EdD vs. PhD Degrees
Should You Get an EdD or a PhD?
If you know you want to work in an educational setting, it can be difficult to know which doctorate degree is right for you. The key question to ask yourself is this: What do you want to do in the academic environment you’ll be working in?
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in academia, a PhD (or a Doctorate of Philosophy) might be for you. This degree is theoretically oriented toward researchers and should enable you to do your own research and exploration in a given field of study.
If you want a more hands-on leadership role, a Doctorate in Education (EdD) might be a better fit for you. This degree is practically oriented toward candidates pursuing leadership roles in education, government agencies and nonprofits. This degree is also designed for candidates in the business world who are responsible for improving organizations through teaching and learning.
Learn more about online EdD degree programs
But there’s more to it. First, check out this table that illustrates some of the key ways that an EdD and a PhD differ in the field of education.
EdD vs. PhD: At a Glance
Degree Components | EdD | PhD |
|---|---|---|
Average Units/Credits | 60 | 90 |
Time to Complete | 2 years | 4 years |
Emphasis | Practice | Research |
Dissertation? | No | Yes |
Common Careers | - School Superintendent | - Professor |
University of Dayton • Dayton, OH
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership for Organizations
Length of Program
As few as 36 months
Credits
60
Admission Requirements
- Master’s degree from an accredited college or university
- GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Your current resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
- Two letters of recommendation (one professional and one academic reference preferred)
- A personal statement
- Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities
- Submission of GRE standardized test scores is optional
Vanderbilt University • Nashville, TN
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership and Learning in Organizations
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
3-4 years
Credits
54
Admission Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Thirty applicable graduate-level hours must be transferred to this degree program from a regionally accredited institution
- Above a 3.0 GPA
- At least three years of leadership experience required
- Verbal and quantitative ability
- Statement of Purpose
- TOEFL or IELTS for international applicants
EdD vs. PhD: Candidate Profiles
Doctorate in Education: A candidate with proven leadership experience who is looking for the next step in their career would be an ideal candidate for an EdD program. EdD programs prepare candidates to solve problems in a variety of settings including colleges and universities, K–12 schools and systems, private firms and/or nonprofits and government organizations.
This means that EdD holders can become executives in school districts, faculty at the university level, training supervisors in large and small businesses or Chief Learning Officers in large corporations.
Interested in earning a Doctorate of Education while pursuing your career? An online Doctorate of Education may be right for you!
PhD: Anyone who wants to be involved in a more study-based role (e.g., researchers, sociologists, etc.) instead of managing or overseeing others might want to consider a PhD over an EdD. Take someone with an interest in childhood development: A PhD candidate may seek to write papers that inform other educators about how children learn, experiment with new learning technology or change policies about how classrooms are run.
EdD vs. PhD: Coursework and Program Requirements
EdD: Common learing objectives embedded in the curriculum of a doctorate in education are: the application of theory to educational problem solving, training in viewing situations from different perspectives, and developing the ability to identify and eradicate discrimination and advocate for social justice.
In order to earn an EdD, most programs require the completion of 60 units. Some programs will give students credit when they have already earned a master’s degree.
PhD: Coursework for a PhD varies from program to program and is designed to provide candidates with an opportunity to specialize in their field of interest. Classes tend to cover all areas of a subject as well as tools you’ll need to do research and work with data (scientific method, statistics, theory). You’ll also be conducting your own projects, research, experiments and/or dissertation as part of earning your degree.
PhD programs often take 4 to 6 years to complete and require a dissertation or thesis to complete candidacy.
EdD vs. PhD: Job Opportunities
EdD:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2017, common job titles and average salaries for EdD graduates include:
- Education Administrators (Elementary and Secondary School): $97,440
- Education Administrators (Postsecondary): $107,670
- Trainers and Development Managers: $117,690
- Social and Community Service Managers: $70,530
- Education Administrators (Preschool and Childcare Center/Program): $53,550
PhD: According to the BLS, as of 2017, common job titles and average salaries for this degree might include:
- Clinical, Counseling and School Psychologists: $81,330
- Education Teachers, Postsecondary: $72,410
- Sociologists: $86,130
- Training and Development Specialists: $64,700
Learn more about how to get your teaching jobs.
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Information last updated: June 2026