There are doctoral degrees that are vital. Their holders do much to advance society. Examples of these would be a doctorate in medicine, dentistry, or engineering.
And then there are doctoral degrees that are nice (for lack of a better word). But they are not vital. Examples of these would be a doctorate in history or in French. They have value. But they are not vital.
And then their are doctoral degrees that are actually worse than useless. Number one on this list is a doctorate in education. There is no accepted body of knowledge in this field! So EdD holders just make up stuff as they go along.
Sorry for the rambling. But I spent 30 years teaching high school. And many of my classroom problems can be traced back to pronouncements from those EdD folks.
And now a disclaimer. I know some fine people with EdD degrees. They got it just to punch a ticket, and not to change the world. So not all EdD holders are frauds. But the degree itself is a fraud.
Totally agree. I know several people who hold an EdD because it was the easiest path to a pay raise.
Interestingly medical doctors in Britain are addressed as ‘doctor’. But surgeons, who are considered a step above, are addressed as ‘mister’ (or mrs or miss).