Question: I am currently in an M.B.A. program and I am exploring what my choices are at my current college after the program. Almost all of the professors in the M.B.A program have Ph.D.'s., not D.Ed. Also the D.Ed is listed as being a degree in Adult Education. Can that type of degree be in any field or is that a degree with a finite scope as its name implies (Adult Education)?
Answer: The PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) is an academic doctorate that requires original research and a dissertation that contributes to the body of knowledge in a field. It is a research degree. It's all about "Why" of a field. It is the highest degree in most fields of study.
The EdD (Doctor of Education) is a professional practice degree that further prepares those in the field of professional education to administer educational programs. It is an applied professional degree. All about "How" to do education.
There are also other doctoral level degrees you might want to consider. In business there is the DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) that is an applied professional degree all about the "How" of conducting business.
The reason that none (or few) of your professors have an EdD is that an EdD holder is qualified to teach courses in education and you're not an education major. College professors get their degrees in the field they plan to teach. A business professor would need his degree in a business field.
Career wise - an EdD in adult education would prepare one to manage/teach in a facility or function that teaches adults. Examples are vocational ed at your community college or the training function in HR of many companies.
Some conduct research in education specifically directed toward improving learning outcomes of adult learners.
Others:
The words are different
ya the words are different