Online Doctorate in Educational Administration
Graduate degrees in education administration prepare you to understand the theory of leadership in educational settings and to hold an advanced administration role in an educational system.
Doctoral programs are generally offered by colleges of education, and you may earn either a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. Students have the opportunity to take specialized curriculum and complete a research project in a specific area of concentration, such as K-12 education, higher education, community college administration or education leadership.
Choosing your education administration doctoral degree
Prospective doctoral students need to decide whether an Ed.D. or Ph.D. in educational administration is right for them. The choice depends largely on career goals, and, in many cases, the two degrees offer a similar education. Traditionally, the Ed.D. is tailored to take an applied approach to studying educational practice, theory and research. This degree is designed to prepare students to be scholar-practitioners and doesn't focus on original research as heavily as Ph.D. programs.
In comparison, a Ph.D. in education administration often requires students to focus on the theory of administrative practice through pursuit of original scholarship. This degree prepares students for a career as a scholar and academic as well as a practitioner, and the Ph.D. is generally necessary for those who want to go on to become faculty rather than administrators in higher education.
Both types of degrees include courses in core topics such as education policy, education leadership, finance in education, and evaluation and assessment.
Online doctorate programs in educational administration are offered in both the Ph.D. and Ed.D. formats. Most distance learning programs have a residency component, which may vary from a short visit to campus every year to a requirement to take a small number of credits in person. Online coursework is generally structured to allow students flexibility in when and where they learn, and dissertation research and writing largely take place independently as well.
Some administration positions, such as principal or superintendent, require state licensure. Online colleges offer programs that meet state licensing requirements, but students should confirm that their school of choice meets state requirements.
Earning your online doctorate in educational administration
Online doctoral programs start with core and elective coursework in which students develop an area of specialization. The coursework phase, which typically lasts two to three years, culminates in a set of comprehensive exams. After completion of examinations, students move onto the dissertation stage. Ed.D. students may complete an applied doctoral project rather than a traditional academic dissertation, although some Ed.D. programs require a dissertation very similar to the Ph.D. dissertation. Some programs also may require students who are working on their Ed.D. to take part in internships.
Finding an online doctoral program that works for you requires researching degree formats, areas of focus and program faculty. You can start your research by checking out the schools below and requesting additional details from programs that seem like a good fit.
