What is an Ed.D. degree? A Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Early Childhood Education prepares you to lead classrooms and transform systems. This degree opens the door to influential roles across schools, communities, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, where your insights into early development can shape stronger futures.
At its core, the Ed.D. in Early Childhood Education (ECE) empowers leaders to turn child development theory, cultural understanding, and equity-centered practices into systemic improvements for young children and their families. You could design programs that strengthen support for students, influence early learning policy at the state or national level, or lead professional development for educators.
Here at Pacific Oaks College, our Ed.D. in Early Childhood Education is grounded in social justice and transformative learning. We prepare graduates to lead across contexts, tackle complex challenges, and deliver solutions that matter.
If you’ve been wondering what you can do with a doctorate in education, here are seven paths—some traditional, others less expected—where your expertise can shape the future.
Career Paths To Consider With an Ed.D. in Early Childhood Education
1. Early Childhood Policy Advisor
If you want to shape the systems that shape children, policy work may be your path. Advisors work in government, research centers, or advocacy groups to develop legislation, recommend funding models, and design programs that improve early learning outcomes, particularly for underserved communities.
Job Outlook
Opportunities for early childhood policy advisors are expanding as policymakers focus on removing barriers to quality education for young learners, particularly in underserved and multilingual communities. Success in these roles increasingly requires a blend of policy expertise, cultural competence, strong writing and communication skills, as well as the ability to collaborate across government, advocacy groups, and community organizations.
As investment in early childhood education continues at both state and federal levels, advisors with this mix of skills are well positioned to influence legislation, funding models, and program design that shape the future of early learning.
How Pacific Oaks Prepares You
You’ll gain experience evaluating education policy and assessing its impact through a cultural and developmental lens. Coursework emphasizes equity, inclusivity, and community need, preparing you to design policies that work for children, families, and educators in diverse settings.
2. Director of Early Childhood Programs
Leaders in this role guide early learning centers, preschool networks, or community-based programs that serve children from birth to age 8. They manage budgets, hire staff, implement curricula, and work closely with families and communities. More than administrators, these leaders are culture-builders, setting the tone for inclusive, nurturing learning environments.
Job Outlook
As more states expand access to universal pre-K and transitional kindergarten, the need for experienced leadership in early childhood programs continues to be critical. Having a dedicated director of early childhood programs allows districts to set a clear vision, align early learning with broader academic priorities, and secure buy-in across departments. Leaders who bring both administrative expertise and a deep understanding of child development are especially well positioned to take on these evolving roles.
How Pacific Oaks Prepares You
You’ll study leadership theory alongside hands-on strategies for program management, curriculum design, and team building. Our emphasis on cultural competence ensures that you can lead inclusive environments where children, families, and educators thrive.
Research shows that leaders with deep knowledge of child development are better positioned to align curriculum and professional development across pre-K and early grades. Pacific Oaks equips you with this foundation while emphasizing distributed leadership models that engage educators and families in lasting reform.
3. Nonprofit Executive Director
Nonprofits focused on early childhood, from literacy programs to parenting support initiatives, need leaders who understand both the developmental science and the lived experiences of families. Executive directors manage teams, oversee fundraising, and drive strategy that aligns with community needs.
Job Outlook
The outlook for nonprofit executive leadership is strong, particularly in early childhood-focused organizations that require both developmental insight and strategic expertise. With increasing attention on early intervention and family wellness, nonprofit organizations seek leaders with a deep understanding of early childhood systems who can manage teams, oversee complex budgets, and guide mission-driven strategy.
How Pacific Oaks Prepares You
Many of our Ed.D. students come from nonprofit backgrounds and use the degree to elevate their impact. Through research and leadership coursework, you’ll deepen your skills in strategic planning, grant writing, and community engagement to grow your impact.
4. Curriculum Developer, Instructional Coordinator, or Instructional Designer
Children learn best through developmentally appropriate, inclusive experiences. In this role, you’ll design curricula or professional development tools for schools, early learning programs, or even educational media companies.
Job Outlook
The need for culturally responsive, play-based, and trauma-informed learning materials is growing. Instructional designers with early childhood expertise are well positioned to create meaningful content for diverse learners.
Instructional coordinator positions are expected to grow 2% by 2033, while training and development management roles are expected to grow 7%.
How Pacific Oaks Prepares You
In our Ed.D. program, you’ll deepen your ability to apply evidence to supporting inclusive, equity-centered design. Leadership and program design courses guide you through outcome-based planning, preparing you to develop materials that reflect children’s identities and developmental needs.
5. Child and Family Advocate
Whether working in a public agency or a community-based organization, advocates support families navigating the education system, early intervention programs, or child welfare services. The role requires deep listening, systems navigation, and a belief in every child’s potential.
Job Outlook
Advocacy roles, particularly those tied to education and social services, are growing in step with the push for more equitable access to early support. Your developmental expertise gives you a strong foundation to make a difference.
The need for child and family advocates is steadily increasing as communities work to improve access to early intervention, special education, and wraparound support services. Public agencies, nonprofits, and school systems are seeking professionals who can bridge gaps in care, guide families through complex systems, and champion equity in early childhood.
How Pacific Oaks Prepares You
From coursework on antibias education to training in culturally responsive leadership, advocacy is woven throughout the Ed.D. program. You’ll learn how to assess family and community needs, elevate underrepresented voices, and work across systems to remove barriers. Real-world assignments and applied research projects challenge you to create change in the communities you care about most.
6. Education Consultant or Coach
Consultants and coaches guide early learning programs through change. Whether supporting teachers through professional development, helping districts improve equity, or advising on community engagement, these roles center on improving practice and outcomes.
Job Outlook
The demand for education consultants and coaches is growing as schools and early learning programs seek tailored, expert support. Districts are increasingly investing in professionals who can design inclusive curricula, support teacher growth, and strengthen community partnerships. This trend reflects a shift toward evidence-based improvement strategies that require external guidance. For experienced educators with leadership skills and a vision for systemic change, consulting offers a flexible and impactful career path with opportunities across public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
How Pacific Oaks Prepares You
Our collaborative, strengths-based approach mirrors the work of great consultants. You’ll leave the program ready to support others, solve complex problems, and drive sustainable improvement.
The Pacific Oaks Approach to Leadership
Whatever direction your career takes, the Ed.D. in Early Childhood Education at Pacific Oaks is designed to help you lead with purpose. Here, learning is personal, practical, and rooted in justice.
What you can expect:
- Small classes that foster meaningful conversations and strong relationships with peers
- Mentorship from hands-on faculty with lived expertise as educators, nonprofit leaders, policy advisors, and more
- A community-focused curriculum that connects research and theory to real-world practice
- Applied projects that tackle real challenges, often in your own workplace
- Adaptable skills that prepare you to grow and pivot as your career evolves
Our Ed.D. program also features a Doctoral Research Project (DRP), which is a practical, embedded alternative to the traditional dissertation. Designed as a clinical project, the DRP integrates research with professional practice and is built directly into the curriculum. Students complete milestones throughout their coursework, ensuring the research is ongoing, actionable, and deeply connected to their career goals.
By the time you graduate, you’ll have a clear vision for the change you want to create and the confidence to make it happen.
Pacific Oaks College is where your leadership journey begins and where your voice can shape the future of early childhood education.
See how far an Ed.D. from Pacific Oaks can take you.
