If you’re an education-sector professional who is interested in bolstering your credentials to gain potential career advancement, you may want to consider earning an online Doctor of Education (EdD) degree. This is also sometimes referred to as a doctorate in teaching.

Online doctorate in education programs deliver coursework and content through a blend of virtual interactions and real-world experiences.

An online or traditional EdD curriculum can vary between programs and specializations. You can expect a mix of core classes related to your degree focus, whether that is:

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The program cards and tables featured on this page were last updated in May 2022. For the most current program information, please refer to the official website of the respective school.

As an online student, you can expect your course content to be about the same or similar to that of an in-person program.

Your online EdD program may feature the following elements:

In addition to attending live online sessions, you’ll likely be tasked with watching lectures and completing homework in preparation for discussions and in-class activities. While class size can vary among programs, online classrooms typically feature fewer students, which can result in a more engaging and concentrated learning experience.

Some programs offer on-campus immersions. Immersions are opportunities for you to meet and network with teachers and fellow students, and, in some cases, collaborate on group projects for credit hours. 

Keep in mind that Doctor of Education programs can differ in a variety of ways, such as:

Interested in focusing on a particular topic in the field of education? When you complete an education doctoral program online, you can explore different concentration options within your chosen program. Take a look at a few examples and descriptions of common online EdD concentrations below.

While education doctoral programs vary, some schools may offer an EdD in organizational change and leadership. This concentration can be a great option if you want to sharpen your decision-making or conflict resolution skills, or learn methods for driving change in your organization.

An online EdD program in educational leadership can prepare you to address issues that impact students’ learning and drive change within the education system. This can provide a strong foundation for students pursuing leadership positions, such as principal or policymaker.

Do you want to help others develop an appreciation for language and improve student literacy? A doctorate in education with a concentration in reading and literacy can give you the tools to enhance student outcomes. You can learn about:

An EdD program with a concentration in early childhood education may be useful if you are interested in positions focused on early childhood education or early childhood special education. This program can prepare you for roles in:

The degree may also cover various aspects within the field of early childhood education, such as:

Educational technology concentrations focus on software and hardware development, implementation and application to facilitate and enrich the learning experience. The U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational Technology collaborates with other federal departmental agencies in efforts related to effective technological use in the classroom.

If you’re considering an online EdD program, you may be wondering, “How long is a doctorate degree?” or “How long does it take to get a doctorate degree in education?” The length of an online EdD program largely depends on the credit requirement and your enrollment status. For example, some full-time programs can be completed in 36 months. 

While program lengths may vary, online education doctorate programs often offer the same or similar courses as their on-campus counterparts. Whatever your focus, common themes in an online EdD program include:

• Education supervision
• Administration
• Instruction technology and methodology
• Policy-making in education
• Organizational change and leadership

Learning objectives in this field typically address the following:

• Applying theory from your classes to solve real education challenges
• Using research to improve policy, programs and practice in places of learning
• Identifying discrimination/prejudice and advocating for social justice in educational institutions

As you explore the programs available, you may notice that different schools offer different EdD program concentrations. For additional information, contact the college or university you are interested in for further information about specific offerings.

Your chosen institution may also offer an advanced education degree, such as a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education. You may be wondering about the differences between an EdD and a PhD in education. Here’s a simple breakdown of each credential:

Do you want to pursue an online doctoral program in education without a dissertation requirement? Some schools offer an alternative, such as an online Education Specialist (EdS) degree, which typically does not require students to complete a dissertation or residency.

Instead, programs may require what is known as a capstone project, which consists of a long-term, multi-faceted assignment that demonstrates your understanding of complex topics.

Learn more about the differences between EdD and PhD programs.

If you are wondering how to get a doctorate in education online, there are a few things to keep in mind. Individuals interested in enrolling in online education doctorate degree programs may often need to meet the following basic requirements:

Because requirements and courses of study vary from program to program, you will need to contact your desired college or university to find out if there are any additional requirements for your chosen program.

Can you get an EdD without a master’s degree? There are a few online Doctor of Education programs that students may be able to pursue with only a bachelor’s degree (which may also be obtained online in some cases).

If you’re considering a doctorate degree in education, there’s a good chance that you’re curious about the jobs available to degree holders. Education doctorate careers vary and can include working in school or district administration, government or the private sector. Doctor of Education jobs may encompass curriculum development, teaching, research and education policy planning.

As you read through the EdD careers listed below, think about your goals and interests and which education doctorate jobs may suit you best.

Within the elementary through high school setting, Doctor of Education jobs may include leadership roles such as school principal or vice principal. In small school districts, the role of principal may include duties such as serving as an instructional coordinator or assisting with hiring personnel for a school. 

Beyond principals and vice principals, high school positions for EdD graduates might include academic and career counselors and technical educational support directors. Another career path is that of instructional coordinators, who are professionals managing the school’s curriculum and teaching standards. They also oversee the development, implementation and monitoring of instructional materials.

At the college and university level, doctorate in education jobs may include provost, dean, president and vice president. EdD graduates may also decide to pursue jobs such as admissions administrator or student affairs administrator. Another career option is that of the registrar, who is tasked with maintaining records involving courses, graduation requirements, transcripts and student data.

Outside of the school systems, education policy jobs for those with doctoral degrees in education may include research and education lobbyists. Career options within education-based nonprofit organizations might include executive directors and social and community service managers. Policy and planning careers in government can also be found on state, local and federal levels.

There are a number of job opportunities at the district and school administration levels for professionals with a doctorate in education. These may include school superintendents, educational administrators on the district level, educational IT administrators, training and development managers and other academic management roles. Human resources careers within some school districts may also be considered EdD jobs.

You may be wondering why you might want to earn a doctorate in education or whether it is worth getting a doctorate in education online.

If you are considering pursuing leadership roles in the field of education or you want to improve teaching and academic systems in the public or private sectors, an EdD might be a good fit for you. While the commitment necessary to earn a doctorate is significant, online options, part-time EdD programs and flexible scheduling are available to help working professionals.

The salary and job outlook for Doctor of Education careers differs by role. While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not distinguish EdD holders as an individual occupation class, one of the common occupations for those known to enroll in Doctor of Education programs is the postsecondary education administrator. For that job, the employment outlook is projected to have a 4% growth rate between 2022 and 2032. That’s about as fast as the average for all occupations.

As you weigh your career options in the field of education, consider these 2022 median annual wage figures from the BLS:

Teach.com has compiled a comprehensive list of online doctorate in education programs in the United States, along with their classroom setting and GRE and credit requirements. As you search for the best online education doctoral programs to fit your needs, you may want to carefully consider the structure of the coursework and the admission requirements.

Below are some frequently asked questions and answers about EdD programs to help you make a better-informed decision about whether an EdD program may be the right choice for you.

Last updated October 2023.