By: Myron H. Dembo,
Emeritus Professor of Educational Psychology
Many graduate students often mention the benefits of earning an Ed. D degree. They discuss applying for new positions and/or the possibility of promotions in their present area of expertise. In addition, my students have discussed useful outcomes of participating in our program well before they complete their degree.
The following are some factors they mention: First, the focus on gap analysis has helped them identify causes before they seek solutions to problems. The focus on causes has helped their school committees modify their discussions so they ultimately identify solutions that have a greater probability to close performance gaps. Secondly, my students report that they are more critical of information that comes from individual opinions or blogs rather than research findings. Often school personnel use opinion pieces to support ideas that are not based on research. For example, there is considerable information on the amount of homework that should be given to elementary school students. Individuals can find information to support almost any view they take. Yet, the research indicates that homework has benefits, but has little impact on academic achievement at the elementary level. The emphasis on research findings has helped graduate students to use scientific information when discussing critical issues in education. Third, my students find that they are asking key questions at meetings that other individuals have not considered. When they raise significant questions their peers often ask how they knew to ask these pertinent questions. It appears that our emphasis on theory, research, and practice in course work allows our students to provide insights that other non-doctoral professionals have failed to consider.
In summary, the key professional knowledge and skills introduced at the doctoral level –readings, discussions, and exercises –appears to have some immediate outcomes in helping graduate students become more successful professionals. In the process, you also have the potential of impacting other
professionals as well.
