Some of the most influential decision-makers in our lives were the ones standing in front of a whiteboard. Teachers, coaches and administrators shaped values, opened doors and shifted the course of entire communities.
For educators ready to lead the next generation of change, a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership is more than a credential — it’s a lever for fundamental transformation. St. Thomas University offers three fully online Ed.D. programs designed for leaders in administration, sports and digital instruction.
Impact of Educational Leadership in Communities
Professionals in educational leadership roles influence school culture and outcomes in tangible ways. A principal who identifies a trend in early literacy challenges and implements targeted reading interventions, for example, can create a ripple effect that can reach across all grade levels. These types of initiatives thrive when leaders have formal preparation in strategy, policy analysis and ethical governance.
School improvement also often hinges on how leaders interact with families and communities. Strong communication and trust-building can lead to higher parental involvement, improved student attendance and better classroom behavior.
In Ed.D. programs, students engage with real-world challenges like these through case studies and field research. As noted in Innovative Higher Education, programs that focus on collaboration, critical thinking and peer engagement give aspiring leaders the tools to examine problems from multiple angles before developing sustainable solutions.
Research Opportunities
Doctoral-level research helps professionals build authority in their areas of practice while directly benefiting the communities they serve. The dissertation, the central part of a doctorate, can be challenging, but often leads to many advancements in the field, as pointed out by the AASA Journal of Scholarship and Practice.
St. Thomas University’s online Ed.D. programs incorporate applied research that aligns with each student’s professional interests. Whether studying education policy, student-athlete development or instructional technology, students are encouraged to use their workplace settings as laboratories for innovation.
Higher Salaries for Executive Professions
Professionals with Ed.D. degrees often move into senior leadership roles where strategic thinking and long-term planning are daily responsibilities. A school district that hires a new superintendent, for example, may be seeking someone capable of restructuring operations after a funding crisis. According to ZipRecruiter, superintendents earn an average annual salary of $95,186, with higher figures common in urban or high-need districts.
Executives in education also take on roles in higher education, nonprofit management or even public policy, where they influence hiring practices, curriculum design and state-level legislation. Indeed notes that, aside from being able to “work at all levels of education, from kindergarten to higher education,” many professionals with a doctorate in education “can also pursue careers outside of teaching, like education research and policy.”
Other Benefits of Earning an Ed.D. Degree
Professionals who pursue an Ed.D. degree frequently say the process shifts their entire mindset about leadership and making high-stakes decisions. They move from reacting to day-to-day issues to taking a proactive, data-driven approach to long-term outcomes with greater confidence.
These impacts aren’t theoretical. Leaders with an Ed.D. often become mentors to colleagues and advocates for systemic reform. They’re prepared to lead large initiatives, present to school boards and build partnerships with local government and nonprofits.
Overview of STU’s Degrees
The Doctor of Education (Ed.D) in Educational Leadership – Sports Administration online program is designed for professionals in athletics who aim to influence institutional policy or lead at the college or professional level. Students explore subjects like leadership ethics in sports, marketing and promotions and governance while preparing for roles such as athletic director or sports manager.
The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership – Administration online program focuses on public policy leadership, preparing students for roles in nonprofit, sales, corporate, education or government environments. Coursework covers human resources, innovation, consulting and management and equity-centered leadership practices.
The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership – Digital Instruction and Distance Learning online program is ideal for those leading online or hybrid instruction systems. Students examine course design, virtual engagement strategies and digital policy trends that shape access and quality in virtual education environments.
Leaders who complete these programs emerge ready to influence the future of education across sectors. For those with experience in classrooms or on campuses, the Ed.D. path offers a way to expand that influence and take on the most complex challenges facing education today.
Learn more about St. Thomas University’s online Doctor of Education degrees.
