The Doctor or Philosophy in Higher Education is designed to prepare students for successful professional careers in diverse higher education settings, including public and private colleges and universities, government agencies, and professional associations. The doctoral program focuses on Administration and Policy Analysis.

The PhD in Higher Education is a 61 semester hour program. Students take core educational courses along with courses selected with faculty based on the student's interests and goals. The program culminates with the completion of original research addressing a problem in higher education based on the student's area of interests and goals. Coursework can be completed on campus or through a combination of on-campus and online courses. 

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

• 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 the applicant’s commitment to pursuing a career in the field of higher education, and a description of the applicant’s potential research topic for dissertation study

• A 1,000-word essay that discusses the most critical issue facing higher education today, the reasons for choosing this issue, and the implications of the issue for the future of higher education

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

• Current employment at a college or university

What to Submit with Your Application

• Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education

• Statement of purpose

• Essay on higher education issue (writing sample)

• Two letters of recommendation 

• A current 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 61 semester hours of approved doctoral level (7000/8000 level) course work

• A minimum of 33 semester hours of higher education core courses 

• An area of higher education focus pre-approved for the cohort

• A minimum of 12 semester hours of research tools 

• A written comprehensive (major) examination

• An oral comprehensive examination after passing written examination

• A minimum of 10 semester 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.

Additional information and guidelines for the doctoral program are provided in the JHCOE Doctoral Student Handbook.

Plan of Study

A plan of study identifying the courses for the doctoral degree is required before 18 credit hours are completed, generally by the end of the first year of full time study. The doctoral plan of study must include the following within the 61 semester hour minimum:

• 33 credits of higher education core courses

• 6 credits of focus in higher education

• 12 credits of research tools courses

• 10 credits of dissertation research

• Comprehensive written and oral examinations

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 written examination and the comprehensive oral examination.

• A plan of study is required before the completion of 18 credit hours. The plan of study must be approved by the doctoral program committee, department chairperson, and associate dean of the college, and submitted to the College of Graduate Studies. Revisions to the plan of study must also be approved and updates submitted to the College of Graduate Studies, usually within the semester a revision occurs.

Dissertation Research Phase

• A doctoral dissertation committee is required immediately after the completion of the required coursework, comprehensive written examination, and comprehensive oral examination. 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 research proposal and the completed dissertation research, both the written dissertation and oral dissertation defense. Student must work closely with the committee throughout the dissertation process. 

• All research must be approved by the Institutional Research Board before beginning any phase of the research study. Student 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 work with their faculty advisor to identify specific courses to fulfill program requirements.