Are you an educator looking to advance your knowledge, skills, career title, and earning potential?

If so, you’ve likely considered earning an advanced degree, such as a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D). A Doctorate in Education is a terminal degree designed to prepare candidates for various leadership roles in academia and administration.

Individuals with this degree secure positions in school administration, instructional development, and even outside of academia in corporate training and human resources positions.

Let’s look at the various career outcomes upon obtaining a Doctorate in Education and a projected Doctorate in Education salary.

What is a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D)?

A Doctorate in Education (Ed.D) is a terminal doctoral degree for individuals looking to assume the highest leadership roles in educational settings inside and outside the classroom.

By focusing on professional leadership and applied research, candidates take courses geared toward higher education leadership, pre-K and kindergarten through twelfth-grade educational administration, early childhood education, curriculum development and instruction, and special education.

Common courses found in Doctorate of Education programs include:

• Introduction to Education Leadership
• Evaluation of School Effectiveness
• Curricula Theory
• Comparative Education
• Program Evaluation

These advanced education programs typically consist of about 60 post-master’s credit hours and involve dissertations. Every college, university, and program will differ, so candidates should conduct research to understand their desired program’s requirements and curriculum.

For example, at University of Bridgeport, our hybrid (in-person and online) Doctorate in Education degree consists of sixty-two credits, which can be completed in as little as three and a half years if taken full-time.

No matter where you are in your academic career and journey, University of Bridgeport ensures you can fast-track your career advancement and pursue various educational leadership positions and roles.

What Career Outcomes and Salary Potential Can I Expect from a Doctorate in Education?

Graduates of Doctorate in Education programs can obtain professional, academic, administrative, research, and clinical positions in pre-K-twelve, higher education, private institutions, civil service settings, and more. Here are some examples, along with their Ed.D. salary potential.

1. Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals

As the overseers of school operations and daily activities, elementary, middle, and high school principals coordinate curriculums, manage staff, and provide a safe and productive learning environment for students and teachers.

They also set academic goals and ensure teachers have the equipment and resources needed to meet those goals. Principals can expect to have regular work weeks with more than forty hours on the job as they meet with parents and other community members and attend school functions like concerts and athletic events.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for elementary, middle, and high school principals is $101,320, with the highest ten percent earning more than $158,770 per year.

 

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2. Instructional Coordinators

Instructional coordinators work behind the scenes to help develop and assess curricula and teaching standards for schools or entire districts.

Individuals in this position perform the following roles and duties:

• Plan, organize, and conduct teacher training, conferences, or workshops
• Analyze students’ test data
• Recommend teaching techniques and the use of different technologies and teaching methods.
• Develop, implement, and teach new content, programs, or curriculum.

Instructional coordinators make a median annual salary of $66,490, with the highest ten percent earning more than $105,210, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported. While many find work in schools, instructional coordinators also find well-paying positions in government and educational support services.

3. Academic Deans

Academic deans are senior college or university administrators generally responsible for managing faculty and administrative staff, setting educational goals, managing departmental budgets, and working with admissions offices to attract new students to their school.

Deans are found in specific academic departments or specific offices, such as the admissions or alums outreach offices, fulfilling a wide range of tasks and responsibilities and spending on the institution.

While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not explicitly report on academic deans, they note that the median wage for postsecondary education administrators is $99,940 annually. The top industries where postsecondary education administrators worked were colleges, universities, and professional schools at the state, local, and private levels.

4. Training and Development Managers

Candidates with Doctorate of Education (Ed.D) degrees can also pursue positions outside academia, such as training and development managers, in businesses, corporations, non-profits, government, military, and other public and private organizations.

Training and development managers plan, coordinate, and direct skills- and knowledge-enhancement programs for an organization and its employees.

With a six percent employment growth rate and a median annual salary of $120,000 per year, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported, this is a worthwhile career path for graduates of Doctorate of Education programs.

5. Human Resources Managers

Human resources managers oversee all staff-related business functions for their employers. This includes overseeing the recruiting, interviewing, and hiring new staff, consulting with top executives on strategic planning, and serving as the link between an organization’s management and its employees.

Human resources managers can expect to earn a median annual salary of $130,000, with the highest ten percent earning more than $224,360 annually.

The Doctorate in Education Salary Potential is High

As you can see, earning a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D) can lead to career and personal success and advancement, open the door to high salaries, and make a broad impact in many different fields and industries.

If you are ready to take this next step in your educational and academic career, consider our Doctorate of Education (Ed.D) in Educational Leadership program at University of Bridgeport.

Our classes are taught by experts in their fields with a strong emphasis on international education, providing you with a more profound and diverse understanding needed to enhance and improve the effectiveness of public and private educational institutions.

Contact us today to learn more, and let’s crush your career goals – together!