A Doctor of Education (EdD) is a terminal professional degree focusing on advanced educational leadership expertise. Geared toward experienced educators and administrators, an EdD program will enhance your ability to address academic challenges, drive innovation, and improve educational systems.

The online EdD program from Arcadia University will give you the skills needed to lead educational practices, policies, and programs. Engage in self-paced coursework, live online sessions, and collaborative dissertation support with our team of highly experienced faculty. Our innovative and flexible online learning platform will allow you to balance your professional commitments with advanced studies in educational leadership and research. 

The Doctor of Education (EdD) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) are both doctoral degrees, yet they serve distinct purposes and lead to different career paths. 

The EdD is designed for individuals within the education sector, such as educators, administrators, and policymakers. It emphasizes the practical application of research and theory to address real-world educational challenges, focusing on leadership, curriculum development, and educational policy. Graduates of EdD programs often pursue roles as school principals, superintendents, or consultants and use their expertise to drive improvements within educational institutions. In contrast, the PhD is a research-intensive degree applicable across various fields. It emphasizes the contribution to the theoretical foundation of a specific subject. PhD holders commonly enter academia as professors or researchers. 

The online EdD program at Arcadia University caters to experienced professionals and academics in various educational and education-related fields. With a specific emphasis on education spanning from early childhood to higher education (PK–16), the 51-credit curriculum offers broader applications across diverse education contexts or education-related fields. 

As an online EdD student, you will:

An online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (EdD) degree from Arcadia University is built for changemakers ready to advance their career and lead impactful change in their communities.

The online format provides flexibility, allowing working professionals to balance their academic aspirations with existing commitments. Through interactive online sessions and self-paced coursework, students engage with cutting-edge research, innovative pedagogical approaches, and evolving educational policies. This blend of convenience and collaborative learning enables students to graduate with an EdD that enhances their credentials and equips them with future-forward skills. 

Professionals with an online Doctor of Education (EdD) degree are well equipped to pursue roles focused on leadership, administration, research, and policy reform within education and related industries. Potential job titles include:

Professionals with an online EdD enhance their salary potential. Salaries may vary depending on job setting, location, and experience level. Here are just a few titles with median salaries that graduates could pursue:

Footnotes:

¹ Occupational Outlook Handbook: Postsecondary Teachers. (2023).  U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved September 18, 2023. 

² Occupational Outlook Handbook: Top Executives. (2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved September 18, 2023. 

³ Occupational Outlook Handbook: Instructional Coordinators. (2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved September 18, 2023. 

⁴ Occupational Outlook Handbook: Postsecondary Education Administrators. (2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved September 18, 2023. 

⁵ Occupational Outlook Handbook: Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals. (2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved September 18, 2023.