For experienced educators and professionals looking to become leaders or faculty in this field, the online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Curriculum and Instruction program from the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) is the perfect next step. This program prepares graduates to work in these positions across public, private and higher education settings.
ULM’s program is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and recognized by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as an R3 institution. It offers a 60-credit curriculum designed for working professionals, featuring eight-week online courses that accept candidates with any master’s degree major, with no teaching certificate required for admission.
Moving Into Executive and District Leadership
The Ed.D. provides the education to succeed in roles that manage entire organizations. This advanced degree helps candidates stand out when applying for competitive roles.
Superintendent: The chief decision-maker for a school district, similar to a CEO. This leader oversees all district operations, from academic programs and budgets to personnel decisions and community relations.
- What the role involves: Superintendents are responsible for the total functioning of the school system. This includes handling budgets, setting goals for academic achievement across all schools and reporting directly to the school board. The work involves setting the district’s main goals.
- Work environment: This role requires constant communication and collaboration with school principals, staff, community groups and local politicians. The job often involves dealing with financial and political issues.
- Career path and pay: This is often the final goal for school administrators, a role that has significant influence and stability. The average annual salary of a superintendent is $103,821.
Education Administrator: This group includes principals, assistant superintendents and department directors. They manage the daily operations of their respective schools or departments. Their responsibilities range from curriculum development and teacher evaluations to discipline procedures and community engagement.
- What the role involves: Daily tasks include supervising staff, overseeing budgets, managing student conduct and ensuring school programs run smoothly. These leaders are important for turning district policies into reality.
- Work environment: The work is done within a school building or a central district office. The schedule can be hectic, since it often requires attendance at school events and meetings outside of standard work hours.
- Career path and pay: These positions often lead to superintendency. The average annual salary for education administrators is $103,960.
Careers Focused on Learning Improvement and Academia
The doctorate also opens doors to influential jobs where people focus on improving teaching and educational programs. These professionals design evidence-based curricula, lead professional development initiatives and implement strategies that elevate educational quality at scale.
Instructional Coordinator (also known as a curriculum specialist): They are focused on making sure students receive the best possible education. These specialists bring deep knowledge of pedagogy and curriculum design to help teachers refine their practice and implement evidence-based instructional approaches.
- What the role involves: Those in this position write, review and revise curricula and teaching materials. They’re concerned with professional advancement for teachers regarding new methods and standards, often studying student data to suggest improvements.
- Work environment: Work time is split between offices, visiting classrooms for observations and leading workshops for staff training. The position is a full-time, year-round commitment.
- Career path and pay: This role provides excellent preparation for a school administrator or higher-level director roles in curriculum development. The median annual salary for instructional coordinators is $74,720.
University Professor: Graduates can work as university professors to teach education courses. These faculty members prepare the next generation of teachers and administrators while conducting research that advances educational theory and practice.
- What the role involves: Professors teach courses to college students, advise those working on doctoral degrees, conduct and publish scholarly articles and serve on departmental committees. A doctoral degree is usually required for teaching in higher education.
- Work environment: The work happens on a college campus, balancing teaching classes with time dedicated to research and student mentorship. This job has a flexible schedule but requires working outside of campus hours.
- Career path and pay: Faculty members can be promoted from assistant to associate to full professor. Salary ranges widely depending on the professor’s rank and the type of university, but the average annual salary is $83,980.
The Value of the Ed.D.
Aside from a new title, an Ed.D. prepares professionals to solve system-wide issues in education. The ULM program’s curriculum, which includes quantitative and qualitative research methods, equips graduates with advanced research skills that enable them to use data to inform their decisions.
The program offers instruction in curriculum design, which makes graduates qualified to oversee and revise educational programs in their schools. The advanced degree also strengthens instructional leadership skills. This means graduates are ready to guide groups of educators towards improving how students learn. This level of preparation gives graduates the expertise they need to pursue leadership and faculty roles.
Learn more about ULM’s online Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction program.