An EdD (Doctor of Education) and a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) are both doctoral degrees, but they serve different purposes and audiences. The most fundamental distinction lies in their focus: an EdD is a professional doctorate designed for practitioners in a range of educational settings, while a PhD is a research doctorate intended for those pursuing academic careers or advanced research positions. Those with Ed.D.s also serve in academic roles, but overall the Ed.D. is a bit more flexible for a variety of roles.
The PhD emphasizes theoretical research, original scholarship, and contributing new knowledge to the academic field. PhD programs typically require extensive coursework in research methodology, statistics, and theory, culminating in a dissertation that presents original research findings. These programs prepare graduates for careers as university professors, researchers in think tanks or government agencies, or senior research positions in various organizations. The PhD dissertation is expected to make a significant theoretical contribution to the field and often takes several years to complete.
In contrast, the EdD focuses on applied research and practical problem-solving within educational contexts. EdD programs are designed for current or aspiring educational leaders, such as superintendents, principals, curriculum directors, or policy makers. The coursework emphasizes leadership, organizational management, policy analysis, and applied research methods. The dissertation is more likely to addresses real-world problems in educational settings and emphasizes practical solutions rather than theoretical contributions alone.
Both degrees require similar time commitments, usually 3-5 years beyond a master’s degree, and both carry the title “Doctor.” However, career trajectories often differ, with PhD holders more likely to pursue tenure-track academic positions and EdD recipients typically advancing in educational administration, policy, consulting, or academic roles. A few institutions offer both degrees and the specific requirements can vary significantly between programs and universities. Generally speaking there are more similarities than differences between the two type of degrees. About half of WSU’s College of Education faculty hold an Ed.D.