Aspiring educators can pursue an advanced degree if they want a more prominent teaching position. If you’re interested in a high-level career in education, you have two doctoral degree options: a Doctor of Education (EdD) or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
Let’s consider the difference between PhD and EdD paths. We’ll highlight key differences in curricula, prerequisite requirements, application processes and typical career paths that graduates pursue. Keep reading to determine whether an EdD vs PhD is a better choice for you.
EdD vs PhD
| Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education | Doctor of Education (EdD) | |
| Career plan | Research and education | Leadership and administration |
| Average program length | 4–7 years | 3–4 years |
| Dissertation? | Yes | Yes, typically |
| Possible concentrations |
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While both degrees are at the doctoral level, their focus is unique. The main difference between PhD and EdD degrees is that a PhD is for graduates seeking careers in education or research-based roles, while an EdD is designed for candidates who want to pursue leadership positions with a real-world focus.1
Consider the difference between EdD and PhD career paths. An EdD career path is more aligned with becoming a university dean or director of research, while those pursuing a PhD would likely choose a career as a college professor or research scholar.2
There’s also a difference between PhD and EdD program lengths. The average time to complete a PhD in education is 4–7 years, whereas an EdD can take 3–4 years to complete. However, the number of years it will take for you to complete either program will depend on if you’re pursuing full-time or part-time education.
Below we’ll review PhD vs EdD degrees in-depth, including their education requirements, career options, program costs and job outlook.
What Does PhD Stand for in Education?
A PhD in Education is a Doctor of Philosophy degree designed for candidates pursuing a career in research and academia. Most PhD graduates work in a university as a professor, researcher or both. A PhD (vs EdD) curriculum is typically more theory based.2
PhD candidates aim to become thought leaders in the field of education—conducting and publishing research on advanced theoretical topics within their specialization, as well as sharing knowledge with the next generation of students. The difference between EdD and PhD graduates is that the latter emphasizes research and devotes their career to advancing the body of knowledge within their field.
Education Requirements
Earning a PhD in Education is a time-intensive process, but it’s also the highest academic degree in the field. On average, it takes 4–7 years to complete a PhD.3
To obtain a PhD, candidates must hold at least a bachelor’s degree and complete the GRE or an equivalent entrance exam. Depending on the field of study, candidates will then complete either a master’s degree or proceed directly to PhD coursework. During the program, candidates will write a dissertation and defend it before receiving their PhD.
What Can I Do with a PhD?
Most PhD coursework is theoretical, and the degree is a popular choice for those who aspire to become tenured at a university. The most common career options for PhD candidates include:
- Professor: A professor, also known as a postsecondary teacher, instructs college- or university-level students on advanced topics. In addition to teaching, many professors conduct research and publish papers on new topics within their field. Postsecondary teachers earned a median annual salary of $83,980 in 2024.4
- Education Administrator: PhD graduates may work at kindergarten through secondary schools in administrative roles such as a principal or superintendent. Garnering an average salary of $111,020 in 2023, a role as an education administrator is a popular choice for PhD graduates with a background in working with younger students.5
- Chief Learning Officer: PhD graduates who prefer to work in a corporate environment rather than at a university may pursue a career path as a Chief Learning Officer (CLO). Job responsibilities for CLOs include retaining top talent, implementing training and mentorship programs and increasing the internal talent available within the company. In 2024, the median annual salary for a top-level executive was $105,350.6
- Medical Science Liaison (MSL): Another option for PhD graduates who want to work outside of academia is a career as a Medical Science Liaison (MSL), whose job responsibilities include building professional relationships with industry leaders in research-related areas. One of the key advantages of becoming an MSL is that it provides more freedom to learn, teach and travel than traditional PhD careers. In 2025, the average salary for an MSL is $154,127.7*
Job Outlook
PhD candidates typically pursue careers in academia, focusing on education or performing research in their field of study. For postsecondary educators and researchers, the projected job growth is 8% between 2023 and 2033.4 This is due to the expected rise in enrollment at postsecondary institutions such as colleges and universities.
What Is an EdD?
A Doctor of Education (EdD) is a practice-based professional degree that focuses on research applications and leadership roles. The first EdD degree was granted by Harvard University in 1921. The EdD vs PhD degree was created to develop seasoned educators to serve as faculty at the university level. The difference between EdD and PhD candidates is that the former are solution-focused, aiming to identify and strategize ways to improve real-world problems.8
Along with core coursework, the difference between EdD and PhD programs is that the former offers opportunities to specialize in areas such as healthcare education, teaching and learning and executive leadership. While specializations are optional when earning an EdD vs PhD in education, they allow you to gain deeper knowledge and expertise in areas aligned with specific career goals.
Education Requirements
To apply for an EdD (vs PhD) in education program, candidates must hold a master’s degree and meet other requirements specific to each program. Once the candidate is accepted into a program, earning an EdD typically requires 3–4 years of study, based on USAHS’ EdD program structure.
Another distinction between EdD and PhD programs is that the former often attracts students who are simultaneously working professionally in the field. For example, the Doctor of Education program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) offers a flexible online curriculum, allowing students to continue working while completing their degree at a pace that fits their lifestyle.
The EdD program culminates in a dissertation (or dissertation in practice) that allows EdD candidates to tackle real-world problems or contribute original research in their field of study.
What Can I Do with an EdD?
An EdD is a valuable degree in several fields, such as higher education, healthcare, government and nonprofit organizations. Some common EdD career paths include:
- Healthcare Educator: Some EdD programs focus on pedagogical strategies within specialized areas of expertise. For example, USAHS’ EdD program trains educators in health sciences. Graduates train the next generation of healthcare practitioners in nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, athletic training and other areas, or they may teach and serve as mentors in healthcare administration. Teaching settings include universities, nursing schools, healthcare organizations and more. In 2024, the median annual pay for a health education specialist was $63,000.9
- Provost: A provost is typically a senior-level administrator at a college or university who functions as the school’s chief academic officer. Provosts help develop institutional goals and strategies, determine fund allocation and assist with the school’s daily operations. In 2024, the median pay for a postsecondary education administrator, such as a provost, was $103,960 per year.10
- Dean: A dean is an upper-level university administrator who oversees several related departments or an entire college within the university. Deans may also work in operations-related positions, including dean of student affairs or dean of admissions. The median annual pay for postsecondary education administrators (including deans) in 2024 was $103,960.10
- Top-Level Executive: An EdD vs PhD degree can prepare candidates for executive roles such as a CLO or Chief Academic Officer (CAO) within an educational institution or a business with an educational component. In these positions, an executive creates strategies to solve business problems and helps the organization establish and meet goals for business development. In 2024, the median annual pay for a top-level executive was $105,350.6
- Curriculum Designer: Curriculum designers, also known as Instructional Coordinators, develop educational programs and instructional materials—in print or online—for schools, organizations and companies. They can also help teachers and trainers implement the curriculum and evaluate learning outcomes. The median annual pay in 2024 for curriculum designers was $74,720.11
Job Outlook
An EdD is a degree for experienced educators who want to further their knowledge to improve the overarching education system. Although most EdD graduates hold jobs in the education sector, other opportunities include leadership roles in business, government and nonprofit organizations.12
Postsecondary education administrators have a projected growth of 3% from 2023 to 2033, which is as fast as the national average for all occupations.10
PhD vs EdD: 5 Factors To Consider
Here are some important factors to consider when determining whether an EdD or PhD is right for you.
1. Career Goals
First, think about your career goals. The main difference between the EdD and PhD in Education paths depends on where you see yourself long-term. If you’re interested in educating future students and publishing theory-based research, you might consider pursuing a PhD in Education. If you are more interested in applying research to real-world foundational and institutional issues, an EdD may be a better choice.
2. Day-to-Day Work
Consider what your day-to-day work would consist of as a graduate of each degree program. With a PhD, you would likely teach classes and work with graduate students to perform research. An EdD vs PhD in Education may lead to a career focused on creating educational policy and developing leadership in educational institutions.
3. Types of Coursework
Completing a degree at the doctoral level is rigorous regardless of whether you choose an EdD or PhD. In PhD programs, coursework typically centers on conducting qualitative and quantitative research culminating in a dissertation. By contrast, EdD coursework focuses on leadership and education, treating research as a component rather than the main focus of the degree.
4. Online Programs
When it comes to remote learning, there isn’t a difference between EdD and PhD in Education programs. If you’re already working as an educator or aren’t able to commute, online programs give you the flexibility to complete an EdD or PhD at home and at your pace.
Programs such as USAHS’ Doctor of Education (EdD) are delivered almost completely online, with optional on-campus immersions where you can engage in discussions, presentations and Q&A sessions face-to-face with professors, guest speakers and fellow students.
5. Specialization Options
If you want to specialize within your degree, do some research to determine which EdD or PhD programs have options to concentrate on the area you’re interested in. While concentrations differ at each university, EdD and PhD programs have certain staples. PhD concentrations include areas such as educational psychology and special education, while popular EdD concentrations include educational leadership and teaching.
In terms of excellent career options, there is no difference between EdD and PhD in Education programs. An EdD or PhD in Education offers amazing opportunities. Regardless of the decision you make, it’s essential to choose the right career path for you, the one that best aligns with your career goals.
Take the Next Step with Your Education
Interested in pursuing higher education in health sciences? USAHS offers an EdD in education that allows you to specialize in healthcare education, like Nurse Educator, Teaching and Learning, Athletic Training and Executive Leadership. It’s an online program with residencies and optional immersions.
Contact an enrollment advisor when you’re ready to apply to a one-of-a-kind EdD program.
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) offers an online EdD program designed for working clinicians and healthcare educators. Specializations include Nurse Educator, Athletic Training, Teaching and Learning and Executive Leadership. Complete coursework when and where you want and earn your advanced degree while keeping your work and life in balance.
*The information provided on this website is based on self-reported data and is intended for general informational purposes only. Payscale is a limited data source that relies on voluntary submissions from individuals and employers.
Please be aware that the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the data may vary due to its voluntary nature and limited scope. While efforts are made to maintain the data’s accuracy, we cannot guarantee its absolute correctness or currency.
Salary data may not reflect starting pay for recent graduates.
Sources:
- University of The People, “What Is An Ed.D. And Why Is It Important For Your Future?,” University of The People, June 19, 2024, https://www.uopeople.edu/blog/what-is-doctor-of-education/.
- School of Education Online Programs, “EdD vs. PhD in Education: Why Choose an EdD?,”SOE Online, October 18, 2024, https://soeonline.american.edu/blog/edd-vs-phd/.
- Coursera Staff, “How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD?,” Coursera, March 15, 2025, https://www.coursera.org/articles/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-a-phd.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Postsecondary Teachers: Summary,” BLS, April 18, 2025, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 11-9032 Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, last modified April 2024, https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes119032.htm.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Top Executives: Summary,” BLS, April 18, 2025, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/top-executives.htm.
- Payscale, “Average Medical Science Liaison Salary,” PayScale, April 13, 2025, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Medical_Science_Liaison/Salary.
- Harvard Graduate School of Education, “Doctor of Education Leadership,” Harvard Graduate School of Education, 2025, https://www.gse.harvard.edu/degrees/edld.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Health Education Specialists and Community Health Workers: Summary,” BLS, April 18, 2025, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/health-educators.htm.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Postsecondary Education Administrators: Summary,” BLS, April 18, 2025, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/postsecondary-education-administrators.htm.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Instructional Coordinators,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, last modified April 2025, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/instructional-coordinators.htm
- Graduate Programs Staff, “8 Careers You Can Pursue with a Doctorate in Education,” Northeastern University Graduate Programs, August 12, 2024, https://graduate.northeastern.edu/resources/careers-with-doctorate-in-education/.
