Selecting the right EdD program should be a careful decision. You want a program that fits your needs but that also offers more than just a credential. Your EdD program experience should prepare you to become a Scholarly Practitioner and give you skills to transform your professional practice.
Factors to consider and Questions to Ask
Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes – What will the program prepare you to become? What skills, knowledge, and dispositions does the program prepare you to have? Is the program distinct from traditional doctoral programs and/or centers the preparation of a scholarly practitioner? Is the program a CPED member?
Program Focus—Is the program designed for K-12 administrators only? Higher education leaders only? Does it offer licensure? Is it an interdisciplinary program meaning several major areas come together and students come from different fields of education? Is the program focus open to all fields?
Program Length – How long is the program? Is it part-time or full-time? How many credits is the program? Will your master’s degree transfer?
Program Delivery—How is the program delivered (online (synchronous/asynchronous, hybrid, in person)? What is the expectation for weekly studying and assignments? Is there a cohort that completes the program together?
Program Curriculum—Are the courses designed with the practitioner in mind—applied knowledge, leadership training, integration of theory and practice? Do the courses offer hands-on experiences that allow you to practice the skills, knowledge, dispositions? Is every course connected to the student learning outcomes? Is there a laboratory of practice?
Program Support—what types of writing and research support is offered? When are you assigned an advisor or dissertation chair? How accessible are these people? Is there an EdD director?
Research Training—Are the research courses focused on applied research? Is there a single methodology taught (ie/, action research, improvement science, evaluation) or is general research training provided? Will you gain skills you can use beyond your program? Will you be trained to use research evidence in practice, conduct applied research for practical improvement, consume existing research to better your practice and context?
Dissertation Experience—Does the program offer a dissertation in practice experience – a scholarly endeavor that impacts a complex problem of practice? Is the dissertation woven into the program or is it a solo experience?
How in the end will this EdD program prepare me to contribute to make the practice of education better?
“I chose an EdD because the work focuses more on solving problems of practice in education. For me, I have learned to define and solve problems in my school district while giving me confidence to manage and lead educational change.”- Olcay, Rutgers University
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