Students who enroll in doctorate in education (Ed.D.) programs have interests and professional experience that vary widely, as they may come from a broad range of professional backgrounds and go on to work in as many different industries upon graduation. That’s part of the goal of these programs, which are designed to prepare working professionals for leadership positions in a variety of fields, not only in education. As a result, Ed.D. students also have master’s degrees that span many fields.
The Ed.D. degree is designed to prepare people to lead and change educational systems in professional settings. That is why an Ed.D. candidate’s professional experience is just as important, if not more, than their educational background.
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“What we’re doing in the Ed.D. program is capitalizing on the leadership knowledge and wisdom that they developed in their own professional context, and then building upon that in order to prepare them to use scholarship and theories in order to engage in and enact change in those contexts,” says Deanna Hill, associate clinical professor and program director for Ed.D. in educational leadership and management at Drexel University.
That said, all of the schools on Fortune’s ranking of the best online Ed.D. programs—with the exception of Vanderbilt University—require that candidates either hold a master’s degree prior to applying or complete one while working toward their degree.
Most of the Ed.D. programs on Fortune’s ranking that require a master’s degree don’t specify a particular field that’s necessary. Two programs on the list are more specific: Baylor University and Drexel University. Baylor requires a master’s degree in any field relevant to the applicant’s profession, while Drexel requires a master’s degree in education or another appropriate field.
Given this flexibility, does it matter what type of master’s degree a candidate has when applying to an Ed.D. program? Here’s what two experts told Fortune about why admissions staff focus on much more than a candidate’s master’s degree.
Professional experience will be just as—if not more—important as the master’s degree
The ultimate goal for Ed.D. program faculty is to prepare students to change educational systems in their professional organizations, according to Hill. When looking at a prospective student’s academic records, Hill adds that Drexel is looking for strong academic skills, including writing, critical thinking, and leadership.
That said, a candidate’s work experience is also a major piece of the application. “We align with The Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) principles, which are all about preparing our graduates to be scholarly practitioners so they are able to identify and frame problems of practice within their own context,” Hill tells Fortune. “Their master’s degrees are typically related to their fields of leadership, but not always.”
Although most of Drexel’s Ed.D. students come to the program looking to advance in their current field, some are looking to pivot their careers while remaining leaders—and an Ed.D. degree can help bridge that gap, Hill says. A student who holds a master’s degree in education, for instance, may want to move into a corporate setting as a chief learning officer. In that case, the student’s master’s degree will not be in the same focus area as their Ed.D., so they may want to select a concentration that aligns with their future goal, she notes.
For those applicants pivoting careers, rather than worrying about their educational or professional background, they should instead focus on clearly explaining the reasoning behind their intended transition—and how the degree will help them accomplish their goals. If a student has years of experience in one area, wants to expand their portfolio in a completely different field and doesn’t want to take a cut in pay or leadership opportunities, then an Ed.D. program can be useful, says Beth Bukoski, associate professor at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Education.
“It’s not so much that we’re looking for the student who got straight As,” Bukoski says. “What we’re looking for is that you can tell us why you didn’t get straight As, if you didn’t, and why you’re passionate about this work. We’re looking for students who are willing to grow.”
Communicate why the Ed.D. is the right degree for you
Faculty reviewing a candidate’s profile are seeking to understand, through the candidate’s submission, how the Ed.D. will add value and expand the candidate’s leadership knowledge and potential. Even though the master’s degree likely helped an applicant further their professional career, what Ed.D. faculty are looking for is their work experience as the main qualifier, says Bukoski.
When reviewing applications, faculty are looking to understand the candidate’s full profile, including their leadership experience, the educational issues they are identifying in their organizations, and how they want to create change. Bottom line: The type of master’s degree does not matter. What matters is the candidate’s professional experience.
Ed.D. programs underscore the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion
What’s more, many Ed.D. programs want to build a professionally diverse cohort of students so that students can question their own and each other’s assumptions, and then identify new and creative ways of thinking regardless of the type of master’s degree they hold, according to both Hill and Bukoski.
“We admit students with all different types of master’s degrees and we really see the diversity as an asset to the program,” says Hill. “We intentionally build diverse cohorts because we believe in the power and importance of interdisciplinary knowledge and multi-disciplinary approaches to leadership.”
Whether from the candidate’s personal or professional experience or their knowledge gained through their undergraduate or graduate degree, Ed.D. programs are looking for students who are actively engaged in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“When we think about equity, diversity, and inclusion, all of the research points to a pretty basic concept, which is that diversity is good,” Bukoski says. “Equity is good and inclusion is good. It makes organizations better. It makes communities stronger. It makes people better, both in terms of their mental and their physical wellness.”
Ed.D. programs across the board are designed to break down barriers and make education as well as learning methods more inclusive and accessible, Hill says.
It’s important for leaders to understand the importance and the meaning of diversity, equity, and inclusion, says Bukoski. “We know that regardless of people’s personal opinions, if people have equitable access, if they feel included in organizations and know that they’re being treated equitably, not equally, but equitably, those organizations, countries, and states, will thrive.”
Check out all of Fortune’s rankings of degree programs, and learn more about specific career paths.
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