An online EdD (Doctor of Education) program is a degree focused on policy, execution, and strategies. This degree is for leaders who want to work in educational, business, government, and nonprofit roles. If you are interested in influencing the future of education and enhancing individual development, the best online EdD programs will prepare you to lead well while learning how to execute research-backed solutions to challenges in the workplace and in educational settings.

Students who pursue a doctorate in educational leadership are often considering career opportunities in education, such as a superintendent, school principal, dean of students, college president, or director of institutional research. But others who earn the EdD degree are interested in leadership roles in corporate settings, such as executive director, policy advisor, corporate trainer, or chief learning officer (CLO). All these roles require a deep understanding and practical knowledge of the systems that help others learn and thrive.

For decades, earning an EdD in a traditional, on-campus learning environment was the only option for professionals interested in this degree. But today, online EdD programs have evolved to deliver a robust and comprehensive learning experience for aspiring leaders who want to improve systems, policies, and practices. Online EdD students may enjoy the same level of education and benefits that students learning in-person do.

However, learning online is its own experience, distinct from an on-campus program. Here’s some of what you can expect from an online Doctor of Education program.

What are some of the benefits of an online EdD program?

An online doctorate in educational leadership works similarly to an on-campus program. The main difference is that online programs offer more flexibility, which is ideal for many working professionals. But flexibility isn’t the only reason to consider an online program.

Some of the other benefits of an online EdD may include:

Professional networking opportunities

Online EdD students can still expect to find new colleagues and build their professional network through their program. A supportive online learning environment will typically offer some optional synchronous activities where students can get to know each other in real time through virtual meetings. There are also group projects that allow you to build relationships with other people in your classes. On-campus programs offer similar professional networking opportunities.

Skill development

An accredited online EdD program will offer many of the same opportunities for learning and skill development that a traditional program presents. Coursework will include leadership, research methods, policy, educational theory, and applied practice.

Programs that can deliver a robust, comprehensive doctorate in educational leadership offer a strong curriculum enhanced by specialization options, like educator development and retention, K-12 administration, or organizational change.

Individualized learning

The online setting is ideal for EdD students who are looking for a customized learning experience. You can study at your own pace and tailor your dissertation to a topic that is most interesting to you.

On-campus experiences might offer opportunities to customize your learning as well, but since classes take place in a group setting with the same people in the same location every week, these options can be somewhat limited.

High return on your investment

Pursuing an EdD online while you continue to work full-time can be a great financial investment. Not only are you able to continue to advance in your chosen career while you pursue higher education, you also will typically end up spending less on tuition with an online program. And of course, there are also no travel costs associated with an online EdD.

Also note that some online programs are more condensed than in-person options, with classes running through the summer or winter breaks, which means they can be completed in three years or less—saving you money in the long run. 

Flexible scheduling

As mentioned above, flexibility is one of the biggest reasons professionals choose an online EdD program. Some EdD programs may offer synchronous coursework, meaning that the class meets at a scheduled time and live participation is expected. Other programs offer asynchronous learning to maximize the flexibility of the program.

If students are enrolled in an accredited online EdD program that doesn’t have any on-campus requirements, they can often continue to balance their other work and life commitments through the duration of their study.

Faculty support

Attending an online EdD program doesn’t mean less connections with experts in your field of study. Many faculty who have decades of experience in education and policy choose to mentor and teach online. Faculty at online programs are communicative and highly interactive with their students. The nature of digital interactions makes them able to prioritize one-on-one interactions in the online setting.

Career opportunities

Studying online allows you to keep your costs as low as possible, while opening your future up to all the same opportunities that students who graduate from an in-person program will have. Students who earn any kind of EdD are well-positioned for roles in high-paying careers such as educational policymaker, K-12 administrator, corporate trainer, and many more roles.

Who learns best in an online setting?

If you’re wondering whether or not an online EdD can meet your needs and expectations, it’s a valid question. Just a few years ago, students in a correspondence style program could not connect with each other or with faculty in a meaningful way. But within the past decade, all of that has changed.

Online learning is no longer considered an outlier in higher education. It’s the norm. There are so many tools available to create an effective and robust online learning environment, with more innovations coming out all the time. Even students who attend classes on campus are often spending most of their study hours communicating with faculty and other students online.

Today’s employers understand that pursuing an online EdD program is a wise, strategic decision. However, some learners do enjoy an online program more than others.

Independent learners

Self-starters who understand time management often find that an online program suits the way they like to work. Online programs don’t waste any time delivering the essentials of what you need to know. Online classes offer documented expectations that make tracking your progress simple and clear.

Focused professionals

Individuals who are already working in their desired field of study often thrive in an online learning environment. An online EdD offers them an opportunity to take what they are learning and apply it almost immediately in a “real-world” setting. These students can stay in their career of choice while earning a degree that will make them more eligible for a promotion or a role in leadership at another organization.

Change makers

Students who start an accredited EdD program may already have a vision and plan for change they want to make in their field. These students can benefit from an online program that lets them take the lead on the type of research and practical applications that they want to explore.

Policy enthusiasts

Most professionals who pursue an EdD are passionate about ways to improve how people learn and grow. But some are already very well acquainted with the existing policies that could be modified to make systemic change possible. Students who already have a basic knowledge of policies and enjoy independent research may enjoy learning in an online setting, where they are free pursue their research passions while learning new ways to practically apply that research.

What makes an online EdD program “good”?

A “good” online doctorate in educational leadership will vary according to what you are looking for. For example, an esteemed and exciting program that is not in alignment with your scheduling needs will not be a good program for you. It’s important to firmly understand what you are hoping to get out of the program, as well as what tradeoffs are before you make your choice.

Speaking generally, a strong EdD program will have a good reputation among industry professionals, a solid record of career outcomes, and a deep network of alumni who can help you find new opportunities. Looking through the jobs that recent alumni hold can give you a good idea about the strength and effectiveness of a specific EdD program.

Another feature to review carefully is the dissertation options available at an EdD program. Some EdDs will actually encourage students to choose whether their dissertation will focus on the practical applications of your research or draw more on educational theory.

What are the next steps for getting an online EdD? 

If you are interested in pursuing a Doctor of Education degree online, consider what St. Bonaventure University Online has to offer.

SBU’s online EdD program prioritizes flexibility, allowing students to choose between three different types of dissertation pathways: Dissertation in Practice, Dissertation in Praxis, or Dissertation in Planning. EdD candidates can do the research that matters most to them while they earn their doctorate degree.

Educational and organizational leaders develop personally and professionally through an EdD curriculum that’s been developed with SBU’s core values of integrity and compassion at the center. The program is tailored to the needs of working professionals and can be completed completely online in less than three years. Click here to learn more!