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 primarily interested in research, 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’re more interested in applying research to practical problems, a Doctorate in Education (EdD) might be a better fit for you. This degree is practically oriented toward candidates who want to improve practice 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 | Varies by program | Varies by program |
Time to Complete | Varies by program | Varies by program |
Emphasis | Practice | Research |
Dissertation? | Varies — many programs require a dissertation or applied capstone project (NCSES Survey of Earned Doctorates, 2024) | Yes |
Example Roles | - School Superintendent | - Professor |
Vanderbilt University • Nashville, TN
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership and Learning in Organizations
Program Type
Doctorate
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Delivery Mode
Online
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
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill • Chapel Hill, NC
Doctor of Education in Organizational Learning and Leadership
Program Type
Doctorate
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Delivery Mode
Online
Length of Program
Complete in as few as 36 months.
Admission Requirements
- No master’s degree required to apply
University of Dayton • Dayton, OH
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership for Organizations
Program Type
Doctorate
Delivery Mode
Online
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
Pepperdine University • Malibu, CA
Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership
Program Type
Doctorate
Delivery Mode
Online
Length of Program
Complete in as few as 40 months.
Credits
Minimum of 57 credits.
Concentrations
Change Management: The Change Management specialization equips you with the tools and insights to effectively design and implement change within an organization. Our program's emphasis on change management responds directly to the evolving needs of today's global marketplace, empowering you to navigate organizational shifts with confidence., Learning Technologies: The Learning Technologies specialization prepares you to deploy new and proven learning technologies within schools, corporations, and other public and private organizations., PK-12 Leadership: The PK-12 Leadership specialization prepares Pre-K-12 leaders in various roles to create and sustain strong learning environments within schools and school districts. Note, this program does not offer credentials/licensure, but is designed for those who already possess the required licensure to continue their professional learning and elevate their school systems to new levels of academic excellence.
Admission Requirements
- Online application
- $55 nonrefundable application fee
- Résumé or curriculum vitae (CV)
- Official transcripts sent electronically via one of the approved companies listed on the GSEP website from the institutions that awarded the bachelor’s and master’s degrees to the applicant, as well as all transcripts from all other colleges or universities attended
- Two letters of recommendation (LOR)
- Statement of Interest
- A personal and/or group interview with a program director or designees is required for qualified applicants.
Hawaii Pacific University • Honolulu, HI
Master of Education in Educational Leadership
Program Type
Master's
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Delivery Mode
Online
Length of Program
Complete in 12 to 24 months.
Admission Requirements
- Online application
- Résumé
- Transcripts
- Letters of recommendation are optional.
- Essay/personal statement (optional)
Maryville University • St. Louis, MO
Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership
Program Type
Doctorate
Delivery Mode
Online
Length of Program
Complete in as few as 32 months.
Credits
48 credits
Concentrations
Higher Education, P-12, Education Technology Leadership
Admission Requirements
- A completed online application — no fee required
- Official academic transcripts, including bachelor’s and master’s programs
- Résumé/CV
- Personal essay: 500–600 words.
- Two professional letters of recommendation.
- English proficiency scores (International applicants may be required to submit scores that meet a certain threshold.)
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.
If you’re weighing the time and cost of an EdD, see whether a Doctorate in Education is worth it.
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: The learning objectives embedded in the curriculum of a doctorate in education vary from program to program.
Credit requirements for an EdD vary by program. 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 vary in length and require a dissertation or thesis to complete candidacy.
EdD vs. PhD: Job Opportunities
EdD:
Example occupations to explore include the following. Figures shown are national median annual wages for all workers in each occupation, not for EdD holders specifically, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025:
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary (SOC 11-9032): $105,870
- Education Administrators, Postsecondary (SOC 11-9033): $104,590
- Training and Development Managers (SOC 11-3131): $133,000
- Social and Community Service Managers (SOC 11-9151): $80,390
- Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare (SOC 11-9031): $59,300
PhD: Example occupations to explore include the following. Figures shown are national median annual wages for all workers in each occupation, not for PhD holders specifically, from the BLS OEWS, May 2025:
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (SOC 19-3033): $100,580
- School Psychologists (SOC 19-3034): $95,990
- Education Teachers, Postsecondary (SOC 25-1081): $75,350
- Sociologists (SOC 19-3041): $106,030
- Training and Development Specialists (SOC 13-1151): $69,280
Learn more about how to get your teaching jobs.
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Information last updated: September 2026