Different types of doctorates?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by nobycane, Sep 16, 2007.

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  1. nobycane

    nobycane New Member

    I would like to open up a discussion regarding how colleges and institutions view the various types of doctorate degrees. As far as I can tell (and know) the two most common types of doctorate degrees in the realm of academia is the Ph.D. and Ed.D.

    I have heard many rumblings regarding how the two are perceived, one disturbing notion is that the Ph.D. is considered superior to that of the Ed.D., and that the Ed.D. is viewed as the "poor-mans" Ph.D.

    Now being in education myself, instructor in the sciences at the secondary and an adjunct at the post-secondary, I have never been exposed to this biasness. However, I am about to embark on my journey into the doctoral studies early next year, and have been given the option of pursuing my studies in either the Ph.D. track or the Ed.D. Which really depends on my goals down the line. Which in this case I am going to continue my studies in the area of Earth/Environmental Science Education at the 9-12 & 13/14 level (cc).

    Although, I am going to continue teaching, whether it is at the secondary or make the leap F/T into a cc setting, I am concerned how an Ed.D. will be perceived at these institutions when applying. I have not made up my mind what field I wan to be teaching in at the cc level...right now I am adjuncting in a direct science content area... which I hope to continue in the future. However, I am open to teaching in "science education" if the oppertunity presents itself. Which more than likely means teaching at a university, which seems a little overwhelming at this point in time.

    Has anyone been heard or been exposed to the biasness of Ph.D. vs. Ed.D.
    Is there even such a thing? Am I going to have a difficult time, career wise, by having an Ed.D.?

    Comments...please.
    Thanks.
     
  2. Zaya

    Zaya New Member

    "Am I going to have a difficult time, career wise, by having an Ed.D.?"

    Well, as far as CC job goes, your master's and previous teaching experience should be enough. However, in today’s market, there are lots of doctorate students applying also.
    I think if you have a Ed.D. and some one else with same experience level comes along but has a Ph.D. , Then that person will be favored.

    These days Ed.D. does not have a good reputation. Too many schools are offering or some might say giving away Ed.D. (right or wrong, I don't know), so the field is saturated.

    If you want my advice, go for the Ph.D.

    Good luck in the future.
     
  3. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    The National Science Foundation will tell you that the EdD and the PhD are equal. Theoretically, the PhD is more theoretical and the EdD is more applied though our very own august former Senior Member Anthony Pina will tell you that there seems to be little difference between the PhD and the EdD in terms of the theoreticalness/appliedness of their respective dissertations. If you're looking at remaining in high school and community college education, I don't think there would be much issue with the EdD as opposed to the PhD. ;)

    EDIT: There was some professor from Columbia who called the EdD "a deep dive straight for the bottom."
     
  4. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    It depends on the school. Some schools, like George Washington, only offer an EdD as a doctoral program in Education, and it's comparable to a PhD. Some schools have both, and when they do it seems that the PhD usually has more requirements than the EdD does, whether in research methods, the discipline itself, or both. The University of Virginia is an example in that their EdD has fewer requirements than their PhD in Education.

    At the level that interests you I really doubt this will be a big issue. However, I'd think that especially at the community college level that you'd want a doctoral program in your subject area rather than in Education.

    -=Steve=-
     
  5. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    Ed.D. vs. Ph.D.

    Much of the latest controversy over the Ed.D. is due to a report authored by Arthur Levin, former President of Teachers College, Columbia University. However, his report was really an indictment of doctoral programs in educational administration for school leaders, rather than the Ed.D. degree per se (which is offered in many fields besides ed admin).

    I possess all of the major research studies done iduring the past 30 years that compare the Ed.d. to the Ph.D. in education. The findings are that no overall difference occurs in the entry requirements, coursework requirements, dissertation requirements or dissertation rigor between the Ed.D. and the Ph.D. I have been a student in both types of program and my experience has been that there was no real difference.

    Are their specific universities that offer both degrees and have different requirments? Sure, but they are the exception rather than the rule. Is there a perception by many that the Ed.D. is a "lesser" degree? Sure, however this perception is not based on any kind of tangible or empirical evidence. Their are plenty of people with Ed.D.s teaching as tenured professors at colleges and universities.

    Tony

    P.S. It's good to be back on Degreeinfo
     
  6. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    It's awesome to have you back! :D

    Like most here, I don't see any difference between the Ed.D. and the Ph.D. But remember, we mostly know the ins & outs of higher education.

    One should always go for the degree that suits their needs, regardless of the title or abbreviation.
     
  7. japhy4529

    japhy4529 House Bassist


    I really do not have any experience in this area, however, I have noticed certain schools (e.g. NCU) have less stringent requirements for the Ed.D. vs. the Ph.D. At NCU, other than the Ed.D. having a more applied focus, it also does not require an oral defense to support the dissertation (where as the Ph.D. does).

    See here for more details: http://www.ncu.edu/academics/graduate/choose_edd-phd.aspx


    This is just one example of how a school (not exactly an elite one, at that) differentiates between the two degrees.

    - Tom
     
  8. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    It normally doesn't matter what the exact designation is within the category of academic doctorates.

    It can matter in some very narrow circumstances where the Ph.D. is preferred.

    The "Ph.D." removes the confusion of people who think "doctorate" and "Ph.D." are synonymous.

    Non-Ph.D. doctorates get referred to as "Ph.D's" all the time.

    I wouldn't let it interfere in the least with my choice of doctoral programs, so many other factors being much more important.

    Some Ed.D. programs allow for different approaches to the dissertation than found in traditional Ph.D. programs. Many are indistinguishable from Ph.D.'s.

    I consider the Ed.D. equal to the Ph.D.

    I can't believe Tony is back! Man, that is too great!

    NB: I represent a school enrolling people in a non-Ph.D. doctoral program.
     
  9. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    Thanks, guys, for your kind words. A lot has happened in the (nearly) two years that I have been away from Degreeinfo. I am looking forward to interacting with my former colleagues, establishing relationships with new colleagues and helping out where I can.
     
  10. Scott Henley

    Scott Henley New Member

    I agree with this completely. When the doctorate is a PhD, EdD or DBA has little bearing on the quality of the program. Every doctorate should be assessed individually.
     

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