PhD vs. EdD vs. DBA: Which Doctorate Is Right for You?

When most people think of a doctorate, they probably imagine someone with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in a specific academic field within the humanities, the social sciences, or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). However, there are other doctoral degrees beyond a PhD that you should consider depending on your desired career path or research focus.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the difference between a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), an EdD (Doctor of Education), and a DBA (Doctor of Business Administration), as well as how each of these degrees can help you further your career.

What Is a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)?

A PhD is a research-focused, academic doctorate aimed at advancing theory and knowledge in a specific field. These degrees are often required for higher-level academic roles and emphasize original research in areas where the student identifies a gap in current knowledge or literature. Students conduct focused research over 5-7 years on their chosen topic, culminating in a comprehensive written document called a dissertation.

A dissertation can range from 100 to 300 pages or more, depending on the field or focus area. Student research undergoes a rigorous process of analysis and peer review as students hone their theoretical arguments, conduct validating experiments, and begin drafting their final dissertations. In the final stage of their degree, doctoral students must often “defend” their dissertation to a faculty committee with expertise in their field through an oral presentation and an intense Q&A.

A PhD dissertation has a more niche focus than the thesis a student completes for their master’s degree. For example, a student pursuing a Master of Arts (MA) in Literature may use their thesis to hone their skills in literary theory and critical analysis across broader topics such as British or American literature, African American/Multicultural Studies, or Queer and Feminist literature. Then, their PhD dissertation will be more specialized and might look like these examples by doctoral awardees from Cornell University:

• “Memento Mori: Attending to the Dead in Nineteenth-Century American Literature”
• “Did We Believe in Dragons?: The Physiologic Tradition, Wonder and Ethnicity in Early Medieval Britain and Ireland”
• “The Blacknesses of Blackness: Fugitivity, Feminism, and Transness”

While dissertations are rarely published as-is after a defense, students will often break down their accepted dissertations into articles that can be published internally by the university or by industry-specific journals. PhD graduates in the humanities often heavily revise their dissertations so they can be published as books or monographs.

What Is an EdD (Doctor of Education)?

A Doctor of Education (EdD) is an applied-research professional doctorate focused on leadership in educational or organizational settings. This program prioritizes real-world problem-solving and practical application over the pure theory of a PhD. For instance, someone with a PhD in Education might conduct research and fill knowledge gaps in the current education curriculum about the ways technology is changing student behavior, how to integrate mental health into K-12 curriculum, or the importance of culturally relevant teaching styles. Someone with an EdD would take this theoretical perspective and put it into practice by examining policy changes in a school system or by developing and implementing targeted training or professional development.

An EdD is an ideal educational option for working professionals seeking leadership opportunities and who already have experience in education, business, and non-profit work. Because students pursuing this degree are often employed full-time in these sectors, EdD programs are typically structured to offer more flexibility for adult learners who benefit from online and asynchronous options.

While this degree is centered on educational leadership, EdD programs often offer specializations in a diverse range of topics, such as:

• Educational Leadership for K-12 & Higher Education: Covers policy and management for K-12 school districts and higher education.
• Organizational Leadership: Focuses on leadership skills for business, non-profit organizations, and other sectors.
• Special Education: Centers on leadership in special education for gifted and disabled students.
• Instructional Design: Focuses on improving education, training, and development in a range of industries. 
• Trauma-Informed Educational Practices: Provides strategies for creating curriculum and policy that recognize the impact of trauma on student learning and behavior.

What Is a DBA (Doctor of Business Administration)?

A Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a professional business doctorate that emphasizes leadership principles and applied research to prepare professionals to solve complex business problems. Like the EdD, this degree prioritizes real-world application over theory alone. They often apply their research to business-related areas such as creating policies for multi-generational workplaces, employee wellness, human resources and retention, sustainability, and consumer behavior.

Many DBA programs require a Master of Business Administration (MBA) as a prerequisite, but some will accept significant professional experience in place of certain academic qualifications. DBA students are almost always seasoned executives or consultants who bring real-world challenges into their research. For instance, someone with 10 years of experience in human resources (HR) might pursue a DBA to gain specialized knowledge on implementing policies that support cultural diversity and reduce employee turnover in their company.

Here’s a look at some examples of dissertations from Case Western Reserve’s Doctor of Business Administration program:

• “Individual-Level Factors Affecting the Success of New Product Development Teams”
• “What Are the Impacts of Leader Political Skill on Organizational Change?”

Key Differences: PhD vs EdD vs DBA (At a Glance)

Feature	PhD	EdD	DBA
Purpose	Theory & original research	Applied research & leadership	Applied research in business
Focus	Academic knowledge creation	Problem-solving in practice	Business problem solving
Typical Candidates	Aspiring researchers, academics	Working professionals in education	Business leaders & executives
Dissertation	Yes (theoretical research)	Yes (applied research)	Yes (applied/business problem)
Career Paths	University professor, researcher	Education leader, administrator	Executive roles, consultant, business faculty
Time to Complete	~4–7 years	~3–5 years	~3–5 years
Ideal For	Scholarly careers	Organizational leaders	Business leadership & practice

PhD: Research, Theory, and Academic Careers

Career paths that require a PhD center on original research and the development of new knowledge that can be passed on to future learners in your field. Students who earn these degrees typically go on to work full-time in academia, either as tenure-track faculty or in research labs. These graduates also have strong research and communication skills that policy institutes value, also known as “think tanks,” which are organizations that work to solve complex problems and influence global, national, and regional public policy.

You should consider a PhD if you want to put forth new theories in your chosen field, or if you aspire to teach future researchers at the highest academic level. Here are some specific pros of getting a PhD:

• PhD programs are prestigious achievements, and you can achieve scholarly recognition in your desired field.
• These programs are academically challenging, which can foster high amounts of personal growth, resilience, and satisfaction.
• Their broad subject applicability means you can more granularly explore your chosen area of study, purposefully aligning your dissertation with your academic and professional interests.

EdD: Leadership & Practical Application

An educational leadership doctorate uses applied research to improve organizations and policy, particularly in education and leadership. Those with an EdD typically lean into roles where they can make practical, real-world changes to larger systems using what they’ve learned. Popular EdD careers include school superintendents, college deans, policy human resources managers, and executive directors.

You should consider earning an EdD if you want to lead institutions and directly apply your research to real-world challenges. Let’s look at some other pros of earning an EdD:

• These degrees typically have a practical, problem-solving orientation that can be ideal for students who are looking for data-backed work that makes a tangible difference in people’s lives.
• These programs are often designed to be friendly for working students who benefit from flexibility around asynchronous learning.

DBA: Business Leadership & Applied Research

Careers that call for a DBA center on solving real-world business challenges through rigorous applied research. Students who pursue these degrees usually do so after working for several years in their industry. In fact, many programs have minimum work experience prerequisites as part of their admissions requirements. Business doctorate outcomes typically include roles such as C-suite executives, top-tier consultants, and organizational strategists.

You should consider a Doctorate of Business Administration if you’re a seasoned professional who wants to drive business innovation and solve complex organizational issues. More pros of a DBA include:

• These degrees can provide students with the best of both worlds because they balance academic depth with practical application.
• DBA programs are structured with learning flexibility for working professionals who want to earn their degree while continuing to work full-time.

How to Choose the Right Doctorate for You

When you’re thinking about the best doctoral degree to advance your career, you’ll want to consider factors like:

• Your desired research focus
• Your realistic time commitment between work, life, and school
• In-person vs online delivery format
• The job sector you want to work in after earning your degree (e.g., healthcare, education, government, finance, etc.)

Each doctoral degree has specific requirements, and you’ll want to be certain that your goals align with those of the program. Here’s a closer look at some of these decision-making factors to consider when you’re looking at options for your advanced degree:

1. Career Goal: Think about what outcomes you want once you’ve earned your degree. If you love deep research and feel passionate about educating future students, a PhD can be an excellent choice for you. If you want a career that prepares you for more practical and leadership outcomes, you might be more aligned with earning an EdD or DBA.
2. Research Style: Consider a PhD if you want to conduct original, theory-based research. An EdD or DBA will be a better fit if you prefer action-oriented, applied research that is focused on solving educational or business challenges.
3. Professional Experience: PhDs don’t require professional experience, and students can apply as soon as they complete their master’s degree. EdDs usually require some work experience (2+ years) in education, while DBAs often look for applicants with more extensive business experience (3-10+ years).
4. Time Commitment & Delivery Format: While it is possible to complete a PdD virtually, online EdD and DBA degrees are more common and are specifically formatted to accommodate working professionals. They also generally require less time to complete than PhD programs.
5. Job Sector: Job sectors are a way of categorizing similar professions based on their economic activity. Think about what sector your career goals fall into to help determine which degree will best suit your needs. For example, EdDs are specifically designed for those who want to pursue roles in education and non-profits, while DBAs are more flexible across multiple sectors, including healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and other industries. Roles for those with PhDs skew heavily towards research-specific sectors like academia, government, and technology.

Common Misconceptions About Doctorates

The academic rigor of a doctorate can make it intimidating for many students, which can, in turn, cause misconceptions about what each degree is and what it takes to earn one. Here’s a look at some of the most common doctoral degree misconceptions:

Myth #1: All doctorates are the same

While PhD degrees are grounded heavily in theory and literature gaps, EdD and DBA programs are focused on applied research. These paths create distinct differences in how a student will approach their work, both while they’re in the program and in their future career. A student who earns a PhD will spend their time filling knowledge gaps in the existing literature of their subject. They will then go on to educate the future cohort of students who want to pursue that subject. An EdD or DBA will use that knowledge to apply action-oriented solutions to real-world challenges.

Myth #2: DBAs aren’t terminal degrees

A DBA is a terminal degree, meaning that it is the highest level of education available in a specific field. DBAs are just as academically rigorous as PhDs, especially in applied research contexts. These graduates are simply pursuing different outcomes once they’ve earned their degree.

Myth #3: EdDs are less respected

EdDs are respected for the leadership skills they cultivate, as well as the practical impact they can have on organizations. These graduates often go on to have high-impact roles in vital sectors like education, becoming superintendents, school principals, and other organizational leaders who have a strong impact on the success of future generations.

Typical Career Paths After Each Degree

Doctoral career outcomes vary depending on the type of degree you pursue. For PhDs, roles tend to skew heavily toward research-oriented positions that benefit from their theoretical focus. Many pursue careers in academia, such as tenure-track professorships, while others take advanced positions in government labs and think tanks as scientific researchers and policy analysts.

EdD graduates often seek roles that are practitioner-oriented and focus on shaping policy within educational institutions. These positions often include superintendents, college deans, or directors in higher education. However, these graduates aren’t limited to roles within education. They can also go on to fill senior-level roles in human resources (HR) departments and executive positions in non-profits, leading mission-driven organizations.

Those with DBAs usually start their education journey with several years of industry experience under their belt. After graduation, they often go on to more strategic business roles, such as C-suite executive roles, business consulting roles, or development director roles. Many graduates also use the skills they develop through a DBA to become entrepreneurs and launch their own businesses.

Summary: PhD vs. EdD vs. DBA — What Fits Your Goals?

If you’re thinking about earning a doctorate, it’s important to align your career goals with the degree’s overall purpose. At National University, we can help answer your biggest online doctorate questions to choose the path that works best for your goals. Here’s a quick look at each degree’s focus and outcomes:

• PhD: This degree path focuses on academic research and theory to fill knowledge gaps for future students and industry experts. These graduates often continue working in academia or take research-based roles, such as consulting on government policy.
• EdD: This degree emphasizes practical leadership skills and applied research to help graduates solve complex real-world problems across the education and business sectors. These graduates often go on to become organizational leaders in the education sector.
• DBA: This degree is grounded in executive focus and business-specific problem-solving, helping graduates make meaningful, strategic change within corporate organizations. These graduates can work across a broad range of sectors as consultants and C-suite executives.

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