Doctorate in Education - Doctoral Degree Programs
Drexel University School of Education, Philadelphia
Drexel University’s School of Education in Philadelphia has been teaching great educators for over a century. We combine our extensive experience with our passion for today’s technology and research to help our students reach new heights in the Education field. Our students do great things as educators, scholars, administrators and researchers.
Doctoral students choose from two outstanding doctoral degree programs:
- PhD in Education
Drexel University School of Education’s PhD in Education program is a full-time, fully paid program for students who aspire to be scholars, researchers, instructors, and leaders in the field of education. The program is highly competitive and small by design, admitting only 6-8 students annually. Students in the program apply for research or teaching assistantships that provide a generous stipend and a health insurance subsidy.
Students are generally on-campus a few days a week and work with their supervising professors, assistantship professors, and students in their cohort on research and presentations outside of their dissertation. All dissertation research is done independently. The program takes 4 years to complete with students completing courses in the first 3 years and using the fourth year to complete their dissertation.
- EdD in Educational Leadership and Management
Drexel University School of Education’s EdD in Educational Leadership and Management program is a flexible, part-time doctoral program meant to prepare students for careers in a variety of educational careers. The program is offered online or as a hybrid online/in-person program with students meeting 3 times per quarter at Drexel University’s campus in Philadelphia or at Drexel’s Washington DC Center. To provide ultimate flexibility and affordability, the program offers a 3-year plan of study with students taking 2 courses per term, or a 5-year plan of study with students taking 1 course per term.
Students in the EdD program learn in cohorts of up to 20 students. Students complete their dissertation research independently with the guidance of a supervising professor. What’s unique about Drexel’s EdD program is our concentration offerings. Students can choose from nine different concentrations based on their educational goals and interests. The program is ideal for school superintendents, principals, K-12 educators and administrators, as well as those working in educational corporations and non-profits who have a master’s degree, but want to advance their education.
What’s the difference between a PhD and EdD in Education?
While the PhD and EdD are both education doctorate programs, there are important differences between the two that students should know before applying. The most notable difference between the PhD and EdD programs is in the career aspirations of their graduates. Many, not all, students in the PhD program aspire to be researchers and professors of education. Students often seek tenure track professor positions at colleges and universities, or lead research in education at government agencies and non-profit organizations. Students in the EdD program are often working in educational professions and looking to advance their careers. For example, a K-12 school principal will enroll in the EdD program to earn a Superintendent Letter of Eligibility and earn a job as a superintendent for a school district.
At Drexel, students in the PhD program learn in small cohorts of 6-8 students while students in the EdD program learn in cohorts of up to 20 students. Also, PhD program is a full-time, in-person program that takes up to 4 years to complete, while the EdD program is offered as a part-time online or hybrid online/in-person program that can be completed in 3 or 5 years depending on a student’s plan of study.
We encourage you to visit the EdD and PhD program pages to learn more about the curriculum and other differences between the two programs.
Doctoral Program Delivery Options
Drexel University School of Education’s doctoral programs are designed with flexibility in mind. The EdD program is a part-time program available 100% online or as a hybrid program where students take courses online and meet face-to-face with faculty and their fellow students 3 weekends per term. The EdD can be taken as a 3-year or 5-year allowing students to learn at their own pace.
The PhD program is a full-time in-person program with students learning on-campus and working through teaching and research assistantships.
Doctorate Degree in Education: Concentrations
At Drexel, we believe there is not a one-size fits all doctorate program. Students in the School of Education’s EdD and PhD programs can choose from a variety of concentrations that fit their educational interests.
PhD in Education Program Concentrations
Students in the PhD program take 3 courses in their chosen concentration area. Concentrations include:
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education
- Educational Leadership and Policy
EdD in Educational Leadership and Management Program Concentrations
In addition to core courses, students in EdD program take 5 concentration courses in their chosen area of study including:
- Athletic Administration
- Creativity and Innovation
- Educational Administration (with Pennsylvania Superintendent Letter of Eligibility)
- Educational Policy
- Global and International Education
- Higher Education Human Resource Development
- Human Resource Development
- Learning Technologies
- Special Education Leadership
How to Apply to Drexel University’s Education Doctoral Program
Graduate students interested in applying or learning more about the doctoral program at
Drexel University’s School of Education should attend one of the upcoming in-person or
virtual Information Sessions.
If you are ready to apply, you can learn more about doctoral admission requirements in the
Graduate Admissions page.