Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership

Make a bold impact in today’s higher education.

Prepare to lead on your college campus by planning strategically and inspiring faculty and staff with a social justice and belonging perspective. This program is one of a select few doctoral programs that explicitly addresses social justice and belonging as a major area of concentration.

Earn Your Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership

The Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership is ideal for experienced higher education professionals who aspire to leadership positions in administration or academics and wish to develop their skills in leadership, decision-making and strategic planning.

This online program features a 54-credit curriculum focused on:

• A combination of theory and practice with research core classes.
• Research skills and close mentorship as students complete a dissertation addressing a problem of interest in higher education.
• Application of social justice and leadership theories to real-world challenges in higher education settings

Courses include topics such as legal and ethical issues in higher education, finance in higher education and mixed method access & equity in higher education.

A 3-day on-campus residency each summer allows students to meet and network with fellow classmates and faculty members in person. The cohort model of the programs means the residency offers peers the opportunity to share best practices and discuss experiences.

A practical, applied degree program

Through Research Core classes, students gain the skills to successfully complete a Dissertation in Practice during the third year of the program.

The Dissertation in Practice is a scholarly work that address a complex problem of practice. Defined, a complex problem of practice is a persistent, contextualized and specific issue embedded in the work of a professional practitioner which, if addressed, will result in improved student experiences and outcomes.

Career Benefits of the Ed.D.

The Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership, positions you to advance your career as a university leader, as you learn to:

• Improve institutional policies and practices with an emphasis on social justice.
• Become a practitioner and advocate for the integration of social justice and belonging to the experience and education of college students.
• Deepen your awareness and understanding of the political, economic and social forces that influence the decisions of academic leaders.

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