Tara Goodhue '09, '20, is the 2026 MA Teacher of the Year.
If you’re considering a doctorate in education, it’s important to find a program that fits your life, strengthens your leadership skills and delivers real value for your career.
UMass Lowell’s online Doctorate of Education in Leadership in Schooling (Ed.D.) is designed for educators ready to lead at a higher level without stepping away from the work they care about. From its flexible format to its practice-based curriculum, this program is designed to help working professionals move forward with confidence.
1. It’s built for working educators
One of the biggest reasons this program stands out is its flexibility. UMass Lowell’s online Ed.D. is designed for professionals balancing demanding careers, family responsibilities and graduate study. The program follows a cohort model, includes summer, fall and spring courses, and can typically be completed in three years. That means you can continue working in education while earning a respected doctoral degree.
2. The curriculum is focused on real leadership challenges
This is not a purely theoretical doctorate. UMass Lowell’s online Ed.D. is a practice-based program that prepares reflective scholar-practitioners to lead in PK-12 settings. Coursework is designed to connect directly to the real issues educators face every day. For students seeking a more specialized path, a Leadership in Schooling STEM option is also available.
3. You learn with a cohort and benefit from faculty support
Doctoral study can feel isolating, especially online. UMass Lowell’s cohort structure helps create a more connected and supportive experience. Students move through the program with peers who share similar goals and challenges, building a professional network along the way. Combined with faculty guidance, that structure helps make the journey more manageable and more meaningful for busy professionals.
4. It offers strong value for the investment
Cost is often a major barrier for professionals considering a doctorate. Beyond offering affordable public university tuition, UMass Lowell is the highest-rated public university in Massachusetts for 40-year return on investment, according to data from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce.
For students comparing the most affordable online Ed.D. programs, that combination matters. A lower-cost public option backed by a respected research university can make doctoral study more financially realistic while still supporting long-term career growth.
5. The university’s online reputation adds credibility to your degree
UMass Lowell continues to earn national recognition for its online offerings, including its education programs in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings.
That broader reputation supports the appeal of the online Ed.D. in Leadership in Schooling. Students are not simply choosing a flexible format. They are choosing an online doctorate from a university that emphasizes academic quality, student support and career relevance.
6. Graduates use the degree to move into leadership roles
The value is reflected in our graduate outcomes. Matthew Olson, now a community college dean, said his Ed.D. “made it easier to step into a leadership role.” Tara Goodhue, a UMass Lowell Ed.D. alumna and the 2026 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year, put it this way: “UMass Lowell helped me get where I am today.” She added, “The Ed.D. program gave me the tools I needed to take my career to the next level.”
Explore UMass Lowell’s online Doctor of Education in Leadership in Schooling
If you are searching for an online Ed.D. in education leadership that is flexible, career-focused and affordable, UMass Lowell’s Doctor of Education in Leadership in Schooling is worth a closer look. With a practice-driven curriculum, a format built for working professionals and the backing of a respected public research university, the program offers exceptional value for educators ready to move forward.
Learn more about UMass Lowell’s online Doctorate of Education in Leadership in Schooling.