Leadership in Education: 4 Careers With a Doctor of Education

Skills in areas such as analytical thinking, problem-solving and communication consistently rank among the top attributes employers seek in candidates — especially for leadership roles. A recent survey of employers by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) placed these competencies in the top 10, alongside other valuable traits like strategic planning and interpersonal skills.

Pursuing an advanced degree, such as a doctoral degree, can help working professionals enhance these competencies, enabling them to elevate their careers and qualify for leadership positions.

Workers with a doctoral degree also generally earn more than other workers — with median wages that are nearly double that of all workers — and have the lowest unemployment rate at just 1.2 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

For those seeking to take on a leadership role in education — or any other sector — earning a Doctor of Education (EdD) can help them gain the foundational knowledge and professional capabilities they need to make an impact.

Why Earn a Doctor of Education?

Education is one of the top fields of study at the doctoral level behind only the health and legal fields, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Enrollment in doctoral programs has climbed steadily over the last several years as professionals across industries increasingly recognize the transferable, cross-industry value of these degrees.

EdD students come from diverse backgrounds, with various reasons for pursuing an advanced education.

Develop Leadership Skills

Preparing students for leadership roles is a core aspect of most EdD programs, with some even offering dedicated leadership concentrations. The curriculum immerses students in advanced analyses of educational systems and policy implementation, while also exploring complex subjects such as interpersonal dynamics and the importance of cultural sensitivity and equity.

This training can prepare professionals to lead in educational settings as well as in other arenas, including nonprofits, government agencies and corporate environments.

Career Advancement

The leadership abilities and strategic management expertise students build in EdD programs can pave the way to higher-level roles in education, including administrative positions such as school principal or college dean roles. Because EdD programs delve into subjects such as educational policy, research methods and change management, they can also lead to highly specialized roles within or adjacent to education, such as policy analyst or curriculum developer positions.

Make a Bigger Impact

EdD programs are designed to broaden students’ perspectives, taking them beyond the classroom to examine how educational systems and policies intersect at the local, district, state and federal levels. The curriculum also can empower students to bridge theory and practice by converting evidence-based research into actionable strategies.

From shaping district-wide initiatives to influencing government policy, the work of EdD holders often helps drive systemic change that enhances learning and equity on a wide scale.

Professional Versatility

Although most students in EdD programs are educators seeking career advancement, these programs can also offer value to aspiring leaders in other sectors. Their focus on quantitative and qualitative research, data analysis and change management can serve professionals in various other fields, such as corporate training and nonprofit management.

4 Educational Leadership Careers With an EdD

Owing to the program’s comprehensive and multifaceted curriculum, earning an EdD can unlock myriad career opportunities in educational leadership and beyond for graduates. Whether they want to steer academic programs in higher education, guide educational policy development or design workforce development initiatives, EdD graduates are well-positioned to pursue any of various roles in a wide range of industries.

Here are four potential roles for EdD graduates, with salary and job growth data from the BLS.

1. Postsecondary Education Administrator

Postsecondary education administrators direct academics and student services at colleges and universities. Their responsibilities vary based on what area of the institution they work in. An admissions administrator, for example, reviews student applications and meets with prospective students, while academic deans select faculty and manage departmental budgets.

Earning an EdD can equip professionals with the leadership capabilities, policy expertise and strategic mindset needed to drive institutional innovation and improve student outcomes.

Median annual salary: $103,960
Employment outlook (2023-2033): 3 percent growth projected (6,200 new jobs)

2. Public Relations and Fundraising Manager

Educational institutions and nonprofits rely heavily on donations to operate, which means they need leaders with the ability to build relationships and foster a positive brand reputation. Public relations (PR) and fundraising managers devise and execute communications campaigns to enhance an organization’s image and secure financial support. Roughly a third of all fundraising managers — and nearly 15 percent of PR managers — work in education, according to the BLS.

An EdD program’s emphasis on interpersonal communication and ethical leadership can prepare individuals to navigate complex stakeholder relationships in educational and nonprofit settings.

Median annual salary: $123,480 (fundraising managers); $138,520 (PR managers)
Employment outlook (2023-2033): 7 percent growth projected (7,700 new jobs)

3. Political Scientist

Political scientists play an important role in education, analyzing and influencing policies with far-reaching impacts and contributing to curriculum development and teaching standards, among other responsibilities. They collect data from public opinion research and other sources to understand the effects of educational policies, and advise decision-makers based on their insights.

With its rigorous training in research and analysis, an EdD program can prepare aspiring political scientists to shape educational legislation.

Median annual salary: $139,380
Employment outlook (2023-2033): 3 percent growth projected (200 new jobs)

4. Training and Development Manager

Training and development managers play a different kind of role as leaders in education, designing and directing professional development programs for organizations. They create instructional content, supervise training and development staff, and assess the effectiveness of programs.

By providing expertise in learning theory, program design and analysis, and change management, an EdD program can provide students with the tools they need to foster professional growth and organizational effectiveness.

Median annual salary: $127,090
Employment outlook (2023-2033): 7 percent growth projected (3,200 new jobs)

Chart Your Leadership Journey

Earning an EdD empowers professionals by enabling them to cultivate research skills, policy insight and leadership acumen — which can open doors to senior-level roles in higher education administration, government, advocacy, workforce development and beyond.

If you want to take on a leadership role in education or another field, the online Doctor of Education in Educational Innovation program with a concentration in Educational Leadership at Augusta University offers the advanced training to help you get there. The program’s mostly asynchronous format — with a two-day, on-campus residency for dissertation support — allows you to maintain an optimal work-life balance while you work toward your degree.

Discover how AU Online can help you take the next step in your professional journey.

Sources:
National Association of Colleges and Employers, “What Are Employers Looking for When Reviewing College Students’ Resumes?”
National Center for Education Statistics, Graduate Degree Fields
Psychology Today, “The Nature and Benefits of Earning an Ed.D. Degree”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Education Pays
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Political Scientists
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Postsecondary Education Administrators
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Public Relations and Fundraising Managers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Training and Development Managers