For those working in the field of education, there are many different routes you can take to progress in your career. These include teaching, education administration, school counseling, school social work, and educational publishing. If however, you are interested in a senior leadership or management position or perhaps a policy role within the sector, then taking a Doctor of Education degree (EdD) might be the ideal option for you. Read on to find out more about this qualification, the advantages of studying for it, and the careers it can prepare you for.
What will I study on a Doctor of Education degree?
An EdD is an advanced, professional qualification. Along with a Ph.D. in Education, you can achieve one of the highest degrees in this field. Aimed at working professionals and experienced educators, it emphasizes the practical, hands-on side of education. This makes it ideal for people who are hoping to work in a leadership or policy role, either in education or another area such as a government agency or a non-profit organization.
The type of modules you will study focus on applying the knowledge, research and skills you gain to real-world issues, and putting what you learn on the course into practice. The precise modules will vary depending on the institution you attend, but are likely to cover areas such as ethical leadership, change management, entrepreneurship within education systems, and integrating educational theory into organizational innovation. You may also focus on topics related to research, learning, social justice, policy, mentoring and finance.
To get a better idea of the sort of issues you will be examining, take a look at the websites of institutions you are interested in. They usually list the modules currently offered (though these are subject to change every year) and the research interests of their staff.
The course structure will likely consist of a series of taught modules, along with a period of independent research that will form the basis of a written dissertation. These days there are many opportunities to study an EdD on a part-time basis, as well as via online learning, and it generally takes 2-3 years to complete. Plenty of students choose to do the course while working full-time, enabling you to study without losing financial security, disrupting your family life, or taking a career break.
Doctoral degrees are generally not graded; rather, you simply pass or fail. After completing the course you earn the title of
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