Updated on September 24, 2025.

In a competitive job market, it is a good idea to think about the education you’ll need in the present and the future. Professionals aspiring to leadership roles who possess master’s degrees can set themselves apart from the competition with additional education. Anyone working in education or interested in leadership roles may be a good fit for a doctorate in educational leadership (Ed.D.) program. 

An Ed.D. in Educational Leadership differs from a Ph.D. in its focus on practical applications of academic research. This degree option encourages students to learn how to solve real-world problems through coursework and research. Ed.D. graduates are well-positioned to advance in their careers, innovate in their industries, and set high standards for others in their workplace. 

From school districts and universities to corporations and communities agencies, employers are looking for strong educational leaders who have the skills, passion and experience needed to create meaningful change. It’s a good idea to learn more about what an Ed.D. is before answering, “What can I do with a doctorate in education?”

 

Earning the Right Doctorate for Your Career

As you look at doctoral degree options, you may find that there are Ed.D. and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in similar disciplines. Both degrees are considered the most advanced level of education, though the Ed.D. and Ph.D. differ in their focus. A Ph.D. is intended for academic scholars, while an Ed.D. is focused on practitioners in a broad range of work environments.

The admissions requirements for Ph.D. and Ed.D. are distinct because of each degree’s desired results. Ph.D. applicants typically need master’s degrees in their desired doctoral discipline with master-level dissertations reflecting their scholarly potential. Ed.D. programs appeal to experienced professionals from different fields by requiring master’s degrees in most disciplines and years of work experience.

Ph.D. and Ed.D. candidates demonstrate their knowledge and skills through dissertations. The Ph.D. dissertation is intended for publication in academic journals or as the basis for further writing. Ed.D. programs prepare future leaders with dissertation processes focused on solving challenges in the classroom, the board room, or the community.

 

Career Paths for Ed.D. Graduates

All of these factors lead to a wide range of career opportunities for Ed.D. graduates. A doctoral degree along with your work experience and commitment excellence raises the ceiling on your future career paths. The Ed.D.’s focus on solving leadership challenges translates well into the jobs summarized below.

 

1. K-12 Education Leadership

Teachers in K-12 schools possess the classroom experience, licensure, and commitment to student success for leadership positions. K-12 career opportunities for Ed.D. graduates include principal of an elementary, middle, or high school and superintendent of a school district. A doctorate isn’t the minimum education requirement for these roles at this point, but 35.6% of respondents to a 2024-2025 survey by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) graduated from Ed.D. programs. An Ed.D. may set you apart from other educators in a competitive job market.

 

Principal

Principals guide the work done by teachers, department heads, and vice principals to ensure student safety and success. Leaders in this position establish goals and monitor progress in areas from professional development for teachers to student achievement. They represent their schools in their communities and advocate to school boards and district officials for necessary resources. 

An Ed.D., state licensure, and years of classroom experience can help you become a principal. K-12 principals are rewarded not only with improvements in academic achievement but strong compensation. The BLS lists a median salary of $104,070 for principals, far exceeding the median salaries of the following K-12 roles:

• Elementary school teachers ($62,310)
• Middle school teachers ($62,970)
• High school teachers ($64,580)

 

Superintendent

Superintendents are the chief executive officers for K-12 school districts across the country. They establish policies for all facets of student and staff experiences from curriculum to facilities management. School superintendents lobby legislators for educational funding, communicate district changes to local media, and develop long-term plans for district success. Their work is implemented through assistant superintendents, principals, and other staff members.

The 2024-2025 AASA Salary & Benefits Study found that Ed.D. graduates earned more on average than Ph.D. graduates. Ed.D. holders in superintendent roles earned a median salary of $186,000, compared to $181,000 for Ph.D. holders. The top 25% of earners averaged $229,625 in salary per year.

 

2. Higher Education Leadership

Career opportunities for Ed.D. graduates interested in educating future leaders are available on college campuses. College deans oversee assigned areas of university operations from specific schools to student affairs. Chief academic officers - also known as provosts - maintain university accreditation and ensure industry and state educational standards are achieved. An Ed.D. and a commitment to academic excellence can open doors to university leadership roles.

The rewards for a career in higher education are numerous, not the least of which is competitive compensation. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists a median salary of $103,960 for postsecondary education administrators in May 2024. The top 10% of earners reported salaries of at least $212,420, while state university administrators earned more than the median at $107,600.

 

3. Chief Learning Officer

Chief Learning Officers (CLOs) oversee education and development for employees in school districts, corporations, and non-profits. Their responsibilities include creating and implementing training plans, designing and delivering development programs, and assessing the learning needs within an organization. These professionals also analyze the programs they implement to determine if the learning culture in the organization is succeeding, if learning goals are being met, and how educational programs within the organization can improve.

An Ed.D. in Educational Leadership fits with this career path better than most C-Suite roles because degree candidates learn about policies and practices for effective leadership. Aspiring CLOs can apply these ideas to innovations in staff training during their dissertation research. Experienced professionals may also apply what they’ve learned earlier in their career to discussions with fellow Ed.D. candidates. 

 

4. Training and Development Manager

Training and development managers manage a staff of training and development specialists. Training and development managers instruct specialists in training methods, assess the organization’s training needs, and ensure that training goals are aligned with the organization’s overall goals. This alignment is made possible through the design, implementation, and analysis of training programs. Professionals in this career path also stay updated on industry trends and adapt training programs to keep their employers competitive.

While the minimum education level for a training and development manager is a bachelor’s degree, an Ed.D. allows you to stand out from the competition for jobs in this career. The BLS projects a 6% growth in training and development management roles from 2024 to 2034. High demand for experienced professionals translates into good compensation with a median salary of $127,090 in May 2024. 

 

5. Professor

As a terminal degree, an Ed.D. still qualifies you for teaching opportunities at the university level. You can combine your full-time work with part-time adjunct roles or pursue tenure-track positions in educational leadership and comparable disciplines. Professors design instructional plans for their courses, evaluate student progress, and conduct research that advances their academic discipline. They also work with fellow professors and academic staff to keep their departments competitive with other universities.

Employment as a university professor requires a doctoral degree. The BLS lists a median annual salary of $83,980 for postsecondary teachers and a 7% growth rate from 2024 to 2034. The highest 10% of earners reported salaries of at least $199,520 with above-median salaries in disciplines like business and law.

 

Open Career Paths with a Doctorate Degree from St. Bonaventure University

Research shows that highly skilled leaders who promote organizational and individual growth are in high demand. Seventy-seven percent of organizations report that they are facing a leadership gap. St. Bonaventure University’s Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership can help you fill this leadership gap. 

This innovative program develops the skills and knowledge needed to positively influence organizations and effect change. Students are empowered to create their own emphases in consultation with experienced faculty. The program helps students become thoughtful leaders with critical inquiry, reflection, and dynamic leadership strategies taught through the lens of Franciscan values.

The 48-credit Ed.D. program can be completed in three years without setting foot in a classroom. The fully online program is designed to develop leaders in education, nonprofits, business, and the public sector. Coursework is offered in a cohort model, so students have the opportunity to build relationships with their peers and professors. This coursework builds advanced knowledge in areas including:

• Analyzing Diversity Policy & Practices in Education
• Complexity, Communication, and Collaboration
• Leadership Theories and Practices

The dissertation component of the program offers students the opportunity to create their own research, exploring an area of interest that will apply to real-world leadership situations. Each dissertation involves research methodology, data collection, and a final product that can be implemented in the workplace. Online Ed.D. program graduates leave St. Bonaventure University with research demonstrating their readiness for organizational leadership.

As members of the St. Bonaventure University community, online Ed.D. Educational Leadership students are supported by Franciscan values of compassion, wisdom and integrity. The university is dedicated to developing leaders who help others, value academic excellence and are civically engaged.

Graduates of St. Bonaventure University are connected by shared values of compassion, wisdom, and integrity. They also benefit throughout their careers from the university’s reputation for academic excellence. This reputation is confirmed by U.S. News & World Report regional rankings including No. 8 in Best Value School and No. 19 in Regional Universities North.

Build a solid foundation in applied educational leadership research and theory, while learning to apply your knowledge and skills to real-world educational settings with an online Ed.D. Educational Leadership degree from St. Bonaventure University.

Learn More About SBU’s Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership