The PhD in Policy & Organizational Studies is research oriented whereas the EdD in Higher Education is directed towards educational practice and the application of theory and research. The EdD is equal in rigor, but different in substance from the PhD.

The PhD 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 EdD 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.