You’re weeks into your online Doctor of Education (EdD) Program. You’ve appreciated the flexibility and academic rigor it offers, but you’re starting to miss something: conversation!
Meaningful engagement with peers and instructors–things you’ve come to really value and depend on in your professional career–is lacking, and you miss the ability to collaborate and seek guidance. Regis College takes this lack of interaction into account by centering its EdD program around one powerful concept: cohort learning.
The cohort-based learning format groups you with other students throughout your coursework, and as you collaborate with your peers, you will foster an academic community built on teamwork and support. Regis College’s EdD in Leadership program offers a flexible online format that allows you to take advantage of this model without having to give up time for work and personal commitments.
In this article, we will explore the value of cohort learning and how Regis College leverages the model to enhance students’ learning experience.
What Is Cohort Learning in an EdD Program?
Traditional self-paced learning is mainly centered around individual engagement, meaning there is little interaction between peers. This is because everyone is completing their coursework at different speeds, so one person may be one step ahead of the group while another may be two steps behind. Some programs may offer occasional live sessions, but they are not typically made for group discussion.
In contrast, cohort-based learning emphasizes collaboration, mentorship and structured coursework. Under the cohort model, students progress through the program together, forming a tight-knit academic community. You will work with your peers in group projects and discussions, gain worthwhile perspectives from faculty, and stay motivated through an organized workload with proper deadlines.
Is Cohort Learning Right for You?
A cohort model is ideal for students who:
- Want structured support and collaboration throughout their doctoral journey.
- Desire the flexibility of a primarily online program with built-in peer interaction and collaboration.
- Are looking for mentorship and connection opportunities to advance their careers.
Although the format offers a more standardized approach, flexibility is not a concern at Regis College. Regis’ cohort-based learning blends organized coursework with ample time in-between milestones so you can experience support, peer interaction and collaboration prospects while still being able to balance work and other personal commitments. Also, the program’s online format, featuring monthly Saturday classes complemented by asynchronous coursework, offers significant opportunities for balancing life and studies..
So, if you value teamwork and accountability, the cohort model is most suitable for you.
How Cohort Learning Benefits EdD Students
1. Increases Program Completion Rates
According to the Close The Gap Foundation, cohort learning is associated with an 87% improvement in course completion rates compared to non-cohort based models–and for good reason.
By moving through a program together, students form a community that enhances engagement, cultivates mutual accountability and provides emotional and academic support. As a result, students are more likely to persevere, complete their studies and, at Regis, graduate with the confidence and connections necessary to step into roles as deans, directors, and policy influencers with the skills and support system to drive real change.
2. Builds a Strong Professional Network
Sometimes, it’s not what you know, but who you know. Whether that involves having an “in” to a specific job or needing personal assistance with a project, you can almost guarantee that a case where you’ll need to rely on your network will arise.
Having a strong professional support system allows you to access valuable information, insights, job opportunities and career advancements via your peers and instructors.
Cohort learning is a great method to develop a network due to the inherent relationship-building opportunities it provides. Through your shared learning experience, you can utilize the time you spend with your colleagues to foster genuine, long-term connections that extend beyond graduation, opening doors to future career success and stability.
3. Enhances Leadership and Teamwork Skills
An important aspect of leadership is understanding that no single person can bring lasting change. With this in mind, leaders are able to practice humility, better understand perspectives and be flexible and responsive to change. Only through teamwork can we implement a solution that can benefit everyone.
Cohort learning emphasizes teamwork by offering an immersive environment where students engage in dynamic interactions regularly, fostering deeper understanding and sharper problem-solving capabilities. As you tackle various group projects at Regis, you will develop the consensus-building skills that are essential for enacting true leadership in the constantly evolving educational landscape.
4. Provides Emotional and Academic Support
Life is demanding, and completing a doctoral program in addition to the responsibilities you have outside of your coursework requires immense motivation, resilience, and support. With cohort learning, you’re not alone—you have emotional and academic support available.
Cohort learning develops a community of members that encourage each other, share experiences, and offer practical advice on balancing life, work, and school. This sense of camaraderie can help you stay focused during challenging times and make achieving milestones more rewarding.
5. Facilitates Knowledge Sharing and Diverse Perspectives
In a room full of educators, business leaders, and nonprofit directors, how do you tackle a statewide teacher shortage? That’s the kind of challenge cohorts take on together. They understand that issues cannot be solved through the perspective of one individual.
Cohort learning fosters that mindset by bringing together professionals from various education, corporate, and nonprofit backgrounds. By engaging with colleagues outside your field of expertise, you’ll uncover blind spots, rethink assumptions, and approach leadership challenges from multiple angles.
How Regis College’s EdD Program Leverages Cohort Learning
At Regis College, you will work closely with a consistent group of peers to tackle real-world leadership challenges. By co-authoring solutions to complex dilemmas and offering feedback on each other’s projects, you’ll gain the help and skills necessary to lead with others and develop stronger research that can be utilized to make a lasting impact in education. With guidance from faculty who have led institutions and shaped education policy, you’ll be supported in turning theory into practice.
In addition, Regis understands the challenging reality of balancing a doctoral program with work and family responsibilities, and as such, offers an online format designed for working professionals: classes meet one Saturday per month, with asynchronous coursework in between. Of course, you’re never left to navigate the journey on your own. Each student is matched with a dedicated faculty advisor and committee who provide personalized support in dissertation work and long-term career planning.
Finally, the value of a Regis cohort transcends commencement as alumni often maintain close ties with their peers. The relationships you cultivate throughout your dissertation will create a strong foundation for future opportunity and collaboration. Whatever endeavor you choose to pursue, it will not be done alone. The network you build at Regis will become a career-long source of mentorship, invaluable insight and shared purpose.
Join a Supportive Cohort in Regis College’s EdD Program
Cohort learning transforms the doctoral experience by providing collaboration, mentorship, and career networking. If you're looking for an EdD program that combines flexibility with a strong sense of community, Regis College’s cohort-based EdD program offers the best of both worlds. Learn more about Regis College’s EdD program and how cohort learning can help you succeed.
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