprofit, and education policy work, in which they can use their expertise to effect change on a larger scale.

Doctor of Education Majors and Areas of Study

• Adult Education; Adult and Community Education; Adult Learning and Development
• Counselor Education; Counseling or Educational/School Psychology
• Curriculum and Instruction; Curriculum Studies
• Educational Technology
• Educational/School Leadership and Administration
• Higher Education Administration
• Instructional Design and Technology
• Reading Education; Reading and Literacy
• Special Education
• Urban Education Policy or Leadership

Doctor of Education Degree Program Options

When choosing a school for your doctorate in education degree program, it is important to compare schools that offer a specialization in your specific area of interest. For example, if your goal is to be a curriculum specialist, you should look for schools that offer EdDs in curriculum and instruction.

Program format is also an important consideration to factor in when choosing a school for your EdD. Of course, traditional, on-campus doctoral programs in education are offered, but so are online and hybrid programs. As you are comparing programs for your EdD, you should select a program with a format that fits your schedule and availability as well as your preferred learning style. As doctorate in education degrees typically take at least three years of study to complete, choosing the right school from the beginning is important, as transferring credits to another school is often limited at the doctoral level.

Online Degree Program Formats

Since the majority of those seeking admission to a doctoral program in education are already certified as teachers or administrators, an online doctorate may only require limited in-person attendance. Many programs allow students to complete the majority of coursework online and may only require students to come to campus for summer seminars or orientation. Other programs may take more of a hybrid or blended format and require attendance for select weekend or evening meetings to encourage peer engagement and student-faculty partnerships.

In addition, most doctorate in education programs require field experience, sometimes called capstone experience, or an applied dissertation that will need to be completed in person. As most EdD students are employed full time (sometimes even by the program), they may be able to complete their field experience in the educational setting in which they work. As in-person and research requirements vary by institution and program, be sure to understand each program’s expectations and consider your availability and commitment to doctoral study before seeking admission to an online EdD program.

Specific requirements for admission may vary but usually include the following:

• Evidence of teaching certification and experience
• Letters of recommendation
• Entrance essay
• Qualifying GPA from your master’s and/or bachelor’s program
• Qualifying GRE scores (if required)

Candidates must demonstrate a high level of academic and professional performance as EdD programs tend to be highly selective. An organized, self-disciplined mindset, as well as a strong aptitude for converting theory into practical applications, is invaluable to those pursuing a doctoral degree in education. Online programs typically follow a competitive admissions process that is similar to their on-campus counterparts. A sampling of admission requirements can be found in our school profiles below.

Core Concepts for a Doctor of Education Degree

The coursework required for doctorate of education degrees depends largely upon the field of specialization. Broadly though, doctoral degrees in education cover coursework in research and instruction methods as well as practical solutions of complex problems in a focus area of education for real-world application. Doctor of Education programs also typically include a field experience component for students to practice what they have learned. Since most students in EdD programs are already working, field experience can usually be completed within the student’s school district. Doctorate programs culminate with the candidate selecting a final thesis or dissertation project that includes conducting a research study. Examples of courses in a Doctor of Education degree program include:

• Advanced Qualitative Research Methods
• Altering the Structure and Culture of Schooling
• Case-Study Research in Education Policy and Practice
• Comparative Higher Education
• Curriculum Theory
• Directed Field Experience/Practicum
• Dissertation Research
• Education Policy and Politics
• Foundations of Organizations and Leadership
• Learning Theory and the Educational Process
• Organizational Theory & Higher Education
• Principles of Educational Administration
• Statistics for Educational Research
• Theoretical Perspectives in Education

Top-Rated Doctor of Education Degree Programs

Each year, US News & World Report ranks the top education schools with graduate-level programs. The following schools from their 2024 list offer Doctor of Education programs. 1

• Teachers College, Columbia University (#1 tie; on campus)
• University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (#1 tie; on campus)
• University of Pennsylvania (#3 tie; on campus)
• Vanderbilt University (#6; on campus or online)
• University of California-Los Angeles (#7 tie; on campus)
• Harvard University (#9 tie; on campus)
• New York University (#9 tie; on campus)
• University of Washington (#11; on campus)
• Johns Hopkins University (#13; on campus)
• University of California, Berkeley (#14 tie; on campus)
• University of Oregon (#14 tie; online)

Select Doctor of Education Programs

Traditional programs, central michigan university.

Central Michigan University (CMU) offers a unique Doctor of Educational Technology (DET) program that is based on 12 online courses and a practical dissertation. The curriculum for the DET is developed to prepare graduates for leadership in K-12 and higher education settings, as well as in corporate and private institutions. Students take two courses per semester (fall, spring, and summer) for the first two years before taking comprehensive examinations and beginning work on the dissertation. For admissions consideration, students must have a master’s degree and a GPA of at least 3.5, with at least three years of professional experience. Courses in the DET program include Educational Technology Research; Differentiated Instruction in Online Learning; and Higher Order Learning and New Literacies. CMU also offers an online Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership, with emphases in K-12 or Higher Education, designed to prepare graduates for leadership roles emphasizing the application of educational theory. The program uses a cohort model, so students in the EdD program move through the program with the same students they start with. EdD students who have earned an accredited Specialist in Education (EdS) degree in Educational Leadership may be able to apply up to 27 credits to the EdD degree.

Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University Chicago offers an EdD in Administration & Supervision with Principal Endorsement or Superintendent Endorsement in Lake County that is designed to prepare graduates for school- and district-level leadership roles. The EdD programs focus on curriculum, program, and budget decisions with a special awareness of individual and social justice. The principal program requires applicants to be practicing teachers or administrators with at least two years of experience while the superintendent program requires applicants to have two years of supervisory or administrative experience and a Type 75 General Administrative or Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Principal Endorsement. Both programs comprise a total of 72 credit hours, with 24 credit hours transferable from a master’s program. Courses are offered during afternoon, evening, and weekend hours in order to accommodate students who are working full-time. An optional study abroad in Rome is offered as part of the curriculum, which also includes courses in school law, supervision, and educational research. Loyola University Chicago also offers an EdD in Curriculum and Instruction and an EdD in School Psychology.

University of Pennsylvania

At the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education (GSE), you can get a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Higher Education, which prepares graduates to be prospective research-practitioners and leaders in higher education institutions. The program teaches students to solve contemporary problems in educational practice using applied research to ultimately make a difference in students’ lives. Comprising 20 course units, the curriculum includes courses like Higher Education Finance; Proseminar in Research & Analysis; one course in Quantitative Methods and one in Methods; as well as 16 course units of electives. The program culminates with a final defense of the dissertation. The program is in a part-time format spanning around four years, and typically, students take one to two courses in the fall, spring, and summer terms. Those students looking for a program with a more executive format may be interested in Penn GSE’s two-year Executive Doctorate in Higher Education Management EdD. The University of Pennsylvania also offers EdD programs in Educational Leadership; Educational Linguistics, Penn Chief Learning Officer; Reading/Writing/Literacy; and Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education.

University of Virginia

The Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia features a Doctor of Education (EdD) with options for academic emphasis in Administration & Supervision; Curriculum & Instruction; or Higher Education. To seek admission students must hold a master’s degree and have relevant professional experience, as well as a satisfactory educational background. Admitted students work one-on-one with a faculty advisor as they develop a personalized curriculum and work towards completing their academic capstone. A minimum of 72 credit hours is required to earn the EdD. All degree requirements must be met within seven years of admission to the program and within four years after passing the comprehensive examination. Additionally, students must remain continuously enrolled during the fall and spring semesters during all parts of the degree program. In order to provide more flexibility, the Curriculum & Instruction program is now offered online and on a part-time basis.

Online and Hybrid Programs

Arizona state university.

Arizona State University (ASU) is home to an online Doctor of Education (EdD) in Leadership & Innovation that requires 90 credit hours to complete. The degree is designed for currently licensed and practicing teachers and administrators who are interested in fostering innovation and developing leadership skills. Courses include Collaborative Approaches to Data-Informed Decision Making; Systems Change and Leadership; and Strategies for Inquiry. Students also complete a doctoral dissertation that is action-research based. Throughout the program, students receive peer and student support through the program’s “Leader-Scholar Communities.” Admission is open to those with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in any field. Students must have a 3.0 minimum GPA to be considered for the program. ASU also offers several Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree programs in curriculum and instruction, educational leadership, global education, and learning design and technologies.

University of Florida

The online Doctor of Education (EdD) in Curriculum & Instruction with a specialization in Teachers, Schools, and Society (TSS) at the University of Florida is designed for practicing educators who wish to develop their abilities to drive positive change from the classroom setting to the school environment as a whole. As a professional practice program, this doctoral degree is meant for those who wish to develop lifelong teaching practice at the K-12 level. The cohort-based curriculum links theory and research in practice through courses such as Foundations of Research in Curriculum and Instruction; Professional Development for Teacher Learning; and Issues in School Reform. A capstone dissertation, which is group-based, helps students apply knowledge gained through the curriculum to real-world problems of practice. At least 60 credit hours are required to earn the degree for those who already have a master’s, and 90 credit hours for those who only hold a bachelor’s degree. Though most courses are entirely online, students should anticipate completing a week-long on-campus experience once per summer during the first three summers of enrollment.

University of Southern California

The University of Southern California (USC) offers a hybrid Doctor of Education (EdD) in Organizational Change and Leadership. This program focuses on driving systematic change in educational organizations and is designed for those who are in, or who are seeking to transition to, leadership positions in K-12 systems, colleges and universities, and other education-focused institutions. The program is structured to allow students to work full-time while completing degree requirements and has a strong focus on motivating and supervising others in educational settings. Students with a master’s degree may be eligible for advanced standing, which allows completion of the EdD in 43 credit hours; those who do not have a master’s degree should expect to complete at least 60 credit hours. Students must attend an annual immersion weekend on the school campus to maintain enrollment in the program. Required courses include Framing Educational Leadership in a Global Context; Education Performance Problems-The Role of Learning; and Using Communication to Facilitate Organizational Change. The USC Rossier School of Education is consistently ranked as one of the best schools of education in the US.

Employment Opportunities for a Doctor of Education

• Adult and Continuing Education Teacher
• Chief Academic Officer
• Chief Learning Officer
• Curriculum and Instruction Specialist
• Director of Research
• Educational Technology Specialist
• Reading Specialist
• School Administrator
• School Counselor
• Social and Community Service Director
• Training and Development Manager
• University Professor
• Vice Principal

Question : How does a doctoral degree in education benefit a teaching career?

Answer : Teachers who hold an EdD can command higher salaries in K-12 public schools and are also better prepared to move into administrative positions. A doctoral degree in education also qualifies teachers to work and teach in postsecondary schools, government, and non-profit agencies.

Question : Can I get an online doctorate in education?

Answer : Yes, because many EdD programs are aimed at working professionals, they are commonly offered in online or hybrid formats. More important than whether the EdD is online or on-campus is whether the program will qualify you for the credential and/or career you are seeking.

Question : What can I do with a doctorate in education?

Answer : Most graduates of EdD programs are working professionals who want to advance their careers as advanced administrators or leaders in education. The jobs that doctorate in education holders qualify for vary widely and primarily depend on the specialization of the degree. Graduates with an EdD in Educational Technology, for example, may go on to become leaders in educational or instructional technology while graduates with an EdD in Higher Education Administration may become deans in a college or university setting.

References: 1. US News & World Report Best Education Schools, 2023-24: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/edu-rankings

Online Students

For All Online Programs

International Students

On Campus, need or have Visa

Campus Students

For All Campus Programs

Is a Doctorate Degree Worth It?

Know before you read At SNHU, we want to make sure you have the information you need to make decisions about your education and your future—no matter where you choose to go to school. That's why our informational articles may reference careers for which we do not offer academic programs, along with salary data for those careers. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

Earning a doctorate takes time, money and discipline. Like many things worth doing, the process is challenging but also rewarding. Becoming an expert in your subject area and immersing yourself in your chosen area of study makes the process of earning a doctorate important to many people. Certain professions require or value a doctorate for promotion potential.

In fact, career advancement, love of the subject matter and personal satisfaction are three of the top reasons why Dr. Bridgitte Kiprop '23 , Dr. Jennifer Barry ’23 and Dr. Torialyn Draper Crook earned their doctorates.

• For Kiprop '23, part of her motivation for earning a doctorate in International Business was setting an example for her six children.
• For Barry, ’23, who earned a doctor of education degree in educational leadership, part of her motivation was to prepare for success in meeting her long-term career goal to become a university president.
• And for Crook, earning her doctorate in education was a commitment that she undertook to honor her family’s legacy of valuing education.

How Difficult is Earning a Doctorate?

For Kiprop, time management was her key to success. With six children, she had to make the most of any time in the day that she could find. “If I had … five minutes, I would use the five minutes,” she said. “Other times, I was luckier (and had) two hours.”

Despite the time-management  challenges of earning an advanced degree while raising her family, Kiprop feels that the process of earning that degree was a way to inspire her children to work hard to meet their own goals.

“I really hope that my children will ... know that whatever it is they feel called to do, whatever their ambitions, their goals are achievable,” she said.

To manage the challenge of advanced studies, having the right people around you as you work on your degree is essential, according to Crook. “Surround yourself with family, friends, colleagues and mentors who can provide encouragement during challenging times,” she said.

Crook stresses that everyone’s journey to earning their doctorate is unique. She recommends being prepared for the unexpected, and remaining flexible in adjusting your path as you work toward completing your degree.

How Long Does a Doctorate Take?

Students may have family commitments, health challenges or need to work full or part-time while attending school . Many students face all of these circumstances. Crook managed to complete her doctorate in 5 years, though it wasn't easy for her. She faced a significant personal health challenge and was raising two children while also attending school.

For Barry, earning her doctoral degree is part of an educational path that started with her bachelor’s degree at SNHU (formerly New Hampshire College) in 2000. She then continued her education to earn a master's degree throughout several jobs and geographic moves.

Barry views her entire educational journey as part of the process that led to meeting her ultimate goal of earning a doctorate.

What Skills Are Needed to Earn a Doctorate?

While every academic program is different, Crook finds certain skills and competencies necessary for success, regardless of field. These skills include:

• Building relationships
• Organizational skills
• Self-motivation
• Writing skills

Crook finds building relationships particularly important. While working on her degree, the strong relationship that she developed with her dissertation chairperson proved essential. She also built positive relationships with other doctoral students, which led to a strong peer support network throughout her program.

Kiprop echoes the importance of building relationships in her field as well. For her, building new relationships is a way to open your mind to new experiences and opportunities.

Find Your Program

What types of jobs can you get with a doctorate.

While a doctorate is helpful for working in leadership roles at colleges and universities, there are many opportunities for doctoral degree holders to work at the highest levels in their profession outside of higher education as well.

Some of the top professions that require a doctoral or professional degree and have a faster-than-average predicted growth rate, according to the BLS, are:

• Astronomers* (SNHU does not currently offer graduate degrees in astronomy or physics)
• Biochemists and biophysicists* (SNHU does not currently offer graduate degrees in biochemistry or biophysics)
• Clinical and counseling psychologists* (SNHU does not currently offer doctorates in psychology, but you could start with a bachelor's in psychology , followed by a master's in psychology )
• Higher education teachers and professors — particularly business, computer science and engineering teachers*

Two more examples of areas where a doctorate can help prepare you for advancement in your career are educational leadership and international business.

A doctorate in educational leadership can be a Doctor of Philosophy degree, known as a PhD, or a Doctor of Education degree, known as an EdD. The PhD in Education Leadership  typically leads to higher education roles in teaching and research. The EdD in Educational Leadership , which Barry earned, typically leads to leadership and strategy roles in an education setting that may be at the higher education or secondary school level.

A PhD in International Business  may include addressing a gap in an existing body of knowledge by conducting research. Kiprop, who earned her doctorate at SNHU, plans to use her degree to research entrepreneurship in small business finance.

Motivated by being from a developing country — Kenya — she has a personal interest in helping grow small businesses in similar developing areas. “I can also use that same knowledge at the New Hampshire level because the issues there perhaps are different but still … relevant,” she said.

Regardless of your program field, the process of earning a doctorate can help you explore ways of applying your newfound and existing knowledge that you may not have considered prior to starting your program.

Is it Better to Have a Master’s or Doctorate?

Both a master’s degree  and a doctorate offer opportunities for career advancement. Choosing which to earn, or whether to earn both, is a highly personal decision based on your personal and professional goals and aspirations, according to Crook.

Before deciding which degree is right for you, consider your goals. Speaking with a career counselor  or graduate admissions counselor to learn about career options and pathways toward earning the degree can be a helpful step toward making this decision.

In many fields, a master’s degree is enough  to move forward in your career. But, earning a doctorate is an opportunity to take your career a step further, according to Crook. That step “gives one the opportunity to direct their career trajectory specifically through research and other specialized skills and knowledge,” she said.

How Valuable is a Doctorate?

A doctorate isn’t for everyone, but it can be right for you depending on your chosen field and career path.

For many people, earning a doctorate is just as important as a personal accomplishment as it is a professional one. “I (always) understood the significance of progressing in my career and staying connected to my field of higher education,” Crook said. “My doctoral journey was worthwhile as it aligned with my career goals  and personal aspirations,” she said.

For Barry, the doctorate was worth it because she believes strongly in the power of education . “You see how (education) transforms people’s lives and … gives people opportunities that they didn’t see before,” she said.

She has seen many people earn degrees only for their family members to then continue in their footsteps. “I just think that generationally, (education) is creating pathways for people,” she said.

Deciding whether to pursue a doctorate is ultimately a very personal decision, but one that can lead you to build new relationships and a new knowledge base while helping you reach or exceed your career goals.

A degree can change your life. Find the SNHU doctorate degree  that can best help you meet your goals.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill. 

A former higher education administrator, Dr. Marie Morganelli  is a career educator and writer. She has taught and tutored composition, literature, and writing at all levels from middle school through graduate school. With two graduate degrees in English language and literature, her focus — whether teaching or writing — is in helping to raise the voices of others through the power of storytelling. Connect with her on LinkedIn .

Explore more content like this article

How to Survive High School and Prepare for College

How Long Does it Take to Get an Associate Degree?

How to Get a Master's Degree

About southern new hampshire university.

SNHU is a nonprofit, accredited university with a mission to make high-quality education more accessible and affordable for everyone.

Founded in 1932, and online since 1995, we’ve helped countless students reach their goals with flexible, career-focused programs . Our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH is home to over 3,000 students, and we serve over 135,000 students online. Visit our about SNHU  page to learn more about our mission, accreditations, leadership team, national recognitions and awards.

Admissions & Aid

Helpful Links

• Doctoral Viewbook
• Master's Viewbook
• Leadership Program Comparison
• Find Yourself Here

With the help of our exceptional faculty, highly personalized degree plans, and extensive network of alumni making a difference at all levels and across all roles, you will be prepared to make an impact in education. We hope you’ll join our community.

Explore Programs

Through a rich suite of courses and co-curricular experiences, a degree from HGSE prepares you to make a difference in education today.

Financial Aid

Financing a graduate education is an investment and a challenge, and early financial planning is essential.

How to Apply

Familiarize yourself with the application requirements and procedures for your desired program.

Connect with Admissions

HGSE offers many opportunities to connect with admissions representatives to assist you with your decision-making process.

Introduce Yourself

Tell us about yourself so that we can tailor our communication to best fit your interests and provide you with relevant information about our programs, events, and other opportunities to connect with us.

• Online Degree Explore Bachelor’s & Master’s degrees
• MasterTrack™ Earn credit towards a Master’s degree
• University Certificates Advance your career with graduate-level learning
• Top Courses
• Join for Free

What Is a Doctorate?

Learn more about the two major types of doctorate degrees, academic and professional, and when you might need each.

A doctorate is the highest degree you can earn in an academic field or profession. Earning your doctorate can help advance your career and increase your salary, while also showing others that you’re an expert in your subject area. 

In this article, we’ll review the two different types of doctorate degrees, the areas you can study, and the benefits of graduating with a doctorate. 

Types of doctorate degrees

There are two types of doctorate degrees available to earn: academic and professional . Each type is a terminal degree , meaning it’s the highest degree you can earn and shows true mastery over a subject. The type of doctorate you earn will largely depend on what you want to study. 

Academic doctorate 

An academic doctorate, often called a PhD (short for Doctor of Philosophy), is a research degree that typically requires completing a dissertation. Students enrolled in a PhD program may be interested in working in academia as a professor or conducting research in their field. However, a growing number of PhD students go on to apply their specialized knowledge and skill set to various careers outside of academia as well. 

Examples of academic doctorates include:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Doctor of Design (DDes)

Doctor of Fine Arts (DFA)

Doctor of Nursing Science (DNS)

Doctor of Theology (ThD)

Professional doctorate

A professional doctorate is also referred to as an applied doctorate, and has more to do with a specific profession, such as medicine, law, or business. Students in professional doctorate programs enroll to learn specific knowledge and skills they will need to pursue their chosen career path.  

Examples of professional doctorates include:

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)

Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)

Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM)

Doctor of Chiropractic (DC)

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND)

Juris Doctor (JD)

Learn more: What is a Professional Degree?

Doctorates: Time and costs

On average, it takes between four and seven years to earn an academic doctorate. That lengthy timeline often has to do with the dissertation phase, which requires extensive original research. 

The time it takes to earn a professional doctorate varies. A JD degree takes three years of full-time study to complete while earning a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree takes four years of full-time study before you begin a residency, which can last between three and seven years depending on your specialty. Careers that require a professional doctorate also often include studying and passing a licensure exam.  

Costs of a doctorate

As with timing, the costs of a doctorate degree will depend on what you choose to study and where you go to school. The average cost of a PhD in 2021 was $98,800, while a Doctor of Education degree cost an average of $111,900 [ 1 ]. The average total cost of medical school in 2021 was $218,792 [ 2 ].

What does it take to earn a doctorate? 

Both types of degrees involve completing advanced coursework and conducting original research. With a professional doctorate, you'll tend to focus your research on solving existing problems, whereas with an academic doctorate, you'll tend to focus your research on contributing a new theory or analysis to your field.

Beyond that, the path to earning your doctorate will depend on what you want to study—an academic subject or a professional one—and where you go to college or university.

Professional doctorates

Your time in a professional doctorate program will be spent advancing your knowledge in your field—medicine, law, or otherwise—and developing important skills to begin doing the work required by your chosen profession. 

The common requirements include: 

Coursework 

Internship (clinical rotation) 

Medical students spend around two years taking courses in a pre-clinical phase, followed by two years rotating through various medical specialties in a clinical phase. On the other hand, law students might spend two years completing their coursework before enrolling in a capstone project in their third year that might include interning or completing a writing project. 

Both medical and law students will need to seek licensure after finishing their program. Law students who pass the bar exam can go on to practice, while medical students will typically need to be licensed before beginning their residency program. 

Academic doctorates

Your time in an academic degree program will also be spent advancing your knowledge in your field by learning more about its history, theories, and key figures. From there, you will begin exploring how you can contribute original research to further people’s understanding of some aspect of the subject.

Comprehensive exam 

Dissertation 

Learn more about the requirements to get an PhD .

Applying for a doctorate 

Each type of doctorate requires similar admissions criteria. Requirements generally include: 

Institution’s application

Resume or CV

Transcripts

Entrance exam (MCAT, LSAT, GRE, or GMAT) 

Personal statement

Letters of recommendation

Learn more: GMAT vs GRE: Which Should I Take?

Requirements for a professional doctorate

Professional doctorate students must first earn their bachelor’s degree in a related subject. For example, many law students study English or communications as an undergrad given the amount of writing they will undertake as JD students. Med students, on the other hand, might study biology or chemistry.

It can be helpful to pursue an undergraduate degree that will prepare you for the advanced coursework a professional doctorate requires, but it is not always necessary. If you’re interested in beginning a professional doctorate after studying a completely unrelated subject, you will likely have to first complete prerequisite courses to show you can succeed in advanced science courses. In fact, postbaccalaureate programs are designed to help students interested in the medical profession become stronger applicants. 

Prepare for medical school with a series of specialized, free courses from Stanford University, University of Michigan, Duke University, the University of Chicago, and other leading US institutions.

Requirements for an academic doctorate

As with a professional doctorate, you will need to earn your bachelor’s degree, but you will also likely need to earn your master’s degree unless you are accepted into a dual degree program that combines the master’s and PhD into a shorter timeframe. Depending on what you study, a master's degree takes between one and three years to complete and further prepares you to go on and earn your doctorate.

Learn more: MA vs MS Degrees: A Guide

Demand for doctorates

The demand for experts who hold a doctorate degree depends largely on the field. The need for lawyers is expected to grow by nine percent (about average) between 2020 and 2030, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics [ 3 ]. But the demand for doctors and surgeons has slowed in recent years, though other health care professions, such as physicians assistants and nurse practitioners, which often require less education, are expected to increase significantly [ 4 ].

In certain professions, like business, it’s more common to earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) , but executives with several years of experience and an MBA may want to further their education and solve real-world business problems by earning their DBA. Doing so can be a lucrative venture. Because DBA graduates are not as common as MBAs, there may be more demand for their services.

Salaries for doctorates

For professional doctorates, earnings can be significant. For example, veterinarians make a median salary of $100,370 and lawyers make a median salary of $127,990, according to BLS.

Overall, both doctorates tend to make more than those who earn a master’s or bachelor’s degree, according to BLS. A doctoral degree graduate has median weekly earnings of $1,909 and a professional degree graduate has $1,924 compared to $1,574 for master’s degree holders and $1,334 for bachelor’s degree holders [ 5 ]. 

Is a doctorate right for you?

If your goal is to work in a specific field, like medicine, or to become an authority in your field, a doctorate can help you achieve either outcome. When considering whether you should begin a doctorate program, ask yourself the following questions to help outline the best path forward.  

Do you enjoy working with this subject matter?

What kinds of job opportunities are available after graduation?

How competitive is the job market for your chosen career?

Will a doctorate give you a unique career advantage?

Do you have time to dedicate to earning a doctorate? 

Can you afford the cost of a doctorate? 

Are there financial aid options available?

Alternatives to doctorate degrees

Depending on your career path and goals, a master’s degree may be a better option. Master’s degrees take less time and cost less than doctorate degrees, and are available in nearly every field, including health care , business , the social sciences , natural sciences , and humanities . 

If you’re more interested in skills development, a professional certificate program can be a strong option to help you develop job-ready skills in popular fields like data science, project management, and UX design. You’ll find an array of programs from industry leaders like Google, Meta, IBM, Salesforce, and more on Coursera . 

Learn more: Is a Master’s Degree Worth It?

A doctorate can be financially, academically, and personally rewarding, adding important knowledge to your wheelhouse and a standout credential to your resume. Earning your master's can also help you discern whether an academic doctorate makes sense for your larger objectives. Explore degrees in computer science , business , management , or public health from leading US institutions on Coursera, all while enjoying greater flexibility than an in-person degree program tends to offer. 

Related articles

How Long is Law School: What to Expect as a Law Student

How Many Credits Do You Need to Graduate?

How to Pay for Graduate School: 8 Ways

What Can You Do with a Master’s in Public Health?

Article sources

1. Education Data Initiative. “ Average Cost of a Doctorate Degree , https://educationdata.org/average-cost-of-a-doctorate-degree.” Accessed June 22, 2022. 

2. Education Data Initiative. “ Average Cost of Medical School , https://educationdata.org/average-cost-of-medical-school.” Accessed June 22, 2022. 

3. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “ Lawyers , https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/lawyers.htm.” Accessed June 22, 2022. 

4. BLS. “ Physicians and Surgeons , ​​https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm.” Accessed June 22, 2022. 

5. BLS. “ Education Pays , https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm.” Accessed June 22, 2022. 

Keep reading

Coursera staff.

Editorial Team

Coursera’s editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact...

This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

How to Become a Doctor: A Step-by Step Guide

Becoming a physician is a lengthy process that requires years of hard work and tremendous patience.

How to Become a Doctor: A Guide

Getty Images

A young person who dreams of becoming a doctor should investigate the profession as much as possible before embarking on this arduous career path.

There are few professions with higher stakes than the field of medicine. The consequences of a doctor's decisions can be enormous, leading to either marvelous or disastrous results.

Premeds and Compassion in Medicine

Ali Lotfi, M.D. Nov. 17, 2020

Becoming a physician in the U.S. is a time-consuming endeavor , and anyone who intends to pursue a medical career in this country should expect medical training to last at least seven years beyond college.

Doctors are typically well compensated. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary among U.S. doctors in May 2019 exceeded $200,000.

Here is a list of the rungs on the ladder into the U.S. medical profession.

• Explore your options.
• Take premed classes and earn good grades.
• Participate in meaningful extracurricular activities.
• Prep for the MCAT and ace it.
• Prepare applications to multiple medical schools.
• Impress med school interviewers and get at least one acceptance letter.
• Enroll in the right type of medical school for you.
• Pass the first two portions of the allopathic or osteopathic national medical licensing exam.
• Apply for and match with a residency program.
• Graduate from medical school.
• Start your residency and get a general medical license.
• Achieve board certification within your medical specialty or subspecialty.

Step 1: Explore Your Options

A young person who dreams of becoming a doctor should investigate the profession as much as possible before embarking on this arduous career path, experts say. Aspiring physicians should conduct informational interviews with doctors and gain some clinical experience so they can gauge whether they would excel at and enjoy the practice of medicine.

Potential doctors should also take demanding science classes to assess their personal affinity for technical fields of study, since those academic disciplines aren't right for everybody, experts say.

College hopefuls who are contemplating a career in medicine should look for undergraduate institutions with high-quality premedical student advisers and significant student research options. High school juniors and seniors who are determined to become doctors should investigate baccalaureate-M.D. programs , which can allow them to earn both a college degree and medical degree within seven years, experts suggest.

Step 2: Take Premed Classes and Earn Good Grades

Because medical schools have a significant number of academic prerequisites , premeds need to consult with their academic advisers to ensure that they take all of the necessary undergraduate courses, according to experts. Individuals who discover their desire to become doctors after they receive their college degree may opt to enroll in a post-baccalaureate premed program so that they can complete all of the required premed classes.

Petros Minasi Jr., senior director of premed programs at Kaplan, says a college's premed or prehealth adviser should be able to tell a premed precisely which undergraduate courses he or she needs to take. Premeds should not overload themselves with multiple extremely difficult classes in a single semester, Minasi warns, but they should take challenging classes as a general rule.

Solid academic performance in premed coursework is the norm among competitive med school applicants, and a stellar undergraduate GPA is a big plus.

Step 3: Participate in Meaningful Extracurricular Activities

A premed who does well in his or her courses but does nothing else is unlikely to get noticed by and admitted into top medical schools. So it's important that prospective med students do something besides study, experts say.

However, the quality of a person's activities outside the classroom matters much more than either the quantity of activities or the number of hours devoted to those activities.

Substantive scholarly research or a job as either a medical scribe or a medical assistant tends to be viewed positively in the admissions process, med school admissions officers say. They also suggest that accomplishments in nonscientific or nonmedical endeavors such as music or athletics are an asset, since they make a candidate appear to be well-rounded and suggest that he or she is an interesting person.

Dr. Mark Rosenberg, vice dean for education and academic affairs at the University of Minnesota Medical School , says that premeds should not focus on maximizing the amount of extracurricular experience they possess, since what really counts is the valuable lessons from extracurricular activities.

Rosenberg, a professor of medicine and a nephrologist, says that his med school looks for evidence of an inclination toward serving others, "socio-cultural humility" and reliability.

Dr. Megan Boysen Osborn, associate dean for students at the University of California—Irvine School of Medicine , emphasizes that it is OK to take a break between college and medical school, since that extra time can allow premeds to gain additional research and clinical experience beyond what they could get as an undergraduate.

Step 4: Prep for the MCAT and Ace It

The Medical College Admission Test is one tool that med schools use to screen applicants, so it is important for premeds to perform well on this exam. The multihour test requires extensive content knowledge; it is not a test that anyone should attempt to cram for, experts warn.

Perfect MCAT scores are rare, since the test is very hard. Premeds should research the median MCAT scores at the med schools they are most interested in, and they should take the MCAT only when they are consistently capable of reaching their target score on practice exams, experts recommend.

Step 5: Prepare Applications to Multiple Medical Schools

Because medical schools generally have lofty standards, prospective med students should take extreme care when crafting their personal statement and when drafting their secondary, school-specific application essays , according to med school admissions officials.

Osborn, an emergency medicine physician, warns med school hopefuls not to rush through the completion of their secondary application forms, since the information that med schools request is often pivotal during the selection process.

Premeds should think strategically about which extracurricular activities they include in their application and how they describe those activities, since admissions officers will scrutinize the activities list , experts suggest. Also, given the low acceptance rates at most medical schools, premeds should plan on applying to numerous schools to increase their odds of admission, experts warn, noting that it is better to err on the side of excess rather than restraint.

Step 6: Impress Med School Interviewers and Get at Least 1 Acceptance Letter

Candidates who look good on paper will be invited to medical school interviews so that admissions committees can gauge if the person is truly as outstanding as they appear on paper, so it is important to thoroughly prepare for those interviews, experts suggest.

Anyone who receives an interview invitation should bear in mind that this is a positive sign about their candidacy, experts say.

Step 7: Enroll in the Right Type of Medical School for You

Aspiring physicians can elect to attend either a research-oriented academic institution or at a school that focuses on primary care .

They also have a choice between two types of medical degrees : the Medical Doctor, or M.D., degree and the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, or D.O., degree. Both programs involve a mix of medical science courses and clinical rotations. However, one key difference is that D.O. schools teach numerous hands-on healing techniques that are distinctive to the practice of osteopathic medicine.

Step 8: Pass the First 2 Portions of the Allopathic or Osteopathic National Medical Licensing Exam

Allopathic and osteopathic medical students at U.S. medical schools typically take two of the three parts of their national licensing examinations during medical school, experts say. M.D. students take the United States Medical Licensing Examination, or USMLE, while D.O. students are required to take the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the United States, or COMLEX-USA. D.O. students may elect to take the USMLE in addition to the COMLEX-USA.

Dr. Chris Cimino, a vice president with Kaplan Medical – the unit of Kaplan that prepares aspiring doctors for the USMLE licensing exams – says the vast majority of U.S. medical students pass the licensing exams they take during med school.

Step 9: Apply for and Match With a Residency Program

Fourth-year medical students generally attempt to match with a residency program within the medical specialty they find most interesting. Most medical students participate in the National Resident Matching Program, though some get involved with specialty-specific matching programs such as those for aspiring urologists and ophthalmologists. Some medical specialties, such as orthopedic surgery , are highly competive so usually only the highest-achieving medical students are able to match.

Step 10: Graduate From Medical School

Once someone has earned a medical degree and graduated from medical school, he or she is officially a doctor. However, even after a person obtains a medical degree, he or she typically needs to complete a medical residency within a particular medical specialty, such as pediatrics or radiology , in order to practice medicine independently in his or her community.

There are some regions of the U.S. where med school grads who have not obtained residencies can work as health care providers, such as Missouri, Utah and Arkansas. The intention behind this accommodation for individuals with a medical degree but without a residency is to address doctor shortages.

Step 11: Start Your Residency and Get a General Medical License

Medical residencies vary in length, usually ranging from three to seven years depending on the specialty. Residencies allow medical school grads to learn the art and science of a particular area of medicine, whether it is obstetrics-gynecology or dermatology .

Toward the beginning of their residency, medical residents take the last part of either the USMLE or the COMLEX-USA, which makes them eligible for a general medical license that allows someone to practice medicine without being supervised by another doctor.

However, they still need to apply for a medical license in their jurisdiction, since medical licensing boards not only evaluate licensing exam scores but also conduct background checks. Licensure candidates should plan on submitting their curriculum vitae or resume to their licensing board, since one reason for the licensure procedure is to ensure that candidates are technically qualified.

Residents who want to develop extraordinary expertise within a particular niche of medicine, such as cardiology or hand surgery , may opt to pursue a medical fellowship within that field.

Step 12: Achieve Board Certification Within Your Medical Specialty or Subspecialty

After someone has completed the necessary residency and fellowship training, they must pass the applicable board exam. Then they can apply for board certification within their discipline through the American Board of Medical Specialties.

What to Consider Before Trying to Become a Doctor

Since it takes many years to become a board-certified doctor, it's foolish to pursue a career in medicine solely out of desire for prestige or money, experts say. Medicine is a demanding profession, so once someone becomes a doctor, the struggle isn't over.

Employment as a physician often requires irregular hours and sometimes involves significant stress, according to experts, and it often necessitates a degree of selflessness since there are numerous inconveniences involved in health care professions. However, there is something exhilarating about helping patients through dark times in their lives, doctors say, adding that they take pride in their work and receive gratification from improving the well-being of others.

"It's a long journey and it's a hard journey," Osborn says to aspiring doctors, "and so I hope that you enjoy each step."

Searching for a medical school? Get our complete rankings of Best Medical Schools.

Should You Become a Doctor?

Tags: medical school , education , graduate schools , students , medicine

Popular Stories

Top Law Schools

Medical School Admissions Doctor

Morse Code: Inside the College Rankings

Law Admissions Lowdown

Applying to Graduate School

You May Also Like

Find a strong human rights law program.

Anayat Durrani April 18, 2024

Environmental Health in Medical School

Zach Grimmett April 16, 2024

How to Choose a Law Career Path

Gabriel Kuris April 15, 2024

Questions Women MBA Hopefuls Should Ask

Haley Bartel April 12, 2024

Law Schools With the Highest LSATs

Ilana Kowarski and Cole Claybourn April 11, 2024

MBA Programs That Lead to Good Jobs

Ilana Kowarski and Cole Claybourn April 10, 2024

B-Schools With Racial Diversity

Sarah Wood April 10, 2024

Law Schools That Are Hardest to Get Into

Sarah Wood April 9, 2024

Ask Law School Admissions Officers This

Gabriel Kuris April 9, 2024

Grad School Housing Options

Anayat Durrani April 9, 2024

List of PTCAS Programs

Below is a list of accredited DPT education programs granted full accreditation or candidacy status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Applicants are welcome to search the directory by name or through the additional search features listed below.

For questions regarding program specific requirements, please contact the programs directly using the contact information listed on their page.

• 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

• Comparison of Course Prerequisites by Program
• Deadlines by Program Name
• Deadlines by Date
• PT Observation Requirements by Program
• Reference Requirements by Program
• Supplementals
• GRE Requirements and Codes by Program

Graduate Education

Office of graduate and postdoctoral education, phd defense by chris johnson, april 18, 2024.

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

Doctor of Philosophy in Biology

School of Biological Sciences

Chris Johnson

Will defend his dissertation

Investigating the Mechanisms Underlying Metamorphosis in the Chordate Ciona robusta

18, 4, 2024

Krone Engineered Biosystems Building (EBB) CHOA Room 1005

https://gatech.zoom.us/j/93986623573?pwd=eURpcHRrcXFwUENmcWNXRFBKZlpFUT09

  Thesis Advisor:

Alberto Stolfi, Ph.D.

Georgia Institute of Technology

Committee Members:

Annalise Paaby, Ph.D.

Brian Hammer, Ph.D.

William Ratcliff, Ph.D.

Pengpeng Bi, Ph.D.

Department of Genetics and Center for Molecular Medicine

University of Georgia

Tunicates are our closes living invertebrate relative, and as such, have given us tremendous insight on tunicate/vertebrate development and evolution. For this presentation, I discuss two projects that are tied together and contribute to the ongoing investigation underlying metamorphosis in tunicates.

The first chapter discusses our work on the transcriptional regulation governing the pattering of cells comprising the three sensory adhesive papillae of the Ciona robusta larva. Through the discovery and use of novel genetic markers and reporter constructs, we visualized and tracked the differentiation of various papilla cell types which range from collocytes responsible for secreting adhesive material, to ciliated neurons initiating metamorphosis and axial columnar cells potentially possessing chemosensory and contractile properties. Using CRISPR/Cas9, overexpression, and pharmacological perturbations, we identified the molecular mechanisms underlying the specification of these cell types and their contributions to metamorphic processes.

The second chapter describes the transcriptional regulation of adult Ciona muscle cell fusion. In vertebrates, all skeletal muscles form multinucleated myofibers through myoblast fusion. In tunicates like Ciona,  only adult muscles form multinucleated fibers through cell fusion, while larvae have mononucleated muscles instead. I show that this is achieved through combinatorial regulation that activates the expression of a key myoblast fusion factor only in adult muscles.

Accessibility Information

Download Microsoft Products   >      Download Adobe Reader   >