PhD Programs in Education
Searching for PhD Programs in Education?
Earning a doctorate is a prestigious honor that few people accomplish. It requires a lot of time and commitment that many professional adults have little of. If you feel like you cannot commit to a lengthy campus based program, there are many online PhD programs in education.
Doctorate Degrees in Education
A doctorate degree in education will open up more job opportunities for you than just a bachelor’s or master’s degree. A PhD or EdD will typically increase your pay as well. With a doctorate degree, many graduates go on to work in school leadership, education administration, curriculum development, research, and high level academia.
Walden University – Online PhD Programs in Education
Walden University offers accelerated classes: 8 week online classes.
Walden University offers advanced degrees to working professionals like you. Choose from highly respected degree programs in counseling, education, nursing, management, psychology, public health, human services, public administration and technology.
Online Doctor of Education
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) – Administrator Leadership for Teaching & Learning
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) – Higher Education & Adult Learning
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) – Higher Education Leadership
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) – Special Education
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) – Teacher Leadership
Online PhD in Education
- PhD in Education – Adult Education Leadership
- PhD in Education – Community College Leadership
- PhD in Education – Course-based – Educational Technology
- PhD in Education – Course-based – Leadership, Policy and Change
- PhD in Education – Course-based – Learning, Instruction, and Innovation
- PhD in Education – Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
- PhD in Education – Early Childhood and Primary Education
- PhD in Education – General
- PhD in Education – Higher Education
- PhD in Education – K-12 Education Leadership
- PhD in Education – Self-Designed
- PhD in Education – Special Education
Online PhD in Counselor Education
- PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision – Consultation
- PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision – Counseling and Social Change
- PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision – Forensic Mental Health
- PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision – General
- PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision – Nonprofit Management and Leadership
- PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision – Trauma and Crisis
Online Education Specialist (Ed.S.)
- Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Administrator Leadership for Teaching and Learning – General
- Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Development – General
- Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Leadership & Administration (Principal Preparation) – General
- Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Technology – General
- Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Special Education – General
- Education Specialist (Ed.S.) Teacher Leadership – General
Read more or get a program guide from Walden University.
PhD in Education vs. Doctor of Education (EdD)
There are two different doctorate level degrees you can earn in the field of education. The one that is right for you will often depend on what you are hoping to accomplish in your career upon graduation.
Doctor of Education (EdD)
The Doctor of Education (EdD) is more for those that wish to become a policy maker, superintendent, or applied educational researcher. The EdD focuses on the application of existing theory.
PhD in Education (PhD)
The PhD in Education focuses more on academic research and is for those that desire to be professors, educational theorists, and teacher educators. The programs are basically the same until you reach the dissertation phase of the program.
Specializations within a Doctoral Program in Education
There are many different specializations that you can choose when earning a PhD or EdD in Education. You choice of specialization will often affect the coursework you will be required to take to complete the program.
EdD’s are often offered specializations in educational leadership, curriculum and instruction, instructional leadership, and higher education and organizational change.
PhD programs are usually offered specialization in community college leadership, early childhood education, educational technology, and special education. However, there are many more specializations offered for both doctorate degrees.
Curriculum
Both the EdD and PhD will require that you complete a specific number of courses. These courses are very similar for both paths. Depending on the university, programs require between 50 and 100 semester hours to complete.
Courses include foundation and core courses such as promoting learning, research, school leadership, curriculum design, and assessing learning experience. The length of time this portion takes depends on the student.
Dissertation for PhD and EdD Programs
Both the EdD and PhD will also require a dissertation in addition to coursework.
You will work closely with an adviser to pick a topic, design a research study, and write a dissertation. Often, you will be required to defend your findings in front of a university committee.
With a PhD in education, you will be able to affect the educational system by researching and discovering new techniques and theories to better our learning environment. It can be an extremely rewarding career.