Why I Chose to Pursue a Doctoral Degree

The doctoral degree is the most advanced degree that you can earn. It is considered the pinnacle degree because it symbolizes that you have mastered a specific area of study, field, or profession. It was always my desire to pursue a doctoral degree, however, I wasn’t sure about the best time to pursue it. I believed that the degree would make me a more competent educator and would make me a more competitive candidate whenever I decided to pursue career advancement.

I made my decision to pursue a doctoral degree shortly after completing my master’s degree when I was serving as an assistant principal. One of my professors from the master’s program came to shadow me on the job and interview my supervising principals. At the end of his visit, my professor advised that I strongly consider immediately continuing my work in the doctoral study. He based this advice on my success with the master’s level course content and my work setting at the time which provided me with opportunities to immediately apply the concepts that I was learning. I trusted my professor’s advice and began my Educational Leadership Ed.D. less than a year after receiving my master’s degree.

How a Doctoral Degree Elevated My Career

Understanding of Leadership

Because the area of concentration for my doctoral degree was educational leadership, many of my courses were geared to provide me with the principles needed to lead in schools and districts. My professors not only had knowledge of leadership theories, but they also had practitioner experience from the field. This allowed my understanding of leadership to be firmly grounded in solid logic. I was also fortunate to be serving in a school leadership position during the time in which I was in the doctoral program. This allowed me to directly apply the concepts as I was learning them. My leadership was immediately impacted in a positive way.

Confidence as a Content Presenter

During my doctoral classes, I was required to study content and present it to my colleagues in specific ways. There were times I needed to present professional development, technical training, book expositions, collaborative activities, and other various sessions. Many times, this was with little notice and very little lead time for preparation. This developed my skills to produce results in time-pressured settings. It also strengthened my confidence as a presenter.

The skill set created from these exercises translated very nicely into my work as a state director, district director, and school principal. Much of the work in these leadership positions requires leaders to be able to produce and present content in compelling and comprehensive ways in time-pressured environments.

What I Learned Through the Degree that I Still Use

The Importance of School Culture

One of the themes that seem to emerge from my leadership coursework in the doctoral program was the importance of school culture. The professors spoke about leadership theory and the best leadership practices, but they made it clear that even the best strategies and theories would not be effective if the school culture is not healthy. They spoke about the importance of building consensus, obtaining buy-in, and keeping a pulse on staff satisfaction.

As a leader, I immediately found this to be true in my work. Healthy school culture always seemed to make leadership easier. In unhealthy or toxic environments, it was always more challenging to implement change or experience progression. As a result, I am always aware of organizational culture, and I seek to lead in ways that create and sustain a healthy culture.

Significance of Research-Based Work

After completing the dissertation process, it was very hard to abandon the practice of seeking out and utilizing credible sources of research. As a leader with a doctoral degree, I found myself citing sources when I presented content to other educators. Strategies and methods that sounded promising but were not backed by research suddenly became less appealing to me. I also challenged staff members to be well acquainted with the research that supports their mindsets and educational practices. It often became apparent that some of the practices we held close were not founded in sound or solid research. I attribute this approach to leadership to my dissertation experience. The dissertation forced me to consult research and apply it to data analysis.

Although achieving a doctoral degree often represents the pinnacle of a person’s academic journey, it should not diminish a person’s quest for knowledge. In fact, it should create a hunger to know and learn more.

Advantages of Gardner-Webb’s Graduate Programs

After receiving the advice from my professor from my master’s program, I decided to begin looking at various programs. I knew that I wanted to experience face-to-face program for doctoral study.

Gardner-Webb University became the best choice for me for three reasons. First, it provided face-to-face instruction. All courses were with in-person professors who I could interact with freely and naturally. Second, it offered a cohort-style progression through the program. The same classmates who started the first class with me would be with me until the last class unless they decided to leave the program. This provided me with the opportunity to build relationships with my classmates. We learned and grew together. The third reason Gardner-Webb became the best choice for me would be the work-friendly scheduling of classes. Classes occurred on Friday nights and all day on Saturdays. This allowed me to work through the week and get enough credit hours to move through the program without having conflicts during the work week.

My doctoral degree challenged my metacognition, strengthened my skills as a leader, and made me a lifelong researcher. As a result, I became a much more competent, confident, and competitive educator.

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What is a Curriculum and Instruction Degree?

Before diving into the Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction pathway, it is essential to understand the field of curriculum and instruction, a field steeped in the transformative processes requiring effective instructional decisions to positively impact student learning.

In the ever-changing landscape of education, a degree in curriculum and instruction equips educators with the knowledge and skills needed to recommend curriculum improvements, identify teacher training opportunities, and implement educational standard changes.

How is a doctoral curriculum and instruction degree different from other programs? Many programs provide educators the opportunity to learn new skills and gain knowledge in their field; however, these programs are typically geared toward specific content areas. While these advanced degrees provide educators with growth opportunities, they tend to limit the available professional roles.

The doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction is not limiting. It empowers educators in their classrooms to better understand curriculum and the skills needed to teach that curriculum. Doctoral students complete their programs to apply a continuous cycle of improvement through innovative approaches to teaching and learning.

Beyond the classroom, the doctoral degree opens doors for professional advancement. Suppose your goal is to lead the development of teachers through strategic curriculum design and implementation. In that case, a doctoral degree provides the real-world skills and knowledge needed to enter that role. School districts and private organizations seek individuals with a deep understanding of curriculum and its development and delivery that a doctoral degree provides.

What You’ll Learn in a Doctoral Curriculum and Instruction Degree Program

The educational field is ripe with opportunities to effect change and impact students’ lives. The field itself, thanks to research and collaboration, improves each year. The more educators know about theoretical models and their practical applications in the classroom, the more equipped they are to meet the needs of diverse learners and educators.

In a doctoral curriculum and instruction program you will learn how to:

• Develop a collaborative culture that supports the growth and development of both educators and students
• Conduct, access, and apply research to improve classroom practice, district implementation, and student engagement to positively impact student learning and development
• Facilitate programs and activities that foster community and parent involvement in district, school, and student learning goals
• Develop, promote, and implement professional learning that meets the needs of adult learners and generates excitement and fresh perspectives about student learning and achievement
• Act as an advocate for students, teachers, and the profession

What are the Benefits of a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction?

Significant Professional Growth

During my time as a doctoral candidate through Gardner-Webb University, I found myself rejuvenated by the research I conducted and the collaborative projects in which I was a participant.

The learning community developed in the program provided me with a deep understanding of student learning at both the theoretical and practical levels. I gained confidence in my ability to make classroom decisions based on data, research, and student needs, which led me to develop innovative project-based learning units that fostered student growth, collaboration, and excitement.

Not only did I gain confidence in myself, but I gained trust from my colleagues and administrators. These individuals value my expertise in decision-making processes that impact outcomes for the district. And beyond the classroom, the doctoral degree opened leadership opportunities for me as a mentor teacher, a school-wide teacher leader, and now an instructional facilitator.

Higher Education Opportunities

The doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction also provides degree recipients with opportunities in higher education. The degree program provides a pathway to continue working in the education field at the university level in educator preparation programs as instructors and researchers.

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the median salary for post-secondary instructors is $79,640 per year. If you’re like me and not ready to leave the K-12 setting, a doctoral degree provides an opportunity to work in higher education as an adjunct professor, as well.

K-12 Career Advancement

Want to advance to the next level in your career at the district level? The curriculum and instruction doctoral degree also provides opportunities for educators to move into specialist positions for school districts.

• K-12 School Administrator: The doctorate opens the opportunity for school leadership in the K-12 setting. School administrators’ responsibilities include management of a school’s daily operations, budget, and staff. Additionally, school administrators may be expected to assess curriculum programs and their implementation on site. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, salaries for school administrators range between $53,000 and $104,000, and depend on district/school size, as well as state salary schedules and years of experience.
• Instructional Coordinator/Facilitator: The role of an instructional coordinator/facilitator varies by state and school district. Generally, instructional coordinators/facilitators are expected to develop standards-based curriculum and monitor its implementation. They also manage assessment practices, both at the classroom and the school level, working closely with administrators and teachers to analyze data in order to assess and meet student needs. The salary for an instructional facilitator depends on state salary schedules, with the median salary of $64,450 according to the Bureaus of Labor and Statistics.
• Superintendent: Superintendents typically work for a school board and oversee the operations and management of entire school systems and personnel. They are also expected to develop the school system’s budget. According to PayScale, the average salary for a school superintendent is $118,655 and depends on state salary schedules and years of experience.

In these roles, you will oversee district instructional programs and implementation and teacher growth through professional development planning and roll-out. State salary schedules determine the salary for these positions.

If you are interested in education and development beyond the school system, the opportunities for individuals with a doctoral degree are numerous. The degree allows individuals to fill curriculum-focused roles in private institutions and non-profit organizations where continuing education and training of employees is paramount to continued success and growth.

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