I want to teach online classes at the college level. I have an MBA and want to further my education. I can't choose between a DBA in management or Ed.D. in online learning. I'm thinking the DBA is better because most colleges want instructors to be to have more credits in the subject they teach. However, An Ed.D in online learning may stand out on a resume to be an online instructor. Any suggestions, or pros and cons of each program?
The EdD in Online Learning will only be any good if you're looking to teach classes about Online Learning.
PhD or DBA in Management vs. EdD (in online learning) … hands down. Awfully expensive and time consuming choice merely to teach online courses though (?).
This is mostly true. However, there are places (I worked at one) where once you were hired as a visiting instructor*, if you earned a doctorate in anything, you would be moved into a tenure-track position with a small raise. I never did understand how this worked with accreditation, but that was how the college operated and they did have several people who were hired with masters in their field and later got doctorates outside of their field. On the other hand, my current institution requires you to have a doctorate in your field to move into a tenure-track position (and get a reasonable raise). An Ed.D. wouldn't do it here for me, though it would have at the last place I worked. *Edit - changed from prof to instructor. This is one area where precise language is probably best, as titles do mean something in academia.
IMHO, the Ed. D. will tend to pigeonhole you in the education ghetto, whereas the DBA will earn you credibility both inside and outside the classroom (consulting etc.). Best wishes on your decision.
