Beyond the Classroom: The Path to Leadership Roles with an EdD

Transitioning into a leadership role requires shifting focus from personal growth to empowering others; as Jack Welch famously said, “Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.”

If you are interested in pursuing advanced roles that enable you to drive significant change in education, organizational leadership, or policymaking, a doctorate in education (EdD) policy and leadership can help you reach your goals. This article explores career paths available for EdD graduates and how an EdD program—like the online EdD in Education Policy and Leadership at American University—prepares students to succeed in these roles.

Positions to Pursue: Where Your EdD Can Take You 

The rich curriculum and experiences offered in a Doctor of Education program help graduates develop knowledge and leadership skills that apply to various organizations and roles in and beyond the education field. Students in these programs gain expertise in systems thinking, equity and inclusion, and team-building that are relevant to any industry.  

Leadership Roles in Education 

• Principal: School principals direct operations, manage staff, and promote safe and supportive learning environments. Their role includes setting academic goals, overseeing curriculum standards, and driving education leadership and policy. Principals earn a median annual income of about $103,000.
• Superintendent: Superintendents are the top administrators of a school district. They manage the district’s schools, budgets, programs, and staff. They set educational goals, evaluate programs, collaborate with principals to optimize student outcomes, and often contribute to educational policy. Superintendents earn a mean salary of $165,799.
• Provost: Provosts (sometimes called chief academic officers) work closely with college presidents to set educational policies, manage budgets, assist with hiring, and oversee faculty research. They also ensure education quality and accreditation standards are met, which is critical in driving the institution’s academic direction and success. Provosts earn an average salary of around $169,000.
• Academic dean: Academic deans manage a specific college or school within a university. They oversee academic programs, faculty, and budgets to ensure the school meets the university’s goals and standards. They set policies, evaluate progress, and collaborate with staff to improve the quality of education and student outcomes. Academic deans earn an average salary of about $102,000.
• Admissions director: Admissions directors oversee recruitment and the admissions process at educational institutions. They are integral to the student recruitment and enrollment process and oversee admissions marketing efforts. Admissions directors earn an average salary of around $75,000.
• Curriculum designer: Curriculum designers shape the development and creation of school curricula. They collaborate with educators to enhance learning outcomes, train staff on effective teaching methods, and analyze student performance data to inform educational content and strategies. Curriculum designers earn a median income of $74,620.
• Education policy analyst: Education policy analysts help shape educational decisions and policies. They study issues in public education, recommend strategies to improve education, and advocate for changes that benefit learners. They work with schools, lawmakers, the media, and private and nonprofit groups and earn an average salary of around $64,000.

Leadership Roles Beyond Education 

• Director of research: A director of research manages a team of researchers, guides research projects, and ensures quality results. They create research strategies, manage projects, and collaborate with other teams to stay current on trends. A director of research earns an average salary of around $115,000.
• Training and development manager: Training and development managers plan and oversee programs to improve employee skills and knowledge. They manage staff, training programs, and budgets and ensure training methods and materials meet company objectives. Training and development managers earn a median income of $125,040.
• Social or community service manager: Social or community service managers oversee programs that benefit the public, managing staff and administrative tasks. They identify community needs, direct outreach activities, evaluate program success, and procure funding. Social or community service managers earn a median income of $77,030.
• Top executives: Top executives create strategies and policies to help organizations reach their goals, serving in roles such as chief executive officer, chief learning officer, and executive director. While many top executives gain leadership skills through professional experience, an EdD program that develops students’ communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills can also create strong leaders. The median income for top executives is $103,840.

How AU’s EdD Program Prepares for Leadership Roles in Industries of All Kinds

American University’s Online Doctorate in Education Policy and Leadership program equips students with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge to lead and create progressive change in the education sector and beyond. 

The Four Pillars of the Online EdD program

American University’s Doctor of Education program focuses on four key pillars essential for effective leaders in every field.

• Systems change cultivates the ability to understand, observe, and lead systemic changes, which is crucial for all leaders.
• Personal leadership develops leadership capabilities crucial for guiding teams and organizations through challenges and growth.
• Social justice and antiracism promote equity and inclusivity in educational policies and practices, preparing leaders to address systemic barriers and promote fair opportunities for all.
• Policy and research provide the tools for conducting meaningful research and influencing policy decisions, which is essential for leaders in education and other sectors seeking to drive systemic change.

Each course, module, and residency experience integrates these pillars, ensuring that graduates have the policy, leadership, and research skills to serve in diverse leadership positions, from school districts to nonprofit organizations and beyond. 

The EdD Curriculum at AU

The online coursework and residency experiences in AU’s Doctor of Education program cover topics applicable to educational leaders and other fields. Coursework includes:

• Collaborative Inquiry through Systems Thinking builds knowledge of systems thinking frameworks emphasizing organizational change, social justice, and personal leadership.
• Building Teams and Growth Culture Practicum explores the fundamentals of creating an organizational learning culture and the connection between learning effectiveness and equity. 
• Applied Methods I: Enacting Critical Research develops proficiency in various research methods and approaches—e.g., improvement science, participatory action research, and ethnography—to enhance student’s knowledge and application to their problems of practice. 

AU’s Doctor of Education program culminates in a problem of practice dissertation in which students develop expertise in subject matter that aligns with their interests and career goals.

The Cohort Experience at American University Online

The cohort experience in AU’s online Doctor of Education means students take courses and progress through the program with a diverse peer group. This model creates a dynamic and collaborative learning environment in which students benefit from different perspectives and connect with their peers through group work and shared learning experiences. The emphasis on building connections with peers and faculty members fosters strong networks that can benefit students’ future leadership careers. 

The Doctorate of Education Residency 

AU’s Doctorate in Education Policy and Leadership features three on-campus residences designed to enhance students’ professional growth and academic journey. The residencies provide opportunities for networking, collaboration, dissertation preparation, and dissertation proposal defense preparation. The residency experiences allow students to broaden their professional network, gain practical experience that prepares them for leadership roles, and receive support and guidance to help them reach their academic and professional goals.

Take the Next Step: Earn Your Doctor of Education Degree Online at American University

If you aspire to become a well-rounded, inclusive leader in education or other fields, AU’s online Doctorate in Education Policy and Leadership can equip you with the essential policy, leadership, and research skills along with theoretical expertise and valuable network connections necessary for diverse leadership positions. Contact an enrollment advisor for more information about the program or admission requirements, or start your application today.