Best Online Doctorates in Adult Education

A Ph.D. in adult education is one of several advanced post-master’s degrees you can get in the field. This guide focuses specifically on Ph.D. and Ed.D. degrees rather than Ed.S. programs.

Ph.D. and Ed.D. degrees validate your advanced subject-matter expertise and may help expand your career options. The U.S. education industry needs the research, communication, and leadership skills developed in adult education doctoral programs.

If you’re interested in earning a professional or terminal degree in education, it’s important to understand your choices. This page explains the defining features of Ph.D., Ed.D., and Ed.S. programs in adult education and provides a definitive ranking of this year’s top doctoral programs.

Accreditation is an incredibly important indicator of educational quality. You should only pursue a doctorate in adult education at institutions endorsed by recognized accreditors.

You can research a school’s accreditation status through the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or the U.S. Department of Education.

Some Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs in education hold optional accreditations from specialized agencies such as the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. Specialized accreditations may indicate strong academic coverage of adult education or exceptional program quality.

Ph.D. programs typically focus on academic theory and research. Coursework emphasizes critical engagement with contemporary education policies and research trends. In general, programs develop the expertise you’ll need to build your own educational philosophy.

Credit requirements vary but usually fall in the 48-60 range. Curricula usually comprise a common core shared by all doctorate students, along with concentrated coursework.

Ph.D. degrees typically culminate in a dissertation or an intensive capstone project. Dissertations and capstones might not count toward your degree’s overall credit tally and may function as standalone requirements.

Ph.D. programs usually take more time to complete than Ed.D. or Ed.S. programs. You’ll likely need about 4-6 years to complete a Ph.D., versus about 2-3 years for an Ed.D. or Ed.S.

Program costs depend on many factors, including the institution type and your status as a state resident or nonresident. Some schools offer flat tuition rates to online students, which apply regardless of your residency status.

Here’s a breakdown of average graduate school tuition fees from the 2021-2022 school year, as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics:

Because Ph.D. programs usually take longer to complete than Ed.D. or Ed.S. degrees, they often carry higher overall costs. However, some schools provide funding to their doctoral students. You may also have access to campus-based employment as an instructional assistant for undergraduate students.

If you need further financial aid, consider options like scholarships, fellowships, and grants. Look into federal and private loans last — they create long-term debt, which you’re better off avoiding.

You can pursue many rewarding careers with a doctoral degree in adult education. Professionals with doctoral credentials often ascend into senior roles in education administration, working in areas like leadership, curriculum development, and institutional policy. Others go on to secure career placements with public education agencies.

Another path you could follow involves entrepreneurship. By pairing a Ph.D. with extensive experience and professional networking, you could launch a career as an educational consultant. These consultants help schools, businesses, and other organizations develop effective academic programs that improve learning outcomes for adult students.

Some corporations hire chief learning officers. You may be able to pursue this well-paid C-suite role with a doctoral degree in adult education.

Beyond the specific job, your location may affect your earning potential. Educational administrators tend to earn the most in destinations with relatively high costs of living or strong labor market demand.

The following table offers a high-level snapshot of some of the career paths you can follow:

Finding the right doctorate in adult education requires close analysis of multiple factors. Along with essential considerations like program costs, school location, and admission standards, you may also want to evaluate:

No matter what factors have the highest priority for you, it’s always a good idea to consider and apply to multiple programs. That way, you may have fall-back options if your top choice isn’t available.

The rankings published here list Ball State University, Kansas State University, Northwestern State University of Louisiana, the University of Arkansas, and Valdosta State University as this year’s top options. However, you may well find that other schools or online programs more closely match your academic interests and career goals.

Ph.D. degrees are more research-focused, while Ed.D. degrees cover applied theory and Ed.S. programs build specific educational skills. In a Ph.D. program, you’ll need to complete an intensive original research project. Ed.D. programs take a more applied approach, looking at how theory and research function in real-world institutional and classroom settings. Unlike Ph.D. and Ed.D. degrees, Ed.S. programs are postgraduate professional degrees.

It depends on the program and your credentials, but most Ph.D. programs in adult education take about 3-6 years to complete. Ed.D. and Ed.S. programs are shorter, usually covering about 2-3 years.

If your online doctorate was issued by a properly accredited institution, employers and other accredited schools will recognize your credentials. Most schools no longer distinguish between online and campus-based programs in transcripts, diplomas, or other documentation.

Some schools offer doctorate admissions to education students who do not hold relevant master’s degrees. In these cases, you’ll usually need a bachelor’s degree in education, a strong academic track record, and professional experience as an educator. However, a master’s degree in education or a related field generally functions as a strongly recommended or required credential.