Educational leadership is a broad field that encompasses many aspects of the development and management of educational and learning opportunities in a variety of settings. A Doctor of Education (EDD) degree is designed to provide recipients with rigorous instruction on a large number of skills, including problem-solving, communication, community outreach, budgeting, marketing, and curriculum development. Each of these skills is vital to someone looking to have a positive impact on students in a variety of learning situations in the future.
Become a Leader
With a growing need for leaders in various fields and types of education, getting an educational leadership doctorate degree online can open many doors in education, industry, and the public sector. With this degree, you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to pursue career opportunities in many different areas of academia. Some of the jobs you can pursue include:
- Administration in a secondary institution or local school district
- Training and development management for a private corporation
- Community service outreach and organization
- Teaching and administration positions in post-secondary institutions
Many principals, superintendents, and college instructors hold these degrees, but that does not mean that future opportunities are limited to these roles.
Online Program
Getting an educational leadership online doctorate provides the opportunity to pursue higher education to individuals in a wider variety of personal and professional settings. When compared to traditional degree programs, online programs offer students greater flexibility and the potential for a more personalized educational experience.
In a traditional degree program, students are required to visit a brick and mortar location at specified dates and times in order to complete coursework, participate in discussions, and be assessed on their learning and knowledge.
Schedule
An alternative framework is typically just as vigorous but allows students with inflexible work or family schedules to participate in the material remotely. Similarly, students who live in rural areas or students who are prevented from physically traveling to a central location for classes can fully participate in the coursework.
The significant increase in access to higher education is one of the most widely known and commonly discussed benefits of completing an alternative degree program. It is also important to note that the vast majority of online programs are significantly cheaper and more cost-effective than traditional doctorate programs. This is because the related universities do not have to take care of housing a significant number of physical classes regularly.
Challenges
Online programs do have their own set of challenges. Some students find it challenging to maintain a balance between work, school, and life while completing alternative degree programs.
Additionally, keeping up with coursework and completing assignments on time can pose an issue for the less organized. Group work required in any of these courses also requires a more significant amount of technical knowledge and equipment than traditional group work.
Final Thoughts
Despite the potential drawbacks to participating in an alternative program, the benefits are often far better than the challenges. With a little bit of planning and self-discipline, students can save thousands of dollars and access degree programs that they would not otherwise have access to by choosing to participate in alternative doctorate programs.
