Best Online Doctorate in Education Programs

Earning a doctorate in education may be the ultimate challenge that many educators desire. There are a lot of things you can do with a Ph.D. in education, or another doctorate degree in the field. Perhaps you are an {elementary school principal|https://study.com/elementary_school_principal_education.html] looking for the next step in your career.

After graduating from an online doctorate in education program, you will be able to advance your career and become eligible for roles such as college president, provost, school superintendent, dean, or professor, depending on your goals and interests. These jobs come with high salaries, achievement, and respect. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) educator jobs in postsecondary settings are expected to grow 9% between 2019 and 2029, which is faster than average. This type of growth means earning a doctorate in education can quickly lead to career growth. Graduates of doctorate programs in education are leaders in the field and have the power to effect change if desired, which can increase job satisfaction as well.

You can study many subjects when pursuing a degree in education. The most common credentials you can earn after graduating from an online education doctorate program are Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) and EdD (Doctor of Education). While both are prestigious and respected, there are differences between the two.

• An EdD is for students looking to pursue leadership roles in education. An EdD is a good fit for experienced educators looking to advance their careers and make a lasting impact on the field of education through leadership.
• A Ph.D. prepares students for roles in teaching and research, which is why a dissertation is always a part of a Ph.D. program. A Ph.D. may be more appropriate for students looking to take a theoretical approach to both their learning and career.

Both types of doctorate in education programs are available for students to pursue online.

Once you have decided to pursue an online doctorate degree in education, there are a few things you should know about the admissions process before getting started. It will be important to check the specific admissions requirements from the schools to which you are applying, but there are some general similarities among online education doctorate programs.

Here are the common admissions requirements:

• Submit a completed application
• Have a Master's degree from an accredited program
• Submit a letter of intent
• Have some professional experience
• Submit official transcripts from graduate school
• Have earned a GPA of 3.0 or better (this will depend on the program)

The coursework for your online doctorate in education program will vary based on the concentration you choose. Courses will be mostly lecture format and cover various topics including administration, research, leadership, statistics, and planning. If you have a concentration like No InterWiki reference defined in properties for Wiki called "Early Childhood Educationhttps"!, Special Education, Educational Administration, Educational Technology, or Educational Leadership, then you can expect some courses to be more specific to your concentration. The number of lecture credits that must be completed before graduation ranges from 40-50, plus an additional required dissertation or capstone project.

How Long is an Online Doctoral Education Program?

On average, an online doctorate in education takes three to four years to complete, although some programs may take closer to two years if you have certain prerequisites that can be applied. You will most likely take just one to two courses at a time, with courses lasting about eight weeks each. Dissertations or capstone projects are typically a final component of an online doctorate program, but the program itself will likely provide a course or two to prepare you for either before you get started.

Because there are a number of online education doctoral programs, the courses offered can be quite different from program to program. Most programs require more than one class in research, various types of analysis, and policy. A dissertation is also a common requirement that must be successfully completed prior to graduation, although some schools require a capstone project instead.

Although courses can vary greatly, some common subjects offered in an online doctorate program in education include:

• Education Policy
• Data Analysis
• Higher Education Leadership
• Student Development
• Education Administration
• Program Planning
• Theory and Practice
• Ethics

Introduction to Dissertation Course

This course will introduce doctoral students to the dissertation process. Students will learn the required components necessary to successfully complete a dissertation. As part of the course, students may study and review an already published dissertation to learn more about how to design and write their own. After completing this course, students should feel ready to start working on their dissertation.

Research Methods Course

A research methods course may focus on qualitative or quantitative research methods for online education doctorate students. Students will focus on research design, data analysis, results interpretation, and evaluation of research in these courses. This course may also require students to implement their own research and apply the principles learned.

Student Affairs Course

As future leaders in the field of education, understanding student populations will be essential for graduates of education doctorate programs. The student affairs course will teach students to assess student learning, deal with various crises on campus, and create positive environments for students. This course may also cover how to encourage students to pursue higher institutions of learning.

Policy Analysis Course

In policy analysis, doctorate students will learn to design policy proposals and implement policy plans. The information learned from this course will be important for graduates when establishing certain protocols and procedures for implementing policies successfully. This course will be important for future educational leaders if they are serious about effecting change.

As there are many subjects in the field of education, there are many options when it comes to specializations for an online education doctorate degree. Here is a list and descriptions of some of these specializations.

• EdD in Higher Education: courses focuses on various aspects of leadership like accreditation, scholarship strategies, inclusivity, legalities, and financial management.
• EdD in Adult Education: students learn about current industry standards and how to create programs in various educational settings for adults.
• Ph.D. in Early Childhood Leadership and Advocacy: this specialization will teach students how to understand and work through the complexities of the various influences in life that affect the development of a child.
• EdD in Educational Technology: this specialization focuses on the latest technologies and prepares graduates to develop technological solutions to various learning challenges.
• Ph.D. in Educational Policy: students will learn to create and implement policy at local and national levels.

Completing a dissertation is typically the final step students must complete before earning their doctorate. Although not all types of doctorate programs in education require a dissertation, if you choose a Ph.D. program then you will be completing one. A dissertation is a research project in which students must defend findings and theories found on a topic of choice. The final product will be a written document that summarizes the research done by the student.

A dissertation is long and arduous but often comes to be a point of pride for students. Students will choose a dissertation topic after some courses have been completed, giving students a chance to decide on a topic of research. Although students will conduct the research and write the paper alone, a mentor will be a helpful resource during the process. The format of the dissertation will vary a bit by doctorate program, but it will often be presented in book form with chapters. The final part of the dissertation will be to defend it. During this step, students will orally present their work in front of a committee and then answer questions. The committee will evaluate the defense and decide if the student has passed the dissertation process or not.

There are many considerations when it comes to choosing the best online education doctorate program for you. An online doctorate degree in the field of education is for those already working in education or higher education and may also be suitable for those in the fields of healthcare, nonprofit organizations, and public or private agencies.

You may want to consider program outcomes, enrollment size, tuition, and other program costs, length of the program, and personal goals. One of the first decisions you may want to make is what credentials you want to earn. Most education doctorate programs offer Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Doctor of Education (EdD) credentials. Some online programs offer multiple start dates for new students per year, while others may only start once or twice per year, so know when you would like to start your doctorate degree.

The cost of an online doctorate degree in education can also vary - some are around $500 per credit hour while others are around $1,000 per credit hour. Payment plans may or may not be available, so be sure to understand what you can afford before enrolling. Some online education doctorate programs can be completed in three years or less, while others take up to five years, so align your program to your expectations of completion.

Schools and programs that are accredited have established high standards and quality. Accreditation is performed by independent agencies that review schools and degree programs and decide whether or not certain quality standards are being met. It's important to choose an accredited doctorate in education program, especially for online programs. The school through which the program is offered should also be accredited. Accredited program offer more access to federal financial aid and allow credits to be transferred to a different accredited school if necessary.

Institutions can be accredited at a national or regional level, with regional accreditation being more prestigious. For specific programs, like a doctorate in education program, there will be separate accreditation that occurs at the national level. Accreditation status has to be renewed at various intervals. Find schools that offer accredited education program through the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) website.

The job outlook for the field of education is strong, and there are plenty of different types of job roles available. A Doctor of Education can be a director of programs, superintendent, or professor, among other things. If you decide to take the professor route, the job growth of postsecondary teachers from 2019-2029 is expected to grow faster than average at 9% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Not all general education careers require a doctorate degree, but having a Ph.D. or EdD will certainly elevate your career and earning potential.

Professor

If you want to continue to educate others in a classroom setting after earning your online doctorate in education, you can pursue a job as a college or university professor. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the median pay for professors as $80,790 as of 2020. Professors develop lesson plans, teach students, grade assignments, and advise students on their progress. Professors are needed for all subjects taught at the university level, which means you may be able to teach a topic you are passionate about. The projected job growth for professors is higher than average.

Postsecondary Education Administrator

Perhaps a job as an education administrator is your career goal. Education administrators are academic deans or provosts and may work in admissions, student affairs, or in the registrar's office. The job duties will vary depending on the department and the size of the college or university at which you are employed. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, postsecondary education administrators made a mean salary of $97,500 as of 2020. The projected job growth for this role is 4% - as fast as the national average.

Education Policy Leader

Some graduates of doctorate degrees in education pursue jobs in public policy. Policy leaders do not teach students but can have a lasting impact on education. PayScale.com reports the average base salary for a director of public policy as $84,030. Public policy leaders develop public policy agendas, aid in setting a policy budget, pursue fundraising, research policy issues, and work with lawmakers. Some of the skills desirable for this role include analysis, lobbying, project management, and strategic planning.

A doctoral-level degree can be expensive, but it is possible to find help in paying for tuition. If you decide to pursue an online doctorate degree in education, you can also pursue financial aid to help you pay for it. The first step to take when looking for financial aid is to complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine which federal scholarships, loans, work-study programs, or grants you may be eligible to receive.

You may also be able to receive financial aid from your program or university, so apply through your school as needed. For example, the University of Denver offers scholarships and grants as well as work-study opportunities for students in their education doctorate programs. A work-study program offers part-time jobs to some students with financial need. If you plan to be a teacher or administrator, you may find grants through Teacher.org.