In doctoral programs, the word “dissertation” commonly refers to a research project students complete at the end of their studies. A dissertation aims to demonstrate critical thinking and prove expertise in the field of study. 

Traditional doctoral dissertations are formal research studies that create new scholarly knowledge and are commonly used in PhD programs. Dissertations reflect rigorous research and culminate in a lengthy written manuscript that students present and defend to a committee.

Some Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) programs don’t use the word dissertation. Depending on the university, students may complete a dissertation in practice, a doctoral capstone, or another applied research project. Professional or practice-based doctorates such as an Ed.D. have increasingly shifted to doctoral capstone projects that let students demonstrate doctoral-level knowledge through an application-based project.

This blog explains the difference between capstones and dissertations and which model best aligns with your professional goals.

Does an Ed.D. Require a Dissertation?  

The simple answer is no. You can earn a doctorate without a dissertation because not every Ed.D. program requires one. Every university is different — some require traditional dissertations, whereas others may use:

• Ed.D. Dissertation in Practice that addresses professional problems of practice
• Action research projects 
• Capstone projects that address real-world challenges
• Other types of Ed.D. applied research projects

When comparing Ed.D. programs, research the culminating requirement rather than assuming all doctoral programs follow the same model. 

What Is an Ed.D. Dissertation?

Ed.D. dissertations can vary substantially by institution and field of study, but generally speaking, the steps to traditional Ed.D. dissertations include: 

• Identify and propose a research topic that requires substantial research
• Review existing literature that relates to your topic and identify gaps in current research
• Write a proposal that defines your topic, reviews existing literature, and proposes the research methodology you plan to use
• Present and defend your proposal to the dissertation committee about halfway through the Ed.D. program to get feedback for the next phase, which is conducting original research and the written portion of the dissertation
• Conduct original research using qualitative and quantitative methods and analyze the evidence
• Write up your methods, analyze your findings, and summarize your solutions to the problem of practice (real challenges within a profession that need to be identified and addressed through research)
• Present and defend your dissertation to the committee, explaining your research findings, your conclusions, and solutions

The traditional dissertation model is a scholarly, five-chapter document that includes a title page, abstract, table of contents, and the five chapters, which include:

1. Introduction
2. Literature Review
3. Research Methodology
4. Results and Analysis
5. Discussion and Conclusions

Dissertations also include a reference list or bibliography and appendices. Again, the exact structure depends on the field and the institution. Ed.D. research requirements also vary.

What Is an Ed.D. Capstone? 

An Ed.D. capstone is the final project in your academic journey that demonstrates your doctoral-level acquired knowledge and expertise through practical applications rather than theoretical research. Capstones are also referred to as applied research. Ed.D. capstones focus on real-world problems, challenges, or opportunities in professional or educational environments, such as: 

• K–12 schools or districts 
• Colleges and universities 
• Nonprofit organizations 
• Public organizations 
• Other workplaces or institutions 

Every Ed.D. capstone may look different depending on the institution, the program, and field of interest. However, all Ed.D. research projects require critical analysis, in-depth research, and formal writing. Unlike a dissertation, which requires collecting substantial original research, capstones typically draw on existing research and rely on evidence-based practices. They provide immediate, practical impact through outcomes such as improved processes, policies, programs, or performance.

Doctoral capstones require similar steps and components to a dissertation and should demonstrate doctoral-level critical thinking skills. An outline of an Ed.D. capstone project might look like this:

• Introduction: Summary of key points and objectives of the study, including an overview and a clear research question or problem of practice statement
• Objective: Statement of goals that align with the project’s overall purpose
• Literature Review: A thorough literature review, focusing on relevant literature and gaps in existing research
• Research Methodology: Description of research methods, collection, and analysis of data
• Results and Analysis: Presentation of the findings and conclusions
• Discussion: Critical analysis of findings, implications, limitations, and alternative perspectives
• Conclusion: Summarization of key findings, their significance, and recommendations for future research
• References: A properly formatted reference page

Dissertation vs. Capstone: Key Differences 

Ed.D. dissertations and capstones represent the culmination of hard work. Both require extensive planning and writing skills, both rely on faculty mentorship, and both demonstrate mastery in your field. 

However, they serve different purposes, as shown in the chart below.

FEATURE	Ed.D. DISSERTATION	Ed.D. CAPSTONE PROJECT
Purpose	Generate new knowledge in an academic field through original research	Solve a real-world, practical problem through applied research
Target Audience	Research or academic students	Professional students
Application	Builds or tests theories and concepts	Direct applications to workplace improvements and strategic implementations
Research Methodology	Quantitative and qualitative methods for original research and hypothesis testing	Evidence-based methods used for practical outcomes
Focus	Broad theory, research gaps, and analysis	Defined and applicable  solutions
Setting	Academia or scholarly environments	Professional or community environments
Final Deliverable	Formal and lengthy written scholarly document	Tangible deliverable or product, a written report, portfolio, or prototype
Core Question to Answer	What does the research contribute to the field?	How can the research be applied to the field?
Evaluation	Formally presented and defended in committee review	Oral presentation or rubrics to measure and evaluate the outcome of the capstone

As you review Ed.D. program requirements, remember that terminology varies by institution. It’s important to look at the program’s outcomes and expectations.

What Is an Ed.D. Problem of Practice?

The Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) defines a problem of practice as “a persistent, contextualized, and specific issue embedded in the work of a professional practitioner, the addressing of which has the potential to result in improved understanding, experience, and outcomes.” 

In other words, problems of practice are real-world, ongoing challenges within a profession that practitioners and stakeholders need to identify and address, and that existing research can help improve.

Problems of practice must be specific enough to benefit from research; overly broad topics are not practical. For example, “employee retention” is too broad for applied research. However, “understanding factors contributing to first-year employee turnover within a specific organization or department” is focused enough for in-depth research and allows practitioners to develop a practical solution.

Problems of practice should define the problem, explain why it matters, and identify who or what it affects.

Examples of Ed.D. Capstone Topics and Problems of Practice 

An Ed.D. capstone project begins by identifying a problem of practice. Ed.D. students may work in education or professional organizations. The following examples illustrate what problems of practice might look like in different environments. 

Education

An Ed.D. problem of practice in education is a persistent, systemic challenge that affects students and operations alike. Capstone topics that address these issues benefit from research that helps leaders innovate and influence change. 

K-12

Doctoral capstones in this arena commonly focus on achievement gaps, teacher retention, and other areas such as:

• Chronic absenteeism 
• Family engagement 
• Instructional inequities and initiatives
• Leadership development 
• Technology

Higher Education 

Problems of practice in higher education might include research into: 

• Change management 
• Enrollment processes 
• First-year student engagement 
• Institutional effectiveness 
• Student persistence 
• Student support services 

Organizations 

An Ed.D. problem of practice in a workplace setting is an ongoing, real-world challenge that is actionable, drives improvement, and sustains measurable impact. Examples of capstone topics in business environments may include: 

• Employee retention 
• Leadership training 
• Organizational culture 
• Professional development 
• Technology adoption 

Is a Capstone Easier Than a Dissertation?

Both Ed.D. capstones and dissertations are comprehensive and rigorous — one isn’t easier than the other. Both involve intense preparation and extensive research and culminate in a doctoral degree that showcases your broadened knowledge and demonstrates your expertise.

The difference lies in the research's purpose and application. Dissertations are often theory-based, whereas capstones apply research to solve specific business or professional practice challenges. Ph.D. dissertations are even more academic in nature than Ed.D. dissertations, focusing on original research and contributions to the body of knowledge in a particular field.

An Ed.D. capstone project and an Ed.D. dissertation both require diligent work; they hone your critical thinking skills, and they prepare you for leadership roles. Each involves faculty review and application of your research findings while advancing your skills in:

• Research design 
• Evidence gathering 
• Analysis 
• Academic writing and verbal communication

Dissertations focus more heavily on data collection and analysis than capstones, which are usually within a professional context and have direct workplace relevance to what you do in your field.

Let’s look at an example of an Ed.D. capstone in an accredited online doctoral program.

Saint Leo's Online Ed.D. Program Capstone

Saint Leo University’s online Ed.D. in School and Organizational Leadership is designed for working professionals who want to earn their doctorate without interrupting their careers. 

Saint Leo offers two pathways to an Ed.D., both culminating in a practice-focused capstone project. 

• School and Organizational Leadership

This pathway is for educators, principals, and administrators in K-12 environments, as well as professionals in corporate, nonprofit, and community organizations who want to lead system-level change and solve complex organizational problems.

• Higher Education 

This pathway is for academic professionals who aspire to become visionary leaders at colleges and universities and are ready to lead change, influence policy, and strengthen their impact across the postsecondary landscape. 

In both pathways, Saint Leo students begin developing their capstone early in the program with dedicated faculty mentorship throughout the process. The capstone focuses on recognizing a real-world challenge within the student’s professional environment and developing solutions to make a direct and immediate impact through applied research practices. 

The steps to Saint Leo’s Ed.D. applied capstone project are academically rigorous but straightforward:

1. IDENTIFY a quality topic that aligns with your professional goals and organizational needs 

1. DEVELOP your problem statement and create the framework for your capstone proposal

1. ANALYZE research and literature reviews, deploy evidence-based intervention, and measure the results to understand the organizational challenge 

1. PRESENT the results and demonstrate their potential organizational impact

Saint Leo’s online Ed.D. requires 48 credits and can be completed in as few as 32 months. Coursework is online and offered every eight weeks to support work-life balance. 

Saint Leo Is Ready When You Are 

Whether you aspire to lead a school district, shape organizational strategy, or drive innovation in higher education, an Ed.D. prepares you to make a meaningful and lasting impact. 

Saint Leo’s Ed.D. School and Organizational Leadership program aligns advanced doctoral study with the real-world leadership challenges you face. This program builds the critical thinking, analytical skills, and competencies you need to become an influential leader. You learn alongside accomplished peers and are guided every step of the way by experienced faculty.

As you consider Ed.D. programs, remember that Ed.D. research requirements differ by university. Traditional dissertations and practice-focused capstones both require rigorous doctoral research, but they may serve different purposes. Before deciding on a program, look closely at: 

• The type of research that is required 

• The level of faculty mentorship and involvement

• Whether the culminating research model aligns with your professional goals 

Saint Leo's Ed.D. capstone project applies research to real challenges and prepares you with the practical skills you need to succeed in organizational or educational environments.