Ranked as a top-5 education school in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in August 2024, Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development offers the transformative Peabody experience to forward-thinking leaders inspired to drive organizational change across industries. 1
Gain Critical Leadership
Skills for Any Industry
Earn an Ed.D. from a
Top-Ranked Education School 1
Apply New Practices
Directly to Your Career
Vanderbilt Has the #1 Online Doctorate in Education, According to Fortune Education August 2024 Rankings 2
Peabody College faculty developed the doctor of education (Ed.D.) in leadership and learning in organizations with the aim of bridging the divide between theory and practice. The curriculum they built equips Ed.D. students with the deep understanding and contextual experience they need to implement positive change in diverse career fields and communities.
The Vanderbilt Peabody Online doctoral program is designed for mid-career professionals who have at least three years of leadership experience. While ranging in age and background, all students in the online Ed.D. have this in common: They are motivated to build on their organizational leadership skills and are committed to creating meaningful change within their industry.
Build on a Strong Leadership Foundation
Earn a Peabody Online Doctor of Education.
close Close ModalLeaders who want to improve organizations — to drive better results for the people they serve — will find an effective path for advancement in the Peabody Online Ed.D.
Whether corporate, nonprofit, educational, or governmental, workplace communities need support and direction to foster development, leverage resources, create solutions, and resolve complex challenges. The Ed.D. develops inquisitive, results-oriented professionals who can confidently drive widespread change.
Peabody Online Ed.D. students will strengthen their skills in:
The Ed.D. curriculum prepares students to identify, assess, and resolve organizational challenges from a learning and design perspective, which teaches students to make a positive impact in any industry. Through intensive, applied learning, professionals in the program will be empowered to implement advanced techniques that improve their day-to-day efficacy and long-term career success.
“My peer group is spectacular. It’s just an incredible group of very motivated, bright, and kind people from a lot of very different backgrounds. When I first started the program, I did wonder if I would be the only one who did not come from academia or a teaching background, and that’s very much not the case.”
Amrita Bhowmick, Ed.D. ’22
Chief community officer at Health Union
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Both a Ph.D. in education and a doctorate in education (Ed.D.) are advanced doctoral degrees that emphasize the study of learning and development, but they differ greatly in curricular and research content, and in potential career outcomes.
An Ed.D. is for professionals who want to solve organizational challenges and improve their abilities as leaders in a wide range of industries and settings.
A Ph.D. in education is for those pursuing a career in education research or teaching within a college or university setting.
If you are wondering “What is a doctorate in education?” or have other doctoral degree-related questions, visit our Ed.D. vs. Ph.D. page.
Ed.D. programs typically explore advanced management practices, leadership theory, the science and structure of organizations, and curriculum development. While students may apply these subjects to education, they are not limited to this field. The range of curricular topics prepares many Ed.D. graduates to advance in their current positions or seek out new leadership opportunities across industries.
The Peabody Online Ed.D. places a unique emphasis on organizational leadership. The program focuses on three core areas: leadership theory and practice, learning and design, and data analytics. Students examine these subjects as they apply to any organization, be it a higher education institution, a private company, a nonprofit, or a community group. Grounded in theory and practice, this focused study empowers graduates to improve outcomes within any organizational system.
Graduates may advance in or enter fields such as:
Students may advance in or rise into leadership roles such as:
Top executives, such as chief learning officers or school superintendents, have an annual median salary of $107,680. 3
Take the Next Step toward Advanced Leadership
Now is the time to start your Peabody Online application or request additional information. Scholarships are available.
