For Rachel Mitchell, earning a doctorate was never about checking a box. It was about finding the right program, one that matched her passion for how people learn and how research becomes real-world practice.
She searched for years. She even enrolled in—and left—a local doctoral program in Pittsburgh that wasn't quite right.
Then she found the University's online Doctor of Education in Applied Learning Sciences, offered through the School of Education and Human Development.
"I couldn't believe how perfect this program was," Mitchell said. "It was an absolute no-brainer. And I got to do it at the U? Come on. A dream."
Mitchell, who graduated in December 2025, said she uses what she learned every day in her work in instructional design and AI training: proof, she says, that the right fit makes all the difference.
From her first course, Mitchell said she felt fully part of the University of Miami community.
"I never felt like an 'online student.' I felt like a student," she said. "It was made clear over and over again that we were taken just as seriously as anyone on campus."
Each faculty member, she said, strengthened that connection.
"Every professor gave me a new 'tie' to the U," she said.
That sense of belonging mattered, especially as she balanced full-time work, parenting, and unexpected health challenges while completing her degree.
One of Mitchell's biggest takeaways from the program wasn't academic. It was personal.
"I'm a recovering perfectionist," she said. "I've always put a lot of pressure on myself."
When the workload became overwhelming, she reached out to her cohort and to faculty.
"I was blown away by the support and understanding," she said.
The experience also helped her recognize her own expertise.
"I had a habit of making myself smaller in some rooms," she said. "This program helped me own the work I put into learning and not downplay it."
Mitchell said every course in the program connected directly to her professional life as an instructional designer and educator.
"Every project or paper was a real-world work project," she said. "I was designing and implementing programs under the guidance of some of the smartest people I've ever met."
Her work has included designing learning experiences for K-12 students, professional development for adults, and training and onboarding programs. She also draws heavily on what she learned about organizational learning and communication.
"Understanding how information flows through organizations has been huge for me," she said.
One course, focused on cultural and affective factors in learning, stood out, she said, giving her new insight into motivation, especially in online environments.
"I've always wanted to understand motivation better," she said. "This course gave me a lens for that."
What she learned online in class reshaped how she designs programs and how she works with learners at every level.
"It was a huge area of personal growth," she said.
For those considering an online degree, Mitchell offers practical advice.
"Go to faculty office hours," she said. "Get to know your professors."
She emphasizes that faculty at Miami are invested in their students' success.
"They are real people. This is a real program. They are taking you seriously," she said. "Office hours make it feel real, and they make a difference."
Looking back, Mitchell said she is grateful she waited for the right opportunity.
"My program was rigorous, real-world, and led by faculty at the forefront of the field," she said. "I'm so grateful that I found a home at the University of Miami through UOnline."
