Why Earn a Doctorate in Education?

Completing a doctorate in education will ensure you of a higher income and the pick of job opportunities in this immense field. The majority of teachers with doctoral degrees work in school leadership and upper education administration, or as researchers or curriculum developers, depending upon the doctorate they choose to earn.

If you’re dedicated to changing the education realm and helping it evolve as the student population becomes more globally-focused, earning a doctorate is your best bet for success.

Doctoral programs require approximately 15 post-master’s classes, an exam and a research-based dissertation. Here’s how to enter the program and begin to administer change for the better.

Admission Requirements for a Doctorate of Education Program

Once you research accredited programs and find your school, you’ll need to meet the criteria set by the school. Each school will have unique and slightly different requirements, and admission is usually granted on a competitive basis, so you’ll need to complete requirements thoroughly and thoughtfully. As a rule, you’ll need to have completed your master’s degree and successfully complete these types of requirements for admission:

Provide a professional resume or CV, pointing out whether you have second language skills	Write a statement of purpose
Complete the school’s application for entry	Provide sealed transcripts from all postsecondary institutions
Submit three letters of recommendation	Pass the GRE General test
Submit to an in-person interview	Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 for previous graduate work

Depending upon your circumstances, you may also be asked for a statement of support from your employer, or a statement outlining how you expect to meet the demands of the program. If you are asked to provide examples of academic excellence, you will want to focus upon your expertise in areas such as problem-solving, technology proficiency, and critical assessment and analysis in education improvement and policy.

If you have successful professional experience under your belt in a school, your community or in policy leadership, you will want to also bring this to light. In writing or during your interview would be an appropriate time.

Differences Between an EdD and PhD

The two kinds of doctorates available from teacher education schools are the Doctorate in Education degree (EdD) and the Doctor of Philosophy in Education degree (PhD). They are both recognized as equal in academic rigor and standing.

However, the EdD tends to be more project based, while the PhD is more research-based and theoretical in nature. Here are the differences so you can determine which is best for your career goals.

Doctorate in Education (EdD)

If you are a professional practitioner interested in becoming a university professor, superintendent of schools or applied educational researcher, the Doctorate in Education is designed for you. An EdD is likely to be the preferred qualification for many mid-career employees, many of whom will already have master’s degrees but who wish to pursue studies at the doctoral level. A Doctorate in Education is based on research in addition to its application in professional practice.

Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD)

If you are interested in an academic research role, such as policy maker, teacher educator at a university or educational theorist, such as a language policy and literacy academic, a PhD in Education may be your degree of choice. Educational PhD programs emphasize the development of educational theory through research that generates new–or reformulates existing–knowledge. PhD in Education degrees are similar to EdD degrees in requirements, but they tend to emphasize more theoretical research.

How Long Do Doctorate in Education Programs Take to Complete?

A Doctorate in Education takes around three years to complete, though for some it may require four or five years. Length of program will largely depend upon your circumstances and whether you choose a traditional or online program. The good news is accredited online doctorate programs are becoming more common, and these fit nicely with students who need to work while they go to school.

Your coursework on average will take approximately two years to complete and you should expect to use the third year to do in-depth research and write your dissertation.

Specializations for Doctorate in Education Programs

If you have an area of education you feel passionate about and feel sure you can make a difference, you’ll want to direct your doctoral studies toward that area. As you might expect, some specializations will align to the research and academia-oriented PhD, while others are more practitioner focused.

Here are some examples of areas in which you may choose to specialize:

Curriculum and Instruction	Educational Leadership and Policy
Organizational Research and Assessment	Early Childhood Leadership and Advocacy
Early Childhood Special Education	Educational Technology
Reading Literacy and Assessment	Learning, Instruction and Innovation
Subject Matter Education (Math, Science, English, etc.)	Statistics Education

Typical Curriculum in a Doctorate in Education Program

Your curriculum will differ depending upon the area of specialization you select. Using Curriculum and Instruction as your focus, you might expect your coursework to consist of the following types of classes:

Foundations of Research in Curriculum and Instruction	Professional Development and Teacher Learning
Perspectives in Curriculum, Teaching and Teacher Education	Critical Pedagogy
Foundations of Education	Issues in School Improvement
Online Teaching Pedagogy	Issues in Teacher Education
Teacher Learning and Socialization in Poverty Schools	Research Methodology (courses representing qualitative and quantitative research paradigms)
Dissertation hours: Advanced Research, Dissertation Research, Qualifying Exams	Other courses in areas of specialization, such as Language and Literacy Education, Special Education, Educational technology, etc.

Source: University of Florida, PhD in Curriculum and Instruction

Salary Information for Doctorate in Education Holders

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that unemployment rates are lower, and salaries higher, as degree attainment rises. Here is a look at 2021 data as cited by the BLS:

Degree	Median Weekly Salary	National Unemployment Rate
Bachelor’s degree	$1,334	3.5%
Master’s degree	$1,574	2.6%
Doctorate	$1,909	1.5%

Here are median annual salaries, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics, for education careers that have likely earned a doctorate:

Career	Median Annual Salary
School Principal	$103,460
School Psychologist	$84,940
Education Administrator	$102,610
University or College Teacher	$73,240
Curriculum and Instructional Coordinator	$74,620

Most salaries depend upon the location of the job, as cities and metropolitan areas typically pay more than smaller towns; length of time in the field and education attained also are key in how much you’ll earn.

Careers and Job Growth for Doctorate in Education Degree Holders

As you’ve seen, unemployment for those with a doctorate is lower, but how about job growth over the coming years? With the current national average for all careers resting at 5% through 2032, the BLS anticipates a more positive outlook for many careers that require a doctorate in education. Here are job growth statistics for some of the most common professions:

College or university teachers can anticipate a 3.7% job growth rate through 2032, which is faster than average.

Postsecondary education administrators, including researchers, can look forward to a 3.5% job growth in their field, which is faster than average for all professions.