Doctor of Education
Why Pursue a Doctor of Education?
If education is your calling, something that both fulfills and drives you, why not challenge yourself to reach your potential and become a true expert in your profession? A Piedmont University Doctor of Education degree (EdD) will not only push you to new heights intellectually, but it will also make you a transformational educator – one who, in turn, pushes others to create and reach their own incredible potential.
The Doctor of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction or Educational Leadership (Tier II) is the highest professional degree offered by Piedmont, and it is designed to develop eminent leaders in the field of education. Attaining this degree will perfect your resume and put you into contention for a wide range of roles at the highest levels of education. Our goal is – through the training and education you receive here – to help you evoke transformational change of individuals and schools by preparing teacher leaders, other school professionals, and school administrators for the challenges of our rapidly changing world. At Piedmont, we understand the challenges facing modern educators, and we will provide you with the knowledge required to excel in any situation.
How a Piedmont Doctor of Education Degree Helps You
- Develop yourself into an eminent leader in the field of education.
- Learn how to get the most from students and other educators in a rapidly changing and challenging modern educational environment.
- Qualify yourself for even the most competitive leadership roles in education profession.
- Prepare yourself to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Career Opportunities
A Doctor of Education degree from Piedmont opens doors and a wide range of professional pursuits. For instance, our graduates have gone on to build successful careers in:
With advanced training in leadership, policy, and instruction, a Doctor of Education degree prepares professionals for administrative roles and drives improvement in public schools.
A Doctor of Education strengthens careers in private schools by preparing educators for leadership roles through advanced knowledge in teaching, administration, and school improvement strategies.
More About Doctor of Education Degrees
Learn more about a Doctor of Education degree and the variety of options available to you as a Piedmont student.
In Piedmont’s EdD degree program, candidates are expected to engage in independent learning – primarily including research toward, and the ultimate completion of, the doctoral dissertation. Candidates for the doctoral program must complete a minimum of 60 hours beyond the master’s degree. The program is built around five core areas: Writing, research, common content, core concentration courses and dissertation. The Doctoral program in Curriculum and Instruction, as well as in Educational Leadership, is an approved program by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC) and The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). NOTE: The annual deadline to apply for Piedmont’s EdD program is July 1.
Independent learning and thinking are key components of earning a Doctor of Education degree (EdD). To that end, Piedmont’s program directly develops your analytical skills and critical thinking. The result is that Piedmont doctoral students graduate as independent thinkers – an outcome that leads to strengthened learning communities.
In Piedmont’s EdD program, the academic writing core (6 hours) and research core (15 hours) form the foundation on which the doctoral program is built. The common content core (12 hours) as well as the core concentration courses provide an in-depth and advanced look at the areas affecting PK-12 schools while preparing the candidate to do advanced graduate research. The dissertation core (minimum of 10 hours) supports the candidate throughout the dissertation process.
Students interested in pursuing an EdD from Piedmont University must provide the following:
- Copies of valid professional Georgia teaching certificates at the appropriate level (Georgia-certified educators) or letters from the head of the school, Board of Trustees, dean, or department chair to verify the quality of work (Non-Georgia-certified educators).
- *GRE Currently Waived* – Official GRE test scores that are no more than five years old at the time prospective students submit applications for admissions. The target GRE scores are the 60th percentile for the combined verbal and quantitative sections and a score of 4.0 on the analytic writing section.
- *GRE Currently Waived* – Take the GRE at home.
- Personal Affirmation form
- Five years teaching experience. Your experience may be verified by the supervising principal on the online reference form.
- Two professional references; one from the supervisor (the person who evaluates your performance) and one from a former professor or instructor. References submitted as part of the application process for previous degree programs will not be accepted. Please complete this request by clicking, Reference Form Link.
- Professional Activities Resume.
- Scholarly, informative letter of intent, including goal statements. This form can be completed online: Letter of Intent form.
- Official final transcripts from all colleges and universities attended in the past (Piedmont transcripts are on file)
Related Programs
Intrigued by a Doctor of Education degree? You might also be interested in one of these programs:
Meet our Faculty
Meet our talented faculty with both academic and professional experience in Education.
Where do I start?
To begin your journey toward earning a Doctor of Education degree at Piedmont University, you can start by applying today! Or, schedule a campus visit and meet with admissions and financial aid advisors, as well as faculty members in Education.