Higher Education PhD Program of Study

Minimum Credit Requirements for the Doctoral Program: 52 credits (42 credits from coursework and 10 from dissertation credits)

The Higher Education Graduate Student Handbook contains additional details about the program. Students who matriculated prior to Fall 2022, please refer to the 2021 Handbook for program of study requirements. 

Summary of Credit Requirements

All doctoral students should complete the following at a minimum:

Core Higher Ed Courses (9 credits)

EDUC 643 Foundations of Higher Education* (3 credits)
EDUC 644 Critical Perspectives on Equity and Justice in Higher Education (3 credits)
EDUC 647B Principles & Practices of Student Affairs OR Higher Education Policy (3 credits)

Methods Courses (12 credits)

Quantitative Research Methods (6 credits)
Qualitative Research Methods (3 credits)
Additional Research Methods (3 credits)

Proseminar/Research Project (6 credits)

EDUC 717 Research in Higher Education (1-3 credits/semester)

Specialization Courses (15 credits)

Higher education doctoral students develop their programs of study in combination with their advisor and/or guidance committee, creating a set of goals and planning courses and experiences to meet these. Generally, however, the program of study for full-time students resembles the following:

Sample Full-Time Course of Study

Fall - Year 1
  • EDUC 643 Foundations of Higher Education (3 credits)
  • Elective/Specialization Course (3 credits)
  • Research Methods Course (3 credits)
  • EDUC 717 Research in Higher Ed  (1 credit proseminar) 
Spring - Year 1
  • EDUC 644 Critical Perspectives on Equity and Justice in Higher Education (3 credits)
  • Elective / Specialization Course (3 credits)
  • Research Methods Course (3 credits)
  • EDUC 717 Research in Higher Ed (1 credit proseminar) 
Fall - Year 2
  • Elective / Specialization Course (3 credits)
  • Elective / Specialization Course (3 credits)
  • Research Methods Course (3 credits)
  • EDUC 717 Research in Higher Ed (1 credit proseminar) 
Spring - Year 2
  • EDUC 647B Higher Education Policy -OR- EDUC 621A Higher Education Finance Policy (3 credits)
  • Research Methods Course (3 credits)
  • EDUC 717 Research in Higher Ed (3 credit class) 
Fall - Year 3
  • Elective/Specialization Course OR Research Methods Course (3 credits)
  • Comprehensive Exam Preparation
Spring - Year 3
  • Dissertation 
Fall - Year 4
  • Dissertation 
Spring - Year 4 
  • Dissertation 

Sample Part-Time Course of Study

Fall - Year 1
  • EDUC 643 Foundations of Higher Education (3 credits)
  • Research Methods Course (3 credits)
  • EDUC 717 Research in Higher Ed  (1 credit proseminar) 
Spring - Year 1
  • EDUC 644 Critical Perspectives on Equity and Justice in Higher Education (3 credits)
  • Research Methods Course (3 credits)
  • EDUC 717 Research in Higher Ed (1 credit proseminar) 
Fall - Year 2
  • Elective / Specialization Course (3 credits)
  • Research Methods Course (3 credits)
  • EDUC 717 Research in Higher Ed (1 credit proseminar) 
Spring - Year 2
  • EDUC 647B Higher Education Policy -OR- EDUC 621A Higher Education Finance Policy (3 credits)
  • Research Methods Course (3 credits)
  • EDUC 717 Research in Higher Ed (three-credit class) 
Fall - Year 3
  • Elective / Specialization Course (3 credits)
  • Elective / Specialization Course (3 credits)
Spring - Year 3
  • Elective / Specialization Course (3 credits)
  • Elective / Specialization Course (3 credits) 
Fall - Year 4
  • Elective / Specialization Course (3 credits)
  • Comprehensive exams

Comprehensive Exam

The comprehensive examination consists of two components: an applied research paper and two applied analysis papers in which you respond to questions you prepare with your committee. Together, these papers give you the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of the knowledge, skills and expertise necessary for conducting dissertation research in this multidisciplinary applied field. You will be required to demonstrate your knowledge of the research process as well as key issues and concepts in at least one major area of study within higher education.

Dissertation

Whereas the comprehensive exam allows you to demonstrate a breadth of knowledge about higher education, the dissertation is your opportunity to demonstrate depth of knowledge in one particular area of higher education. The dissertation is a highly individualized endeavor representing the area in which you will become an expert and generate new knowledge for the field. In close coordination with your dissertation adviser, you will design, execute, and report on a major research study. You will also form a three-person faculty committee to advise and validate this scholarly work. The process begins with your dissertation proposal, which your committee must approve. You’ll then conduct research, write the dissertation, and defend it before the committee.