As someone in education, you know there are requirements that mandate you to keep up with your credentials. This may motivate you to take a step in your educational pedagogy beyond garnering a few credits—like earning a doctorate in education. Receiving the best education means you need to find the institution that best fits your needs. Sometimes, yes, you just need the continuing education credits. But when aren’t just looking for cursory credits, you need a reliable, credible institution; one that offers you a program that aligns with the truth of Scripture and puts Christ in every aspect of your life. In addition to checking off other factors in finding the best EdD program, you also have to consider the importance pursuing a Christian EdD.
So whether your career is in public, private, or Christian education, consider these reasons why a Christian institution will take you further in your spiritual life and career more than any other.
Inside the Doctorate of Education Classroom
Take Edification From Faith-Integrated Curriculum
Christian EdDs incorporate biblical truth into the entire curriculum, not just convenient parts. In turn, you will be provided with a teaching approach that aligns your academic training with your spiritual growth.
Build Community with your Faith-Based Network
A doctorate in education founded in Christian truths fosters an environment where you can openly express and strengthen your faith. This brings encouragement and challenge you to grow as a person and subsequently, as a teacher. Your peers and professors serve as a network of support, encouragement, and resources in and beyond the program. In smaller, Christian EdD programs, you won’t be another number. The relationships you build will be genuine, lasting you for many years to come.
Train for Ethical and Moral Decision-Making
EdDs at Christian institutions should emphasize ethics and morality based in Scripture. Why does a Christian EdD matter if you already have a solid belief foundation? You need a program that aligns with how you already view people, equipping you to handle complex educational challenges with both compassion and truth.
Obtain a Framework for Holistic Student Development
Christian institutions teach future educators to view students as whole individuals—focusing not only on academic skills but also on emotional, social, and spiritual growth. A Christ-centered EdD will take you to the next level of this preparation in all areas of the program, whether that be through your dissertation, the curriculum, or peer conversation.
Outside the Christian EdD Doors
Acquire Ways to Grow as a Christian Beyond Your EdD
A diploma isn’t the only asset that should be offered to you in an EdD. A quality Christian school offers on- and off-campus resources like Bible studies and online platforms aimed to help you grow spiritually as you advance academically. These are the same institutions that host annual seminars, conferences, or other events designed just for teachers to grow not only in knowledge in the classroom, but to be encouraged spiritually beyond the program.
Find Preparation to Serve Diverse Communities
An authentic Christian EdD will encourage you to grow in empathy, preparing leaders to serve and support students from all backgrounds with love and fairness, setting you apart as someone who goes above and beyond for those they are responsible for. Look for a program that has curriculum built to give you ways to live out your faith in any setting.
Focus on Servant Leadership
Doctoral programs that value Christian truths should emphasize the importance of serving others, training you to be a selfless leader who prioritizes the well-being not just of students, but also of the educators you lead. This focus is guaranteed to set you apart. Look for a program that supports you in finding opportunities to apply what you are learning.
Pursue a Calling, Not Just a Career
When you are finished with your doctorate in education, a Christian one will have left you viewing your work as more than a degree. Your program will support the fact that you are pursuing a calling. You’ll graduate prepared to make to make a meaningful impact because the program aligned with your faith.
