General Education Doctorate Programs | Ed.D. Ph.D. Degrees

General Education Doctorate Degree Programs offer students interested in educational leadership the opportunity to pursue a terminal degree in the field. Whether you are drawn towards academia or hands-on leadership and supervision, a doctoral degree in education may open the door to potential administration and teaching careers in colleges, universities and technical schools. If your aspirations include understanding curriculum and development, U.S. school system policies, student achievement and conducting research, a General Education Doctorate degree is worth considering.

What are General Education Doctorate Programs?

General Education Doctorate Programs take 4 to 6 years to pursue as they involve the prior completion of a master’s degree and the writing of a doctoral dissertation, a formal paper that presents original research in their field of study. In addition to coursework and the dissertation, there are usually internship and student-teaching experiences required. Often, candidates at this level choose a concentration area, such as curriculum design, educational psychology, teacher education, educational leadership or education policy.

DID YOU KNOW? 37% of Education Administrators at the Postsecondary level (e.g. Academic Affairs Dean, Admissions Director) hold a doctorate degree. (O*Net)

Types of General Education Doctorate Degrees: EdD vs. PhD Degrees

You may be ready to earn a doctorate degree in education but which degree is right for you? Choosing a General Education Doctorate program is easier if you know what you want to do in the academic setting you aim to work in?

What is a Doctorate in Education?

The Doctorate in Education (EdD) typically suits individuals who are interested in a more hands-on leadership role, whether in education or business. This type of program is also research-focused, but rather than aiming to produce a new hypothesis, EdD students focus on the application of existing research to inform decisions about subjects such as organizational issues in education. If you have a desire to lead, an EdD degree might be a great fit. Some of the common job titles for graduates with a Doctorate in Education might include:

• Training and Development Managers (BLS)
• Postsecondary Administrators (BLS)
• Provosts (BLS)
• Deans (BLS)
• College presidents (BLS)
• Professor or lecturer BLS

Majors within Doctorate in Education programs may include:

• Counseling
• Curriculum and instruction/curriculum and teaching
• Educational administration
• Education policy
• Educational psychology
• Educational technology
• Higher education
• Human resource development
• Language/linguistics
• Leadership

What is a Doctor of Philosophy in Education?

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education typically suits individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in academia. In theory, Education PhD programs are oriented towards researchers and enable learners to conduct their own research in any given field of study. Usually the goal of their research is to contribute something new to education; at the same time candidates must master the subject they are researching. If you have a desire to research or teach at the university level, a PhD in Education might be a great fit. Some of the common job titles for graduates with a Doctor of Philosophy in Education might include:

• Assistant Professor (O*Net)
• Professor (O*Net)
• General Education Instructor (O*Net)
• English Professor (O*Net)
• School Psychologists (BLS)

Campus or Online Doctorate Degree in Education?

General Education Doctorate degrees are offered on campus as well as online through distance-learning. If you are located near a graduate school or can relocate, use the location settings on GradSchools.com to find programs by city, state or country and study in a social environment with hands-on learning. If this is not possible for you and you have to balance a busy work life with an advanced degree, Online Doctorate Degrees in Education may be more viable and convenient.

Accreditation

Accreditation for graduate schools may be regional or national. Check with the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. In terms of teaching in a classroom, a Doctorate degree may not lead to licensure. If this is what you are looking for contact your state’s education board to determine what state-specific requirements you must complete before obtaining your teacher’s license and choose a program that provides the academic path that supports your goal.

Take the Next Step

Now that you have more clarity in terms of the different types of General Education Doctoral Programs, you can initiate a search. Browse sponsored listings such as Doctor of Philosophy in Education, Doctor of Education – International Education and Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision- General Program.

GradSchools.com offers 21 Graduate Schools General Education Doctorate Degrees