The controversy around First Lady Jill Biden’s insistence on being addressed as “Doctor” due to her EdD degree highlights a broader issue in higher education. The EdD, or Doctor of Education, has often been criticized for its lack of rigor and its ideological leanings.
The EdD Degree
The EdD is an advanced degree in education, but it is not equivalent to a PhD in fields like physics, economics, or even business. Critics argue that the EdD is a less rigorous credential, more akin to a master’s degree in education rather than a true doctorate. Cultural critic Roger Kimball notes that those with less prestigious academic credentials are more likely to insist on being called “Doctor,” a phenomenon that extends even more to holders of EdDs.
Lack of Rigor
One major problem with the EdD is the perceived lack of academic rigor. Admission standards are often low, with some programs requiring no GRE and only a 2.75 GPA. These programs can take less than three years to complete, including the dissertation. This low bar has led to a proliferation of EdDs—13,655 were awarded in 2021 alone.
Ideological Indoctrination
Education schools have long been influenced by neo-Marxist thinkers like Paulo Freire and Henry Giroux. These ideologies are often deeply embedded in EdD programs, which churn out graduates who see themselves as “scholar practitioners” tasked with “transforming higher education.” This ideological bent is evident in the jargon-filled mission statements of many education schools, which emphasize “equity,” “social justice,” and “critical consciousness.”
The Problematic Dissertation
The EdD dissertation is often criticized for its lack of scholarly rigor. Unlike PhD dissertations, which aim to contribute original research to a field, EdD dissertations often consist of qualitative studies with small, non-random samples. Methods like “snowball sampling” (where participants suggest other participants) and “autoethnography” (where the researcher reflects on their own experiences) are common, leading to results that are often biased and unscientific.
Ideological Echo Chambers
The findings of EdD dissertations almost invariably support the prevailing ideology of the education school. This is because the methodology is designed to produce predictable results that confirm the researchers’ biases. This echo chamber effect is bolstered by the creation of pseudo-scientific journals and conferences that validate these findings as legitimate scholarship.
Impact on Higher Education
The proliferation of EdD graduates has significant implications for higher education. Many of these individuals enter administrative roles in universities, where they push for ideological changes under the guise of “educational leadership.” This has led to the spread of social justice rhetoric and policies throughout higher education institutions.
Conclusion
The controversy over Jill Biden’s EdD degree is a symptom of a larger issue in higher education. The EdD, with its low academic standards and ideological focus, produces graduates who are ill-equipped to contribute meaningful scholarship. Instead, they often promote ideological agendas that can undermine the academic rigor and intellectual diversity of higher education institutions. The time has come for a critical reevaluation of EdD programs and their impact on the academy.
