PhD in Higher Education

The Ph.D. program in Higher Education is a 60 credit-hour program. It is designed to prepare students for successful leadership and faculty positions in various settings of higher education including public and private colleges and universities, government agencies and professional organizations. Its flexible delivery format and supportive faculty allow students to balance their academic and career journeys. Graduates of the program currently hold leadership positions as academic chief officers, vice presidents, campus presidents, vice presidents of student affairs, deans and department chairs, academic athletic directors, officers in state and national associations and government agencies, and chief officers of different program areas across college and university campuses. The Higher Education program is home to the John H. Russel Center for Educational Leadership, which promotes the development of higher education leaders. The Russel Center Scholarship supports the research activity of all students in the Higher Education program. An academic journal, Studying the History of Higher Education, anchors the core research focus of the program and provides publishing opportunities for its community of scholars.

In addition to admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies, admission to the doctoral program requires the following:

A master’s degree from an accredited college or university

A minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for all previous graduate academic work

Previous academic work necessary to successfully complete a doctoral program in the area of study

A statement of purpose indicating your commitment to pursuing a career in the field of higher education, and a description of your potential research topic for dissertation study

A sample graduate paper (or essay, article, etc.) demonstrating conceptualization and writing skills

Two letters of reference, including at least one from a faculty member who can speak to your ability to conduct research and to write at the graduate level

Current employment in a higher education environment and at least three years of work experience in higher education

What to Submit with Your Application

Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education

Statement of purpose

Writing sample

Two letters of recommendation

Resume or curriculum vitae