EdD vs PhD: What’s the difference?
What’s the difference between an EdD and PhD? Terminal degrees are the educational pinnacle of any career. Leaders across sectors — including business and education — can maximize their impact and show their mastery when completing a doctorate. Today, several options are available for those looking to elevate their teams, transform organizations, and distinguish their careers.
Educational professionals can choose between a Doctor of Education (EdD) or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree for career advancement. The choice between an EdD or PhD hinges on an individual’s long-term goals. Some prefer acting as change agents within a practice setting, while others lean towards the pursuit of academic research.
Explore which path is best for you as we review the difference between an EdD and PhD in our blog.
Learn more about our Online EdD programs
Learning to Lead in an Ed.D. Program
What does an EdD stand for? In education and academia, an EdD program is a Doctor of Education degree. It’s a professional doctorate focused on leadership and practice.
It’s often for:
- School or district administrators
- Higher education leaders
- Policy or curriculum specialists
- Education consultants
- Organizational leaders across sectors
The Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) notes that EdD programs “prepare educators for the application of appropriate and specific practices, the generation of new knowledge, and for the stewardship of the profession.”
These goals are achieved by teaching advanced leadership and research skills. An EdD degree demonstrates the holder’s commitment to dynamic leadership informed by the latest research.
The EdD’s focus on leadership and administration extends its value beyond current educators. Candidates often include nonprofit administrators, business executives, and government agency employees. With its emphasis on responsible stewardship and socially responsible management, the EdD translates well across diverse professional settings.
There are in-person and online versions of this doctorate. Well-qualified applicants demonstrate completion of master’s degrees and years of professional experience. Typically, EdD students can complete their coursework and dissertations in two to three years of study.
Mastering Research in a Ph.D. Program
A PhD in education — like a PhD in most disciplines — prepares the graduate for academic track careers. PhD programs heavily emphasize student research about pedagogy and education theory rather than more immediate leadership needs.
In addition to a dissertation, the PhD path may require:
- Completion of general and specialized comprehensive exams
- Participation in regular presentations and discussions of ongoing research
- Teaching undergraduate discussion groups and lectures
When comparing the difference between an EdD and PhD, PhD programs take longer to complete, often requiring four to six years of study and full-time enrollment. Admissions requirements for PhD programs in education commonly include a master’s degree in a related field, along with GRE or GMAT scores.
Career Paths for Ed.D. and Ph.D. Graduates
The career differences between EdD and PhD programs lead to distinct paths. EdD holders are often prepared for administrative and leadership roles in education (from primary through postsecondary levels), as well as in business, nonprofit, and government organizations. PhD graduates are best equipped for research-intensive roles, such as careers in academia.
Ed.D. Careers
Many K–12 teachers and higher education professionals earn an EdD to enhance career mobility. Some graduates pursue roles such as school principal or district superintendent after years of classroom experience. An EdD also helps develop the skills necessary for university administrative positions, including:
- Admissions director
- Dean of an academic department
- Institutional research director
- Provost
- Registrar
Beyond primary, secondary, and postsecondary education, an EdD can open doors to leadership roles in a variety of fields. While the degree is popular among educators, it also attracts those in HR, training, nonprofit, and public sector leadership.
EdD students develop expertise in strategic decision-making, organizational culture, equity-focused management, and change initiatives. Graduates pursue a range of roles, including instructional coordinators, curriculum specialists, organizational development managers, HR executives, and more.
Ph.D. Careers
PhD candidates spend much of their time developing expertise in education theory and research skills, as their programs typically focus on preparing future faculty members. Teaching and research fellowships under the guidance of experienced faculty help foster the next generation of professors. Over time, PhD holders can progress through academic positions such as lecturer, assistant or associate professor, and full professor.
Professionals who are more interested in research than teaching can also pursue roles outside the classroom. They may work as researchers for policy think tanks, government agencies, or university-affiliated institutes. A PhD, combined with experience in these settings, can lead to advancement into leadership roles.
A Closer Look: EdD vs PhD in Education
Individual career goals and schedule are important factors in deciding whether to pursue a PhD or an EdD in education. We’ve outlined the requirements and typical timelines for each degree, and there are several benefits to consider when exploring your options.
PhD programs often cover some or all of students’ tuition in exchange for teaching and research work. The extended period of study allows candidates to explore their areas of research in depth. This path is ideal for education experts who want to teach future educators in university settings.
EdD programs offer lower tuition costs through online or hybrid learning and typically shorter timelines to graduation. Students collaborate with professors on real-world applications of education leadership, drawing on their diverse professional experiences. An EdD from a leading university such as American International College (AIC) can open doors to career opportunities in education and beyond.
Elevate Your Career with an EdD from AIC
AIC’s online EdD prepares professionals to be transformative leaders who turn research into real-world solutions. This fully online program with no campus residencies offers flexibility for working adults. Students can complete the degree in just two years of full-time study.
Students choose from four specializations—Educational Leadership, Higher Education, Teaching and Learning, and Organizational Leadership and Development—allowing them to shape their learning experience around their career goals. For the final project, candidates can select either a dissertation or a capstone (culminating experience), providing the option to focus on research or applied practice.
Why AIC’s Online EdD Stands Out:
- Career-Aligned: Built around your goals with career support at every step.
- Efficiency Without Compromise: Complete a rigorous doctorate in two years, with lower tuition than comparable programs.
- Designed for Aspiring Leaders: Fully online with flexible pacing for working professionals.
- Real-World Impact: Apply your learning directly to your organization or field through a customizable dissertation or capstone project.
Discover how AIC’s online EdD program can unlock leadership roles in education, non-profit, and business.