Most doctoral programs in education offer two types of degrees - a doctor of philosophy degree (PhD) or a doctor of education degree (EdD). While the specific requirements for these degrees differ across campuses and departments, generally a PhD is a more research intensive program, while an EdD has a greater focus on pedagogical practice. PhD graduates typically end up with academic positions in universities or research positions in think tanks or research centers. EdD graduates typically end up with administrative positions, working in school organizations or directly in the classroom.
When applying to a doctoral program in education, you will need to specify the type of degree (Ph.D or Ed.D) and the specific department for which you are applying. Some schools are stronger in certain departments than others, so when looking at rankings, be sure that you are looking at a list for a particular program. For example, according to U.S. News and World Report, Vanderbilt University has the top program for special education, while Michigan State University has the top program for elementary teacher education, and the University of Wisconsin at Madison has the best program for curriculum and Instruction. While the overall standing and reputation of a university is important, it is more crucial to pick a program that is strongest in your desired field.
Since a major component of any doctoral program is original research, you must factor that aspect into your decision as well. A top-rated program may not be suitable for you if nobody on the faculty at that school is involved in the kind of research that interests you. Therefore, when you consider a program, go to the department's website, and look at the different research centers that it supports, as well as the kinds of publications that are produced by the tenured faculty and graduate students. Furthermore, you also need to consider the enrollment options and classroom facilities of each particular program. Some schools accept only full-time students, while others allow a part-time status. In addition, some programs will allow you to take certain classes online, allowing for additional flexibility in planning your graduate career.
The most popular ranking of American doctoral programs in Education is done by U.S. News and World Report. The site identifies top education programs by various specialties, and also allows you to narrow down your search by location, tuition, school size, and test scores. Its 2009 rankings of overall programs indicate the top three doctoral programs in education are Vanderbilt University, Stanford University and Columbia University's Teacher's College.