Why earn an Ed.D. online? Five benefits you need to know

Pursuing a doctoral degree is a big commitment. For many professionals, the traditional on-campus option isn’t realistic. You may be managing a full-time career, caring for a family or deeply rooted in a community you’re not willing to leave behind. Putting your life on pause to earn a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) might feel out of reach.

You don’t have to sacrifice your career or personal commitments to advance your education and unlock new opportunities. From added flexibility to cost savings, discover five key benefits of earning your Ed.D. degree online. See how University of Idaho makes advanced education more accessible, relevant and rewarding.

1. Flexibility that fits your life

University of Idaho’s online Ed.D. program is designed with working professionals in mind, offering the ability to complete coursework and assignments asynchronously, whether that’s early mornings, late evenings or weekends. This flexibility is especially important if you're balancing a full-time role and other responsibilities.

You won’t need to commute, attend in-person lectures or adjust your career to fit a traditional class schedule. Instead, online programs allow you to stay rooted in your current role while advancing your education at a pace that works for you.

2. Immediate impact in your current role

One of the most valuable features of our online Ed.D. program is that what you learn is immediately applicable in your field. Because you continue to work while you study, each course, project and discussion becomes an opportunity to strengthen your practice in real time.

U of I’s Ed.D. program encourages students to focus their course projects and dissertation research on current challenges in their own organizations. Your degree isn’t just about preparing you for future opportunities — it’s helping you apply research and make meaningful improvements right now.

3. Learn alongside professionals across industries

Online learning doesn’t mean learning alone. Through a cohort-based model, U of I’s Ed.D. program connects you with professionals from around the world and with backgrounds in areas such as health care, the military, corporate leadership, education and more.

This built-in network offers powerful benefits: you’ll engage in live sessions, group projects and discussions that draw on a wide range of real-world perspectives. It’s a chance to learn how leadership challenges are approached across fields and to see how your own work fits into a much broader landscape.

Regarding the Doctor of Education program’s cohort model at University of Idaho, Brooke Blevins, Dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences, says, “This is an opportunity for students to network within various industries. They can discuss how their field fits into the larger working environment and make a number of different contacts across the country.”

4. Stay connected where you are

Geography shouldn’t limit your ability to lead and elevate your knowledge. Our Ed.D. program removes the need to move, making a top-tier education accessible from wherever you live and work. At U of I, you can earn your doctorate without leaving the community or professional setting where you’re already making a difference.

To stay connected to your cohort, University of Idaho’s Ed.D. program includes live synchronous sessions to foster connection between peers and faculty. These real-time touchpoints and our cohort model add structure, support and a sense of community without taking away the flexibility that makes online learning valuable.

This kind of access is especially valuable for professionals who’ve dedicated their careers to working in rural or underserved areas where opportunities for on-campus doctoral programs may be limited. And earning an Ed.D. degree online means more trained leaders can serve in more places — not just where doctoral programs happen to be offered.

5. A more affordable path to advancement

Earning a doctoral degree is a significant investment, but the online format helps reduce many of the hidden costs that come with traditional on-campus programs. You can often avoid expenses like relocation, on-campus housing, parking, commuting and even incidental costs like meals and childcare tied to time away from home.

At University of Idaho, affordability goes a step further. The Ed.D. program follows a flat-rate tuition model, meaning all students, regardless of residency, pay the same costs. There’s no added fee for being an out-of-state student, which removes another common financial barrier.

Just as important, you can keep working while you study. There’s no need to take a leave of absence or give up your salary to pursue your degree. Many students continue working full time while completing the program, earning income and gaining experience as they go. Blevins explains, “Because the program is online, you're still working while you're learning. Which means you're still earning while you're learning.” This balance makes the Ed.D. degree more financially feasible and keeps your career momentum moving forward.

Why earn an Ed.D. online with University of Idaho?

If you want to grow your impact without stepping away from your career, University of Idaho’s online Doctor of Education degree is built for you. Explore key features of the program and how we support online learners from day one:

• Grounded in improvement science, an interdisciplinary, applied approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement. This methodology equips you to lead change initiatives across diverse industries and organizational contexts.
• Fully online format with a mix of asynchronous coursework and scheduled live sessions completed in blocks.
• No GRE or master’s degree required to apply. Five years of professional experience in your industry can fulfill the master’s degree admission requirement.
• Dedicated guidance for online students, including one-on-one advising, virtual writing and technology support and access to University of Idaho resources.
• On-campus immersion so you can build connections with your professors and cohort.
• Practice-based learning with a built-in dissertation, so you can apply research directly to your work and complete your degree in three years.
• Collaborative, cross-industry cohort model that connects you to your peers and faculty.
• Career opportunities for leadership positions in corporate leadership, health care, the military, higher education institutions, K-12 and other organizations.

Learn more about online student support in U of I’s Ed.D. program.

Become a leader and changemaker from anywhere 

At University of Idaho, earning your Doctor of Education degree online doesn’t mean compromising on rigor, support or future opportunities. You will expand your impact on your own terms. With U of I, you can deepen your expertise, contribute to your organization, live in your own community and join a network of professionals with the same goals as you. 

Request more information or apply now!