2 Masters or an Ed.D?

[Macs27]

I am seeking advice in regards to my next degree in education. As of now, I have an undergraduate degree in education and a masters degree in an education content area. I have 5 years of teaching experience in the classroom and experience working as an education specialist at an NGO.

 

I am now thinking that I would like to get out of the classroom, have more earning potential, and have a leadership role in education, be at it a private school (K-12 or higher education) or non-profit. (I am not interested in public school education). Examples of jobs that would interest me at a school are elementary principal, pre-school director, dean of diversity, head of ESL program, head of foreign exchange program, head of after school programs (if this is a job), head of admissions, or maybe even a professor someday (if I got an Ed.D). Examples of jobs that would interest me outside of a school are head of education programming (at a community center or park district for example), or being in a leadership role for an education initiative within the community, or even being an education specialist within an international NGO. I'm sure there are many more jobs I would also find interesting.

 

As you can see, there are many roles that interest me within education and I honestly don't know which one I would like the best. Right now is a time in my life that I have the time and money to invest in another degree. My question is, given my previous education, work experience, and interests, which would be the better degree at this point? A masters in education or organizational leadership or a doctorate in education/organizational leadership? (I would only consider the Ed.D, not Ph.D). 

 

Do you think it would be redundant to have yet another masters in education on my resume (making for 3 degrees in education)? I am reluctant to pursue an Ed.D in education leadership only because I have always had anxiety surrounding papers and I doubt my ability to successfully complete a thesis. (I have not found programs in my area with a final project instead of a thesis.) Do you think there would be a big salary discrepancy between the masters in education leadership and the Ed.D in education leadership with the jobs stated? Can you think of any jobs I would not be qualified for (other than professor) with another masters vs. the Ed.D? And finally, do you think an additional masters degree in education leadership would be helpful at this point, or am I better off “working my way up” with the one masters I have now? Thanks so much! 

[Chai_latte]

This isn't my field.  I'm speaking as an alumna and future parent.  I went to an elite, private school in NYC K-12.  An Ed.D. was not a necessity (even though there are/were some faculty members with terminal degrees...usually PhDs in their respective fields).  I'm not sure if our head of school had an Ed.D.  BUT, if you want to climb the ranks at a private school (or even get your foot in the door), your academic pedigree should shine.  Ivy League is preferred (and possibly a tacit requisite for leadership roles).  If you already have that, you may not have to go back to school at all!  

Here's the caveat: I think the education field is getting more competitive*, and an undergraduate background in ed. isn't ideal.  Normally, people had degrees in an "old-fashioned" field (e.g. English, history, math, physics, a language) and then tacked on education graduate work.  This was always true for heads of school/ department chairs.  Since you're straight education, an Ed.D. just might put you over the top.

The other leadership roles you listed are VASTLY different.  Our admissions head, diversity director, head of the Lower School, dean and after-school-program coordinator had very different jobs and probably different backgrounds.  Figure out what role you want first.  It seems like you were just listing any out-of-the-classroom position you could think of.  But, assuming that you're most serious about being a head of lower/middle/upper school, an Ed.D might be the ticket.

Target some K-12 schools or non-profits and SEE where the leadership people trained and what their highest degree was.  Better yet, reach out via email and find out what THEY think the best educational path is.  

 

*I just checked.  Our current head of school has an Ed.D. from a top place (former English major).  The Headmaster when I was there also had one.  So, I guess that is a common denominator.  What has changed is the departmental leadership.  The people have insane credentials now.  The head of Upper School science has a PhD from a top place in a physical science field.  The head of the CS dept. came from top places on the west coast and left the Valley to teach.  Back in my day, a number of our department heads had masters degrees!  Honestly, if you really want private schools, you may want to consider the Ed.D.  More and more of your competition (and/or future colleagues) will have the terminal degree.  Just my 2 cents...

Edited December 18, 2014 by Chai_latte

[hesadork]

I see next to no value in a second master's.  So to my eyes, the question is an EdD or nothing.  

 

The position titles you list don't typically require a doctorate (though this can vary by institution).  Take a look on higheredjobs.com or in the Chronicle at education requirements for some of these types of positions in your area -- that might give you a sense of the field.

 

That said, no question that an EdD would make you a more competitive candidate, irrespective of the published requirements.  You may also want to consider timing: is now the right time for an EdD?  Would it be better to land in an administrative role and then pursue it?