Online Ed.D versus PhD?

Hey, everyone!

I hope this message finds you well and you are staying safe. I wanted to write to you with an update, and I would love to hear your advice. <3

So, last summer, I applied to 7 English PhD programs. One of them was Old Dominion University. What I loved about the program was that I don't have to sacrifice my life just to get a PhD. I'm a full-time high school English teacher who loves her job. I just always wanted a PhD in the subject I love most.

But something happened during Thanksgiving. I wound up in the hospital for some anxiety-related issues. Thank goodness, I'm feeling better now, but being in the hospital gave me an epiphany. Perhaps I should seek higher education in my field (education) to open more doors. I spoke to my college career center and a few of my professors. They advised me that maybe I should go for an educational doctorate (Ed.D). To be honest, I have NO interest in being an administrator, like a principal. I would, however, like to be a department supervisor though. I just love teaching. I want to spend the rest of my life teaching literature.

I have the option of getting my supervisor certificate online for New Jersey. That way, I don't have to get an Ed.D. I guess I'm just confused. Here are my biggest questions:

1. I love literature, more than anything. I would love to teach English at the high school level, but it would be a dream to be a full-time college professor. Should I just go for the online PhD at Old Dominion?

2. Would it be worth it to get my Ed.D if I'm not interested in being an administrator? Supervisor of English Department, yes. But not administrator.

Thank you so much, everyone! Your advice means the world to me!!! <3

 

I think that a PhD in English or English Literature would open up exactly the same doors that the EdD would open for you - or more - given that you're an English teacher with hopes to become a department head or a college professor. You don't describe a specific interest in the theory of education as opposed to literature and don't want to become an educational administrator. So I'm not really seeing where the EdD edges out the PhD in your case.

This seems like one of those situations where the EdD might seem like a safer choice on paper but what you're sacrificing are all the reasons to pursue a PhD in the first place (love of your field, desire to become an expert in your subfield, advancing the field's knowledge, etc.) that would ultimately leave you dissatisfied.

 

Thank you so much for your response! I think you're right. The PhD would open a lot of doors for me. I guess I just have to think over whether or not I should do Old Dominion. I know it's tough to get a professor job nowadays, so I'm not sure how ODU would look. :O

 

For 1, there are plenty opinions in this forum about online PhDs and tenure tracks. The overall agreement is that academia seems to be the least accepting of online PhDs. There are exceptions of course but the overall reality is that acceptability of online PhDs in academia is lower than average. There is also the fact that fields like English literature have a huge number of applicants. However, if you would want to have a more accurate answer, I would contact the school (Old Dominion) and ask them about statistics of employment for this PhD, most schools are required to provide this information and this way you assess your opportunity better.

For 2, EdDs in general are more flexible that a PhD in English, you can use them for not only for administration but for jobs as an Academic Counsellor, Academic Adviser, Technology specialist, Education specialist, etc. It is just more flexible but not so easy to use it for a tenure track but it can be used for many other jobs in Education.

Between these two options, I would use go for the EdD mainly because it is less risky and can lead to many employment possibilities. The PhD in English is limited for tenure track or adjunct positions in English, the main issue is that I believe that the possibility of a tenure track might be low but not impossible.

 

Thank you so much for your response! So if the online PhD isn't strong enough, do you think getting a PhD at an in-person school would be better?

 

For a traditional college professor career? For sure. PhD from a traditional, preferably high-ranked, program is much more likely to lead to such a career.

The problem is opportunity cost. The programs tend to take really long time, even full time, and TA stipends are small. From what I can gather, humanities are the area most affected by overproduction of PhDs. Job market is brutal. English MAY be a little better due to required composition courses, but the competition is still very, very tough. A candidate going to the job market will have an uphill climb finding a decent college teaching job, unless he comes from one of the very top programs. And it may not so easy for these guys as well. There are English professors at community colleges with a PhD from Cornell - and at a CC, I imagine a guy with PhD from ODU and solid experience teaching might be just as competitive.

As for the EdD - it could be a good degree if you are interested in any of the specific jobs RFValve mentioned. You seem to not be. For stated reasons of getting some more responsibility at a HS English department - I'd say EdD in like Curriculum OR a PhD in English would be about equally valuable. Pick one that you are more likely to complete.

 

Hi - I'm a 79-year-old nonentity, with nothing better to do than poke my nose in here. I hope you'll forgive me for extracting those four statements from your post; I did so because they seemed the most significant to me. To keep order, I numbered them, in case my gnat-like attention span goes wandering, yet again.

Here's my take:

(1) The supervisor certificate looks both useful and attainable. It's in line with your preferences. For now, I'd suggest you keep teaching. That shouldn't be hard. You love it - you said so.

(2) You love literature - and, I presume the English language. I'm sure you know a lot of literature - well. Doubtless you know what is good in literature and what is not. Have you ever thought of creating literature -- a writing career of your own? You probably own a pretty full set of the tools that you'll need, gifted to you by the education - and experience - you've already received. And somehow, I get the vibe that you very possible have plenty of the secret ingredient - imagination. And, depending on your themes, your writing might even be considered teaching - through literature.

Just a suggestion, here. You might keep your job and develop the writing on the side - until / unless it becomes viable full-time. That's not easy, but I actually know one or two people who have written as a side-gig successfully - and made very reasonable money, for the hours they put in. By all means get the supervisor certificate - you say that fits with your ambitions. Instead of working on the Ed.D., which doesn't really lead you in the direction you want to go, or the PhD., which is very expensive, very time-consuming and has a seriously indefinite ROI, in present market conditions - maybe devote that time to writing - and maybe some specific courses in writing for the genre of your choice.

Just throwing in another idea. I'm obviously no expert -and not claiming to be. I wish you every success, whatever your choice.

 

A traditional PhD is better but as stated before, you are looking at a 5 year full time degree. This means lost wages over 5 years and if the project fails, you might need to take your job back as a high school teacher or become an adjunct with low salary.
If you can secure admission in to a top school (e.g. Harvard, MIT, etc), then it might be worth the effort as you might have a decent chance to get a tenure track but if you are taking this program in a low tier school, the chances are lower.
The tenure track market is all about the prestige of the school of your PhD and your ability to publish in top journals.

 

Thank you so much, everyone! I'm going to wait and hear back from my 7 (now 6) PhD programs. I got rejected from one this morning. Ouch. Lol!

I think maybe I can go for my supervisor certificate to enhance my career, but I think I'll also do a PhD in English. That's been my biggest dream since I was a little girl. I found a wonderful program at St. John's University that accommodates working teachers, and it's not online. Perhaps I can try this?

 

Also, I want to say, thank you so much for being so kind, everyone. I went to another forum to inquire about the PhD in English, and they were SO RUDE! I really appreciate your kindness and support!

 

Then you shall HAVE it! I have absolutely no doubt.
I look forward to reading your announcement here on DI, that you've achieved your dream. It'll be worth waiting for!

 

For reference, I applied for about a dozen PhD programs first time around and was rejected by all. As an international applicant, I didn't really knew what I was doing. Got accepted by FSU (and IIT i Chicago) for the Spring semester right after that.

I really think you should. Go for it!

I'm not in your field, so do more research. From where I stand, this looks like a worthy program. And so does Old Dominion's. Pick the one that fits you.

 

Life is short, go with your passion. Plan your PhD with the best option you can get. People might perceive a PhD in English as a bad option, but there are fields in English that are in demand, I would suggest looking at technical communications. This last field is in demand for business and engineering schools, not as glamorous as literature but it can lead to good career options.

 

You are all so sweet! Thank you so much for all your help. I think I'm going to go for the PhD instead of the Ed.D. I feel like the PhD is more suited towards my goals. The Ed.D is also a good option, but I have no desire to go into admin. I'd much rather teach or be a department supervisor, something I can do with my supervisor certificate. I would just need to take four classes to get my supervisor cert.

I just need to hear back from my remaining PhD programs. Please keep me in your prayers, everyone!