What Is a Doctor of Education (EdD)?

A Doctor of Education (EdD) is the highest degree you can earn in the field of education. It often leads to advanced positions in administrative, leadership, and policy.

Learn more about what it takes to apply to and earn an EdD, and the benefits of doing so. Afterward, keep building your skill set with a Coursera Plus subscription, and gain access to over 10,000 courses from esteened universities and industry leaders.

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What is a Doctor of Education?

An EdD is a terminal degree in education you can earn after completing a master’s degree, such as a Master of Education (MEd). It’s primarily designed for those pursuing careers in educational leadership.

EdD programs offer a variety of concentrations depending on the area of education you’re interested in learning more about, including educational leadership, educational technology, and curriculum and instruction.

Doctor of Education concentrations

Doctorate programs will require you to choose a concentration—a specialized topic of the field you're studying—to develop more in-depth knowledge about that topic. With this advanced and unique knowledge, you can pursue relevant careers related to your concentration.

For example, if your goal is to work as a school principal, you will likely pursue a doctorate in educational leadership. Alternatively, you may opt for a concentration in multicultural education if your plans include working in a city school setting. 

The following list includes some typical concentrations for an EdD program:

• Curriculum and instruction: Prepare for roles as a curriculum specialist, program director, or content area specialist.

• Education leadership: Gain knowledge and skills to be a school principal, chief learning officer, superintendent, or policymaker.

• Instructional design: Learn how to apply curriculum theory to educational programs in ways that meet the needs of all learners so you can work as a curriculum specialist or program evaluator.

• Learning design: Learn how to enhance learning environments and support teachers using instructional design tools.

• Multicultural education: Focus on the needs of diverse learners to prepare for a career in public schools, government and community agencies, or consulting firms.

• Special education: Develop the knowledge and skills you need to oversee programs designed for special needs learners.

• Urban education: Prepare to work in school leadership, community outreach, and learning programs intended for learners in urban areas.

EdD vs. PhD in education

When you want to earn the most advanced degree possible in education, you also have the option to earn a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in education. While EdD programs typically emphasize topics relevant to administrators working in K–12 schools and higher education, PhD programs typically prepare students to work in research or teach at a university.

What does it take to earn an EdD?

The exact requirements of your EdD program will depend on your college or university. Many EdD programs are now available online, making it possible to earn this degree more flexibly while you continue to work.

As with other doctoral programs, you'll need to complete required and elective coursework covering a range of advanced topics, successfully pass preliminary exams, and then conduct research (supervised by a faculty member) that feeds into your dissertation.

EdD coursework can include:

• Educational leadership

• Organizational management

• Policy analysis

• Research methods

• Data-driven decision making

• Change management

• Curriculum development

Cost and timeline of an EdD

The average cost of earning a Doctor of Education is $79,790, though the cost of a program will depend on whether you attend a public or private institution, and the kind of financial support you receive [1].

While you can complete some accelerated Doctor of Education degree programs in as few as two years, most programs take between four and seven years to complete.

Doctor in Education admissions requirements

Before applying to an EdD program, you will need a bachelor's degree and, unless you are in a combination graduate program, a master's degree. Your master's doesn't need to be in education, but you'll want to make sure you explain your interest in the field in your statement of purpose.

Beyond the degree requirement, you'll need to submit the following materials to apply:

• Application: Most schools have online applications. 

• Curriculum vitae (CV) or resume: A CV and resume include details like your work history, educational background, and skills. CVs tend to be longer and more detailed than resumes, with information about your publications, awards, professional association memberships, and more that may be relevant to your work as a doctoral student.

• GRE score report: You may need to send a copy of your GRE score report to the school. When you take the GRE, you can choose up to four schools to receive your scores. After test day, you can order score reports for an additional fee. 

• Letters of recommendation: Ask people who can speak to your communication skills, work ethic, and capabilities to write letters of recommendation for you.

• Sealed transcripts: A transcript is an official document from the schools you attended that lists the courses you took, the grades you earned, your grade point average, and your degrees.

• Statement of purpose: Your statement of purpose is a writing sample that allows you to share your skills and interests, why you want to attend graduate school, and your post-graduation plans.

5 jobs you can pursue with an EdD

With an EdD, you can work in private or public education, or for corporations, government agencies, and non-profits. People with this degree tend to pursue administrative or leadership roles within organizations. They may work as trainers, executives, consultants, and policymakers—positions that allow them to practice their knowledge of learning, data analysis, assessment, and mentoring.

Some job titles you can pursue with an EdD include:

1. School principal

Salary: $103,460

As a school principal, you are responsible for the operations of an elementary, middle, or high school. Your role includes managing staff, school activities, and budgets as well as establishing and maintaining a safe environment for learners. School principals work in public and private schools and typically work year-round.

2. School district administrator

Salary: $111,020

As a school district administrator, you are the school district’s top executive overseeing its general operations. Your job may include creating and reviewing budgets, setting goals and monitoring progress toward them, and building relationships with stakeholders such as parents, learners, and community members.

3. Instructional coordinator

Salary: $74,620

As an instructional coordinator, you develop and evaluate the effectiveness of curriculum and teaching strategies that school districts use. In this role, you are a curriculum specialist who observes teachers, analyzes learner data, and interacts with stakeholders. You may also be responsible for training teachers to use learning standards and effective teaching methods in the classroom.

4. College professor

Salary: $84,380

As a college or university professor, you design curriculum and lessons within your academic specialty. You may also write books or publish scholarly articles to boost your academic reputation. Many professors mentor students or work in a related field. For example, a psychology professor may also have a private counseling practice. 

5. Postsecondary education administrator

Salary: $102,610

As a postsecondary education administrator, you work in the administration of a college or university. Your specific duties depend on your title and the school where you work. You may help develop academic policies, appoint faculty members, schedule courses, plan commencement ceremonies, and advise students.

All salary data averages come from Glassdoor as of July 2025.

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