Doctorate in Education Programs

(found programs from 410 schools)

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Below is a comprehensive listing of accredited Doctorate-level (EdD, PhD) Education programs from schools across the US. There’s an impressive array of specializations available in these advanced programs, and they can serve as a springboard into a number of exciting, challenging careers within the education field.

School Profiles

Below, EducationDegree.com interviews Dr. James Spillane, Chair and Professor of Human Development and Social Policy at Northwestern University, Dr. Martin Howell, Dean for Academic & Student Affairs at the University of Washington, and Dr. Clifford Hofwolt of Vanderbilt University's Peabody College about their schools' doctorate in education programs.


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What Degrees/Specialties are Available?

There are two types of doctorate in education degrees. The one you choose depends upon your career goals. A Doctorate in Education (EdD) focuses on the practical applications of educational research. This degree is appropriate for individuals who wish to work as school superintendents, curriculum directors, educational policy makers, or researchers.




A Doctorate of Philosophy in Education (PhD) is theory-based and stresses research that expands the existing body of knowledge in the field. This degree is appropriate for individuals who seek careers as university professors, teacher educators or educational theorists.

Colleges and universities offer doctorate in education programs online and in traditional campus settings.

Individuals pursuing a doctorate in education may choose from any number of specializations including:

  • Educational Leadership
  • Information Technology
  • Adult Education
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Educational Psychology
  • Special Education
  • Higher Education/Community College Leadership

What Are the Program Requirements?

Students who wish to pursue a doctorate in education must be committed to a lengthy course of study. According to a research report by the Council of Graduate Schools, the median number of years between starting graduate school and earning a doctorate in education was 12.7 years in 2007-2008.

Prospective doctoral students must have a master’s degree in education or its equivalent to qualify for admission to a program. Most programs also require qualifying scores on the Graduate Record Examination, letters of recommendation, and a sample of the applicant’s professional writing such as a master’s thesis.

Program structure and coursework varies depending upon the institution and the chosen specialty. However, most doctoral programs require 60 or more units of study.

According to American Graduate Education, doctoral programs are usually divided into three stages. The first stage involves taking core courses and laboratory studies as well as passing a series of written examinations called "comprehensives." The second stage consists of advanced seminars in order to select a dissertation (independent research) topic and develop a research design. The third stage consists of conducting independent research and writing the dissertation. Once the dissertation is completed, the doctoral candidate must defend his or her research in an oral examination in front of a panel of academic advisors.

Online Doctorate in Education Programs

If your professional goals extend beyond the classroom, and you eventually want a position in school or district leadership, then an online doctorate in education program might be a good fit for you.

An online doctorate in education may prepare you for a career in leadership, organizational training and education, or curriculum design.

The chief benefit of online degrees is the convenience they afford. Some programs require short residencies in addition to the online work, while others offer degrees that can be completed entirely offsite. In either case, you'll have more freedom to learn at your own pace and around your own schedule while pursuing an online education doctorate degree.

One drawback to online degree programs is that they give students less face time with instructors. It's important to know your learning style. If you're a self-starter who thrives on your own, then an online degree program might be right for you. However, if in-class discussion is important to your learning, a more traditional doctorate program might be a better fit.

An online doctorate program is a big commitment. The degree can take several years to complete. It's important to thoroughly research any online doctorate degree program you're considering. Online programs haven't been around as long as most brick-and-mortar universities, and many are still establishing their reputations. Check with people you trust, such as administrators in your district, and ask if they think the programs you're considering will help you reach your professional goals. If you eventually want to be a superintendent or school principal, check around online to see if the programs you're considering have alumni in those roles. If a program hasn't launched people on career paths that you hope to one day follow, then it might not be right for you.


Featured Online Programs:


Capella University

Accreditation:
NCATE accredited
Matching Program(s):
(for current teachers only)

EdD - Educational Leadership and Management
EdD - Reading and Literacy
PhD - Counselor Education and Supervision
PhD - Curriculum and Instruction
PhD - Educational Psychology
PhD - Information Technology Education
PhD - Instructional Design for Online Learning
PhD - K-12 Studies in Education
PhD - Leadership for Higher Education
PhD - Leadership in Educational Administration
PhD - Postsecondary and Adult Education
PhD - Professional Studies in Education
PhD - Special Education Leadership
PhD - Training and Performance Improvement

Grand Canyon University

Matching Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers and current teachers)
Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Behavioral HealthEd.D. in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Effective SchoolsEd.D. in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Higher Education LeadershipEd.D. in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in K-12 LeadershipEd.D. in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Organizational Development

Liberty University

Accreditation:
NCATE accredited
Matching Program(s):
(for current teachers only)
Doctor of Edu - Educational Leadership

Northcentral University

Matching Program(s):
Doctor of Education - Curriculum and TeachingDoctor of Education - E-LearningDoctor of Education - Early Childhood EducationDoctor of Education - Educational LeadershipDoctor of Education - English Second LanguageDoctor of Education - General EducationDoctor of Education - Global Training and DevelopmentDoctor of Education - Higher Education LeadershipDoctor of Education - Instructional LeadershipDoctor of Education - International EducationDoctor of Education - Organizational LeadershipDoctor of Education - Special EducationDoctor of Education - Sports ManagementDoctor of Philosophy in Education - Curriculum and TeachingDoctor of Philosophy in Education - E-LearningDoctor of Philosophy in Education - Early Childhood EducationDoctor of Philosophy in Education - Educational LeadershipDoctor of Philosophy in Education - English Second LanguageDoctor of Philosophy in Education - Global Training and DevelopmentDoctor of Philosophy in Education - Instructional LeadershipDoctor of Philosophy in Education - International EducationDoctor of Philosophy in Education - Leadership in Higher EducationDoctor of Philosophy in Education - Organizational LeadershipDoctor of Philosophy in Education - Special EducationDoctor of Philosophy in Education - Sports ManagementEdS - Early Childhood EducationEdS - Curriculum and TeachingEdS - E-LearningEdS - Educational LeadershipEdS - English Second LanguageEdS - Global Training and DevelopmentEdS - Instructional LeadershipEdS - International EducationEdS - Leadership in Higher EducationEdS - Organizational LeadershipEdS - Special EducationEdS - Sports Management

Nova Southeastern University

Matching Program(s):
(for current teachers only)

Doctor of Philosophy in Computing Technology in Education

Texas A&M University Commerce

Matching Program(s):
(for current teachers only)
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Administration

University of Cincinnati

Accreditation:
NCATE accredited
Matching Program(s):
(for current teachers only)

MEd - Curriculum & Instruction

University of Phoenix

Matching Program(s):
(for current teachers only)
Doctor of Education in Educational LeadershipDoctor of Education in Educational Leadership - Curriculum and InstructionDoctor of Education in Educational Leadership / Educational TechnologyDoctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Administration

Walden University

Matching Program(s):
(for current teachers only)
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) - Curriculum, Instruction & AssessmentDoctor of Education (Ed.D.) - Higher Education LeadershipDoctor of Education (Ed.D.) Curriculum, Instruction & AssessmentDoctor of Education (Ed.D.) Higher Education LeadershipDoctor of Education (Ed.D.) Reading and Literacy LeadershipDoctor of Education (Ed.D.) Special EducationDoctor of Education (Ed.D) - Administrator Leadership for Teaching and LearningDoctor of Education (Ed.D) - Adult EducationDoctor of Education (Ed.D) - Teacher LeadershipPh.D. in Education - Course-based Assessment, Evaluation, and AccountabilityPh.D. in Education - Course-based Educational TechnologyPh.D. in Education - Course-based Leadership, Policy and ChangePh.D. in Education - Course-based Learning, Instruction, and InnovationPh.D. in Education - KAM-based Adult Education LeadershipPh.D. in Education - KAM-based Community College LeadershipPh.D. in Education - KAM-based Curriculum, Instruction, and AssessmentPh.D. in Education - KAM-based Early Childhood and Primary EducationPh.D. in Education - KAM-based GeneralPh.D. in Education - KAM-based Higher EducationPh.D. in Education - KAM-based K-12 Educational LeadershipPh.D. in Education - KAM-based Self-DesignedPh.D. in Education - KAM-based Special EducationPh.D. in Education - Mixed-Model Adult Education LeadershipPh.D. in Education - Mixed-Model Community College LeadershipPh.D. in Education - Mixed-Model Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Ph.D. in Education - Mixed-Model Early Childhood and Primary EducationPh.D. in Education - Mixed-Model GeneralPh.D. in Education - Mixed-Model Global and Comparative EducationPh.D. in Education - Mixed-Model Higher EducationPh.D. in Education - Mixed-Model K-12 Education LeadershipPh.D. in Education - Mixed-Model Self-DesignedPh.D. in Education - Mixed-Model Special EducationPh.D. in Psychology - Clinical Psychology

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Are we missing any schools or programs? If so, please let us know! We appreciate your help in making this the best directory of Education Degree Programs on the web. You can send us an email at schools@educationdegree.com.