Quick Highlights
A Dissertation in Practice is a research project built around solving a real, specific problem at the student’s own institution, developed by the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate. A traditional dissertation, typical of Ph.D. programs, aims to produce new theoretical knowledge for the academic field. A-State’s online Ed.D. uses the Dissertation in Practice model, embedded in the program starting in the fifth semester, according to A-State’s program timeline breakdown.
If you’re considering a doctorate, understanding the research component can help clarify which path best fits your goals. in A-State’s online Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership with a Concentration in Higher Education Administration program, students complete a Dissertation in Practice designed to address real challenges in educational settings. Here’s how that approach differs from a traditional Ph.D. dissertation.
What Is a Dissertation in Practice?
A Dissertation in Practice is a scholarly research project, developed by the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED), that identifies and works to solve a concrete problem the Ed.D. student has encountered in their own workplace. CPED is a consortium of colleges and schools of education that works to strengthen the professional practice doctorate. Its Dissertation in Practice framework was developed to connect scholarly research with real-world educational leadership challenges, positioning students as scholarly practitioners rather than traditional academic researchers.
This differs from a traditional dissertation, which is built to make a theoretical contribution to academic literature and is typically expected to be defensible as original research within a specific field of study, independent of any one institution’s day-to-day problems. A Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) committee typically evaluates that research primarily on its contribution to theory and its originality within the field, rather than on how directly it solves a problem at one institution.
Important Note
Not every Ed.D. program uses the Dissertation in Practice model, and not every Ed.D. requires a formal dissertation. Confirm which model a specific program uses before assuming it matches the CPED framework.
Dissertation in Practice vs. Traditional Dissertation: Side-by-Side
The differences between a Dissertation in Practice and a traditional Ph.D. dissertation go beyond terminology. CPED’s own side-by-side comparison of the two research models identifies core distinctions in purpose, methods and audience, summarized in the table below. For a closer look at how these two doctoral paths diverge in career outcomes, see A-State’s guide to Ed.D. vs. Ph.D. programs.
| Feature | Dissertation in Practice | Traditional Dissertation |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Solve a real problem at the student’s institution | Contribute new theoretical knowledge to the field |
| Typical Degree | Ed.D. | Ph.D. |
| Audience | Practitioners, the student’s own institution | Academic researchers, peer-reviewed journals |
| Embedded in coursework | Often, especially in CPED-aligned programs | Usually not embedded; often extends the timeline |
| Research style | Applied, action-oriented | Theoretical, original research |
These distinctions shape more than the dissertation itself. They influence coursework, mentorship structure and the skills graduates bring into their careers.
How A-State’s Online Ed.D. Structures the Dissertation in Practice
A-State’s online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership – Higher Education Administration program embeds the Dissertation in Practice into the program of study rather than leaving it open-ended after coursework ends. That structure is designed to provide students with a more defined path through the dissertation process while supporting the program’s 40-month completion timeline.
The dissertation spans eight courses, Dissertation I through VIII, in a defined sequence. Each course guides students through a specific stage of the research process, from initial planning to the final defense, with dedicated mentorship at every step.
- Prospectus: Supervised development of the dissertation’s initial scope and problem statement
- Chapters one and two: Composition of the introduction and literature review, followed by a formal defense and approval of the proposal
- Chapter three: Supervised composition of methodology
- Chapters four and five: Supervised data collection, data analysis and composition of the conclusions
Each stage carries its own credit hours and runs alongside a dissertation mentor and chair, with an online writing lab and a statistics expert available throughout, rather than as an unstructured, open-ended requirement. Dr. Timberly Baker, who teaches in the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, tells students to “be prepared to be challenged, to grow, to learn.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a traditional dissertation and a Dissertation in Practice?
Traditional Ph.D. dissertations typically focus on generating or extending scholarly knowledge, while Dissertation in Practice models are designed to address problems of practice. Depending on the discipline, many Ph.D. dissertations also include applied research components. A Dissertation in Practice is a research project built around solving a real problem at the student’s own institution, typical of CPED-aligned Ed.D. programs.
What’s the dissertation like in an online Ed.D. program?
It varies by school, but in CPED-aligned programs such as A-State’s, the dissertation is embedded into the program of study starting partway through, with defined stages, faculty mentorship and a final defense, rather than an open-ended requirement after coursework ends.
What is the dissertation process in A-State’s online Ed.D.?
Students move through a prospectus, introduction, and literature review with a formal proposal defense, methodology, and data collection and analysis, each with dedicated coursework and faculty mentorship, beginning in the program’s fifth semester.
What’s the completion rate for online Ed.D. programs?
Completion rates vary widely by program and are not consistently published across all schools. Ask a student engagement specialist for information on a program’s completion and time-to-degree data rather than relying on a single industry-wide figure.
Do all Ed.D. programs require a dissertation?
Not all. Most require some form of culminating research, but the format varies by school, whether a Dissertation in Practice, a traditional chapter-based dissertation or a capstone project. A-State’s Ed.D. is dissertation-based.
Key Takeaways
- A Dissertation in Practice solves a real problem at the student’s own institution. A traditional dissertation contributes new theory to the academic field.
- CPED developed the Dissertation in Practice model specifically for Ed.D. programs.
- A-State’s online Ed.D. embeds the Dissertation in Practice into the program starting in the fifth semester, which supports its 40-month completion timeline.
- If research tied to a real problem you already face at work sounds more useful than a theoretical contribution to the literature, look closely at how each program structures its dissertation before you apply. The label matters less than whether the research is scaffolded or left until the end.
Choosing between these two research models often comes down to what you want the degree to do for you: build practical expertise you can apply at your own institution or contribute new theory to the field. If you’re weighing what the rest of A-State’s online Ed.D. experience looks like beyond the dissertation itself, this overview covers the program’s structure and outcomes in more depth.
If you’re interested in applying research directly to challenges facing colleges and universities, explore A-State’s online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership – Higher Education Administration to learn how the Dissertation in Practice is integrated throughout the program.