Higher Education Leadership Ed.D.
The Ed.D.degree. in Higher Education Leadership (Higher Education Leadership option) provides participants with in-depth study of all functional areas of higher education institutions. An emphasis on mission-driven leadership, data-driven and research-informed practice and decision-making, and student-centered outcomes define the program. Designed to be completed in eleven quarters and under three years, the Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership integrates work for the doctoral capstone project beginning in the first year of study.
The Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership program is offered in both online and executive cohort formats.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):
PLO1. Students will demonstrate the ability to assess critical issues and challenges related to leading mission-driven, student-centered higher education institutions (HEIs) and/or their functions in the increasingly complex and competitive environment.
PLO2. Students will demonstrate the ability to identify data needs, select appropriate empirical approaches, and engage in research related to solving complex issues with multiple stakeholders.
PLO3. Students will demonstrate the ability to engage in collaborative, evidence-based practices to create, lead, manage, and grow programs and initiatives designed to advance the institutional mission and goals.
PLO4. Students will demonstrate the ability to contribute to efficient leadership and management of various functions of an HEI, including academic affairs, faculty development, student services, enrollment management, record management, academic technology, quality assurance, and other operational areas.
PLO5. Students will demonstrate the ability to integrate theories of student development, teaching and learning, leadership, governance, assessment, and continuous improvement into professional practice.
PLO6. Students will demonstrate the ability to collect, clean, analyze, and interpret data through both qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
PLO7. Students will create a doctoral research dissertation situated in the field of higher education and contributing new knowledge to the field.
In addition to the National College of Education Doctoral Admissions Requirements, applicants must:
- Submit professional resume or curriculum vitae
- Submit a written statement responding to questions as established and periodically revised by the faculty
- Submit assessment of writing:
- Professional writing sample, such as master's degree thesis or final paper for a graduate course, inclusive of cover page, references, and appendices, if any; or
- If the artifacts discussed above are not available, an alternative written artifact at the discretion of the program Chair
- Submit a minimum of two professional letters of recommendation, addressing topics/questions as established and periodically revised by the faculty. Letters of recommendation must be written by individuals who know the candidate from an academic or professional perspective and are able to comment on the candidate’s capacity for undertaking doctoral studies.
- Sit for a faculty interview and review
Program Details:
Required Courses
Gateway Courses
| HED 600 | Higher Education in the United States | 3 |
| HED 601 | Introduction to Doctoral Studies and Research in Education | 3 |
Program Core
| HED 620 | Leadership and Governance in Higher Education | 3 |
| HED 622 | Strategic Marketing and Enrollment Management | 3 |
| HED 624 | Finance and Budgeting in Higher Education | 3 |
| HED 626 | Legal Issues in Higher Education | 3 |
| HED 630 | Academic Affairs: Faculty, Curriculum, and Assessment | 3 |
| HED 632 | Student Development Theory | 3 |
| HED 634 | Quality Assurance in Higher Education | 3 |
Doctoral Research
| HED 650 | Contextual Study in Higher Education | 3 |
| HED 651 | Data-driven Decision Making in Education | 3 |
| HED 652 | Quantitative Research Methods in Education | 3 |
| HED 654 | Qualitative Research Methods in Education | 3 |
| HED 671 | Doctoral Research in Higher Education I | 2 |
| HED 672 | Doctoral Research in Higher Education II | 2 |
| HED 673 | Doctoral Research in Higher Education III | 2 |
| HED 674 | Doctoral Research in Higher Education IV | 2 |
| HED 681 | Doctoral Colloquium in Higher Education I | 0.5 |
| HED 682 | Doctoral Colloquium in Higher Education II | 0.5 |
Capstone Course
| HED 699 | Doctoral Capstone in Higher Education | 3 |
Electives
Choose 9 semester hours from the list of courses below:
| CCD 615 | Sociology of Education | 3 |
| CCD 620 | Epistemology of Learning, Teaching and Inquiry | 3 |
| HED 689 | Directed Study in Higher Education | .5 TO 6 |
| HED 690 | Internship in Higher Education | 1 TO 6 |
| HED 691 | Field Experience in Higher Education | 1 TO 6 |
| HED 695 | Special Topics in Higher Education | 1 TO 6 |
| HED 697 | Consulting Project in Higher Education | 1TO 6 |
| LAP 693 | Seminar in Program Evaluation | 3 |
| OBD 633 | Organizational Effectiveness and Development | 3 |
| OBD 650 | Culture of Learning Organizations | 3 |
| OBD 651 | Diversity and Inclusion in the Organizational Culture | 3 |
Note: All the courses above must be taken for a total of 3 semester hours.