Cohort-based doctoral programs: What we have learned over the last 18 years

Abstract

This paper assesses student perceptions and includes student reflections pertaining to a cohort model doctoral program in Educational Leadership (EdD) at a Southern university in the United States. Based on the open-ended comments and survey responses from 48 participants who graduated with this degree, the cohort-based doctoral program was found to have met the needs of the students. Conclusions and recommendations are drawn based on extensive literature on cohort based EdD program and findings from this case study about one cohort model degree program.