Did you know? Doctoral degrees in education are not the same! USC Rossier School of Education offers two excellent doctoral degree programs. The Ph.D. is research oriented whereas the Ed.D. is directed towards educational practice and the application of theory and research. The Ed.D. is equal in rigor, but different in substance from the Ph.D. Here is how:

The Ph.D. student would typically be a person who is:

• anticipating a faculty career or an area of practice which demands research expertise
• excited by theory and conceptual analysis
• tending toward research and has potential for primarily advancing the theory in the field rather than implementing its practice

An Ed.D. student would typically be a person who is:

• planning on working in the field primarily as a practitioner
• especially interested in developing new technological capabilities
• interested in research which tends to emphasize development, evaluation, or field based projects

Interested in Learning about the Future of Ph.D. & Education?

• What are the major problems facing the Ph.D. in Education
• The Interdisciplinary Challenge in Doctoral Education
• The Inclusive, Innovative, and Authentic Ph.D. Who Will Lead the Way
• The Future of the Ph.D. in Education The Changing Role of the Intellectual
• The Challenge of Urbanicity and the Ph.D. in Education
• Methodology and the Ph.D.

Apply to the Ph.D. program