For every human endeavor, there’s a need or desire to spend time profitably. That includes leisure.
The inclination is inherent in humans as time is considered a vital resource that humans can’t waste. In this article, we take a look at the true worth of an Ed.D. program.
Is a Doctorate in Education Worth It?
Before applying to an Ed.D. program, applicants will want to be convinced that their field of study is worth the time invested.
Obtaining an Ed.D. degree takes anywhere from 3 to 7 years, depending on the type of study (full-time or part-time). For most people, time is of the essence.
-
Ed.D. Degree Options
To know if a degree or program is worthwhile, you’ll need to assess your needs first. What exactly do you want?
Now, not everyone has an idea of their exact needs, as they need guidance on making the right decisions. To give you an idea, there are several Ed.D. specializations to choose from.
Knowing what these specializations are might help you determine whether an Ed.D. is best for you or not.
Ed.D. specializations include special education, reading, literacy & assessment, higher education leadership & management, and customizable higher education.
More Ed.D. specializations include customized P-20 education, educational administration & leadership, and higher education & adult learning.
Ed.D. specializations include educational technology, early childhood education, curriculum, instruction & assessment, and community college leadership.
From the courses mentioned, you’ll have some decisions to make.
The Worth of an Ed.D. Degree
The actual value of earning a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree largely depends on what you need it for. Ed.D. degrees offer a real deal as they help advance your career.
In other words, you get access to more job and career opportunities with an Ed.D. degree.
More specifically, accruable benefits due to an Ed.D. degree include being able to entertain topics of interest with your dissertation.
What more? This degree allows you to learn strategies for resolving technological and social challenges. You’re also able to stay competitive in a complex educational environment.
One of the most overlooked benefits of an Ed.D. degree is its added boost to your resume. The title “Dr.” also adds character to your person.
In terms of fundamental life skills gained by an Ed.D. student, you can make a positive impact or change within your local community.
What more? Additional skills include policy writing and research while also being equipped with enhanced knowledge of in-classroom learning techniques.
From all the benefits mentioned, it’s clear that pursuing or earning an Ed.D. degree is worth your time if you’re interested in any of the areas mentioned.
Career Paths Available
Another way to determine an Ed.D.’s worth is by looking at the career paths it opens.
There are varieties of career options to choose from with an Ed.D. degree. These include adult educators & trainers, K-12 school administrators, and program directors or coordinators.
You can also work as a dean or associate dean in the university faculty or become a policy maker.
With an Ed.D. degree, you can become a policy writer, program or course developer, educational researcher, and director of academic programs.
There are lots of other career paths offered by an Ed.D. degree. Those mentioned above only give you an idea of your career potential.
Here, it’s clear that there are clear opportunities to advance your career and handle key responsibilities that positively impact the lives of others.
Ed.D. Specializations
While we mentioned some Ed.D. specializations earlier, we didn’t specify what they’re about. Knowing these specializations will give you an idea of the worth of an Ed.D. degree.
Let’s briefly discuss some of these, shall we?
-
Special Education
Under this specialization, students learn the creation, implementation, and assessment of curricula and other educational programs for special needs students.
An Ed.D. degree equips you with all of that and more.
-
Higher Education Leadership
Among the skills gained by pursuing an Ed.D. program are leadership and administration.
This help handles and performs complex roles in tertiary administration effectively. You’ll be suitable for multiple functions, such as a dean or college president.
Overall, this Ed.D. specialization equips you to better manage academic or student services in college or university settings.
-
Education Policy
An Ed.D. in education policy will better equip you to work in various settings and organizations. With this degree, you can work in local, state, and national government education departments.
-
Entrepreneurship in Education
Under the entrepreneurship in education Ed.D. specialization, students are equipped to work at the intersection of business and education.
This allows for easy identification of problems within the educational systems. Aside from identifying these issues, you can offer far-reaching, innovative solutions.
-
Educational Administration & Leadership
Another way you’ll see the worth of an Ed.D. degree in this specialization is the skills and leadership roles it equips students with.
Here, you’ll be involved in managing, evaluating, and improving educational systems in school districts, K-12, universities, research institutions, and government departments.
-
Diversity & Multiculturalism
You might be interested in obtaining an Ed.D. degree in this specialization.
If you do, the opportunities are quite varied. These include the promotion of multiculturalism and diversity in a wide range of educational settings.
This is achieved through the introduction of tolerance initiatives and diversity awareness programs.
-
Early Childhood Education
Under the early childhood specialization, you’re trained to take on leadership roles in pre-K and primary school setups.
As the name suggests, most of what you’ll do will involve setting educational policies and ensuring effective organizational management.
-
Community College Leadership
Under the community leadership Ed.D. specialization, students are trained to excel in different administrative positions. Skills gained here include learning theory, research, organizational strategy, and resource management.
With all these critical points, it’s easy to see why an Ed.D. degree is worth pursuing.
We’ve highlighted the different ways such a degree can be beneficial, including highlighting specific specializations and what they’re about.