PhD in Higher Education

Admission to the PhD in Higher Education

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
  •  Previous academic work necessary to complete a doctoral program in the area of study
  • A statement of purpose that describes why you wish to pursue this doctoral program and includes information on previous study, educational experience, professional accomplishments, immediate and future professional goals, especially in the field of higher education, and any other information that you believe is relevant for admission into this doctoral degree program
  •  A sample graduate paper (or essay, research paper, article, etc.) demonstrating analytic 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

Requirements for the PhD in Higher Education

For the Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education degree, students must complete the following program requirements:

  • A minimum of 60 semester credit hours of approved doctoral level (7000/8000 level) course work
  • 21 credit hours of higher education specialization
  • 9 credit hours of supporting courses from other doctoral areas in the College
  • 15 credit hours of assessment, evaluation, and research tools 
  • A written comprehensive program examination
  • An oral comprehensive program examination after passing written examination
  • 15 credit hours of dissertation research
  • An oral presentation and defense of a dissertation research proposal
  • An oral presentation and defense of the completed dissertation research in a public forum
  • A written document of the completed dissertation research in approved style and format

All coursework and requirements of the doctoral degree must be taken within a seven-year period immediately preceding the date the degree is awarded.

Other Program Requirements 

Coursework Phase

  • A doctoral program committee is required before the completion of 18 credit hours. The doctoral program committee has a minimum of three members who are selected from the membership of the graduate faculty of the University. The doctoral program committee is responsible for assisting the student in the development of a plan of study and assuring competence by overseeing the comprehensive program written examination and the comprehensive program oral examination.

Program Examinations

  • A written comprehensive program examination
  • An oral comprehensive program examination after successful completion of the written examination

Dissertation Research Phase

  • A doctoral dissertation committee is required immediately after the completion of the required coursework and comprehensive program written and oral examinations. The dissertation committee has a minimum of four graduate faculty members including one who is not in the discipline major. The dissertation committee is responsible for guiding dissertation research and approving the dissertation concept, research proposal, and the completed dissertation research, both the written dissertation and oral dissertation defense. Students must work closely with the committee throughout the dissertation process. 

  • All research with human subjects must be approved by the Institutional Research Board before beginning any phase of the research study. Students must complete IRB training as defined by the University's Human Research Protection Program.

  • A public defense of the dissertation is required.

  • The final written dissertation must be approved by the dissertation committee and formatted according the guidelines of the college and the College of Graduate Study. Electronic submission of the dissertation to OhioLINK ​is mandatory.

Guide for Developing a Plan of Study

Below is a guide for developing a Plan of Study for the PhD in Higher Education. Students should review their degree audit and work with their faculty advisor to identify specific courses to fulfill program requirements.

Specialization in Higher Educational
EDU 7000Introduction to Doctoral Studies3
HED 8010Historical Foundations of Higher Education3
HED 8270Learning and Teaching in Higher Education3
HED 8530Research Perspectives on Student Development3
HED 8640Models of University Organization and Governance3
HED 8700Economics and Financing of Higher Education3
HED 8730Higher Education Law and Policy3
Supporting Area9
Select 9 credits from other doctoral areas in the College following advisor guidance
Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Tools
EDU 7100Quantitative Research Foundations: Concepts and Practice3
EDU 7200Foundations of Qualitative Research3
EDU 7300Foundations of Theory3
HED 8930Doctoral Research Seminar In Higher Education3
Choose one:3
EDU 8100
Literacy in Advanced Quantitative Methods
EDU 8400
Advanced Seminar in Research
Program Examinations
Approval of Written Exam(s)
Approval of Oral Exam(s)
Dissertation Research15
HED 8960
Dissertation
Approval of Research Proposal
Approval of Oral Presentation of Dissertation Research
Approval of Dissertation Final Document
Total Hours60
  • Use, design, and conduct rigorous research in higher education.
  • Lead and communicate effectively across college/university areas.
  • Integrate knowledge and best practices from diverse areas to solve existing problems across institutional units.
  • Analyze and navigate institutional environments in order to inform effective strategies.
  • Synthesize and use knowledge of student learning and development to inform creation of effective learning environments.