As a teacher, you know how important it is to have the proper training. Beyond your degree and years of experience, having a doctorate gives you more credibility in the classroom.
A Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) can help. But what exactly is an Ed.D.? And how does it work? In this post, we’ll cover everything from the program requirements to the curriculum of an Ed.D. so that you can decide if this degree is right for you.
What is an Ed.D. in Education?
An online Ed.D. in higher education is a terminal degree, which means the highest academic level a student can attain without earning a doctorate (Ph.D.). It’s also considered an advanced degree in education and research-based, meaning you’ll spend most of your time conducting independent studies on various education and teacher training topics.
According to The World Bank, there are close to 85 million teachers in the world. This number includes 2.5 million teachers in the higher education sector. The same report also mentions that by 2030, we will need an additional 68.8 million teachers, so the opportunity is ripe to pursue Ed.D in education.
Is a Doctorate Degree in Education Right for You?
A Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) prepares you to be an educational leader and manager in various settings. This degree can be earned online or on campus, depending on your preference and location.
If you hold a master’s degree, you may also be able to complete this program as a non-degree-seeking student if offered at your institution. According to Zippia, 24.5% of college teachers have master’s degrees.
The Ed.D. is designed for students with previous experience working as teachers, administrators, or other educational professionals who wish to further their careers. It can be done through additional education and coursework focused on leadership and management skills that can help them become more effective leaders in their field.
Common Curriculum Topics for Ed.D. Programs
As you look at the requirements for Ed.D. programs, you’ll notice that every program has its own core courses. These classes require all students to learn about the core concepts of education and develop specific skills necessary for teaching.
The curriculum topics for these courses may vary depending on what type of degree you’re pursuing, but there are some common themes. These include curriculum planning and development, student assessment, technology applications in education, educational research methods, school finance and resource allocation, instructional design, and leadership practices.
Common Capstone Projects for an Ed.D.
A capstone project is a culmination of your education. It’s the final piece demonstrating the skills and knowledge you’ve gained throughout your coursework. While it’s not required for an Ed.D. program, most schools require some capstone project or dissertation from their students.
Capstone projects vary by school, but they usually involve writing a long paper synthesizing everything you’ve learned in your program and presenting new research. The point is to show off what you can do with all those years worth of knowledge and demonstrate why you’re qualified to teach at a higher level than where most teachers start out.
Doctor of Education Admission Requirements
Doctor of Education admission requirements includes a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a GRE score of 300 on the verbal and quantitative sections. Some schools may also require you to take additional tests. You may be required to submit a personal statement or resume and letters of recommendation from two academic references.
In addition, there are specific programs that require applicants to have teaching experience before applying for admission into their doctoral program. This requirement varies from school to school but is typically between one and three years of teaching experience required before admission into these programs can be granted by the university itself.
Ed.D Salary and Job Outlook
You’ll need to earn your teaching license if you want to teach in the K-12 public school system. You can get a bachelor’s degree and complete a teacher preparation program.
Many people choose to pursue master’s degrees in education or administration because it is required for licensure, and earning one can help them get higher salaries and secure jobs sooner than if they didn’t have one. According to Fortune, an Ed.D. will easily get you a $10,000 bump.
For those who would instead work in higher education, an Ed.D. will provide advanced knowledge of curriculum design, research methods, and statistics essential for teaching at this level.
An Ed.D. will also be useful for anyone who wants to move into management positions or become a college dean because it demonstrates mastery of leadership skills and extensive knowledge about how academic institutions operate on multiple levels.
Online Doctor of Education in Higher Education
While it’s true that you can complete the Ed.D. in Higher Education degree in as little as 16 months, most students need 24 to 30 months to finish the program. It may be due to taking a combination of online courses and those taught in person or because some students want to take some time off between semesters so they can focus on other obligations outside of school.
A student’s academic background will play a role in determining how long it takes for them to complete an Ed.D. program. Some programs have prerequisites that you must meet before you can begin your coursework, while others require you have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school or university before applying for admission into their program.
Conclusion
If you are a teacher interested in higher education, you may need this degree to take the next step in your career. While many different specializations are available, the Ed.D. stands out as one of the most comprehensive degrees for educators today. With an online program, you can enjoy all the benefits of studying at home while still earning a top-notch education from an accredited institution.