Lead the way in educational transformation with Walden’s applied online Doctor of Education program.
Why Choose Walden?
Learn From a Leader
Known as the Educator of Educators®, Walden has been helping education professionals fulfill their career goals for more than 50 years.
Master Skills That Matter
Our Doctor of Education program focuses on the most critical, contemporary challenges in the field.
Pursue Your Interests
Create the change you want to see by aligning your research capstone topic with your professional passion.
Reach the Finish Line
From research coaches to peer mentors, our Doctoral Support Services help keep you moving forward at every step of your program.
Program Details
Admission Requirements
To be considered for this doctoral program, you must have a master’s degree from an accredited college or university and meet the general admissions requirements. All applicants must submit a completed online application and transcripts. Depending on program specialization, additional requirements may apply. More information for international applicants.
A Personalized Guide to Completing Your Doctorate
Earning your Doctor of Education (EdD) requires commitment, perseverance, and hard work. You can do it, and Walden is here to help—with our Doctoral Degree Coach™.
- Map and Track Milestones: Break your research down into manageable, sequential steps. See where you are, what’s ahead, and what you’ve already accomplished—all in one place.
- Meet Weekly Targets: No more guesswork. Set prompts based on your to-do list and receive reminders and updates directly to your inbox.
- Connect With Faculty: Stay on the same page and keep your progress on track. With shared access to your dashboard, your chair can easily guide you through your checklists, goals, and timelines.
- Access Helpful Resources: Quickly find support from the right person at the right time. Our comprehensive resource guide points you in the right direction—no more frustrating searches.
Program Outcomes
A Doctoral Program for Education Visionaries
Whether you want to address challenges facing public schools or advance your expertise in curriculum and instruction, our Doctor of Education program lets you focus your studies on your passion with various specialization offerings. Gain the insights to think bigger, create novel solutions, and impact your school district or organization for years to come. Become a sought-after education expert and change-maker with the power to shape better student outcomes—and brighter futures.
Career Outlook – Online Doctor of Education
Being an effective educator starts with understanding the change that must happen in the field—and then leading the charge to create it. An online Doctor of Education degree can empower you with greater credibility, respect, and influence and open doors you never imagined.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs for education and school administrators and postsecondary teachers are expected to grow at faster-than-average rates through 2031:3
- Education administrators, postsecondary: 7%
- Training and development managers: 7%
- Postsecondary teachers: 12%
- Elementary, middle, and high school principals: 5%
A Doctor of Education degree can prepare you to pursue career options such as:4
- College and Universities
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Elementary and secondary schools
Results for job titles are at the national level and may not reflect local and/or short-term job conditions and are subject to change.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Apply theoretical knowledge to solve educational problems.
- Critically analyze education-related issues
- Align research methodologies to questions and hypotheses addressing issues in educational practice.
- Communicate with diverse stakeholders to advocate for students in educational settings.
- Practice ethically as a professional in the field of education.
- Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to promote continuous improvement in educational settings.
- Promote equity in education programs and policies.
- Advocate for social change to make a positive impact in educational settings.
Meet Your Academic Team
Testimonials
My Walden experience solidified my commitment to education and renewed my sense of excitement as a leader in the ever-changing world of education.
Studying at Walden changed my world by providing me the skills and knowledge to design teaching curricula and teach at the secondary level.
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FAQ About Walden’s Online Doctor of Education (EdD)
The benefits of earning your Doctor of Education (EdD) are numerous. An EdD is a terminal degree in education practice, which means earning your doctorate will put you among the most educated in your field. The degree can be an important part of your résumé and can help demonstrate to potential employers that you have the education and skills necessary to succeed at a high level. Whether your chosen field is K–12, early childhood, or higher education, or whether you focused on program development, policymaking, or corporate education, earning a Doctor of Education degree can take your career to new heights.
When you pursue your Doctor of Education (EdD) degree, there are a lot of great specialization options from which to choose. Select the one that is most aligned with your passion and goals and your work will become even more important to you. Walden University offers a number of options, including:
- Community College Leadership
- Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
- Early Childhood Education
- Educational Administration and Leadership
- Educational Technology
- Higher Education and Adult Learning
- Higher Education Leadership and Management
- Higher Education (Self-Designed)
- P–20 Education (Self-Designed)
- Reading, Literacy, and Assessment
- Special Education
As a doctoral student, you will learn research methods, plan and design your research, and present your findings in a scholarly paper called a doctoral study. The study’s purpose is to make an original contribution to your field by creating a practical solution to a real problem.
In a doctoral study, you will identify a problem, present your methodology, describe your project, make observations about your findings, and present your practical solution. The doctoral study’s components demonstrate your competence in research and research design, your subject matter expertise, and your command of critical thinking and academic writing.
A PhD degree, also known as an academic doctoral degree, can be pursued by college graduates who don’t yet have relevant work experience or by working professionals who are interested in using their advanced research skills and dissertation to add to the existing body of knowledge in their field.
A professional doctorate is designed for working professionals with practical experience in their field. Professionals often choose a doctoral program to increase their knowledge, advance their careers, and translate their work experience into a higher position of credibility, leadership, and influence. The coursework and research allow students to connect existing theories with practice. Professional doctoral research focuses more on applying existing theories and knowledge to address real-world problems.
An EdD can lead to a career either inside or outside traditional education settings. Thanks to the problem-solving skills taught in EdD degree programs, a variety of public and private organizations seek out EdD graduates to fill important positions. Some of the jobs held by graduates of EdD degree programs include:
- K–12 administrator
- University dean or associate dean
- University faculty
- Education policymaker or policy writer
- Education researcher
- Superintendent
- School principal
- Education program director or coordinator
- Adult educator and trainer
- Civil service leader
Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.
1Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). U.S. Department of Education. Washington, D.C.: National Center for Education Statistics. Includes 2018 data. Retrieved August 2020 using “Completions” survey from https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/datacenter/login.aspx?gotoReportId=7). A doctoral research degree is a PhD or other doctoral degree that requires advanced work beyond the master’s level, including the preparation and defense of a dissertation based on original research or the planning and execution of an original project demonstrating substantial artistic or scholarly achievement.
2 Source: Walden University Office of Institutional Research and Assessment (OIRA), as of December 31, 2020.
3Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Postsecondary Education Administrators; Training and Development Managers; Postsecondary Teachers; Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals (retrieved January 2023). National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, do not guarantee actual job growth, and are subject to change.
4 Source: Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/training-and-development-managers.htm#tab-3 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/elementary-middle-and-high-school-principals.htm#tab-3 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/postsecondary-education-administrators.htm#tab-3
Accreditation
Walden University’s Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) for a period of seven years, from April 2019 through June 2026. This accreditation covers initial teacher preparation programs and advanced educator preparation programs. CAEP is the only recognized national accreditor for educator preparation, promoting excellence in educator preparation through quality assurance and continuous improvement. The Riley College of Education and Human Sciences earned CAEP accreditation by meeting rigorous national standards and demonstrating excellence in the areas of content and pedagogy, clinical experiences, selectivity, program impact, and capacity for continuous improvement.
Note on Teacher Licensure or Certification
This program does not lead to teacher licensure or certification. Teachers are advised to contact their individual school districts as to whether this program may qualify for salary advancement.
Note: Time to completion and cost are not estimates of individual experience and will vary based on individual factors applicable to the student. Factors may be programmatic or academic, such as tuition and fee increases; transfer credits accepted by Walden; program or specialization changes; unsuccessful course completion; credit load per term; part-time vs. full-time enrollment; writing, research, and editing skills; use of external data for the doctoral study/dissertation; and individual progress in the program. Other factors may include personal issues such as the student’s employment obligations, caregiving responsibilities, or health issues; leaves of absence; or other personal circumstances.