A Doctor of Education (EdD) is an advanced degree awarded to students who have completed educational practice and theory courses. This degree is the perfect choice for those passionate about learning theory, educational policy changes, and general education that can be used at the national and local levels in learning institutions. 

An EdD allows candidates to build leadership skills and obtain learning theory knowledge. Graduates can work in a variety of roles in both private and public institutions, including NGOs, schools, and businesses. The best part is that the doctorate of education for Californians can be completed online from the comfort of your home. Interested in getting an EdD degree? You are in the right spot! Today, we shall closely examine what an EdD is and why you should get one. Let’s get started.

Overview 

An EdD is a post-master’s degree designed for individuals that wish to become educational leaders. The syllabus includes courses like public policy, knowledge of learning theory, and curriculum development. It is a terminal degree that allows graduates to apply directly for a university professor post or full-time college instructor role.

Structure 

EdD programs can be conducted on-campus, in a hybrid setting, or online. Students are able to develop strong relationships with their classmates which enables discussions and enhances the learning process. It also ensures acceptance of diversity and various cultures.

Doctoral students are expected to complete core courses and classes along with coursework related to their concentration or specialty. Most programs also require students to complete a dissertation, internship/residency, or field research. Some may even expect students to complete all three.

• The degree ensures students can acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to become educational leaders or strategists
• Students learn an array of leadership/educational styles, get to know about organizational changes, and learn about basic education policies 
• Graduates are expected to put their knowledge into practice to improve current practices and support teachers and students in an educational setting

Specializations

Most educational institutions require EdD candidates to pick a concentration or specialty. This allows students to customize their curriculum and explore an area of interest more deeply. These specializations include:

Education Leadership

This specialty allows students to obtain the skills and knowledge required to pursue a career as a policy-maker, chief learning officer, school principal, or superintendent.

Instruction and Curriculum 

Prepares students for posts like a content area specialist, program director, or curriculum specialist.

Instructional Design

Allows students to understand how curriculum theory can be applied to educational programs to meet the requirements of learners as a program evaluator or curriculum specialist.

Multicultural Education

Ensures candidates place focus on student diversity so they can pursue a successful career in any community agency, government department, consulting firm, or public school.

Learning Design

Enables graduates to support teachers using instructional design tools and establish a better learning environment. 

Urban Education

The curriculum focuses on preparing students to work in urban areas on school leadership, learning programs, and community outreach.

Special Education

It helps produce educational leaders that can oversee the program and curriculum required for special needs students.

EdD Admission Requirements  

Requirements to apply for an EdD can vary greatly between different institutions. However, most will demand the following:

• Fully and correctly filled admission application. Some institutes may offer students to fill this up online.
• A resume or CV (Curriculum Vitae) with details like skills, background,  work history, and education. Note that CVs are often larger than resumes as they contain added information regarding work, awards, publications, and association memberships.
• Request previous teachers, mentors, and work heads to write a letter of recommendation vouching for your skills, work ethic, and communication capabilities. 
• A GRE score report may be demanded by some institutions and waived by others. When you sit for the GRE, you can opt for four educational institutions to receive your score. You can also order score reports for an added fee.
• A statement of purpose is a writing sample used to share interests and skills, including why you want to attend graduate school. You can also talk about post-graduation plans.
• A sealed transcript is an official document that shows the list of courses you completed at a previous school, the grades you earned, along with your GPA (Grade Point Average). It also includes the degree you earned at the previous institution. Note that you can also submit the unofficial transcripts if you have not graduated yet and can ask your school to post the official ones later on.

Endnote 

A Doctor of Education or EdD is suitable for students that wish to become leaders and bring about change in the education sector. Not only are graduates able to land higher roles and earn better wages, but they can also work in a specialized area to drive greater change.