This focuses more on conducting research surrounding education-related topics. With that said, the Ed.D. includes a substantial research component; however, this is secondary to understanding pedagogy and school leadership principles. This degree is offered in multiple formats: educational leadership doctoral programs online, in-person educational leadership doctoral programs, and hybrid.

How has COVID Impacted Educational Leadership? 

As the case has been across numerous professional fields, the educational leadership profession has been impacted significantly by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Educational leaders such as school district superintendents and principals have had to become highly flexible in their planning processes to accommodate fully online and hybrid learning environments through the use of online instructional platforms. Additionally, generally mundane procedures such as student attendance monitoring and transportation have required significant modifications throughout the pandemic.

As a result, many of the tried and true practices of school operations were revised to provide the best possible protection from COVID-19, including mandatory temperature screenings for all students and staff members, social distancing in classrooms, common areas, and school buses, as well as contact tracing when a student or staff member received a positive COVID-19 virus diagnosis.

As the pandemic has run its course, schools in the United States have begun to resemble their pre-pandemic state. Despite the reduced threat of COVID-19, specific procedures will remain different from what they were before the pandemic. If anything, the pandemic emphasized the need for educational leaders to have as much preparation as possible to be well-informed and flexible in the face of unknown and challenging circumstances.

What does a Doctoral Educational Leadership Program Focus on?

An Ed.D. educational leadership degree program focuses on a variety of topics, including but not limited to:

• Pedagogy
• Leadership development
• School law
• Research methods
• Quantitative analysis
• Qualitative analysis

By studying these and other relevant subjects, practicing educational leaders can improve their decision-making abilities related to curriculum and school-related legal issues in addition to becoming better-qualified leaders.

An added benefit is the ability to understand and interpret student performance data, relevant academic research studies, and the necessary skills to conduct research and analysis. Ultimately, the focus areas of the doctoral educational leadership program produce school administrators and faculty leaders who are the best prepared for the challenges of today’s educational climate.

Important Skills Obtained in Ed.D. Educational Leadership Programs

Understanding Interpersonal Relationships

A significant skill obtained through completing an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership degree is the ability to better understand interpersonal relationships. Educational leaders spend a substantial portion of their time interacting with the public, school board, parents, students, and many other school stakeholders.

Building relationships compounded with conflict resolution skills (another leadership principle), enables educational leaders to navigate the sometimes-challenging political waters inherent with public service roles.

Curriculum Design and Implementation

Another essential skill is developing a solid understanding of curriculum design and implementation. School administrators function as the instructional leaders of their institutions in addition to being the managers of daily operations.

Therefore, an ability to understand instructional best practices and a thorough understanding of applicable laws, especially those surrounding students with special needs, allow educational leaders to make curricular and programmatic decisions that reflect sound pedagogical practices and remain in compliance with applicable laws.

Research and Analytical Skills

Although the skills obtained through an Ed.D. program are numerous, the final two included in this discussion are research and analytical skills. Educational leaders often are bombarded with offers from sales representatives offering new curricular programs and textbooks that are promoted as the, “answer to the world’s educational problems.”

A solid ability to review the research surrounding programming options allows educational leaders to analyze the effectiveness of such curricula from an informed perspective. Additionally, the ability to conduct research enables school leaders to test the effectiveness of academic and behavioral programs in a statistically defensible manner, should their programmatic decisions be questioned.

Dissertation

Perhaps the most daunting aspect to those considering enrollment in a doctoral program, the dissertation represents the capstone achievement in an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program.

The dissertation is the most critical step in the process. It provides a synthesis of all prior courses and components of the degree program. A traditional dissertation involves the development of an original research topic through identifying a relevant problem or trend in education followed by an exhaustive review of all relevant scholarly literature crowned by a research study that tests the hypothesis proposed by the doctoral candidate.

In this manner, the dissertation not only provides candidates with increased knowledge within a particular area but also tests their interpersonal and conflict resolution skills as they work with a dissertation committee and other consultants to produce a defensible product. Beyond these skills, the dissertation is a true test of the candidate’s commitment to completing the Ed.D.

Many doctoral candidates do not finish their dissertations, resulting in being classified as ABD (All But Dissertation.) It is highly recommended that those wishing to pursue an Ed.D. commit to completing their dissertation within their institution’s provided time frame (usually a maximum of seven years following coursework completion), as the ABD designation is undesirable from a professional perspective.

Career Advancement

An Ed.D. in Educational Leadership degree allows current educational leaders to qualify for higher positions in their field, such as:

• School district superintendent
• Curriculum director
• Principal
• Department chair

Additionally, completing a terminal degree paves the way for educational leaders to teach at the collegiate level as professors ranging from adjunct to full professor.

Although the focus of the Ed.D. naturally is the field of education, other professional organizations and businesses benefit from hiring individuals who have attained the degree because the majority of the skills obtained within the degree program are universal within the areas of leadership, management, and interpersonal skills.

Ultimately, earning an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership degree makes an individual more marketable as it is a tangible artifact of their commitment and ability to see challenging tasks through to completion. This trait is highly desired not only within the field of education but across all career pathways.

Explore our available doctorate in educational leadership programs and enroll today!

*Updated June 2022

The post What is an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership Degree? appeared first on Graduate Programs for Educators.

The majority of Ed.D. programs require the completion of comprehensive exams and a summative dissertation that offers an original contribution designed to “fill a gap” within the body of relevant academic research. Ed.D. programs also emphasize building professional competencies and solving problems through active and ongoing research.

Administrative Positions

The Ed.D. in educational leadership is a popular option for individuals serving in K-12 school administrative positions or wish to move into an administrative position because the curricular requirements are centered around improving the effectiveness and competency of instructional leaders. Ed.D. educational leadership candidates will experience courses that address subjects they studied in graduate school and/or administrator preparation programs in greater depth.

Examples of such courses include those focused upon effective management practices, advanced learning theory, and advanced education law. Beyond these practical areas of emphasis, the Ed.D. in educational leadership requires extensive course work in quantitative and qualitative analysis and statistics. Thus, the holder of the degree not only gains valuable practical expertise but also acquires the ability to conduct research both for daily use and for publication.

Given the fact that the field of education has become increasingly litigious and data-driven, a educational leadership program provides an excellent vehicle for preparing school administrators to manage the organizations under their charge in an effective and legal manner while also enabling them to understand assessment data provided by state and private providers and even conduct their own “in-house” research and data analysis.

Additionally, educational leadership Ed.D. programs offered by some institutions allow candidates to earn concentrations within specific subsections of educational leadership such as curriculum and instruction, special education, and administration. Thus, the pursuit of the Ed.D. has the potential to develop school and district-level leaders’ competencies across the spectrum of instructional leadership, management, and legal efficacy.

Ultimately, the educational leadership doctorate is not simply a program that is best suited for school principals and superintendents but also has the potential to prove extremely beneficial for individuals in other roles including Director of Special Education, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and Director of Human Resources among others, as well as classroom teachers looking to improve their leadership skills and/or eventually move into administrative positions.

Leadership Positions

The ability for instructional faculty members to assume non-administrative leadership roles is often overlooked in educator preparation programs. Numerous school systems within the United States rely on faculty members to fulfill such roles as academic department leader, head teacher, Dean of Students, instructional coach, and others. These faculty roles often bring with them a significant level of responsibility in working with students and/or staff members in a “para-administrative” manner. An added benefit of these roles is that they generally come with the opportunity to influence the decision-making process of the school system as well as additional financial compensation beyond the faculty member salary level.

Earning an Ed.D. in educational leadership allows faculty members that hold leadership roles to expand their knowledge and hone their skills in order to gain background and experience that can be applied to their responsibilities, thus benefiting the students and faculty members with whom they interact. Additionally, the completion of an Ed.D. in educational leadership demonstrates that professional educators are committed to their own personal and professional growth and development. Even from a non-academic perspective, the completion of a terminal degree in education speaks to the work ethic and character of the individual.

The fact that only around one percent of all public school teachers within the United States hold a doctoral degree is a testament to the level of rigor of such programs and indicates that those who have completed or are pursuing a doctoral degree generally display a level of commitment and dedication to their careers higher than a vast majority of their peers. Therefore, the completion of an Ed.D. sends a signal to supervisors and potential employers that these individuals possess a level of drive and dedication that causes them to stand out among their peers.

Additional Job Opportunities

Beyond the K-12 educational setting, the completion of an Ed.D. in educational leadership has the potential to open doors within other education-related fields. Perhaps the most obvious pathway is that of teaching at the post-secondary level. The majority of colleges and universities require tenure track faculty members to earn a terminal degree. Therefore, the Ed.D. serves as a vehicle not only for improving professional practice but also as a springboard into instruction at the collegiate level.

Another area in which the Ed.D. proves beneficial is within the field of educator professional development. It is a beneficial credential for those wishing to provide training to practicing educators, as it fosters the level of expertise necessary for effective knowledge sharing and instruction for teachers currently in the field. Additionally, many states have county or multi-county level organizations that provide consulting and professional development services to the school systems within their regions. The Ed.D. in educational leadership qualifies individuals to work as facilitators and/or supervisors within this sector as well as in private sector corporate education.

Ready to take the next step and pursue your Ed.D. in educational leadership? Explore our available programs to get started today!

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