Online Doctorate Degree in Education Administration
What is Educational Administration?
Education involves more than just classroom teaching — educators also work in administrative positions as principals, deans, superintendents, and higher education administrators. Educational administrators play a key role in a school’s daily activities by managing staff, setting goals, and creating a vision for the school. They also manage the budget, create development and improvement plans, and oversee staff members. In these rewarding positions, educators can shape a school or program.
Many of the top educational administration jobs require a doctorate. Online Ph.D. higher education administration programs include coursework on staff management, curriculum development, and educational administration research. Doctoral candidates complete a dissertation demonstrating their advanced knowledge in educational administration. With a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) or doctor of education (Ed.D.) degree, educational administrators can pursue academic jobs as professors and researchers or work in school administration.
Professional educators considering educational administration jobs at the K-12 or higher education level may benefit from a doctorate in the field. A doctorate requires a substantial commitment, as the degree takes five years after earning a master’s degree. Working educators can benefit from the scheduling flexibility of online Ph.D. in higher education administration programs. Educators seeking job advancement and the highest administrative positions can gain a competitive edge on the job market by earning an Ed.D. or Ph.D. in higher education administration online.
What is the Difference Between an Ed.D. and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration?
Online doctoral programs in higher education administration come in two forms: Ph.D. or Ed.D. Many students considering doctorates in educational administration research both Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs. While the two degrees share many similarities in terms of curricula, they prepare graduates for different career paths, so it’s important to choose the right program.
An Ed.D. prepares practitioners by focusing on classroom and administration skills. A Ph.D. focuses on original research and scholarship, and graduates often go on to work in academia, educational theory, or research positions. Both Ed.D. and Ph.D. programs typically require a thesis or dissertation. The coursework in a Ph.D. program may include more research-focused material, and graduates often publish in peer-reviewed journals and conduct continuing research.
Educational administration is one of many options for students interested in earning a doctorate in education. Prospective students can also consider several related online doctorates in education. For example, an online doctorate in educational leadership also prepares graduates for careers in education management, both at the K-12 level as a superintendent or dean, or in higher education administration.
Choosing an Online Doctorate in Educational Administration Program
With so many choices, students considering an online Ph.D. in higher education administration may find the process of selecting the best program overwhelming. Because online programs enroll students from across the country, a prospective educational administration student’s location does not determine which programs they can pursue. By considering several key factors, such as the program’s cost, completion time, and specializations, students can find the best program for their career goals, budget, and interests.
Featured Online Programs
The cost of an online Ph.D. in higher education administration may seem intimidating at first. However, many students benefit from in-state tuition discounts, and some Ph.D. higher education administration programs also provide discounted tuition for online students. Graduation requirements can also affect cost. While some programs require as little as 40 credits, others expect students to complete over 70 credits. Typically, an online Ph.D. higher education administration degree takes 3-5 years, but accelerated and part-time options can affect the length of the program.
Some programs offer specializations in higher education or K-12 administration, which can help graduates compete on the job market. Accreditation status also plays an important role in finding the right program. Only accredited programs qualify students to receive federal financial aid, and only credits earned at accredited institutions easily transfer to other programs. Teaching licenses and certifications may also require an accredited degree.
Online programs also come in many formats. A fully online program requires no on-campus commitments, while a hybrid program allows students to take a mix of online and in-person classes. Some programs provide both a fully online and hybrid option.
Entry Requirements
In order to enroll in an online Ph.D. higher education administration program, candidates must meet the program’s admission requirements. Most programs require educational and professional experience, and they often also set GPA minimums and require application materials.
Most educational administration programs require that applicants hold a master’s degree before enrolling. A master’s in educational administration meets the requirement, as does a master’s in educational leadership. Many programs offer convenient online options for students to earn a master’s or Ph.D. in higher education administration. Candidates demonstrate their educational records by submitting transcripts, which also show their GPA. Some programs require applicants to hold a certain GPA, such as 3.0 or above, though others may accept a student with a lower GPA under a provisional admission policy.
After meeting the educational requirements, applicants must also submit a resume or CV detailing their work experience. Most educational administration programs require a certain number of years of teaching experience. Candidates must also provide a statement of purpose, detailing their reasons for pursuing an online Ph.D. higher education administration degree and their career goals after earning the degree. Most programs also require academic and professional letters of recommendation. Educational administration doctorate programs may also require standardized test scores, most commonly the GRE or MAT.
Directory of Accredited Doctorate in Educational Administration Programs
Educational Administration Licensure and Certifications
Most states require K-12 educators working in public schools to hold a teaching license. The teaching licensure process varies by state; in most states, teachers must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited educator preparation program, pass required content and teaching skills examinations, and demonstrate student teaching experience. Some states set additional requirements for students who earn their teaching degree out of state.
An Ed.D. or Ph.D. higher education administration degree may meet the educational requirements for a teaching license. However, doctors of educational administration may still need to pass examinations to earn a teaching license. Prospective educational administration students who plan to teach should check if the program meets the state guidelines where they plan to work.
Teaching licenses do not automatically transfer across state lines. Some states provide limited reciprocity, but teachers may still need to meet additional testing requirements to complete the licensure process in their new state. During the license transfer process, applicants provide proof of teaching proficiency from their current job. Most secondary teaching licenses require a content-area examination in addition to a teaching skills test. Educators must demonstrate their knowledge in every field they plan to teach.
Educational administrators working at the college level likely do not need a teaching license. Some administrative positions at the K-12 level, including principals, may require a different state license. In addition to teaching licenses, educational administrators can also pursue certifications, which demonstrate advanced abilities in educational administration and may help administrators stand out on the job market.
What Can You Do With an Educational Administration Degree?
Online doctoral programs in higher education administration prepare graduates for many rewarding careers. Professionals with an online Ph.D. higher education administration degree often pursue work as education administrators, chief academic officers, and superintendents. Many of these fields boast well above average salaries, such as chief academic officers, who earn $123,589 a year on average. Some education administration jobs may require a teaching license; doctoral students can research teaching license requirements by state.
Paying for Your Online Doctorate in Educational Administration
Students can pay for online doctoral programs in higher education administration in many ways. While some students pay tuition out of pocket at the beginning of each semester or quarter, most rely on a mix of loans, scholarships, and fellowships to cover the cost of a degree. For example, doctoral students qualify for specialized dissertation fellowships based on their research, and they can also receive subsidized and unsubsidized federal loans.
Scholarships for Online Doctorate in Educational Administration Degrees
Resources for Online Doctorate in Educational Administration Students
- American Association of School Administrators (AASA) Dating back to 1866, AASA supports administrators and superintendents by advocating for educational policies and offering its members certifications, professional development resources, and networking opportunities.
- National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) Founded in 1921, NAESP serves elementary and middle school principals. The organization offers its members webinars, access to job postings, discounts on conferences, and awards.
- National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) A professional organization, NASSP advocates for high school principals. Members receive benefits such as professional learning resources, networking opportunities, and awards.
- U.S. Department of Education (ED) State Contacts The ED website lists local departments of education, higher education agencies, and other resources for teacher licensing and jobs in each state.
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Educator preparation programs, including online Ph.D. higher education administration programs, undergo periodic review with CAEP to gain accreditation. Prospective students can check a program’s accreditation status on CAEP’s website.
