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Ready to advance your education in healthcare leadership? You may be wondering whether an EdD in healthcare or a PhD in healthcare is right for you. Ultimately, there's no universal answer, and you'll need to consider your own strengths, interests, and professional goals to reach the most informed decision.
Still, with a better understanding of the difference between PhD and EdD degrees (and what you can do with each), you may be in a better place to choose between a PhD degree and an EdD degree as you pursue your career goals.
What Is an EdD Degree?
An EdD stands for Doctor of Education, which is an advanced degree at the doctorate level. An EdD program in healthcare is designed for current or aspiring healthcare educators. It focuses on enhancing leadership skills and fostering cultural transformation within their organizations.
While EdD programs in healthcare can vary greatly from one school to the next, the curriculum of this type of program tends to be centered around such topics as:
- Organizational leadership
- Instructional methods
- Information technology in healthcare and education
- Healthcare leadership
- Curriculum planning and evaluation
What Can You Do with an EdD Degree?
Those who graduate with EdD degrees in healthcare may be suited for any number of healthcare and educational leadership roles, including (but not limited to):
- Healthcare education specialist
- Healthcare trainer and development manager
- Social service manager
- Curriculum designer
Having an EdD in healthcare can help you sharpen your leadership skills while building the technical skills needed to develop and sustain systemic change in healthcare, academic, and community settings. Meanwhile, those with an EdD education may be suited to serve as more effective interdisciplinary team members in the dynamic healthcare field.
What Is a PhD in Education?
When looking at EdD vs. PhD, a PhD is also an advanced degree at the doctoral level. However, with a PhD, the focus is less on real-world application and practice. Instead, a PhD program in healthcare education tends to be more focused on research and theory. Compared to an EdD, a PhD program also tends to take significantly longer to complete, often requiring a dissertation in addition to 90 (or more) hours of coursework. An EdD program, on the other hand, can often be completed in about two to three years, depending on whether you're enrolled part- or full-time.
What Can You Do with a PhD?
A PhD in healthcare is usually designed more for professionals who aspire to work in research-based roles. For example, those who graduate with a PhD in healthcare education may find themselves applying for jobs such as:
- Clinical laboratory assistants
- Clinical trial coordinators/managers
- Clinical data analysts
- Biostatistician
Key Differences Between EdD and PhD in Healthcare Leadership
Although the EdD and PhD programs are both advanced degrees, they differ significantly in their program goals, objectives, coursework, and research components. While no two programs are exactly alike, there are some notable differences you can expect as you explore both PhD and EdD programs in healthcare leadership.
Program Goals and Objectives
In general, an EdD in healthcare leadership is designed for professionals who want to gain practical, real-world skills that they can apply to their work in educational leadership and healthcare leadership roles. A PhD is more focused on theory and less focused on the practical applications of those theories.
Coursework and Research Components
PhD programs also tend to have higher credit-hour requirements, so they can take longer to complete than EdD programs. Coursework in a PhD program may also be more focused on theory and research, whereas the coursework in an EdD program will usually be heavier on applications to the real world.
Most PhD programs will also require a dissertation, whereas it is uncommon for an EdD program to have this requirement.
Choosing the Right Degree for Your Goals
Now that you have a better understanding of the difference between PhD and EdD programs, how can you decide which is right for you? Here are a few things to keep in mind as you contemplate your options.
Consider Your Career Aspirations
First, think about where you see yourself working and what kinds of career options you're interested in after you complete your degree program. What area of interest most appeals to you? If you see yourself working in any facet of educational leadership or curriculum design, then it is likely that an EdD degree will be most suitable for you. Alternatively, if you're more interested in becoming a research scholar or even teaching at the college level, then a PhD may be the better option.
Both PhDs and EdDs offer a wide range of career options to explore, so it really boils down to determining what your aspirations are and choosing the path that will help you reach your career goals.
Assess the Required Commitment and Financial Investment
You'll also want to consider the time and financial commitment required of each program. While costs and credit hour requirements can vary from one program to the next, a PhD typically takes longer to complete and costs more than an EdD program. With this in mind, if you're looking for the fastest way to obtain your advanced degree without the need to complete a dissertation, then an EdD may be your best option.
If you're willing to spend a few more years in school and invest additional money in your education, pursuing a PhD may be worthwhile. This is particularly true if you aim for a prestigious role as a healthcare research scholar or tenured professor.
Learn More at Nebraska Methodist College
Although there is some overlap between an EdD and a PhD in healthcare, it's crucial to understand that these are two very distinct degree programs with their own goals, objectives, coursework requirements, and outcomes. By taking inventory of your own career aspirations and assessing the time commitment and financial investment associated with each type of degree, you can determine which option is right for you.
Leaning toward an EdD in healthcare? Nebraska Methodist College (NMC) is proud to offer an Education & Leadership in Healthcare Online EdD. This career-focused program offers the versatility and flexibility that you need to accelerate your career while balancing the demands of your personal and professional life. Get in touch to learn more about this program, or get started with your online application for admission today!
