Ron Dickson knew he needed a terminal degree. In the early 2000s, he was toiling away as an assistant superintendent in a suburban Phoenix school district, but he had higher aspirations--a superintendency. Yet with a family and a demanding job, he wasn't sure how he could swing a doctoral degree. He diligently checked out the traditional Ed.D. and Ph.D. programs at Arizona State University in Tempe and Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. Nothing clicked. Then he met an assistant principal who was earning his advanced degree online through a place called Capella University. Dickson was curious: Was it legitimate? How did it work? And would that degree be as universally accepted as one from Arizona State? Dickson quickly discovered his active participation in online classes was expected, and he found himself engaged in lively discussions of education policy and school finance. Nearing the conclusion of his formal studies, he applied for a job as superintendent of the 4,900-student Laveen Elementary School District in a suburb southwest of Phoenix. His pending degree opened the door, and Dickson sailed through it. "The School Administrator" has identified 14 higher education programs nationwide that run doctoral programs leading to degrees in education. This article discusses how convenience, flexibility and loosening skepticism contribute to growth in virtual degrees in educational leadership.