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Is an EdD Worth It? How It Can Impact Your Community

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Group of educators standing in a school hallway.

Education is the bedrock of social growth and innovation, so the role of educators and leaders extends beyond the classroom. The Doctor of Education (EdD) is a degree that enhances an individual’s expertise and empowers them to be a catalyst for change within their communities. With a focus on leadership and transformational learning, the EdD is designed for professionals within and outside of the education sector who are passionate about making a meaningful impact. 

However, earning a doctorate education requires a significant commitment. Learn more about this degree option, the impact EdD graduates can make in their community and if an EdD is worth it.

What is an EdD?

An EdD is a terminal degree for professionals who aspire to leadership roles in education and the non-profit sectors. While often compared to a PhD in Education, which is more research-oriented, the EdD is a practice-based degree designed to prepare professionals in different industries for real-world leadership positions. 

EdD programs typically address practical challenges in organizational systems, policies, and institutions. These programs give graduates the skills to implement sustainable changes that can positively affect students, educators, and communities.

The Role of Leaders in Community Well-Being

By developing leadership skills, professionals with an EdD can advocate for policies that enhance educational equity, diversity, and inclusion in schools and communities. Moreover, these professionals are trained to lead initiatives that benefit students and uplift families and communities.

They often act as agents of social change, particularly in underserved communities. Through their work, educators help level the playing field by fostering equity and inclusion in classrooms and organizations. 

Advocating for equity in education means promoting access to resources and opportunities for all, particularly those from underserved or marginalized communities. By fighting for inclusive policies and practices, educators and leaders can eliminate barriers to community well-being.

Whether they’re designing inclusive curricula or leading educational organizations to support diverse educators and student populations, leaders with an EdD can address systemic educational issues, such as inequities in access to resources and support. For those looking to make a broader impact, an EdD provides leadership opportunities to foster change at the institutional and community levels.

How Educators and Leaders Promote Community Well-Being

Professionals with EdDs promote community well-being by fostering social, emotional, and academic development among learners — and by acting as leaders and advocates within their communities. Here are several ways educators contribute to community well-being:

1. Support Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Educators who integrate social and emotional learning (SEL) into their strategies help learners develop key life skills, such as self-awareness, empathy, and responsible decision-making. As the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) explains, SEL can foster a better learning environment by empowering students to speak up, listen well, and see themselves as valuable members of a learning community. 

2. Create Safe and Supportive Environments

By creating a safe and inclusive learning environment, educators reduce bullying, violence, and discrimination, contributing to overall community safety and well-being. These environments also foster a sense of belonging among students, which extends to their families and the community beyond.

3. Encourage Civic Engagement and Leadership

Professionals with EdDs can encourage learners to become leaders by involving them in community projects, promoting volunteerism, and teaching the importance of civic participation. This can lead to greater community cohesion and a sense of shared responsibility.

4. Forge Stronger Family-School Partnerships

Educators help build stronger connections between schools and families, which is important for improving student outcomes and fostering a more supportive community environment. Positive family-school partnerships improve students’ academic performance and mental health, contributing to overall community well-being.

Learn more about our Online EdD programs

Reasons Professionals Choose an EdD

In addition to community leadership, there are several reasons why professionals choose to pursue an EdD.

Career Advancement

An EdD opens doors to senior leadership roles, such as university administration, superintendents, nonprofit management, training and development, and policymakers. These roles often require expertise in organizational management, educational policy, and leadership strategies.

Specialized Knowledge

EdD programs offer specialized coursework that focuses on contemporary challenges in education and development. For example, many programs include training in leadership, curriculum development, and student engagement, allowing graduates to tailor their knowledge to specific professional goals.

Influence on Policy

Professionals with an EdD are positioned to influence local, state, or national educational policies. With the skills acquired through this degree, they can advocate for reforms that address systemic issues such as resource allocation, teacher development, and student success.

Research Opportunities

While the EdD is primarily practice-oriented, it also involves research that directly applies to education and development. Graduates often complete dissertations that focus on solving pressing issues in their field, providing practical solutions they can implement in schools or educational organizations.

Why the EdD in Educational Leadership is Ideal for Change-Makers

The Online EdD in Educational Leadership program at American International College is designed for professionals seeking to drive change. This online doctoral degree program spans seven semesters (approximately two years) and includes courses on leadership, student development, and educational policies. The program culminates with a dissertation, which allows students to apply research directly to their areas of interest.

For those wondering whether an EdD is worth it, the numbers speak for themselves. The program is suited for individuals interested in leadership positions emphasizing diversity, access, and inclusion. Graduates can enter leadership roles such as education administrator or training and development manager who earn more than $100,000 per year. It encourages both traditional and innovative methods to foster change, preparing professionals to handle the complexities of education, training, and development

Take the Next Step to Become an Education Leader

Whether you’re interested in improving school systems, training leaders, influencing policy, or advancing diversity and inclusion, an EdD can help you make a lasting impact.

An EdD can transform your career and the communities you serve. Earning an EdD offers you the leadership skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to drive meaningful educational change. 

Learn more about how the Online EdD in Educational Leadership and Administration program at American International College can prepare you for a fulfilling career as a transformative leader. The program emphasizes diversity, access, and inclusion while encouraging a mixture of traditional and contemporary methods to prepare leaders for the shifting demands of the education field. 

Advance your career today, and learn to become an advocate for change in your community with a doctorate in education. 

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