The doctorate is a highly specialized degree that opens up a wide range of career opportunities in the field of education. While many people assume that earning a doctorate in education only leads to careers in academia or school administration, the truth is that the degree can qualify you for a variety of roles both inside and outside the classroom. While many individuals with a doctorate in education pursue traditional academic roles as professors and researchers, numerous other career opportunities are available to those with this degree. In this article, we will explore some of the jobs that a doctorate in education qualifies you for.

Perhaps the most obvious career path for someone who has completed doctoral programs in education is to pursue a role in academia. This might involve teaching courses in education, conducting research in the field, or mentoring graduate students. Here are a few examples of academic roles that someone with a doctorate in education might pursue:

Academic Roles

Professor

Many colleges and universities require their faculty members to hold a doctorate degree in their field. In the case of education, professors may teach courses in subjects like educational psychology, curriculum design, or educational leadership. They may also conduct research in these areas, publish academic articles or books, and serve on committees or advisory boards within their institution.

Department Chair

In some cases, a professor with a doctorate in education may be promoted to serve as the chair of their department. This role typically involves overseeing the department’s curriculum, managing faculty members, and developing policies that support the department’s mission and goals.

Academic Dean

Another potential career path for someone with a doctorate in education is to serve as an academic dean. In this role, they would oversee one or more academic departments within a college or university, work with faculty members to develop new programs or initiatives and ensure that the institution is meeting its academic standards.

Education Policy Roles

Another area where a doctorate in education can be useful is in the field of education policy. This might involve working with government agencies, non-profits, or educational institutions to develop policies that promote student success and educational equity. Here are a few examples of education policy roles that someone with a doctorate in education might pursue:

Education Consultant

Many school districts or educational organizations hire consultants to help them develop and implement new policies or programs. A consultant with a doctorate in education might specialize in areas like curriculum design, assessment and evaluation, or teacher professional development.

Education Policy Analyst

Another potential career path for someone with a doctorate in education is to work as a policy analyst for a government agency or non-profit organization. In this role, they would analyze data, research current policies, and recommend new policies or initiatives supporting student success and educational equity.

Education Advocate

Someone with a doctorate in education might also choose to work as an advocate for educational issues. This might involve lobbying for policies that support students and teachers, working with community organizations to promote educational equity, or writing articles or blog posts that raise awareness about important issues in the field.

K-12 School Leadership Roles

Most of the job roles occupied by individuals who have a doctorate in education are roles held by leaders in K-12 school districts. Some of the job roles include:

School Administrator

One of the most common career paths for individuals with a doctorate in education is becoming a school administrator. School administrators are responsible for overseeing the daily operations of schools, from managing budgets and resources to hiring and supervising staff. They also play a critical role in setting policies that affect the educational outcomes of students. This would include job titles such as: assistant principals, principals, district directors, executive directors, chiefs, assistant superintendents, deputy superintendents and superintendents.

Curriculum Specialist

Curriculum specialists are responsible for designing and implementing educational programs that align with the goals and objectives of a school or district. They work closely with teachers and other educators to develop instructional materials and assessments that promote student learning and achievement.

Corporate Training Roles

While it may seem surprising, a doctorate in education can also be useful for those interested in corporate training roles. Many companies are recognizing the importance of ongoing employee development and are hiring professionals with advanced degrees to design and implement training programs. Here are a few examples of corporate training roles that someone with a doctorate in education might pursue:

Corporate Trainer

Corporate trainers use their expertise in education to design and deliver training programs for employees in various industries. They develop training materials, conduct training sessions, and evaluate the effectiveness of training programs. Corporate trainers work for corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.

Learning and Development Manager

In this role, someone with a doctorate in education might work with a company’s leadership team to develop training programs that align with the organization’s goals and values. They would also oversee the implementation of these programs and evaluate their effectiveness.

Instructional Designer

An instructional designer with a doctorate in education might specialize in designing training materials and courses for adult learners. They would work closely with subject matter experts to create relevant materials for adults that complement adult learning styles.

In conclusion, a doctorate in education offers numerous career opportunities beyond traditional academic roles. Whether you aspire to become a school administrator, educational researcher, or corporate trainer, a doctorate in education can help you achieve your professional goals while making a positive impact on the field of education.

Are you interested in pursuing a doctorate program to advance your career? If so, check out our available in-person, hybrid, or online doctoral programs in education today!

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Doctoral Programs in Education: Valuable Skills

The field of education offers two terminal degrees and it is important to understand the differences between the two.

Ph.D.

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education is a theoretically-focused degree that is designed to prepare graduates for research and teaching roles. They focus primarily on contributing to the body of research in the field. No residency is required for this degree and it primarily applies to academia.

Ed.D.

The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) is a more hands-on and practice-oriented degree that is designed to prepare graduates to work in education, government agencies, businesses, or non-profit organizations. This degree focuses on how research is applied to educational practices and requires a residency. Because of its nature, it is applicable to multiple industries.

Regardless of the degree type teachers choose to pursue, they both provide essentially the same technical and soft skills to graduates.

Technical skills include:

• Effective written/oral communication
• Project management
• Organization
• Data analysis
• Problem-solving
• Research management

Soft skills include:

• Leadership
• Patience
• Interpersonal skills
• Tenacity
• Self-management
• Commitment

Additional Job Opportunities

After acquiring advanced degrees, teachers immediately become eligible to apply for a wider range of job opportunities. For positions with crucial responsibilities, many employers prefer candidates with terminal degrees to apply. Having a Ph.D. or Ed.D. in education provides a competitive edge during the job search.

Leadership and Administration Opportunities

In terms of school and district leadership and administration, the Ed.D. degree proves to be more beneficial.

Positions require the skill sets that have been developed by the Ed.D., such as:

• Assistant Principals
• Principals
• District Directors
• Assistant Superintendents
• Superintendents

These professionals must be skilled at high-level problem solving, data analysis, strategic thinking, oral and written communication, and relationship building.

In the PreK-12 arena, the Ph.D. is considered the equivalent to the Ed.D., so graduates with either degree are suited to serve in leadership and administration positions. However, in the post-secondary arena, the Ed.D. is not always considered the equivalent of the Ph.D.

Higher Education Opportunities

Because higher education, and a doctorate in education, emphasizes research and theory, teachers who hold a Ph.D. tend to align closer to the methodology of post-secondary education.

There are several opportunities available to doctoral degree holders in post-secondary education, including:

• Professor/adjunct professor
• Coordinator
• Assistant dean
• Dean
• Provost
• Vice president
• President

These professionals must also be skilled in high-level problem solving, data analysis, strategic thinking, oral and written communication, and relationship building. In addition to these skills, professionals are also required to be skilled at research, statistical analysis, and the publication of white papers, journal articles, and even books.

How to Choose?

Choosing which terminal degree to pursue is a huge decision to make. It often requires consideration of preferences, lifestyles, and finances.

Time

In most cases, Ph.D. degrees require 90 credits of coursework as compared to the Ed.D., which requires at least 60 credits. This can equate to the difference of several months or years in terms of program completion.

This may not be an issue to some, but to others, it very much may. Depending on the amount of time needed to devote to one of these degrees, both your lifestyle and finances may also be impacted.

Lifestyle

In most cases, pursuing terminal degrees may alter a teacher’s lifestyle from its current state for at least three years. This is an adjustment. However, teachers must be mindful to keep certain lifestyle aspects intact even pursuing a degree.

For example, for teachers with young children and other demanding obligations, it may be feasible to enroll in an entirely online doctorate in education or hybrid program. This would eliminate time away from home attending face-to-face class sessions. It is most beneficial for teachers to first reflect on the nuances of their lifestyles and determine what type of program would be a feasible fit for their lifestyles.

Finances

Pursuing a doctoral degree in education can be expensive. Depending on a teacher’s financial situation, it may or may not be wise to accrue student loan debt or to cover expenses out of pocket. Although scholarships and grants will cover the tuition for doctoral coursework, they are not as abundant as those available for bachelor’s and master’s degree coursework.

Tuition and fees for each university may vary tremendously. It is essential for teachers to budget carefully for these expenses ahead of time. It is also essential to be aware of the fees associated with dissertation work and graduation. Normally, teachers would need to hire a professional editor for the dissertation and purchase doctorate-level graduation regalia.

Advancing one’s career is never an easy decision, but it is always a necessary one. As lifelong learners, teachers should always strive to reach beyond the pinnacle of academic success. Students are greatly empowered when they see how hard their teachers work to grow professionally.

Ready to take the next step in your career? Explore our available doctorate degree in education programs and get started today!

*Updated June 2022

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