Teaching Experience and Doctoral Programs--EdD or PhD?

[tomsmonticello]

As I'm entering my fifth year of classroom teaching, I am interested in pursuing a doctoral level degree that will allow me to continue working in the field of education but equip me with more skills, resources, and knowledge to have a broader professional impact. My interest leans toward education leadership and policy, but I am uncertain on whether I should pursue the Ed.D. route or a PhD. Ultimately, I would like to work at the district or state level in K-12 administration, in a position to engage in policy analysis and recommendations.

Is it true that, in a field like education, a PhD is not strictly limited to those with primary interests in research and a career in academia? It seems like the options for the Ed.D., which is certainly more practioner-oriented, are limited or seem to be more "mid-career" programs. Are the people accepted into Ed.D. programs in Education Leadership and Policy, like the ones at Peabody and HGSE, current administrators with more than five years of experience in the field?

Will my lack of research experience (i.e., only having practical experience in the field) weaken my prospects for a highly ranked PhD program? I currently have a Masters in Education and, as I said, five years of teaching experience. Do I have too little practical experience to pursue a Ed.D. while also having too little interest in an ivory tower career to pursue a PhD?

Any advice and guidance to help me find a program that best fits my interests would be welcome!

[chanterelle]

Hi! I am in a similar situation-- I am in my sixth year teaching and found myself wanting to do more outside of it. I cannot speak to applying to Ed.D. programs, but I did apply to PhD programs. I only had a tiny tiny amount of research experience when I got my master's.

 

In any case, I did get interviews at Penn GSE and Harvard GSE with little research experience (and an unofficial offer of admission at the former, still waiting to hear back from the latter). As long as you can explain why you want to make the switch, and how your current skills are applicable to what you want to do, I think it's totally possible to get into top programs.