The D.Ed (Doctor of Education), also known as Ed.D, is a professional doctorate tailored for education leaders, school administrators, policymakers, and curriculum designers who aim to implement change in educational institutions or systems. It focuses on applying research to solve practical educational challenges, such as school leadership, teacher training, student engagement, or education policy reform.
In contrast, a PhD in Education is more academic in nature, often pursued by those who wish to conduct theoretical research and contribute to scholarly knowledge in pedagogy, learning theory, or education philosophy. While both lead to the title “Doctor,” the D.Ed prepares you for leadership and organisational change, whereas the PhD prepares you for academic research and university teaching.