In education, our goal as teachers, administrators, coaches, or other educational roles is to encourage our students to acquire new knowledge and skills and transform that knowledge into a successful product. Educators constantly push students out of their comfort zone and challenge them to think at high levels to prepare for life after school.
There are many quotes and sayings about the lifelong learning processes that education can entail. Simply put, educators are in the business of providing education. Education is defined as the “process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university” and can also mean “an enlightening experience.”
Students are not the only ones who can benefit from enlightening experiences. As educators, pursuing advanced degrees can provide tremendous opportunities for growth. Specifically, pursuing a doctoral degree as principals can have a myriad of positives.
What is a Doctorate Degree?
A doctorate degree is the highest level, or most advanced degree, one can achieve. Typically, a doctorate symbolizes the mastery of a specific area of study or field of profession. In the field of education, two different doctoral degrees are available.
The first is a Ph.D. program, which typically includes more original research and developing new theories. The second is an Ed.D. program, which focuses on the practical application of an already existing theory or concept. There are in-person doctoral programs and online doctoral programs. For those wondering: how long is a doctoral degree? They take around three years to obtain.
Benefits of Doctoral Programs for Principals
The benefits of a doctoral program for principals are numerous. First, taking the step to an advanced degree demonstrates your commitment to lifelong learning. As educators, staying abreast of current educational issues, best practices, and evidence-based practices is critical when leading schools in 2022 and moving into post COVID-19.
More so than ever, professional growth and lifelong learning opportunities are now expectations of educational leaders today, not merely suggestions. Secondly, participating in doctoral-level programs provides a robust framework of colleagues and resources where one can glean vitally important information as we all strive to lead great schools.
Having a network of colleagues and professionals with shared passions, interests, and similar school settings can only benefit you as a principal. Often, leadership positions are lonely.
Principals instantly have a quality structure of positive support by having a dedicated system of colleagues participating in programs such as these. Connections and bridges built further provide opportunities to develop both personally and professionally and pay your experiences forward with others who also may be considering a doctorate degree.
Career Opportunities
There are several career opportunities available with a doctorate, and simply put, an advanced degree at the doctoral level can make you a desirable candidate for open leadership positions. If you are an aspiring principal or a current principal looking for a different setting, training and exposure experienced through a doctorate program can help you climb the ladder to a desirable position.
As a principal with a doctorate, career opportunities include the field of higher education, which can include serving as an adjunct faculty member at a college or university or moving into a full-time, tenured position as a professor. Additionally, opportunities can arise at the district or central office level, where coordinator, superintendent, or assistant superintendent positions are available. An advanced, postsecondary degree like a doctorate can make you an attractive candidate for these positions.
Additional Advantages
There are numerous advantages to obtaining a doctorate as a principal. Most notably is the potential earnings increase due to having an advanced degree. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that salary increases along with educational attainment, with doctoral degree holders making an average of $1,883 more per week.
This is higher than those with a master’s degree. With challenges in the economy and the rising prices of goods and services, a doctorate degree does provide a positive return on your investment. As educators, we constantly push ourselves to be better and lead through our actions, words, and positivity. Personal, professional development goals and positive examples as role models are ingrained into the principal model. For those considering a doctorate, think about your motivations for pursuing the degree.
For many, achieving a doctorate degree is a lifetime achievement in and of itself. Setting a goal, seeing it through, completing the program, and successfully defending a dissertation can show others your resolve, grit, and determination and encourage others to pursue their own goals of higher education.
For many principals, just like our students, they may be the first to graduate from college, obtain a master’s or other advanced degree, and be the first to receive the title “doctor.” These are all momentous, celebratory occasions that cannot be measured in salary or position.
What to Consider Before Pursuing a Doctorate Degree
Like mentioned previously, there are two main types of doctoral programs; potential candidates can choose the Ph.D. path or the Ed.D. route. For me, my doctoral degree is an Ed.D., because I decided to focus on an existing theory and examine practical applications in my school setting.
When considering pursuing a doctoral degree, examine the pros and cons of each path. While both options are terminal degrees that will challenge you, they differ in style and format. Ph.D. programs have always been identified as those that require original research and geared towards informing other researchers through journals and publications in a scholarly setting.
This is generally the degree of choice for those looking to become professors or lead in a higher education setting like a college or university. This program focuses heavily on developing new theories. Conversely, like my own personal experiences, the Ed.D. program focuses on practical applications of an already existing theory.
This model is especially attractive to principals, because the work done in the process, through research, writing, and doctoral dissertation, can be implemented on your own campus to benefit your students, faculty and staff, and community stakeholders.
The Ed.D. program can be seen as a practitioner’s program, one that allows principals to see immediate change or feedback from their doctoral program. Regardless of your personal preference, both programs have advantages and disadvantages that can only come from thorough research into what fits your needs as a principal.
Educators are leaders through a variety of capacities. As educational leaders, keeping up to date with the latest practices, strategies, and evidence-based practices is key when leading schools in the 21st century. Before beginning a doctoral program, understand the commitment to pursue the highest of all degrees.
Education is a transformational process, and enrolling in a doctoral program is the next step for principals who want to make meaningful change in the lives of their students, faculty, staff, community, and even in their personal life.
Personally, my doctoral experience was, and still is, one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. I was able to attain goals that have helped me professionally and have been rewarding and self-fulfilling.
Are you interested in pursuing a doctorate program to advance your career? If so, check out our available in-person, hybrid, or online doctoral programs in education today!
