Ed.D vs. Ph.D.: What’s the Difference and Which Doctorate Is Right for You?

Considering a doctorate but confused whether an Ed.D. or a Ph.D. is best for you? In Canada, approximately 8,000 doctoral degrees are awarded annually by different universities, with the majority of those degrees focused on the STEM fields of science and engineering. Education and health-related programs are also options for professionals seeking to transition into leadership-oriented roles or applied research. Still, the real question is about which doctorate is most compatible with both your career direction and your aspirations?

Ed.D. and Ph.D are both prestigious doctoral degrees; however, they serve different purposes! And while the number of people earning doctorates in Canada continues to climb, the real question is: which path best aligns with your professional goals?  The practical leadership of an Ed.D. or the in-depth research of a Ph.D.? Let’s learn more about Ed.D. vs. Ph.D. in Education in this article.

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What is a Doctor of Education Degree?

A doctor of education (Ed.D) degree in Canada is a terminal degree intended for experienced professionals seeking advanced leadership, administrative, and policy roles in the education sector and related fields. They differ from Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, which focus on creating new knowledge.

1. What Are The Benefits Of Getting an Ed.D.?

Earning an Ed.D. offers substantial financial and educational advantages tailored for mid-career professionals working in education, corporate, and government sectors. 

• Leadership and Professional Advancement
• Financial Benefits 
• Flexibility for Working Professionals 
• Diverse Career Paths Outside K-12

2. What Can You Do With an Ed.D. Degree?

Having an Ed.D. degree qualifies you for high-level administrative and leadership roles across various sectors. This is because the degree program teaches you how to solve complex, real-world problems in your organization.

• K-12 Administration and Leadership
• Higher Education Leadership
• Business and Corporate Sector 
• Government, Non-Profit, and Policy 

3. How Do I Get an Ed.D. Degree?

• To earn an Ed.D., you need to go through a highly competitive admissions process that places the most emphasis on your academic background and professional leadership experience. 
• For example, you need a master’s degree, such as a Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Education (MEd) in education or a related field, for these programs. 
• Most of these programs also need 3-5 years of documented professional experience in leadership roles in organizational or educational settings.  

What is a PhD in Education?

A PhD in education in Canada is an advanced degree that focuses on original research, scholarly inquiry, and theory development in the field. 

1. What Are The Benefits Of Getting A PhD in Education?

A PhD in education offers distinct advantages for students looking to conduct original research, secure tenure-track roles in academia, or influence policy. 

• Access to Research and Academic Centers  
• Comprehensive Funding Packages 
• Work and Immigration Benefits 
• Career and Financial Growth 

2. What Can You Do With A PhD in Education?

This is a basic credential for careers in advanced theories and original research. Beyond the academic sector, it helps you apply your high-level analytical skills and flourish in industry and government agencies. 

• Higher Education and Academia
• Public Policy and Government 
• Private Sector and Industry 

3. How Can I Get A PhD in Education?

• The application process for a PhD in education is research-heavy and often requires you to get a faculty mentor before you are formally admitted to such a program.

• You also need a thesis-based MA or an MEd in education or a related discipline to gain admission in such a program.  

Ed.D vs Ph.D. in Education: A Side-by-Side Comparison for Canadian Professionals

Doctorate of Education (Ed.D) is a practitioner-focused degree that emphasizes the use of research to solve practical problems. Whereas, a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) is a research degree focused on creating new knowledge and developing theory by engaging in the research process that leads to original research. PhD degrees are based on research and academic writing, scholarly inquiry, and advanced research methodologies to prepare students not only to become professors and researchers but also for other roles, such as policy analysts and think tank directors.

Here are the key differences between Ed.D. and Ph.D:

Key Feature	Ed.D	Ph.D
Focus	Application of research	Creation of new research
Career Path	Prepares professionals for leadership roles in education, administration, policy-making, and other sectors that require organizational leadership.	Prepares graduates for academic careers, such as research positions, teaching at the university level, and advancing educational theory.
Goals	To leverage educational leadership skills to implement productive changes and solve complex problems within an organization.	To create new knowledge based on a theory or hypothesis and publish scholarly work
Dissertation	Applied project or addressed a real-world problem in practice	Traditional dissertation with original contribution to knowledge
Purpose	Prepares leaders to solve practical problems in education and organizations	Trains scholars to conduct original research and advance educational theory.
Program Length	3–4 years (often part-time, flexible for working professionals)	4–6 years (full-time, research-intensive)
Ideal Candidate	Mid-career professionals seeking leadership/administrative roles	Aspiring researchers, academics, or policy experts.
Salary	An Ed.D. salary in Canada can range between CAD 97,000 and CAD 187,000 or more, depending on the job role and years of experience.	A Ph.D. salary in Canada can range from CAD 80,000 to CAD 100,000 or more, depending on the job role and years of experience.
Ed.D. Jobs vs. Ph.D. jobs	School Superintendent, College/University Dean, Principal, Curriculum Director, Chief Learning Officer	University Professor, Research Scientist, Data Scientist, Policy Analyst, Software Developer, Biotechnology Researcher

Also read: How to Select the Right Research Topic for Your Ed.D Dissertation in Canada

Key Considerations Before Choosing Your Doctoral Education

Pursuing a doctoral program is a substantial commitment of time, money, and occupational trajectory. Before you decide if you want to pursue an Ed.D. or a Ph.D., consider these aspects:

1. Career Path

Do you envision leading a school, organization, or non-profit, or do you imagine yourself teaching and publishing a body of research work, while influencing and driving educational policy? In the first case, an Ed.D. degree will be suitable, while in the second case, a Ph.D. will be apt. Your end goal is the deciding factor in that direction.

2. Research vs Practice

Ph.D. programs generally require an interest in study design, data analysis, and composing research-based articles/reflections. Ed.D. programs take research a step further by seeking to implement and improve educational outcomes through practical applications.

3. Time 

Ph.D. programs generally last longer (4-6 years, often as a full-time program), while Ed.D. programs are usually shorter (3-4 years and frequently designed for working professionals with part-time/ flexible formats).

4. Costs

Consider tuition fees and potential salary when considering the time required to study full-time. Some Ph.D. programs offer their doctoral students stipends and graduate assistantships, whereas Ed.D. programs do not typically provide stipends or graduate assistantships.

5. Work-Life Balance

Ph.D. programs involve engaging in considerable research as well as scholarly obligations. Whereas Ed.D. programs allow students to work while they study, making them more user-friendly for individuals in mid- or later-level careers.

6. Learning Style

Do you prefer theory-building, independent research, and a heavy emphasis on academic writing offered in a Ph.D? Or do you enjoy collaborating, leadership training, and real-world problem-solving available in an Ed.D.?

7. Long-Term Impact

A Ph.D. program should put you on track to help you achieve advanced researcher or policymaker designations in your career. An Ed.D. program aims to prepare you to become an executive leader, lead education innovators, or serve as an organizational change agent. 

Also read: Career Paths after Completing an Ed.D in Canada.

Is an Ed.D. Better Than a Ph.D.?

• Neither degree is better than the other one as such. The one you choose depends totally on the specific career goals you have. In Canada, both are recognized as equal terminal degrees at the highest level.

• An Ed.D. is usually the better choice for professionals who want to remain leaders and active practitioners in their field. 

• A PhD is a better alternative when you are looking to pursue the conventional scholarly path. 

• An Ed.D. is the better choice for people who want to solve organizational problems. At the same time, a PhD is the ideal option for students who want to contribute new theories and knowledge to the field of education.

• Typical careers with the former include administrators, leaders, and executives, while with the latter the most common options are professor, scholar, and researcher. 

• These programs also vary in terms of duration. The Ed.D programs take 3-4 years to complete and are often available part-time as well. PhD programs, on the other hand, take 4-6 years to complete and are primarily full-time. 

Take the Next Step with upGrad’s Flexible Doctoral Programs

Choosing whether to pursue an Ed.D. or Ph.D. is critical and depends on your career goals, learning style, and reflections. Whether you want to lead institutions by using practice-based knowledge or influence education’s future with research, you can pursue a doctoral degree to seize opportunities as per your career aspirations. 

With upGrad’s flexible and online degree options, you can begin your academic journey while staying on track with your career obligations. Programs are tailored for busy professionals and designed by faculty from around the world, leveraging their collective experience. These courses help you connect and network with peers and learn through experience, as per your field of choice, to help you attain your goals.

Here are some relevant M.Ed and Ed.D programs offered by upGrad Canada to explore:

• Master of Education (M.Ed.) by Northeastern University
• M.Ed. by University of Massachusetts Lowell 
• M.Ed by Edgewood University
• Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) by Edgewood University

Must read articles:

• Is an Online Master of Education in Canada Worth It
• M.Ed. or MA in Education: Which Is Better for Careers in Canada?
• Should Canadian Teachers Choose upGrad’s Master’s in Education?
• Full-Time vs. Part-Time M.Ed. in Canada

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