What Can You Do with a Doctor of Education? 7 Career Tracks to Ponder

Educators are tasked with shaping the next generation. Educational leaders are tasked with shaping educators. Earning a doctorate in education can better prepare you for one of these top roles. But what positions are available for those with a Doctor of Education? Here are seven options to consider.

1. Principal

'Principal' is the title given to top educational leaders within elementary, middle, and high schools. Individuals in this role are responsible for all aspects of the school's operations, which include developing curriculum standards, establishing class schedules, managing the school's budget, overseeing staff, and counseling students.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median pay for principals is around $98,490 per year. Additionally, jobs in this position are expected to grow 4% between 2019 and 2029.

2. School Superintendent

Another position available to individuals holding a doctorate in education that also works with elementary, middle, and high schools is working as a school superintendent. Superintendents lead and manage entire school districts, reporting the status of each school back to the area's board. In this way, they are a liaison between the district's board of education and the schools themselves.

The BLS categorizes school superintendents as top executives, indicating that the median pay for persons in these roles is $107,680 per year.

3. Executive Director of Education

Some schools have an executive director of education. A person in this role is responsible for implementing the steps needed to achieve the school board's goals. Executive directors also work to maintain a positive relationship with the surrounding community, managing the school's accountability and educational program risks.

This title also falls into the category of top executives, again, offering a median annual pay of roughly $107,680.

4. College or University President

Maybe you are more interested in a role within a school that serves older students. One way to use your Doctor of Education degree is as president of a college or university. Presidents oversee a school's degree programs while also managing its administrative functions. Their primary goal is to help the college or university achieve greater success, which often means increasing enrollment rates, improving students' GPAs, and operating within the school's budget.

Although the BLS considers college or university president another top executive role, garnering a median annual pay of $107,680, other online salary sites place the pay for this position much higher—sometimes up to four times this amount.

5. Academic Dean

Also referred to as provosts, academic deans work closely with college presidents, helping them create the school's academic policies and assisting with budget management. Academic deans also take part in faculty decisions related to both appointments and tenure. If the school's staff is conducting research, individuals in this role oversee that research.

The BLS classifies academic deans as postsecondary education administrators and indicates that individuals in these roles have a median annual pay of $97,500.

6. Chief Learning Officer (CLO)

Perhaps you want a role that enables you to make decisions about how to educate the educators. In this case, you can use your doctorate in education to serve as a school's chief learning officer or CLO. A CLO ensures that the institution's staff has access to the training they need to excel in their positions while also meeting mandated training-based compliance requirements.

CLOs are considered training and development managers by the BLS with professionals in these types of positions earning a median pay of $115,640 per year.

7. Professor

Educators working within public or private colleges and universities typically need a doctorate in education, though some schools only require a master's degree. Professors develop the syllabus for their courses, which includes planning lessons and student assignments. In addition to teaching these lessons and grading homework and exams, these top educational instructors also work directly with college-level students to help them better achieve their career goals.

The BLS indicates that postsecondary teachers have a median annual pay of $80,790 per year. Additionally, while most of the other educational leadership roles have a projected growth rate of 4%—other than CLO which has a growth rate of 7%—this particular role is expected to grow at 9%, or more than twice as fast.

Ready to Earn Your Doctorate in Education?

Do you want to work in one of these top roles within the education ecosystem? Saint Leo University offers an online Doctor of Education (EdD) with a concentration in school leadership. This 57-hour program can be completed in three years, depending on student availability, and includes courses such as Leading the School Organization, Power of Teacher Leader Innovation, and Diversity and Leadership.

With Saint Leo's online programs, you can enroll anytime and begin your studies at one of six start dates annually. Contact our Office of WorldWide Admissions today at (888) 875-8265 or online to learn more about the EdD program or to start your enrollment process toward a rewarding and lucrative career.