Northeastern University Graduate Programs

College of Professional Studies

Northeastern University’s online Doctor of Education program provides experienced adult learners, working professionals, and scholar-practitioners from diverse backgrounds and perspectives with the practical knowledge and experience they need to transform the learning landscape. Students gain innovative approaches to create authentic change in their communities. The program was selected as the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate's Program of the Year for 2022-2023.

The Doctor of Education program is designed to be completed in three to four years of study—following a fast-paced quarter system in lieu of a traditional semester format. Students choose from five concentrations to create a curriculum that matches personal and professional interests. The program's dissertation in practice process will begin at the onset of your coursework as you identify your problem of practice and develop an action plan—incorporating cycles of data collection and analysis, collaboration, change work, and reflection—culminating in the dissemination of your action research findings. Our students come from diverse disciplines and professions, seeking more than just a degree. You'll gain a practical education that translates to your everyday working environment.

While all EdD courses can be completed online (except for hybrid courses in Seattle and Charlotte), annual in-person two-day residencies are held on campus. Residencies focus on networking and tools for career success and allow you to connect with faculty and fellow scholars to share knowledge and experience. You'll attend residencies* in your first and second years of the program at one of our campuses in Boston, Charlotte, or Seattle.

The Northeastern Doctor of Education degree is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and was selected as Program of the Year by the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate Program for 2022-2023.

*Please note: International students enrolling in the online EdD program will be provided with an option to complete the residency through online participation in interactive sessions with fellow scholars offered during the residency period.

More Details

Unique features.

  • You will choose one of five concentrations—higher education administration, innovative teaching and learning, transformative school leadership, workplace learning, and integrative studies—to focus your studies and further customize your curriculum.
  • You'll begin dissertation in practice work at the onset of your program. You'll select a compelling educational/organizational challenge and will be assigned a faculty advisor to support your research throughout the program.
  • All coursework is online—providing flexibility for working professionals. Your residencies will be fulfilled in person*, at one of our campuses in Boston, Charlotte, or Seattle.
  • You'll learn alongside faculty practitioners—engaging with respected leaders who contribute to the field as authors, journal editors, school board members, bloggers, and podcasters.

*In-person participation in the residency is also available for international students.

Concentrations

  • Higher Education Administration: The higher education administration concentration provides an opportunity for experienced higher education professionals to expand their previous understanding of practices within all sectors of postsecondary education—and also advance their professional practice by developing and deepening their understanding of the roles of colleges and universities in our society. Sectors examined include community colleges, four-year colleges, for-profit institutions, and research universities.
  • Innovative Teaching and Learning: The innovative teaching and learning concentration focuses on transforming education through innovation, justice, and policy, by providing engaging opportunities for current and aspiring teaching and learning specialists working in various education spaces. The concentration focuses on teaching and learning both inside and outside the bounds of P-20 schools and focuses on developing and leading innovative curricula as well as professional development.
  • Transformative School Leadership: The transformative school leadership concentration provides innovative opportunities for experienced education professionals who are current and aspiring leaders of early childhood centers, public or private schools, or school districts. The concentration prepares students to lead and transform educational spaces and be equipped to shape the needs of education in K-12, higher education, organizational contexts, and beyond.
  • Workplace Learning: The workplace learning concentration helps professionals gain a deeper understanding of, recognize, and influence real-life social inequalities faced by marginalized populations in the workplace. Courses allow students to advance their professional practice by developing and deepening their knowledge of workplace learning, organizational dynamics, learning strategy, and ethics.
  • Integrative Studies: The integrative studies concentration provides an opportunity for students to design a program of study that fits their own professional goals and includes the required foundation and research courses, concentration courses from any EdD concentration, and electives from the Doctor of Education or Doctor of Law and Policy programs.

Program Objectives

Northeastern's Doctor of Education program is designed for experienced professionals interested in deepening their understanding of education, organizational development, and leadership. Throughout the program, students examine various approaches to critical, practice-based issues, learn research methods, and conduct a doctoral research study that investigates a compelling educational or organizational challenge.

2022-2023 Doctor of Education Program of the Year

The Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate selected Northeastern's EdD program as the 2022-2023 Program of the Year, noting the “redesigned Dissertation in Practice Curriculum and the adoption of action research as its guiding methodology …” The committee praised “the program’s efforts to move beyond the typical five-chapter dissertation and engage scholarly practitioners in the acquisition of skills to realize meaningful change in their local contexts, emphasizing social justice.”

Testimonials

– sara ewell, phd, assistant dean, graduate school of education, – frawn morgan, current student, doctor of education, – aaron b., program graduate, looking for something different.

A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern—a top-ranked university—can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and hands-on professional experience in the area of your interest. Apply now—and take your career to the next level.

Program Costs

Finance Your Education We offer a variety of resources, including scholarships and assistantships.

How to Apply Learn more about the application process and requirements.

Requirements

  • Online application
  • Academic transcripts: Official undergraduate and graduate degree documentation
  • Describe the problem of practice
  • Explain why you want to investigate it
  • Provide a strong rationale for the significance of the problem
  • Minimum work experience: Three years in a related field
  • Professional resumé: Must summarize work and education history, include an outline of your educational/academic skills with examples such as research and teaching experience, affiliations, publications, certifications, presentations, and other professional skills.
  • Faculty recommendation: Must be from a faculty member in your previous graduate program who can attest to your readiness for doctoral work. If you are no longer acquainted with a faculty member, please choose a professional who can speak of your academic capabilities to engage in doctoral-level research and writing. Recommendations should be presented as a letter attached to the general recommendation form.
  • Two professional recommendations: Must be from individuals who have either academic or professional knowledge of your capabilities, a supervisor, mentor, or colleague. It is preferred that one letter of recommendation come from your current employer and/or supervisor. Recommendations should be presented as a letter attached to the general recommendation form.
  • Proof of English language proficiency: ONLY for students for whom English is not their primary language.

Are You an International Student? Find out what additional documents are required to apply.

Admissions Details Learn more about the College of Professional Studies admissions process, policies, and required materials.

Admissions Dates

Our admissions process operates on a rolling basis; however, we do recommend the application guidelines below to ensure you can begin during your desired start term:

Domestic Application Guidelines

International Application Guidelines *

*International deadlines are only applicable if the program is F1 compliant.

Industry-aligned courses for in-demand careers.

For 100+ years, we’ve designed our programs with one thing in mind—your success. Explore the current program requirements and course descriptions, all designed to meet today’s industry needs and must-have skills.

View curriculum

The core of the mission of the program is to allow educators to remain in the places they work, focus on a problem of practice, and through experiential learning and site-specific research opportunities in the program, make an immediate impact in their professional environments. The program explicitly integrates research and practice for professionals so they develop the requisite skills for conceiving, designing, conducting, and producing original site-based research in order to effect ethical change related to real-life problems of practice.

Our Faculty

Northeastern University faculty represents a broad cross-section of professional practices and fields, including finance, education, biomedical science, management, and the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors and collaborate alongside you to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.

Joseph McNabb, PhD

Joseph McNabb, PhD

Cherese Childers-McKee, PhD

Cherese Childers-McKee, PhD

By enrolling in Northeastern, you’ll gain access to students at 13 campus locations, 300,000+ alumni, and 3,000 employer partners worldwide. Our global university system provides students unique opportunities to think locally and act globally while serving as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.

Below is a look at where our Education & Learning alumni work, the positions they hold, and the skills they bring to their organization.

Where They Work

  • Boston Public Schools
  • Chicago Public Schools
  • NYC Department of Education
  • Lockheed Martin
  • Veterans Affairs
  • Johns Hopkins
  • Columbia University

What They Do

  • Media Consultant
  • College President
  • Chief Information Officer
  • Instructional Designer
  • Diversity Officer
  • Founder-CEO
  • VP of Student Services
  • Community Services Director

What They're Skilled At

  • Experiential Learning
  • Team Building
  • International Education
  • Change Agency
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Urban Education
  • Strategic Management
  • Student Engagement

Learn more about Northeastern Alumni on  Linkedin .

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Doctoral programs.

The goal of the GSE PhD in Education is to prepare the next generation of leading education researchers. The cornerstone of the doctoral experience at the Stanford Graduate School of Education is the research apprenticeship that all students undertake, typically under the guidance of their academic advisor, but often with other Stanford faculty as well.

In this apprenticeship model, doctoral students are provided with a multi-year funding package that consists of opportunities each quarter to serve as teaching and research assistants for faculty members' courses and research projects. By this means, and in combination with the courses that they take part of their program, students are prepared over an approximately five-year period to excel as university teachers and education researchers.

The doctoral degree in Education at the GSE includes doctoral program requirements as well as a specialization, as listed below, overseen by a faculty committee from one of the GSE's three academic areas.

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Doctoral programs by academic area

Curriculum studies and teacher education (cte).

  • ‌ Elementary Education
  • ‌ History/Social Science Education
  • ‌ Learning Sciences and Technology Design
  • ‌ Literacy, Language, and English Education
  • ‌ Mathematics Education
  • ‌ Science, Engineering and Technology Education
  • ‌ Race, Inequality, and Language in Education
  • ‌ Teacher Education

Developmental and Psychological Sciences (DAPS)

  • ‌ Developmental and Psychological Sciences

Social Sciences, Humanities, and Interdisciplinary Policy Studies in Education (SHIPS)

  • ‌ Anthropology of Education
  • ‌ Economics of Education
  • ‌ Education Data Science
  • ‌ ‌Educational Linguistics
  • ‌ Educational Policy
  • ‌ Higher Education
  • ‌ History of Education
  • ‌ International Comparative Education
  • ‌ Organizational Studies
  • ‌ Philosophy of Education
  • ‌ Sociology of Education

Cross-Area Specializations

Learning sciences and technology design (lstd).

LSTD allows doctoral students to study learning sciences and technology design within the context of their primary program of study (DAPS, CTE, or SHIPS).

Race, Inequality, and Language in Education (RILE)

RILE trains students to become national leaders in conducting research on how race, inequality, and language intersect to make both ineffective and effective educational opportunities. RILE allows students to specialize within their program of study (DAPS, CTE, or SHIPS).

Other academic opportunities

  • ‌ Concentration in Education and Jewish Studies
  • ‌ Quantitative Methods Certificate Program
  • ‌ PhD Minor in Education
  • ‌ Stanford Doctoral Training Program in Leadership for System-wide Inclusive Education (LSIE)
  • ‌ Certificate Program in Partnership Research in Education
  • ‌ Public Scholarship Collaborative

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“I came to Stanford to work with faculty who value learning in informal settings and who are working to understand and design for it.”

Doctoral graduates were employed within four months of graduation

of those employed worked in organizations or roles related to education

For more information about GSE admissions and to see upcoming events and appointments:

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Doctor of philosophy (ph.d.), you are here, a highly individualized doctoral program with nationally-recognized faculty researching the issues shaping higher education. .

Penn GSE's Higher Education Ph.D. program is pioneering research on the most pressing questions in higher education: college access and affordability; race, gender, and inclusion policies on campus; international education; and university governance. Our graduates are prepared to contribute to the field through positions in academia, government, or nonprofit institutions. 

What Sets Us Apart

About the program.

The Ph.D. in Higher Education prepares students for an academic career in the field of higher education. Through coursework and a research assistantship with their advisor, students develop the skills they need to conduct quality primary research in higher education.

Fall: 3-4 courses; Spring: 3-4 courses

Transfer courses accepted Up to 8 with faculty approval

Culminating experience Dissertation 

The Higher Education Ph.D. program is highly individualized, and students work closely with their academic advisor to draw from courses from the division and from other areas on campus that relate to their area of inquiry. Students develop the skills they need to conduct quality primary research in higher education, including understanding research design; program evaluation; and the analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data.

The Ph.D. program in Higher Education is highly individualized. At least 12 course units of graduate work must be taken at the University of Pennsylvania. The program requires students to complete two methods courses, and Ph.D. students develop a planned program of study in consultation with their academic advisor.

For more information on courses and requirements, visit the  Higher Education Ph.D. program in the University Catalog .

Our Faculty

Higher Education faculty are leading the conversation about how to expand college access, equity, and affordability. These experts are routinely sought by university presidents, foundation leaders, journalists, and policymakers seeking to understand the changing landscape of higher education.  Please contact our program for information on selecting a faculty advisor. 

Penn GSE Faculty Ross Aikins

Affiliated Faculty

Peter Garland Executive Vice Chancellor, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Ph.D., Penn State University

Anita Mastroieni Executive Director for Graduate Education and Initiatives Ed.D., University of Pennsylvania

Jason A. Presley Vice Dean, Finance and Administration, Penn GSE Ph.D., New York University

Frank Roth General Counsel & Secretary, Board of Trustees, Lehigh University

Sean Vereen President, Steppingstone Scholars, Inc. Ed.D., University of Pennsylvania

Demetri Morgan

"Everyone at Penn GSE is there for your success."

Demetri Morgan

Our graduates, alumni careers.

  • Assistant Professor, Loyola University of Chicago
  • Assistant Professor, Seattle University
  • Assistant Professor, The University of Michigan School of Education
  • Assistant Provost for Administration, Bryn Mawr College
  • Associate Dean, Harvard Graduate School of Education
  • Senior Program Officer, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
  • Senior Policy Advisor, United States Department of Education    

Admissions & Financial Aid

Please visit our Admissions and Financial Aid pages for specific information on the application requirements , as well as information on tuition, fees, financial aid, scholarships, and fellowships.

Contact us if you have any questions about the program.

Graduate School of Education University of Pennsylvania 3700 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 (215) 898-6415 [email protected] [email protected]

Ross Aikins Adjunct Associate Professor, Program Manager (215) 898-8398 [email protected]

Noel Lipki Program Assistant (215) 746-2923 [email protected]

Please view information from our Admissions and Financial Aid Office for specific information on the cost of this program.

All Ph.D. students are guaranteed a full scholarship for their first four years of study, as well as a stipend and student health insurance. Penn GSE is committed to making your graduate education affordable, and we offer generous scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships.

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The Institute for Research on Higher Education (IRHE) is a university-wide research institute that conducts research relevant to policymakers and educational practitioners.

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The Alliance for Higher Education and Democracy (Penn AHEAD) is dedicated to fostering open, equitable, and democratic societies through higher education.

You May Be Interested In

Related programs.

  • Education Policy Ph.D.
  • Executive Doctorate in Higher Education Management Ed.D.
  • Higher Education Ed.D.
  • Higher Education M.S.Ed.

Related Topics

Best Online Doctorate in Higher Education

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Contributing Writer

Learn about our editorial process .

Updated September 14, 2023

TheBestSchools.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Are you ready to discover your college program?

The demand for skilled educational administrators and researchers continues to rise in the U.S.

If you have a passion for keeping up with shifting demographics and meeting student and faculty needs, an online doctorate in higher education might be the right choice for you. This advanced degree builds leadership skills in a variety of roles such as student services, enrollment management, education administration, and academic support. Many higher education programs also prepare you for advanced academic research, which explores new strategies to meet changing educational needs.

An online Ph.D. in higher education is the highest degree attainable in the field. This level of specialization can also lead to increased job opportunities. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that careers for postsecondary education administrators will grow 10% through 2026, a rate faster than the national average.

Featured Online Doctorate in Higher Education Programs

The best online doctorate in higher education programs.

We use datasets from sources like the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools. TheBestSchools.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such. All data is current as of the date this article was published. Program-specific information may vary.

#1 Best Online Doctorate in Higher Education

Andrews University

  • Berrien Springs, MI
  • Online + Campus

The Ed.D. in higher education administration program at Andrews University enrolls online learners. With flexible enrollment options, the private school helps degree-seekers earn a doctorate. Doctoral students work closely with faculty mentors and career advisors.

In the online higher education administration program, learners take doctoral-level coursework. After meeting coursework requirements, doctoral candidates pass a comprehensive examination and conduct research for an original dissertation or project. Professionals with a higher education administration doctorate work in academia, research, and leadership roles.

At the accredited institution, doctoral students can use fellowships, scholarships, and other forms of financial aid to pay for their degree. Contact the program for more information about research support and financial aid.

Andrews University at a Glance:

Online Student Enrollment: 918

Online Master's Programs: 7

Online Doctoral Programs: 6

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 10-to-1

Graduate Tuition Rate: $27,216

#2 Best Online Doctorate in Higher Education

Colorado State University

  • Fort Collins, CO

The online higher education leadership program, offered by Colorado State University, ranks as a top program in the field. With its flexible format, the public university makes a doctorate more accessible. Doctoral students engage in advanced research and benefit from support services.

The online higher education leadership program requires doctoral coursework. After passing comprehensive examinations, doctoral candidates spend 1-2 years researching and writing their dissertation. With a higher education leadership doctorate, graduates work in academia, research positions, and leadership roles.

At the accredited institution, doctoral students qualify for several forms of financial aid. Reach out to the program to learn more about financial aid opportunities, admission requirements, and start dates.

Colorado State University at a Glance:

Online Student Enrollment: 8,786

Online Master's Programs: 19

Online Doctoral Programs: 2

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14-to-1

Graduate Tuition Rate: $10,520

#3 Best Online Doctorate in Higher Education

Gwynedd Mercy University

  • Gwynedd Valley, PA

Gwynedd Mercy University offers a top-ranked online executive Ed.D. in education program. At the private institution, degree-seekers take doctoral classes in a flexible format. Doctoral students benefit from support services like career advising.

During the online Ed.D. in education program, learners complete advanced coursework. Doctoral candidates pass comprehensive examinations and conduct research for their dissertation. Graduates with a doctorate in higher education work in academic, research, and industry positions.

Online doctoral students at the accredited institution qualify for several forms of financial aid. Contact the education program to learn more about the enrollment process and start dates.

Gwynedd Mercy University at a Glance:

Online Student Enrollment: 1,349

Online Master's Programs: 16

Online Doctoral Programs: 4

Graduate Tuition Rate: $13,749

#4 Best Online Doctorate in Higher Education

Maryville University

  • Saint Louis, MO

The doctorate in higher education leadership program at Maryville University appeals to doctoral students seeking an online route to their degree. At the private institution, degree-seekers take doctoral classes in a flexible format. Doctoral students receive library access, research support, and career services.

During the online higher education leadership program, learners complete advanced coursework. After meeting coursework requirements, doctoral candidates conduct research and defend an original dissertation that contributes to the field. With a doctorate in higher education leadership, graduates pursue academic, research, and industry roles.

At the accredited institution, online doctoral students qualify for scholarships, federal loans, and other forms of financial aid. Contact the education program to learn more about financial aid, enrollment options, and start dates.

Maryville University at a Glance:

Online Student Enrollment: 7,651

Online Master's Programs: 15

Online Doctoral Programs: 5

Graduate Tuition Rate: $14,346

#5 Best Online Doctorate in Higher Education

Missouri Baptist University

The Ed.D. in higher education leadership program at Missouri Baptist University appeals to learners seeking an online doctorate. With flexible enrollment options, the private school helps degree-seekers earn a doctorate. Doctoral students strengthen their research skills and present in academic conferences.

In the online higher education leadership program, learners complete doctoral coursework and strengthen advanced skills. Doctoral candidates move through the program by passing exams and researching a dissertation project. Graduates with a doctorate in higher education leadership work in academic, research, and industry positions.

Online doctoral students at the accredited institution qualify for several forms of financial aid. Reach out to the program to learn more about transfer credit policies, research support, and admission requirements.

Missouri Baptist University at a Glance:

Online Student Enrollment: 1,826

Online Master's Programs: 10

Online Doctoral Programs: 1

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 19-to-1

Graduate Tuition Rate: $10,197

#6 Best Online Doctorate in Higher Education

Regent University

  • Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University offers an online Ed.D. in higher education leadership and management program for doctoral students. At the private university, degree-seekers participate in virtual classroom activities to earn a doctorate. Doctoral students can access career advising and gain research skills.

The online higher education leadership program incorporates doctoral coursework. The program also requires passing scores on a comprehensive examination and the successful defense of an original dissertation project. With a doctorate in higher education leadership, graduates pursue academic, research, and industry roles.

At the accredited institution, online doctoral students qualify for scholarships, federal loans, and other forms of financial aid. Reach out to the higher education leadership program to learn more about admission requirements.

Regent University at a Glance:

Online Student Enrollment: 9,507

Online Master's Programs: 37

Online Doctoral Programs: 12

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 29-to-1

Graduate Tuition Rate: $15,552

#7 Best Online Doctorate in Higher Education

Saint Peter's University

  • Jersey City, NJ

The Ed.D. in higher education program at Saint Peter's University offers an online option for doctoral students. The private university helps degree-seekers complete a doctorate in a flexible format. Doctoral students receive research support, library access, and career advising.

In the online higher education program, learners take advanced doctoral coursework. After meeting coursework requirements, doctoral candidates pass a comprehensive examination and conduct research for an original dissertation or project. A higher education doctorate leads to job opportunities in research, academia, and leadership.

Doctoral students who attend the accredited institution in an online format qualify for several types of financial aid. Contact the education program for more information about research support and financial aid.

Saint Peter's University at a Glance:

Online Student Enrollment: 1,145

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 12-to-1

Graduate Tuition Rate: $21,186

#8 Best Online Doctorate in Higher Education

University of Florida

  • Gainesville, FL

The higher education Ed.D. program at the University of Florida offers a doctorate in a hybrid learning format. The public university provides flexible enrollment options to meet the needs of diverse degree-seekers. Doctoral students receive research support and participate in scholarly events.

In the online higher education program, learners complete doctoral coursework and strengthen advanced skills. After meeting coursework requirements, doctoral candidates pass a comprehensive examination and conduct research for an original dissertation or project. With a doctorate in higher education, professionals work in academia, research, and leadership roles.

Online doctoral students can pay for their degree with scholarships, fellowships, and other forms of financial aid. Reach out to the program to learn more about transfer credit policies, research support, and admission requirements.

University of Florida at a Glance:

Online Student Enrollment: 24,310

Online Master's Programs: 42

Online Doctoral Programs: 7

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 17-to-1

Graduate Tuition Rate: $10,770

#9 Best Online Doctorate in Higher Education

University of Memphis

  • Memphis, TN

The Ed.D in higher and adult education program at the University of Memphis appeals to doctoral students seeking an online route to their degree. With its flexible format, the public university makes a doctorate more accessible. Doctoral students strengthen their research skills and present in academic conferences.

The online higher education program requires doctoral coursework. After passing comprehensive examinations, doctoral candidates complete a dissertation that contributes original research to the field. As the terminal degree in higher education, the Ed.D. often leads to career opportunities in academia, research, and industry.

The accredited institution meets federal requirements for financial aid support. Prospective applicants can contact the higher education program to learn more about research support, financial aid opportunities, and admission requirements.

University of Memphis at a Glance:

Online Student Enrollment: 9,456

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15-to-1

Graduate Tuition Rate: $9,216

#10 Best Online Doctorate in Higher Education

University of Mississippi

  • University, MS

The University of Mississippi offers an online Ed.D. in higher education program for doctoral students. With its flexible format, the public university helps degree-seekers complete a doctorate. Doctoral students receive research support and participate in scholarly events.

During the online higher education program, learners complete advanced coursework. The program also requires passing scores on a comprehensive examination and the successful defense of an original dissertation project. Graduates with a higher education doctorate pursue roles in research, academia, and leadership.

The accredited institution meets federal requirements for financial aid support. Prospective applicants can contact the higher education program to learn more about the enrollment process and start dates.

University of Mississippi at a Glance:

Online Student Enrollment: 8,245

Online Master's Programs: 9

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 16-to-1

Graduate Tuition Rate: $8,718

Best Online Programs

Online Doctorate in Higher Education Programs Ranking Guidelines

We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.

Our Methodology

Here at TheBestSchools.org, we take the trust and welfare of our readers very seriously. When making our school and program rankings, our top priority is ensuring that our readers get accurate, unbiased information that can help them make informed decisions about online education. That's why we've developed a rigorous ranking methodology that keeps the needs of our readers front and center.

Our proprietary, multi-criteria ranking algorithm analyzes key data indicators — as collected by the federal government — for each school or program. What data we use depends on the focus of each specific ranking, but in all cases, our ranking methodology is impartial: Schools  cannot buy better rankings  at TBS.

While specific criteria under consideration can vary by ranking, there are a few data points that we value most highly. They are affordability, academic quality, and online enrollment. Below, we break down our algorithm to help you understand what you're getting when you use one of our rankings.

  • Affordability
  • Online Enrollment

Data Sources

The data used in TBS rankings comes primarily from the federal government, and much of it is provided by the schools themselves. We aggregate and analyze this data to build our rankings.

The  Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System  (IPEDS) is our primary source. Its data comes from annual surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Education's  National Center for Education Statistics  (NCES). Every college, university, or technical school with access to federal financial aid must participate in these surveys, which include questions about enrollment, graduation rates, finances, and faculty qualifications. This is publicly available data, which you can access yourself through the  College Navigator .

Additionally, because we value a personal touch and the professional experience of our staff and Academic Advisory Board, we vet all results and adjust rankings as necessary based on our collected knowledge of schools and degree programs. Depending on the ranking, we may obtain additional input from  AcademicInfluence.com , subject matter experts, prior TBS ranking lists, or other sources we deem relevant to a particular ranking.

Breakdown of Our Rankings Methodology

About our ranking factors.

Here at TBS, we value what you value: quality education, affordability, and the accessibility of online education. These factors guide all of our program rankings.

Each of these factors are further broken down into weighted subfactors. For example, retention rates are weighted more heavily than availability of program options because they are a better indicator of student success.

We chose the following factors for our rankings because of their influence on learning experiences and graduate outcomes. However, students should always balance our rankings against their personal priorities. For instance, a learner who needs a fully online program may prioritize online flexibility more than our rankings do. Our rankings are designed to help you make a decision — not to make a decision for you.

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Academics - 75%

Affordability - 15%, online enrollment - 10%.

In all our school rankings and recommendations, we work for objectivity and balance. We carefully research and compile each ranking list, and as stated in our advertising disclosure, we do NOT permit financial incentives to influence rankings. Our articles never promote or disregard a school for financial gain.

If you have questions about our ranking methodology, please feel free to connect with our staff through  contact page .

We thank you for your readership and trust.

What Else Can I Expect from an Online Doctorate in Higher Education Program?

Coursework can vary significantly between online doctoral programs in higher education, with some focused on practical skills for educational administration and others on academic skills for research. In general, however, this degree offers a comprehensive perspective on the major practices in higher education and the strategies used for gauging their effectiveness.

Curriculum for an Online Doctorate in Higher Education

  • Foundations of Education Research: Part of most programs, this course introduces the major principles of education research, exploring the theoretical, practical, philosophical, and ethical dimensions of performing research. Given its broad nature, this course pertains to all types of higher education careers.
  • Higher Education Law: Exploring the application of legal theories and practices to higher education, this course is mandatory for candidates in administrative positions. Higher education law typically covers topics that include nondiscrimination in employment, privacy and openness, contractual obligations, tenure, academic freedom, and program discontinuance.
  • Adult Learners: Designed to address changing age demographics in higher education populations, this course focuses on the major theories and perspectives associated with adult learning. A common requirement for higher education administrators, the course also presents strategies for meeting the unique needs of these students.
  • Enrollment Management and Marketing: Addressing issues of strategic enrollment, this course aids candidates in college enrollment departments. Students explore fundamental topics such as branding, forecasting, differentiation, and alumni relations. Increasingly, enrollment and marketing management also involve social media and other digital public relations tools.
  • Higher Education Practicum: Regardless of focus or career goals, most candidates earning their Ph.D. in higher education online must complete a professional practicum, typically at their place of employment or another professional higher education setting. The practicum offers the chance for hands-on learning, allowing students to draw connections between coursework and their own professional practice.

How Long Does It Take to Get an Online Doctorate in Higher Education?

Earning a doctorate in higher education online requires commitment, and one factor in your choice of program may be its total completion time. In general, most programs require 50-60 credit hours, taking anywhere from 3-5 years to complete, but this can vary based on factors such as residency components. Most Ph.D. higher education online programs also require you to possess a master's degree in a related field.

Some doctoral degrees use an accelerated format that features a more intensive course schedule but allows you to complete your education faster. These programs often include residency sessions that require you to spend a certain amount of time on campus for concentrated classroom learning. Some degrees may also use an independent, self-paced format that allows you to complete work on your own schedule, while others use a cohort format where you complete a set sequence of courses with the same group of students.

Accreditation for Online Doctorate in Higher Education Degrees

When researching online programs, determine the school's accreditation status, which indicates academic reputability and quality. Accreditation indicates that a school received a positive assessment of their academic programs from a licensed accreditation agency, designating the institution's ability to adequately serve students.

Colleges and universities in the U.S. receive either regional or national accreditation. Typically, professional and vocational programs hold national recognition, while academic programs receive regional accreditation. Any reputable online doctorate in higher education will hold regional accreditation. When examining doctoral programs, look for an accreditation status from agencies like the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA), or the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

While the U.S. Department of Education (ED) oversees both primary and secondary education in the U.S., it does not provide accreditation to postsecondary institutions, such as colleges and universities. Instead, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) oversees these institutions, counting over 3,000 schools and around 60 accreditation organizations among its members. The ED also conducts reviews of all accrediting agencies, ensuring that they meet certain government standards. Together, these two organizations maintain standards for higher education in the U.S. CHEA aims to eliminate degree mills -- fraudulent education providers that offer counterfeit academic programs for profit. Both CHEA and the ED maintain listings of accredited schools and accrediting organizations, which can be useful when determining the reputability of a school or online program.

Employment Outlook for Doctorate in Higher Education Graduates

Doctorate in higher education careers, postsecondary education administrator.

While many career paths exist for those with a doctorate level education, most graduates choose to pursue a career in administration or academics. In administration , common positions include enrollment management, student services, and -- at the highest level -- academic dean or provost. The academic path emphasizes teaching and research almost exclusively. However, academics occasionally move into higher-level administrative positions later on in their careers. Regardless of specialization, most careers in higher education require strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.

Postsecondary Teacher

College and university professors instruct students beyond the high school level while simultaneously performing advanced research and publishing their findings. Higher education specialists focus their research on improving education practices. Academics may also participate in administrative functions, particularly in their area of expertise.

Instructional Coordinator

Instructional coordinators supervise, assess, and develop curricula and practices. They typically work alongside colleges and universities to examine the effectiveness of instruction and offer ideas for improvement. Coordinators may also work with state or national education agencies to determine large-scale strategies.

School and Career Counselor

These specialists work with students to develop the skills needed for social and academic success in both school and life. Counselors may connect students to additional campus resources, such as mental health services. Career counselors, however, may connect students to job opportunities and internships.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Doctorate in Higher Education Salary

Several factors can influence salary prospects for postsecondary education administrators, including education level, professional experience, place of employment, and location. Most of the top-paying states for education administrators are found in the eastern U.S., including New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. California and Hawaii also boast higher salaries for education administrators. The following chart from the BLS compiles salary information for administrators. Higher education administrators in these states can expect to earn annual mean salaries well over $100,000, demonstrating the advantages of earning an advanced degree.

Higher Education Professional Organizations

Given the constantly changing nature of higher education, professionals in the field depend on trade organizations to share knowledge and improve their practices. Professional higher education groups offer their members an assortment of benefits, including conferences, academic journals, professional development opportunities, job connections, and a host of other networking opportunities. Many of these groups also offer opportunities for students that includes mentorships, research opportunities, and internships.

Paying for Your Online Doctorate in Higher Education

Depending on your income, professional background, and your program, you may have several options for funding your online Ph.D. in higher education. Education students can often take advantage of special opportunities unavailable to those in other fields, including tuition reimbursement specifically for educators. Depending on where you work (particularly if you're already employed in higher education administration), your employer may pay for some or all of your degree for the purposes of professional development.

Plenty of options exist to help supplement the full cost of your tuition. Prospective students should begin by filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), as it offers you access to grants, scholarships, low-interest loans, and other funding measures. Completing the FAFSA may unlock grant opportunities that require you to do nothing other than claim your funding. Even without grants, educators have access to a wide variety of scholarships that can help with tuition.

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Education (Online), EdD

School of education.

To address the dramatically changing landscape of education in the 21st century, which includes new research on the science of learning, advances in technology, and the emergence of a for-profit education sector, the Johns Hopkins School of Education offers an innovative online Doctor of Education degree program. This EdD program is designed to prepare an exceptional corps of educational practitioner-scholars, both nationally and internationally, who can set a high standard for transformational leadership in education, apply evidence-based practices to improve educational outcomes, and meet the vast challenges associated with improving learning outcomes in both public and private educational environments.

For more information about the EdD program, please visit  https://education.jhu.edu/academics/edd/ . If you have any questions about the EdD program, please contact  [email protected] .

Admission Requirements

At minimum, applicants to the EdD program should hold a master’s degree from an accredited college or university. Previous degrees must document high academic achievement (a minimum GPA of 3.0) in an area of study closely associated with the objectives of the program. If the earned degree or credit is from an educational institution abroad, the candidate’s academic record must be evaluated by a credential evaluation agency before consideration for admission. Applicants must submit the online admission application form, application fee, official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, a curriculum vitae (résumé), online interview, and two letters of recommendation signed by each recommender. These letters should include the following:

  • A professor with whom the applicant worked in their master's program who can speak to the applicant's competency to conduct rigorous scholarly work, and
  • A colleague/supervisor from the applicant’s professional context/industry who can attest to the applicant's qualifications to pursue a doctorate, the applicant's impact on the recommender’s  professional practice, and knowledge of and support for the applicant's proposed area of research/Problem of Practice.

Additionally, applicants will submit a personal statement including responses to the following:

  • Describe a significant Problem of Practice relevant to your current context/industry of professional practice.
  • Indicate the importance of this problem within the applicant’s industry and/or their specific context of professional practice.
  • Discuss the potential underlying causes for or contributing factors related to this Problem of Practice.
  • Discuss the ways in which this problem aligns with at least one or two areas of interest.

All applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be asked to submit video and written responses to question prompts.

International students must fulfill the general requirements for admission and complete additional requirements—see  https://education.jhu.edu/admission-financial-aid/admissions/international-applicants/ .

Note: This program is not eligible for student visa sponsorship .

Students who enter the program will be required to successfully complete a series of pre-orientation modules prior to enrollment in the program. All students are expected to show competence in the content areas of these modules.

Please note that for the online EdD program, an offer of admission is for the specific cohort to which an application is submitted. Students may accept or decline the admission offer only; deferring to a future cohort is not an option.

Program Requirements

Program structure and requirements.

Program requirements include a minimum of 90 graduate credits. Students must enter the program with a master’s degree with a minimum of 36 graduate-level credits, which will be transferred into the EdD program. If a student does not have the required 36 master’s credits, the student will be admitted on a conditional basis and must complete the additional graduate-level credits at an accredited college or university. Students with post-master’s graduate credit in related education content completed prior to admission to the EdD program may petition to transfer in an additional six credits of equivalent coursework with appropriate documentation and with the approval of the EdD program director. Thus, students must complete between 48 and 54 credits at the doctoral level at JHU. The program includes the following required coursework components (subject to change):

  • Foundations of Education (15 credit hours)
  • Applied Research & Evaluation (12 credit hours)
  • Areas of Interest / Electives (15 elective credit hours)
  • Doctoral Dossier Research (12 credit hours)*

In addition to successfully completing all the coursework requirements, candidates must also satisfy written assessments and an oral comprehensive examination that document attainment of competencies. They must also complete either an Applied Dissertation or a Dossier Style Dissertation research project, depending upon the year the candidate was admitted to the program as per the following table:

Students who extend their program of study may be required to enroll in additional independent study credits.

With permission, students admitted between Fall 2013 and Fall 2020 may opt into the Dossier Style Dissertation if they choose not to do an intervention.

Problems of Practice and Doctoral Dossier

Students examine a Problem of Practice (POP)—an area of concern they have observed within their professional context—that becomes the focus of the student's Doctoral Dossier, which consists of three main projects described below.

As part of our commitment to social justice, the EdD program does not privilege one form of communication over another. Thus, all components of the Doctoral Dossier can be communicated in a modality of the student’s choosing: video, oral, scholarly writing, or public-facing writing. The Doctoral Dossier is embedded within the EdD program coursework, providing students the unique opportunity to examine an issue important to their field.

To begin their Doctoral Dossier process, students will spend their first year working on a Scholarship of Integration project (Project 1) that focuses on exploration and identification of underlying causes of and factors associated with their chosen POP. Using systems thinking, which includes perspective-taking, and the research literature, students will document their exploration in an introductory narrative that provides the rationale and supporting evidence for their decision to further pursue their research topic throughout their doctoral journey.

During the second year, following completion of the Scholarship of Integration project, students will choose one of the following two options for Project 2:

1. Scholarship of Application: Demonstrate the application of the research to practice. The purpose of this project is to a) consider how the research perpetuates and/or disrupts oppression, b) critique relevant systems, structures, and institutions, and c) determine avenues to effectively disseminate evidence to a wider audience and stakeholder group.

Example projects include: historical analysis of a topic, curriculum creation, community organization, autoethnography, instructional pedagogy, and others.   

2. Scholarship of Teaching: Development and improvement of pedagogical practices. Students examine teaching processes and assessments improve practice.

Example projects include : autoethnography of one’s teaching, innovative teaching materials, curricula, development of new courses, or development of a new pedagogical framework.   

During the third year, following completion of Project 2, students will choose one of the following:

  • The scholarship option NOT chosen for Project 2, or
  • Scholarship of Discovery: Search for new knowledge. Students conduct evidence-based research that leads to knowledge creation.    

Example projects include: written, oral, or other modalities of research, scholarly publications, empirical study, working paper, or book chapters.                

During the fourth year, students will complete Project 3, write an Executive Summary that ties their three projects together, and write a final reflection of their doctoral journey. The Doctoral Dossier will be presented and assessed during the fourth year.

Students are expected to complete four years of coursework and independent research concurrently. This program is cohort-based, thus if students require a leave of absence for any reason, they will return in the appropriate course sequence with the next cohort the following year.

Problems of Practice and Dossier Style Dissertation (for students admitted Fall 2021 and Fall 2022*)

Students examine a Problem of Practice (POP), which is an area of concern that they have observed within their professional context. This POP becomes the focus of the student's Dossier Style Dissertation. The Dossier Style Dissertation is embedded within the EdD program coursework, which provides students with a unique opportunity to examine an issue important to the organization in which they are employed.

During the first year in the program, students synthesize research literature to understand factors relevant to the POP from a broader systems perspective. During the second year of the program, students conduct an empirical project to investigate their POP within their professional context. Students are expected to collect and analyze data to further understand and refine their identified problem. Based on the evidence in the literature review and empirical project, students will engage in a final project that may further explore an aspect of their POP or articulate a potential solution.

Students will demonstrate mastery of first- and second-year competencies through written and oral comprehensive assessments, which will serve as indicators of readiness for conducting their applied research. Students will then evaluate the effectiveness of this solution as their Applied Project (Year 3). Characteristics of the Dossier Style Dissertation that make it unique to this program include:

  • Written assignments within courses that focus on the student's POP.
  • Coursework that leads students to consider applications that hold the potential for significant change or impact within their organization and/or have implications for policy.
  • Dossier Style Dissertation components that are embedded within coursework and distributed across the three years of the program.

Although somewhat different from a traditional dissertation in its completion and focus, students are nevertheless expected to demonstrate mastery of the relevant literature, to obtain extant and/or collect additional data, and to interpret the results in light of previous studies. The Dossier Style Dissertation will be presented at a final oral defense before a Dossier Style Dissertation Panel.

Typically, we expect that students would complete three years of coursework and independent research concurrently. It is possible that some students may need more than three years to complete their research, in which case they will be required to enroll in at least one credit hour per semester after completion of the required 90 credit hours.

*Students admitted Fall 2021 can choose to complete either the Dossier Style Dissertation or the Applied Dissertation described below. Fall 2022 students may only complete the Dossier Style Dissertation.

Problems of Practice and Applied Dissertation (for students admitted Fall 2013-2021*)

Students examine a Problem of Practice (POP), which is an area of concern that they have observed within their professional context. This POP becomes the focus of the student's Applied Dissertation research. The Applied Dissertation is embedded within the EdD program coursework, which provides students with a unique opportunity to examine an issue important to the organization in which they are employed.

During the first year in the program, students examine their articulated POP to identify underlying causes and associated factors. During the second year of the program, students develop a potential solution, such as an intervention or policy change, and a plan to study the implementation of this intervention as well as proximal outcomes. Students will demonstrate mastery of first- and second-year competencies through written and oral comprehensive assessments, which will serve as indicators of readiness for conducting their applied research. Students will then evaluate the effectiveness of this solution as their Applied Dissertation (Year 3). Characteristics of the Applied Dissertation that make it unique to this program include:

  • Coursework that leads students to consider solutions that hold the potential for significant change or impact within their organization and/or have implications for policy.
  • Dissertation components that are embedded within coursework and distributed across the three years of the program.

Although somewhat different from a traditional dissertation in its completion and focus, students are nevertheless expected to demonstrate mastery of the relevant literature, to obtain extant and/or collect additional data, and to interpret the results in light of previous studies. The dissertation will be presented at a final oral defense before the student’s Dissertation Advisory Committee.

Typically, students will complete three years of coursework and independent research concurrently. It is possible that some students may need more than three years to complete their research, in which case they will be required to enroll in at least one credit hour per semester after completion of the required 90 credit hours.

*Students admitted Fall 2013-2020 must complete the Applied Dissertation. Students admitted Fall 2021 can choose to complete either the Dossier Style Dissertation or the Applied Dissertation. Fall 2022 students may only complete the Dossier Style Dissertation.

Learning Outcomes

Program goals.

Upon successful completion of the EdD, we expect that graduates will:

  • Participate as a self-reflexive, social justice-oriented learner within diverse educational or learning communities.
  • Analyze and critique educational practice and research from a social justice and systems perspective.
  • Apply relevant methodologies to address critical challenges in education.
  • Demonstrate a curiosity for, and a systematic approach to, at least one major topic of study within education resulting in an emerging expertise.
  • Integrate research and practice-based knowledge to develop research-informed decisions and opinions about educational experiences, processes, policies, and institutions.
  • Communicate effectively to diverse audiences about educational research, experiences, processes, policies, and institutions.

Doctor of Education Higher Education

Complete in 26-38 months 100% online.

Next Start Date: August 2024

Fairleigh Dickinson University is ranked #14 in Best Value Schools in the north by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges 2024 .

Meet the needs of diverse students and address ongoing systemic issues with the online Ed.D. Higher Education program from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Delivered in an interactive online learning platform, the Ed.D. program is designed to create professionals who are effective leaders of higher education. As a doctoral student, you will gain the skills necessary for diverse administrative leadership careers in college and university settings as you explore the utilization of data analytics to solve problems within higher education. In addition, the Ed.D. in Higher Education online program will also help you build a strong understanding of sustainable global practices and learn to apply them to support your local community, institution and the needs of your students.

OUR ONLINE ED.D. HIGHER EDUCATION HELPS YOU DEVELOP CAREER-ENHANCING COMPETENCIES IN AREAS SUCH AS:

  • Applying data analytics
  • Globally minded solutions to systemic issues within education
  • Strategizing partnerships between employers and educators
  • Enrollment and retention
  • Educational innovation
  • Creating an inclusive culture for an institution

The Ed.D. Higher Education online program can be completed entirely online in 26-38 months. Requirements include a dissertation and the completion of 45 credits through a variety of courses that cover essential higher education topics, including academic innovation, effective retention methods, data analysis, field internships and more. Courses are taught in 8-week sessions by educators with recognized expertise in inclusive higher education, data analytics, and program assessment, as well as years of field experience. There will also be opportunities for summer residencies, which include symposia, workshops and interdisciplinary projects.

Created with working individuals in mind, the Ed.D. Higher Education online program is delivered through Fairleigh Dickinson University’s online classroom with flexible schedule options to help you balance the next step in your education with your full-time professional and personal responsibilities. Study online when it’s convenient and wherever your busy schedule takes you.

Not eligible for this program yet? Accelerate your path to the Doctorate:

If you complete the Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration program, you will receive Advanced Standing into the Ed.D in Higher Education program. Six (6) credits will automatically be applied towards the 45-credit hour Doctorate upon admission. If you take an Ed.D. course within the Master of Higher Education Administration program, it will count for both programs, and you can transfer an additional 3 credits for a total of 9 transfer credits into the Ed.D. in Higher Education program.

Click here to read more about the Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration and the accelerated path to the Ed.D. in Higher Education.

Courses and Requirements

The Ed.D. Higher Education online program combines data analytics with social justice to prepare students for diverse roles in college and university settings. While navigating a curriculum founded on innovative academic solutions, students will become proficient in effective and current administrative practices, database management, statistical analysis and more.

  • EDUC 8650 Organization and Administration in Higher Education
  • EDUC 8651 History of Higher Education
  • EDUC 8652 Database Management and Reporting in Higher Education
  • EDUC 8653 Sustainable Development and Higher Education
  • EDUC 8654 Innovation and Technology in Higher Education
  • EDUC 8655 Building an Inclusive University Culture
  • EDUC 8656 Enrollment Management
  • EDUC 8657 Community Development and Workforce Skills in Higher Education
  • EDUC 8658 Higher Education Policy
  • EDUC 8659 Data Analytics and Visualization in Higher Education
  • EDUC 8660 Field-based Internship I
  • EDUC 8661 Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education
  • EDUC 8662 Quantitative and Statistical Analysis
  • EDUC 8663 Research Methods and Design
  • EDUC 8664 Dissertation Seminar
  • EDUC 8665 Continuous Matriculation

Admission Requirements

All applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and have completed a master’s program from an accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA. A complete application includes:

  • Graduate application form
  • Experience in higher education or related field and career goals after earning the Ed. D. degree
  • The doctoral dissertation research topic or research question the student plans to pursue, including a problem of practice*
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • A resume that states the student’s educational background, work experience and professional goals
  • Official graduate and undergraduate transcripts
  • An interview with the Program Director
  • Previous work experience in higher education is preferred

*A problem of practice is a persistent, contextualized, and specific issue embedded in the work of a professional practitioner, the addressing of which has the potential to result in improved understanding, experience, and outcomes (CPED, 2023).

Request Information Apply Now

Program Faculty and Staff

Joel B. Adams, Ed.D., Program Coordinator [email protected] (201) 692-2079

Joshua Bornstein, Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Interim Director of Higher Education Program [email protected] (201) 357-0381

Dr. Amy Cardace, Assistant Professor of Higher Education [email protected]

Dr. Frederick Engram, Jr., Assistant Professor of Higher Education [email protected]

Dr. Catherine Manly, Assistant Professor of Higher Education [email protected]

Dr. Ashley Robinson, Assistant Professor of Higher Education [email protected]

Financial Aid

FDU strives to ensure all students can afford their education. Through a combination of scholarships, grants, loans and more, we offered more than $70 million in university-funded aid in 2017.

Transfer Credit

FDU allows you to apply academic credits from other institutions towards your degree.

Military Students

FDU is a proud participant in the Yellow Ribbon program and is listed as a Best College for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report.

Personalized Learning

Through its small intimate classes and superb faculty, FDU offers students a hands-on approach to learning that caters to individual needs.

A Global Community

Our multi-disciplinary programs reach and connect students across the world.

Academic Excellence

Through our commitment to providing rigorous programs, students at FDU are poised to become the next generation of leaders.

Benefits of Learning Online

Pursuing an online degree means the chance to further your career.

Career Outcomes

Career and salary information via Payscale.com

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Ph.D. in Higher Education

Higher education and student affairs.

Prepare for a career as a college and university administrator, institutional researcher, policy analyst, and faculty member.

Coursework emphasizes research and theory including in-depth exploration of an academic discipline which is typically selected outside the School of Education.

The program has relatively few required courses, allowing you more freedom to specialize in areas of interest. There is also a strong set of inquiry (methodology) courses required. A strong background in inquiry is essential for careers in institutional research, policy analysis, or as faculty.

Doctoral dissertations are required to have a strong theoretical orientation. Ph.D. students conduct dissertation research in a wide variety of topical areas, but many of them select research aligned with the strengths of the faculty. These areas of strength include:

  • College choice
  • Economics and finance of postsecondary education
  • Student development
  • Student engagement
  • Teaching and learning

Students should anticipate spending an average of 4-6 years in the Ph.D. program to complete the coursework requirements and dissertation.

This is an in-person degree program, meaning students are required to attend the majority of their courses in person. While some portions of the program may utilize online, hybrid, and other technological modes, the majority of the HESA experience will take place in Bloomington, and attending community events will be an integral part of your being a contributing member of the HESA community.

Application Deadlines

Admission requirements.

The Graduate Studies Office will accept unofficial transcripts and self-reported test scores for admission reviews. Any admission made with these documents would be conditioned on receipt of official documents, which should be provided as soon as possible.

Note: If you are currently enrolled or have applied in the past year, you are eligible for a reduced application fee of $35. Learn more »

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • Minimum graduate GPA of 3.50 out of 4.00
  • Personal statement
  • Resume (required from international students only)
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL score or minimum 6.5 IELTS score (international students only)
  • Writing sample

Learn more about how to apply

Program Requirements

  • Ph.D. in Higher Education Program Requirements

Per credit hour

*Does not include fees, which will vary depending on the number of credits enrolled. Find more information and calculate your expected costs at Student Central .

  • Learn about the variety of fellowships and assistantships available to graduate students.
  • Visit Student Central for information about financial assistance.
  • Consult your employer about the availability of tuition reimbursement or tuition assistance programs.
  • Active duty military, veterans, and military families should visit the Center for Veteran and Military Students to take full advantage of available financial assistance and educational benefits.

Your program of study is planned with the help of an Advisory Committee composed of two faculty members from the higher education major including your faculty advisor, and one faculty member representing the minor field. A meeting with the Advisory Committee is required to approve the program of study.

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Find valuable information about our program, including video introductions from our faculty, a virtual tour of the IU campus, and ways to connect with faculty as a prospective student.

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Danielle DeSawal

Clinical professor.

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Associate professor and program coordinator.

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Lucy LePeau

Associate professor; director, center for post secondary research.

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Thomas Nelson Laird

Associate dean for graduate studies.

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Megan Palmer

Associate professor.

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Oscar E. Patrón

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Maurice Shirley

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Vasti Torres

Interim vice provost for undergraduate education.

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Andrea Walton

hesa@indiana.edu

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Home / Online Doctorate Degree Programs / Online Doctor of Education (EdD) — Higher Education Leadership

Online Doctor of Education (EdD) — Higher Education Leadership Program Online Doctor of Education (EdD) — Higher Education Leadership Program Online Doctor of Education (EdD) — Higher Education Leadership Program

Take your next brave step.

Receive information about the benefits of our online programs, the courses you'll take, and what you need to apply.

Great leaders don’t accept the status quo. They accept a challenge.

How do you improve delivery and efficacy in higher learning? How can you better prepare students for the workforce? How can you adapt educational settings to emerging technology and modern faculty-administration dynamics? Answering today’s big questions in higher education takes reflective, future-focused leadership. Maryville University’s online Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership program can provide you with the leadership abilities and perspective to meet the challenges of today — and tomorrow .

Explore higher education-focused leadership theory and develop the expertise to apply it in real-world situations. Build a contemporary understanding of administrative relationships and the student experience. Gain actionable insight into higher-ed governance, policy and financing to help you effect institutional change. Pursue your online Doctor of Education at Maryville and learn to impact higher education on a sweeping scale in ways that matter most.

View our program guide for more information.

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Receive information about the benefits of our programs, the courses you'll take, and what you need to apply.

doctoral programs higher education

Access coursework  100% online  with no campus visits required.

doctoral programs higher education

Attend residency  on campus or virtually .

doctoral programs higher education

Complete your  courses and dissertation simultaneously .

doctoral programs higher education

Receive  personal mentorship  from scholar-practitioner faculty.

doctoral programs higher education

Benefit from the added support of our  cohort learning model .

doctoral programs higher education

Graduate in as few as  32 months .

Why choose Maryville for your online EdD program?

Our online EdD program offers unique benefits.

Our dissertation is different

Most doctoral programs conclude with a dissertation, but we believe your dissertation should be more than just a paper. It should inform your research, drive your leadership focus and keep your writing and thinking sharp throughout the doctoral program. Our approach allows you to apply valuable knowledge as you learn it.

Our focus is different

The online EdD program is more than a doctorate in education — it’s an innovative program that will provide you with a doctorate in higher education leadership You’ll focus squarely on impacting higher education at the institutional level, helping institutions grow in the face of a fluctuating economy, changing technology, increased competition and an influx of degrees in the job market.

We’re cohort based

This means you benefit from smaller class sizes, collaboration and individual attention and mentorship from faculty members. You also get to continue coursework with the same cohort so you can develop your skills together.

We provide greater support

As you work on your assignments and dissertation, you’ll have complete access to the Maryville library and librarians. Additionally, your courses will include integrated writing tools, such as pre-submission proofreading with detailed feedback.

What can you do with an online Doctor of Education?

Our online Doctor of Education program is a leadership-focused degree that promotes strategic high-level decision making. Our online EdD graduates can teach, but the degree is most applicable outside of the classroom. Positions at the top levels of higher education can empower you to have a greater influence. They can also be financially rewarding. Earning your online doctorate in education is a great way to advance your career and increase your earning potential while shaping the future of higher education.

Career opportunities with an EdD in Higher Education Leadership

Professionals with a  Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership  possess the skills and knowledge to identify problems and opportunities in higher education and make improvements in the field.

Completing your online EdD in Higher Education Leadership at Maryville can qualify you for leadership roles such as:

  • Academic dean
  • Admissions director
  • Chief academic officer
  • College/university administrator
  • College/university president
  • Dean of students
  • Department chair
  • Education researcher and consultant

In settings such as:

  • Colleges and universities
  • Government agencies
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Private businesses

Learn more on  our careers page .

What is the typical Doctor of Education salary?

With your  online EdD in Higher Education Leadership , you can build a foundation to pursue careers with median salaries of leadership positions such as:

College/University President

College/University Administrator

Department Chair

Dean of Students

Admissions Director

Chief Academic Affairs Officer

Why earn an EdD instead of a PhD in Higher Education?

The value and utility of doctoral degree programs in higher education vary significantly. It is crucial to ensure that the skills acquired from your online education degree align with your aspirations. Let’s explore why pursuing an online Doctor of Education could be the best option for you.

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Time —  Our online Doctor of Education program is a 32-month, 48-credit program. Compared with a PhD in Higher Education, this credential could save you one to three years in completion time.

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Practice-Based Research  — In a PhD program, your primary goal is to master and extend the body of knowledge on a subject. However, your research isn’t necessarily applicable in a leadership role. With our Doctorate in Educational leadership online program , you can apply existing research methods to the critical issues affecting your institution and inform decision making directly.

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Leadership —  An online Doctor of Education is all about leadership. PhD programs are typically designed for educational leaders in specific academic disciplines. With an online EdD degree , you have the potential to become a provost or president of a university.

Faculty insights

We asked  Jason Castles , director and assistant professor of higher education leadership, for his thoughts on the online Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership program. Here are his responses:

What are some of the trending areas of focus in the online Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership program?

We strive to stay current on trends and the future of higher education. Some recent areas of focus include the impact of the pandemic in higher ed (budgeting, enrollment, and mental health); diversity, equity and inclusion work; and demographic shifts (who is attending and how many students are attending). Additional trends impacting higher ed include data analytics; financial sustainability and affordability; changes to tenure systems; and the growing reliance on adjunct faculty members.

What advice would you give to someone studying higher education leadership?

  • Have a plan/create a schedule, as time management is crucial.
  • Consider the “cost” of attending, weighing factors such as being a full-time student, working full time and commitments to family and friends.
  • Try not to get “stuck” in one area and strive to broaden your perspective.
  • Have an open mind.
  • Enjoy the process — both classes and your dissertation.

What are the most important skills employers are looking for?

Employers value flexibility, data analysis skills and the ability to develop outcome assessment plans. They also look for candidates with cultural competence, empathy and active listening skills (especially during the pandemic).

Why should students choose to take this program at Maryville?

We offer a high level of student support and engagement from faculty and staff, providing students with constructive feedback and tools to learn to be successful in higher ed. We also offer a financially efficient 32-month, 48-credit program with a solid, rigorous curriculum.

Online EdD in Higher Education Leadership curriculum

The best higher education doctoral programs prepare you to address the critical issues that will shape the future of higher ed. That’s why we focus on topics such as quantitative and qualitative data analysis, future-focused governance and finance, contemporary student experiences, new and innovative technologies, and just about anything else you may face in an educational leadership role. We also let you explore your individual interests through professional practice courses based on current trends in higher education.

Our  online Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership  program is designed for completion with 48 credit hours and in as little as 32 months of year-round study. Find out more about our program on  our curriculum page .

Lead inside and outside of the classroom.  Our curriculum can help you develop the competencies to be a top educator in the classroom or apply your knowledge and skills toward outstanding research. Learn to solve the complicated challenges of classroom dynamics in courses such as Leadership in Higher Education and Leading in a Complex Environment, and hone your research skills with Research Residency I and II and Understanding Data and Analysis.

Experience a dynamic, future-focused education doctorate. Maryville University has been an innovator in education for nearly 150 years. When you earn your Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership with us, we can help you take that pioneering spirit with you. Through courses such as Strategic Change and Innovation, you can develop a progressive and change-oriented mindset, so wherever you go in your education career, you will go with confidence.

Discover that leadership starts with compassion. As an educator, your students are a primary focus. That’s why our curriculum includes courses such as The College Student Experience and Reflective Leadership Practice and Inquiry to help you understand your students and design your higher education strategies around their needs, concerns and abilities.

Online Doctor of Education admission requirements

  • A master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for master’s transcripts
  • At least three years of professional experience in higher education (exceptions considered for demonstrated professional leadership experience transferable to higher ed)
  • Both bachelor’s and master’s transcripts
  • Personal essay: 500–600 words

Learn more on  our admissions page .

Frequently asked questions

What can i do with an online doctor of education in higher education leadership degree.

Our online EdD in Higher Education Leadership prepares students for careers in educational leadership, growing their knowledge of advanced theories and practical skills so they can manage organizations, solve problems and promote positive change in higher education. Graduates of our online EdD program may advance to administrative roles, overseeing higher education institutions, programs or departments. They may work behind the scenes to assess, improve and create new curricula and instructional methods, train other educators or conduct research to advance higher education.

What is the typical salary for online EdD program graduates?

The median annual salary for professionals holding an EdD in Higher Education Leadership can vary significantly depending on factors such as industry, location, years of experience, specialization, and job role.

What does the future hold for the higher education industry?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the employment of postsecondary education administrators to grow 4% from 2022 to 2032. 7 The need to replace professionals who change roles, switch careers or retire will drive most of this growth.

How long is the online EdD program?

Our online EdD program is a 32-month, 48-credit program. Compared with a PhD in Higher Education, this credential could save you one to three years in completion time.

What are the benefits of earning an online EdD degree?

Earning your online EdD can put you on a path for career advancement, higher earnings and administrator-level leadership positions. An EdD is practice based, meaning it allows you to research your areas of interest and also leverage the results of your research to influence the decision-making process of an institution or organization. Pursuing an EdD means you will focus on identifying problems and developing strategies to help solve those problems. An EdD program prepares you with skills in conducting qualitative research, collecting data, conducting interviews, making observations and participating in focus groups. If time to completion is important to you, consider that EdD students generally finish their programs faster than PhD students. On average, a PhD takes five to six years to complete, with some studies showing that students regularly take as many as eight years. On the other hand, earning an EdD generally takes between three and four years. Students can complete ours in as little as 32 months.

Apply to the online Doctor of Education degree program at Maryville University

Bring us your ambition and we’ll guide you along a personalized path to a quality education that’s designed to change your life.

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  1 Top Executives. (2023). Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved February 9, 2024. arrow_upward Return to footnote reference

  2 Postsecondary Education Administrators. (2023). Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved February 9, 2024. arrow_upward Return to footnote reference

  3 Postsecondary Education Administrators. (2023). U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics . Retrieved February 9, 2024. arrow_upward Return to footnote referenceReturn to footnote reference

  4 Postsecondary Education Administrators. (2023). U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics . Retrieved February 9, 2024. arrow_upward Return to footnote referenceReturn to footnote reference

  5 Postsecondary Education Administrators. (2023). U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics . Retrieved February 9, 2024. arrow_upward Return to footnote referenceReturn to footnote reference

  6 Postsecondary Education Administrators. (2023). U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics . Retrieved February 9, 2024. arrow_upward Return to footnote referenceReturn to footnote reference

  7 Postsecondary Education Administrators. (2023). U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics . Retrieved February 9, 2024. arrow_upward Return to footnote referenceReturn to footnote reference

25 Best Online Doctoral Programs in Higher Education [2024 Guide]

If you want to build an exciting career in the stimulating environment of colleges and universities, you may consider online doctoral programs in higher education.

Doctoral Programs in Higher Education

You may find yourself in mid-career, thinking about the next step to propel you forward in your professional life. Or you may be completing your undergraduate degree and considering your next academic move.

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With an EdD in Higher Education, you may advance your expertise and qualify for top positions in postsecondary administration.

Online Higher Education Doctoral Programs

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The EdD in Higher Education is a doctorate in education with higher education (postsecondary) as the chosen track or area of concentration. In this way, it differs from the type of EdD that you could earn for advancement in the field of K-12 education.

An EdD is known as the doctoral degree for practitioners working in the field of education. With an EdD in Higher Education, you may step into top administrative positions in colleges or universities, employee training positions in business and industry, or research and policy positions in education governance.

Some EdD programs in higher education focus exclusively on this area of concentration. Other programs feature higher education leadership as a specialization area within a more generalized EdD in educational and organizational leadership.

Some of the course topics an EdD program in higher education might cover include organizational management, law and ethics in higher education, and financial management in higher education.

These types of courses help provide the foundation for you to build a knowledge and skill base that may allow you to step into top managerial roles within the framework of higher education administration. In most cases, a doctoral degree consists of 60 credit hours beyond the masters degree.

Some institutions offer dual masters and doctorate degree programs. A dual program allows you to complete the 30 credit hours of a masters degree and the additional 60 hours of the doctoral program all in one continuous degree program.

Higher Education Careers & Salaries

doctoral programs higher education

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 19.7 million students enrolled in US colleges and universities last semester. With such a large population of students, it’s understandable why colleges and universities need well-prepared administrators.

Postsecondary institutions must run efficiently to deliver top-notch instruction and handle the administrative tasks that serve the needs of their students.

Higher education administrators are responsible for facilitating students’ enrollment and progress through their degree programs toward completion and graduation. The administrative apparatus of any institution provides recordkeeping, evaluation, student services, and much more.

With an EdD in Higher Education, you may qualify to head up a department within a university administration or even become a college president. Top positions in higher education include president (chief executive officer), provost or academic dean, or dean of students.

Other administrative positions involve managing departments, such as financial aid or student affairs.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , professionals with an EdD in Higher Education may qualify for the jobs listed below.

Postsecondary administration is a growing area of employment. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 4% growth rate for the next decade.

The typical career track for someone with an EdD in Higher Education involves working in the administration of public or private colleges, universities, junior colleges, community colleges, or postsecondary professional trade schools. But there are also opportunities for careers in business and industry.

You might use your EdD to become the managing director of an employee training program in a business or industry. Additionally, you might look for an opportunity to perform research and influence policy in an organization for postsecondary education governance.

Choosing an Online Doctorate in Higher Education

Doctorate in Higher Education student studying online

As you research the different online education programs offered by various universities for EdD in Higher Education, keeping an eye out for some specific factors may help you narrow down your choices.

Some of these factors may include:

  • University with regional accreditation
  • Professional accreditation for education degree programs
  • Intermittent on-campus residency requirements

If you’re interested in a specialized area of higher education, you may also want to consider these factors:

  • Reputation of the teaching faculty
  • Faculty members’ areas of research and publication
  • Opportunities for research collaboration with faculty members
  • Opportunities for specialization within the curriculum
  • Opportunities for practicum or internship experiences

It may also help to investigate these financial aspects associated with your choice of graduate school:

  • Cost of tuition and fees
  • In-state or out-of-state tuition
  • Opportunities for financial aid, grants, and scholarships

Pursuing your degree online may offer convenience and allow you to complete the degree while continuing to work and maintain any family responsibilities. You may want to consider these aspects of the online education environment:

  • Tech support availability for learning platforms
  • Scheduling and ease of navigation for online classes
  • Ability to communicate quickly and easily with faculty
  • Ease of online interaction with peers to discuss coursework and projects

With any doctorate degree program such as a higher education or online doctorate in special education , the degree program that is best for you is often the one that best fits your personal needs and goals.

Curriculum & Courses

Training and Development Manager guiding an employee

While you pursue the Doctor of Education in Higher Education, you’ll take numerous courses to prepare you for career advancement in this exciting field.

Similar to a masters program in higher education , here is an overview of courses that may appear in your program:

  • Leadership in Higher Education : You’ll learn theories and develop skills for leadership in higher education, including management, communication, and organizational strategies.
  • Law and Ethics in Higher Education : This course will investigate legal and ethical issues that impact students, faculty, staff, and administration in postsecondary educational institutions.
  • Assessment and Evaluation in Postsecondary Education : You’ll learn how to analyze data for the purpose of improving student outcomes in higher education.
  • Organizational Management: Explore varied approaches to structuring and managing a large organization, such as a college or university.
  • Strategic Planning in Higher Education : Study best practices in leadership for establishing shared visions and goals for long-range planning in higher education.
  • Postsecondary Education Governance : This course will explore leadership approaches to the management of external and internal governance frameworks in higher education.
  • Financial Management in Higher Education : You may learn strategies for fundraising, fiscal planning, fiscal responsibility, and integrity in postsecondary education.
  • Higher Education Academic Programs : This course will discuss current models for structuring and assessing degree programs in higher education.
  • Research Methods : You’ll learn principle elements of academic research and scholarly writing, building toward the dissertation or doctoral capstone.
  • Dissertation or Doctoral Capstone : Design and conduct independent research and report findings in a comprehensive dissertation document under the supervision of a dissertation advisor and committee. Many universities also offer the option of a capstone project in lieu of a dissertation.

As you search for the degree program that is right for you, you may keep in mind that some programs offer opportunities for specialization.

For example, you may want to specialize in leadership in higher education or in higher education administration. Your interests and career goals may affect your need for specialization.

Admissions Requirements

Doctorate in Higher Education student researching online

The EdD is a terminal degree for practitioners in the field of education. So, only the most qualified candidates are admitted to these degree programs. Here is a list of criteria that universities may be looking for:

  • Master’s degree in higher education or related field with minimum GPA
  • GRE or GMAT score, if required
  • Evidence of work experience in higher education
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Writing sample

Some universities may require minimum scores on the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). Many institutions, though, have eliminated these test requirements in recent years.

Some schools will often waive the requirement to submit test scores if you can show evidence of work experience in higher education.

Accreditation

Doctoral Programs in Higher Education

As you research online EdD in Higher Education degree programs, you may want to take note of their accreditation status. Your future advancement may depend, in part, on evidence of holding an EdD from an accredited university.

An institution that holds regional accreditation has been recognized from one of these organizations:

  • Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
  • New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
  • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

You might also look for accreditation of the EdD degree program itself. The National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) are two organizations that accredit degree programs in Education.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Doctoral Programs in Higher Education Financial Aid

You may be able to offset your investment in an EdD with increased future earnings. Additionally, you may be eligible to access funds through financial aid, grants, scholarships, or employer tuition programs.

To start the process, you may complete and submit your FAFSA form at the Federal Student Aid website. The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program is also frequently accessed by graduate students.

Other forms of financial assistance may include financial aid from state or institution sources. In some cases, a work-study program may also provide financial assistance while you complete your degree.

Grants and scholarships are sometimes available for doctoral students who qualify. Foundations, community organizations, and alumni associations offer scholarships at various institutions as well.

If you’re already working in higher education, there’s a chance your employer may share the expense for you to get your EdD degree.

What Can You Do with a PhD in Higher Education Administration?

Education Policy Analysts in a meeting

With a PhD in Higher Education Administration, you may move into top positions in college or university administration. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, you may become a college registrar, academic dean, college president, or dean of student affairs.

On the other hand, you may also go into research and teaching as a university professor in the field of higher education. There is a tremendous amount of overlap in regard to the careers pursued by professionals with PhD and EdD degrees.

What’s the Difference Between an EdD vs. PhD in Higher Education Administration?

Administrative Services Managers in a meeting

Your choice to pursue the EdD or the PhD in Higher Education may be dictated by your professional aspirations in the field. It depends on whether you seek career advancement in administration and leadership or in research and teaching.

An EdD in Higher Education is generally seen as the degree for a practitioner in the field. For professionals in postsecondary administration, leadership, and student affairs, the EdD is the terminal degree focusing on professional practice.

The PhD in Higher Education is known as the degree that focuses on research and preparation for teaching at the undergraduate and post-graduate levels.

While a PhD still often requires the completion of a dissertation, many EdD degrees now have the option of completing a capstone project in lieu of writing a dissertation. Your capstone requirement will depend on the program and university you ultimately choose.

How Much Does an Online Doctorate in Higher Education Cost?

Doctorate in Higher Education student working on his laptop

Tuition costs vary from one institution to another. A search of online EdD in Higher Education programs reveals a wide range of cost, from $420 to $1,785 per credit hour.

When calculating costs of various programs, you may want to include the extra expenses of books and fees. Some online degree programs waive the fees that are associated with face-to-face programs on campus, which can help lower the overall cost.

You may also consider the costs of the on-campus residency requirements that are included in many online EdD programs.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Higher Education Doctorate?

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On average, you may complete a Doctor of Education in Higher Education degree in 3 to 5 years. Your individual schedule, though, may dictate how long it takes for you to complete the degree program.

Some schools offer self-directed degree programs while others require that you move through the program with a cohort of 15 to 20 other students. Additionally, you’ll be working individually when you get to the dissertation or doctoral capstone phase, and some research may require longer timeframes.

Is a Higher Education Doctoral Program Worth It?

Education Policy Analysts meeting in an office

Yes, a Doctor of Education in Higher Education is worth it for many students. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, education, training, and library jobs are set to grow at 5% over the next 10 years, faster than the average for all occupations.

Common higher education careers in this field include college president, registrar, provost or academic dean, director of student affairs, and director of employee training.

This degree may open many more doors of knowledge and opportunity for you over other degree programs such as a masters in education administration online . Aside from the opportunities to secure a job promotion, make a career change, or move up the administrative ladder, you may also experience profound intellectual growth as you pursue your EdD.

Universities Offering Doctorate in Higher Education Degree Programs

Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.

Andrews University campus

Andrews University offers several options for higher education administration graduate degrees. Students can choose from the Master of Arts, Educational Specialist, Doctor of Education (EdD), or PhD in the field. Both the EdD and PhD doctoral programs are designed for professionals hoping to take on policy-making or senior administration roles.

Andrews University  is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Appalachian State University campus

Students can choose from six concentrations in Appalachian State University’s Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership program.

Those who select the Higher Education concentration will take 60 credits in courses on emerging issues, writing for professional educators, policy analysis in higher education, designing culturally responsible learning environments, and institutional effectiveness.

Appalachian State University  is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Colorado State University campus

Students in Colorado State University’s PhD in Higher Education program will gain real-world insight from scholar-practitioners and develop the skills and knowledge needed to become scholar-practitioners themselves.

The program prepares students for senior management positions in higher education administration, student services, enrollment management, academic support leadership, and housing and auxiliary services.

Colorado State  is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

Concordia University Chicago campus

Concordia University – Chicago offers both Doctor of Education (EdD) and PhD programs in Higher Education. The EdD program prepares students for leadership roles within higher education while the PhD program prepares students to do research in the field or teach at the collegiate level. Both programs share many similar courses.

Concordia University Chicago  is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Drexel University campus

The educational leadership and management doctoral program at Drexel University can be taken entirely online by part-time or full-time students.

There are no residency requirements and ten areas of concentration available, including one in Higher Education. Students in this concentration learn to effectively use innovative technology to serve their communities.

Drexel University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

East Carolina University campus

East Carolina University’s Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership program features a concentration in Higher Education.

In addition to the core courses required for the doctoral degree, students who choose this concentration will also take courses that include policy development and analysis, politics and power in education, and educational planning.

East Carolina University  is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Fairleigh Dickinson University campus

The Doctor of Education in Higher Education program at Fairleigh Dickinson University has a diverse, comprehensive curriculum.

Popular courses cover topics like enrollment and retention, leadership, developing globally minded solutions to educational problems, applying data analytics, educational innovation, and creating a diverse and inclusive college culture. Financial aid is available to students who qualify.

FDU is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Gwynedd Mercy University campus

The online accelerated executive Doctorate in Educational Leadership program at Gwynedd Mercy University is a 54 credit program that provides students with advanced skills and knowledge in many aspects of education.

These include education policy and regulation, faculty management and development, curriculum development, education research, and community outreach and relations.

Gwynedd Mercy University  is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Indiana State University campus

Students in Indiana State University’s PhD in Educational Administration program can select the Leadership in Higher Education concentration to prepare for leadership roles within 2 year and 4 year colleges and universities.

The curriculum consists of coursework delivered in multiple formats and a 2 semester long, field-based internship to give students real-world experience.

Indiana State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Liberty University campus

Liberty University’s PhD in Higher Education Administration program takes about 3 years to finish, can be completed entirely online, and allows students to transfer half of the required credits from previously attended universities.

Required courses include policy analysis, college and university administration, teaching the college student, and assessment and accreditation.

Liberty University  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Maryville University campus

Maryville University’s Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership program is a cohort-model program that allows students to complete all required coursework online.

This includes the residency, which can be completed face-to-face if students prefer. Students work on their coursework and dissertations simultaneously and can potentially graduate in 32 months.

The Maryville University of Saint Louis is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

Missouri Baptist University campus

Missouri Baptist University’s higher education leadership doctoral program utilizes the practitioner-scholar education model and offers competitive tuition.

All courses are built on the school’s foundational belief that education and faith are the world’s two greatest powers for change. The degree prepares students for jobs as deans, presidents, professors, and directors.

Missouri Baptist University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Notre Dame of Maryland University campus

The PhD in Higher Education Leadership for Changing Populations program at Notre Dame of Maryland University helps prepare students to become leaders in schools and universities with culturally diverse populations.

Emphasis is placed on education policy and practice and effective organizational management. Tuition is affordable, and there’s no residency requirement.

Notre Dame of Maryland University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Nova Southeastern University campus

Students enrolled in Nova Southeastern University’s higher education leadership doctoral program can earn their Doctor of Education without having to submit or defend a dissertation. All coursework can be completed online, but students must attend one mandatory summer institute as part of their curricula. Most students finish in 3 years.

NSU  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Oregon State University campus

The Doctor of Education in Adult and Higher Education program at Oregon State University can be undertaken mostly online, but during the first two years of the program, students will be required to attend two face-to-face cohort meetings twice per term. These are held on the school’s downtown Portland campus.

Oregon State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Regent University campus

Regent University’s PhD in Higher Education program assists students in gaining deeper understanding of the entire college administration field. Key courses in the curriculum focus on policy and professional practice and examine historical issues, contemporary issues, and finance in higher education, all presented from a Christian worldview.

Regent University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Saint Cloud State University campus

The Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration program from Saint Cloud State University is 100% online and flexible. Students can choose between 8 week and 16 week course terms and can earn their degrees in 4 years. The curriculum is comprehensive and advanced, and the school doesn’t charge out-of-state tuition.

St. Cloud State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Saint Peters University campus

Students interested in higher education at Saint Peter’s University can enroll in the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership program and select the Higher Education concentration.

The program requires 48 credits for completion. Notable courses include historical trends in higher education, grants, philanthropy and development, and qualitative research design.

Saint Peter’s University  is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Texas Tech University campus

Students at Texas Tech University have two concentration options as part of the Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration program: Community College Administration or Higher Education College and University Administration.

Both concentrations can prepare students for careers in various higher education fields. On-campus orientation and on-campus summer sessions are required.

Texas Tech University  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

University of Florida campus

University of Florida’s higher education hybrid doctoral program can prepare students for senior administrative positions in both postsecondary-focused nonprofit organizations and higher education institutions.

It’s a cohort-model program that was one of the original Kellogg Foundation Community College Leadership programs in the nation. It’s designed specifically for working professionals.

The  University of Florida  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

University of Memphis campus

The higher education doctoral program at University of Memphis is specifically designed for professionals already working in higher education who are looking to move into mid- to senior-level management positions.

The program can be completed online and can also prepare students for board member jobs or jobs within higher education-related agencies.

The University of Memphis is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

University of Nebraska - Lincoln campus

University of Nebraska – Lincoln’s inter-departmental Doctor of Education in Educational Studies program allows students to choose from three concentrations.

Students who select the Educational Leadership and Higher Education concentration should receive the academic and professional development skills needed to become higher education leaders and administrators. There’s also a PhD option.

The  University of Nebraska-Lincoln  is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

University of North Dakota campus

The Educational Practice and Leadership program at University of North Dakota features six unique concentrations, including the Higher Education concentration. The program requires 90 credit hours for completion and usually takes about 3 years to finish. Courses can be taken online, and graduate assistant funding is available to qualifying students.

The University of North Dakota is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

University of Southern Mississippi campus

The University of Southern Mississippi’s Doctor of Education in Higher Education program has recently been redesigned to accommodate the needs of working professionals looking to move into more pertinent leadership roles. The program can be taken entirely online, and students don’t have to pass the GRE for admittance.

The  University of Southern Mississippi  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Wilmington University campus

Students in Wilmington University’s higher education leadership doctoral program will enjoy a flexible curriculum taught by highly qualified faculty.

They learn to become leaders who empower others, advocate for meaningful change and continuous improvement, and behave with integrity, fairness, inclusivity, and impeccable ethics. Law, policy, and governance are also taught.

Wilmington University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Getting Your Higher Education Doctorate Online

Higher Education Doctorate student studying at home

Deciding to work on your EdD is not a decision to be made in haste. You may decide to research numerous online degree programs, comparing factors that are most important for you.

Regional accreditation may be an important criterion to consider at the outset of your search. You may also want to explore and compare degree program costs if you’re working within a projected budget.

Still another factor you may consider is whether various degree programs offer specializations that will help you advance in the career that interests you. When you find the accredited EdD program that best meets your needs, you may be on your way to an exciting, educational journey!

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World University Rankings 2023

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023 include 1,799 universities across 104 countries and regions, making them the largest and most diverse university rankings to date.

The table is based on 13 carefully calibrated performance indicators that measure an institution’s performance across four areas: teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.

This year’s ranking analysed over 121 million citations across more than 15.5 million research publications and included survey responses from 40,000 scholars globally. Overall, we collected over 680,000 datapoints from more than 2,500 institutions that submitted data.

Trusted worldwide by students, teachers, governments and industry experts, this year’s league table reveals how the global higher education landscape is shifting.

View the World University Rankings 2023 methodology

The University of Oxford tops the ranking for the seventh consecutive year. Harvard University remains in second place, but the University of Cambridge jumps from joint fifth last year to joint third.

The highest new entry is Italy’s Humanitas University, ranked in the 201-250 bracket.

The US is the most-represented country overall, with 177 institutions, and also the most represented in the top 200 (58).

Mainland China now has the fourth-highest number of institutions in the top 200 (11, compared with 10 last year), having overtaken Australia, which has dropped to fifth (joint with the Netherlands).

Five countries enter the ranking for the first time – all of them in Africa (Zambia, Namibia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Mauritius).

Harvard tops the teaching pillar, while Oxford leads the research pillar. Atop the international pillar is the Macau University of Science and Technology.

Overall, 1,799 universities are ranked. A further 546 universities are listed with “reporter” status, meaning that they provided data but did not meet our eligibility criteria to receive a rank, and agreed to be displayed as a reporter in the final table.

Read our analysis of the World University Rankings 2023 results

Download a copy of the World University Rankings 2023 digital report

To raise your university’s global profile with Times Higher Education , contact [email protected]

To unlock the data behind THE ’s rankings and access a range of analytical and benchmarking tools, click here

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Read more about the World University Rankings 2023

Student insights.

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Academic Insights

  • World University Rankings 2023: results announced
  • World University Rankings 2023: African sector improving rapidly
  • World University Rankings 2023: US stagnating, Oceania rising, and a weak point for China
  • World University Rankings 2023: the opportunities and threats ahead
  • World University Rankings 2023: top marks for Australian sector
  • Underfunding basic research is a recipe for disaster
  • Society benefits from industry partnerships – but there are provisos
  • Universities must innovate new kinds of learning for students of all ages
  • The future of global research collaboration is rocky
  • Talking Leadership 44: Alice Gast on championing ‘risk-taking’ foreign students
  • The half-life of knowledge
  • How can universities leverage their pandemic reputation boost?
  • Our task for the future: global education for all
  • World University Rankings 2023: trends in research
  • World University Rankings 2023: trends in teaching
  • World University Rankings 2023: trends in international outlook
  • World University Rankings 2023: trends in working with industry
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  • Rankings are changing: WUR 3.0 will be more robust and insightful
  • Talking leadership 47: Stephen Toope on culture wars and collaboration

Methodology:

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Additional Information

  • Download the Doctoral Viewbook
  • Admissions & Aid

America needs transformative leaders in preK–12 education whose passion for education quality and equity is matched by a knowledge of learning and development, the organizational management skills to translate visionary ideas into practical success, and a firm grasp of the role of context and politics in shaping leadership. Graduates of the three-year, multidisciplinary Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.) Program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education will be prepared to become those leaders.

The Ed.L.D Program — taught by faculty from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Harvard Business School, and the Harvard Kennedy School — will train you for system-level leadership positions in school systems, state and federal departments of education, and national nonprofit organizations. Ed.L.D. is a full-time, three-year program built on a cohort learning model. Cohorts consist of up to 25 students from diverse professional backgrounds (including district/charter management leaders, nonprofit directors, principals, teachers, and policy researchers) who progress through the program together.  

All Ed.L.D. students receive a full tuition funding package plus stipends, work opportunities, and a paid third-year residency at a partner organization. 

The Ed.L.D. Program prepares graduates to do work for the public good in the American public education sector, whether that be at the system or state level. Specifically, the program is designed to accelerate the progress graduates make toward achieving meaningful impact in influential roles and/or crossing boundaries in the following spaces in the public education sector: 

  • PreK–12 district or CMO leadership roles : superintendent of schools, chief academic officer, and/or deputy superintendent
  • Foundation/philanthropy roles:  director, president and CEO, senior fellow
  • Education nonprofit roles : president or executive director of backbone or collective impact organizations which support preK–12 schools. Ed.L.D. graduates will lead education nonprofits that explicitly focus on improving outcomes and opportunities for children, families, and communities.
  • State or federal education leadership roles : commissioner or deputy commissioner roles. Could also include public education advocacy or education policy advisers to senior government officials.
  • Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation roles:  Founder, CEO, president

Curriculum Information

The Ed.L.D. curriculum is a balance of multidisciplinary coursework and practice-based learning. Core courses and electives are taught by recognized leaders from across Harvard’s graduate programs in fields like data-based education reform, organizational change and innovation, and effective leadership strategies for urban schools. You will develop and test your leadership skills through team projects and an immersive third-year residency.

All students in the cohort take the same classes in four foundational content areas: learning and teaching, leadership and organizational change, politics and policy, adult development, and leadership inside and out (including one-on-one executive coaching). Courses taken during the first-year focus on practice-based learning and serve as the framework of your first-year experience.

Sample HGSE Courses

  • Leading Change
  • How People Learn
  • Ed.L.D. Proseminar
  • Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Learning
  • Race, Equity, and Leadership
  • Practicing Leadership Inside and Out
  • Sector Change
  • The Workplace Lab for System-Level Leaders

View  all courses  in the Academic Catalog.

Each cohort member works with program advisers to choose an individualized sequence of electives from any of the Harvard graduate schools. You will work closely with the program faculty and staff during your second year to determine the best match with a partner organization for your third-year residency. Matches are driven by mutual interest between the resident and the partner organization, and each student's career and learning goals and geographic preferences.

  • Second Year Practicing Leadership Inside and Out
  • Driving Change 
  • Education Sector Nonprofits
  • Negotiation Workshop
  • Coaching with Equity in Mind
  • Ethnic Studies and Education
  • Deeper Learning for All:  Designing a 21st Century School System
  • Institutional Change in School Organizations, Systems, and Sectors

You will take part in a 10-month paid residency at one of our partner organizations. There, you will work on a strategic project which synthesizes your experience and learning into a written Capstone project. You will stay connected to your Ed.L.D. cohort and HGSE through technology and by returning to Harvard periodically for intensive workshops.

Paid Residency 

Our partner organizations include school systems and departments of education, as well as some of the nation's most influential and dynamic nonprofit, mission-based for-profit, and philanthropic organizations.

You will be intentionally pushed out of your comfort zones and asked to work systemically and make a significant contribution to the partner organization. In addition, the residency will provide you with the professional mentoring, practical experiences, and network of connections they need to position themselves as future leaders in the education sector. 

Strategic Project 

You will define (with supervisors from your partner organization) a strategic project on which to focus. You will have the opportunity to lead one or two major efforts on behalf of the organization, such as the creation or implementation of current initiatives. The project allows you to practice and improve leadership skills, add important value to the mission and strategy of the partner organization, work systemically, and hold high-level accountability.

During the residency period, you will produce a written Capstone. The Capstone is a descriptive, analytic, and reflective account of your third-year leadership contributions to a strategic project within an Ed.L.D. partner organization. It is a demonstration of your ability to engage others, develop strategy to successfully address and diagnose challenges, work toward a vision and goals, and learn from the results.

Sample Topics

  • Accountability, Coherence, and Improvement: Leadership Reflection and Growth in the Los Angeles Unified School District
  • Leadership Development for Entrepreneurial Education Leaders Working to Build Public & Private Sector Support
  • Disrupting Teacher Preparation: Lessons in Collaboration and Innovation Across the Learning to Teach Community of Practice
  • Pursuing Educational Equality for English Language Learners

Sample Summaries 

  • Breaking Down Silos in a School District: Findings from an Ed.L.D. Project in Montgomery County
  • Expanding Students' Access to Meaningful STEM Learning Opportunities Through Strategic Community Partnerships
  • Developing a New Teacher Leadership and Compensation System in Iowa: A Consensus-Based Process
  • Finding Great Teachers for Blended-Learning Schools

GSE Theses and Dissertations from Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard (DASH)

Program Faculty

Ed.L.D. students learn with renowned faculty from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard Business School, and Harvard Kennedy School. Faculty from the three schools share their individual expertise in the Ed.L.D. Program and work collaboratively to provide a challenging and coherent experience for students. Faculty who teach in the Ed.L.D. core curriculum and advise Ed.L.D. students include:

Faculty Director

Frank Barnes

Frank D. Barnes

Frank Barnes is faculty director of the Doctor of Education Leadership Program. He has over 30 years experience as an educator, researcher, and organizer. As a chief accountability officer, he led turnaround efforts for large public school districts, including Boston Public Schools and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

Kathryn Parker Boudett

Kathryn Boudett

Ebony N. Bridwell-Mitchell

Ebony Bridwell Mitchell

Jennifer Perry Cheatham

Jennifer Cheatham

Elizabeth City

Elizabeth City

Candice Crawford-Zakian

doctoral programs higher education

Marshall Ganz

HGSE shield on blue background

Adria D. Goodson

Deborah helsing.

doctoral programs higher education

Monica C. Higgins

Monica Higgins

Deborah Jewell-Sherman

doctoral programs higher education

Lisa Laskow Lahey

Lisa Lahey

Mary Grassa O'Neill

Mary Grassa O'Neill

Irvin Leon Scott

Irvin Scott

Catherine Snow

Catherine Snow

Michael L. Tushman

Martin west.

Martin West

How is the third third-year residency determined? Will I get to choose where I go and for whom I work?

You will work closely with Ed.L.D. Program faculty during your second year to determine the best partner organization match for your third-year residency. In ascertaining a match, faculty take a number of factors into account, including a students' career goals and geographic preferences. The program expects that the current list of partners will continue to grow based on organizational and student interest.

The Ed.L.D. Program has partnered with organizations that are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in American preK–12 education. The partners are school systems, nonprofit organizations, mission-based for-profit organizations, and government agencies, all pursuing a common goal of ensuring that every child has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. You will work directly with partner organizations in the third-year residency and have some exposure to partner representatives in the first two years of the program. Your work with our partner organizations will be encapsulated in a Capstone, which is descriptive, analytic, and reflective account of the your leadership and contributions to a strategic project. Summaries of Capstones by several members of the first cohort of Ed.L.D. graduates are available in the curriculum section.

Partner Organizations

Below is a sample list of current and/or previous Ed.L.D. partner organizations:

  • Bellingham Public Schools
  • Big Picture Learning
  • Boston Public Schools
  • Denver Public Schools
  • Education First
  • Harlem Children's Zone
  • Jobs for the Future
  • John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
  • Madison Metropolitan School District
  • New Haven Mayor’s Office 
  • New Schools for Baton Rouge
  • New Schools Venture Fund
  • New York City Department of Education
  • The Leadership Academy
  • Phi Delta Kappa/Educators Rising
  • Providence Public Schools
  • Rhode Island Department of Education
  • South Carolina Public Charter School District
  • Virginia Department of Education

Student Directory

An opt-in listing of current Ed.L.D. students with information about their interests, research, personal web pages, and contact information:

Doctor of Education Leadership Student Directory

Introduce Yourself

Tell us about yourself so that we can tailor our communication to best fit your interests and provide you with relevant information about our programs, events, and other opportunities to connect with us.

Program Highlights

Explore examples of the Doctor of Education Leadership experience and the impact its community is making on the field:

Alia Qatarneh running along the Charles River

She Sets the Pace

Alum works to dismantle what it means to be a runner and a scientist

Terrance Mitchell

Community Building

With Camp Harvard, Ed.L.D. student is all in for K–12

University of Delaware

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Ready to make a difference

Article by Eric Ruth Photo by Eric Tommer March 08, 2024

Doctoral students aim to create positive change through education and social policy

Back when he was a fledgling pharmacist, John Oluwadero learned all about the power of medicine to help people. Later in life, as a youth advocate in Nigeria, he saw how well-crafted government policies could also be powerful prescriptions for curing the social ills that surrounded him.  

He would also see how these costly social programs sometimes fell short, despite their best intentions. 

Today, as the 35-year-old works toward his doctoral degree at the University of Delaware, he understands that both prescription pills and prescriptive policies demand more than good intentions — both must be rigorously researched to ensure they help more than they hurt. 

That’s the mission and the passion of Oluwadero and the other students in the Graduate College’s interdisciplinary education and social policy doctoral program. They are learning to become sentries of a sort, guarding against misguided and wasteful policies by asking tough research questions: Just how effective are early intervention programs? Are charter schools really delivering better outcomes? Do “safety net” social programs truly help people escape poverty? 

Oluwadero and his classmates have found an ideal time and place to plunge into such turbulent sociopolitical issues. Few other U.S. universities even offer doctoral degrees in education and social policy, according to Jason Hustedt, an associate professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, College of Education and Human Development, who lends his expertise in early childhood policy and practice to the doctoral program.

At UD, the doctoral students say they can count on receiving a uniquely supportive mix of mentorship, research experience and cross-discipline expertise. 

“I think it creates its own synergy,” Hustedt said of the program’s interdisciplinary approach. “The advantage is that it gives a pathway for people to follow, a chance to do a variety of different things and a flexibility to encompass different areas with their studies.”

Oluwadero agrees. “It was a perfect fit for what I have interest in,” said Oluwadero, now in his second year of studies. “I've really been able to acquire new competencies in research and policy analysis. It has also shown me some of the limits of passion in making policy.”

For fourth-year doctoral student Hojung Lee, it was a chance to work with a top professor in a field she has long been passionate about, educational inequality. “We can jump right into the specific research area we’re interested in,” said doctoral student Hojung Lee. “That’s very important, and it gives us great experience.”

Born to collaborate

The program emerged in 2022 as a collaboration between two prominent scholarly entities at UD — the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) and the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration . Nationally recognized professors from CEHD and the Biden School give the program its interdisciplinary edge, and the curriculum has been expressly designed to let students select the policy areas that interest them most: social policy, human development and family sciences, early childhood, K-12 education, or higher education.

Quickly, they find themselves immersed in real research, investigating real cases that affect real constituencies. Many also take advantage of teaching opportunities, and all are taught how to engage effectively with “real-world” policymakers and other stakeholders. Throughout, the program stresses close and supportive relationships between students and their faculty advisors.

The result is graduates who are flexible, confident and skilled at cutting-edge research techniques, making them ideal candidates for faculty positions or jobs at research centers, government agencies, schools and nonprofits. In recent years, demand for skilled researchers has grown.

“There has been an increasing emphasis in having research evidence inform decision making in education and social policy,” said associate program director Sarah Bruch, associate professor in the Biden School and the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice. “This has expanded the range of opportunities for those with research training and substantive expertise in these policy areas to make significant contributions.”

Many students who pursue a policy research career had already been motivated by a strong sense of social justice, but once they earn their doctorate, they will be equipped to become agents of actual positive change, through conducting rigorous, high-quality research to identify, improve and shape policies that work.

That’s the goal of doctoral student Lee, who came to UD from South Korea specifically to work with Ken Shores, an assistant professor in the School of Education specializing in education policy. Lee knew she wanted to work toward better outcomes in education ever since her days as an undergraduate, when she tutored disadvantaged students who had been practically discarded by the system.

School officials warned her then that two of the students she tutored were probably lost causes, and that she should just make sure they stayed out of trouble. But Lee had other ideas. 

“It was heartbreaking, hearing how these students had been marked as failures,” she said. “They were low income and low achieving, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have potential. That’s just not true.”

Working closely with the boys over the next two years, she helped lead them to a place where they felt confident — and valued. Soon, their performance surpassed the naysayers’ expectations, and Lee vowed to continue pushing back against misguided attitudes and policies.

"Many of the people who are studying educational inequality have some sort of belief that their research can contribute to the learning of disadvantaged students,” she said. One of the boys she taught is now a middle school English teacher; the other is in law school.

“I have kept in touch with those boys for 11 years. I have observed their whole journey, and I saw how a small intervention — having a tutor — can make a huge difference in someone’s life, especially when they are young,” she said. “I changed their lives, but they also changed my life because I found that this type of intervention can be meaningful.”

Ready to make a difference 

Now in her fourth year of study, Lee has already had her research suggesting improvements to federal funding programs published in prominent academic journals. 

“Having that opportunity is really great for students,” Lee said. “Publishing in a good academic journal while we’re still in the program can be a really great signal to the job market.”

And Oluwadero is already aiming to put his expertise into action when he returns to Nigeria, where he has worked for years to create opportunities for disadvantaged youths through the nonprofit he founded, the Building Nations Initiative.

“Our students graduate ready to analyze any program or policy that is focused on supporting people in social or educational systems, early childhood to adults,” said program director Laura Desimone, the L. Sandra and Bruce L. Hammonds Professor in Teacher Education and director of research in the College of Education and Human Development.

“The program has strong candidates from a variety of fields, including science, economics, business, education and other social sciences,” Desimone said. “A master’s degree is not required for acceptance.” 

“Our students are well-trained in rigorous methodology to examine what people are experiencing, and determining what works — and what doesn’t,” Desimone said.

To learn more about UD’s interdisciplinary education and social policy doctoral program, visit udel.edu/grad/ed-social-policy .

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Higher Education & Student Affairs (MS)

Program overview.

Combine your leadership experience with your passion for working with students. The Master of Science in Higher Education & Student Affairs is ideal for those who want to work with students in a higher-education setting but not in a traditional teaching capacity. 

Our small, in-person classes promote active learning and provide students with many opportunities for lively discussions. Learning in the classroom is complimented by our graduate assistantships which give students real-world experience in higher education, increasing their professional marketability. Students also have opportunities to work with our faculty on their research. 

Our affordable tuition and options for double/dual or 4+1/accelerated degrees help students maximize the value of their investment in their education.

Degrees Offered

  • MS in Higher Education and Student Affairs

Internships, Research Opportunities and More

All students are required to participate in at least one internship in which they apply what they have learned in the classroom in a real-life setting and acquire practical professional skills while working under the guidance of experienced practitioners. Students who apply to the program by Feb. 1 are guaranteed a graduate assistantship (GA) — which provide additional practical experiences, as well as financial support packages.

The Student Affairs Graduate Association (SAGA) offers students in the program another great way to get involved in the university community. This student-led organization aims to provide support and services that encourage personal, professional and community development to current students and alumni. Faculty also encourage involvement and participation in professional organizations, conferences and trainings, which further immerse students in the field. 

After You Graduate

Graduates of the program are prepared to enter careers in the full range of the field of student affairs such as:

  • academic advising
  • admissions and enrollment management
  • career development and placement
  • financial aid
  • health services
  • judicial affairs
  • multicultural affairs
  • non-traditional and commuter student services
  • residential life
  • services for students with disabilities
  • student development and involvement.

Coupled with sufficient professional experience, the program may also serve as the foundation for students wishing to become deans of students or vice presidents for student affairs.

Admission Requirements

  • General graduate admission requirements
  • Program-specific admission requirements

Funding/Scholarships

There are many funding and scholarship opportunities at Binghamton. We encourage prospective students to review available program-specific scholarships and awards , and visit the program's website for additional information. Note: Master's students are generally self-funded, although funding opportunities occasionally arise.

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For more information, visit the Higher Education & Student Affairs website .

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Margaret A. Gates

Director of admissions and student services.

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Report Helps Answer the Question: Is a College Degree Worth the Cost?

The analysis found that former students at most colleges had an annual income higher than high school graduates a decade after enrollment.

A diploma being swiped through a green device with a clock on it.

By Ann Carrns

Most people go to college to improve their financial prospects, though there are other benefits to attending a postsecondary institution. But as the average cost of a four-year degree has risen to six figures, even at public universities, it can be hard to know if the money is well spent .

A new analysis by HEA Group, a research and consulting firm focused on college access and success, may help answer the question for students and their families. The study compares the median earnings of former college students, 10 years after they enrolled, with basic income benchmarks.

The analysis found that a majority of colleges exceed minimum economic measures for their graduates, like having a typical annual income that is more than that of a high school graduate with no higher education ($32,000, per federal Scorecard data ).

Still, more than 1,000 schools fell short of that threshold, though many of them were for-profit colleges concentrating in short-term credentials rather than traditional four-year degrees.

Seeing whether a college’s former students are earning “reasonable” incomes, said Michael Itzkowitz, HEA Group’s founder and president, can help people weigh whether they want to cross some institutions off their list. Someone deciding between similar colleges, for example, can see the institution that has produced students with significantly higher incomes.

While income isn’t necessarily the only criterion to consider when comparing schools, Mr. Itzkowitz said, “it’s a very good starting point.”

The report used data from the Education Department’s College Scorecard to assess the earnings of about five million former students who had attended about 3,900 institutions of higher education, 10 years after they first enrolled. (The analysis includes data for people who didn’t complete their degree.) The report includes public colleges as well as private nonprofit and for-profit schools; the schools may offer nondegree certificates, associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees.

The analysis found that schools where students earned less than their peers who never attended college were generally those offering nondegree certificates, which can often be completed in 18 months or less, as well as for-profit institutions, although the list also includes some public and private nonprofit schools. At 71 percent of for-profit schools, a majority of students were earning less than high school graduates 10 years after enrolling, compared with 14 percent of public institutions and 9 percent of private nonprofit schools, Mr. Itzkowitz said.

“College is, indeed, worth it,” Mr. Itzkowitz said, but paying for it can be “substantially riskier” depending on the type of school you attend or the credential you seek.

(Another report found that former students of for-profit colleges tend to experience more financial risk than those who attended similarly selective public colleges. Those risks include having to take on more debt for higher education, a greater likelihood of defaulting on student loans and a lower likelihood of finding a job.)

Jason Altmire, president and chief executive of Career Education Colleges and Universities, a trade group representing for-profit career colleges, said lumping together schools offering mainly short-term certificate programs with colleges offering four-year degrees didn’t make sense. People who want to work in certain careers — hairdressing, for instance — generally can’t work in the field unless they earn a certificate, he said.

Mr. Altmire also said that income data from for-profit certificate schools might be skewed by “gender bias” because the programs had a higher proportion of women, who were more likely than men to work part time while raising families, lowering a school’s reported median income.

The HEA report also compared colleges’ performance with other benchmarks, like the federal poverty line ($15,000 annual income for an individual), which is used to determine eligibility for benefits for government programs like subsidized health insurance and Medicaid. Incomes at the “vast majority” of colleges exceeded this cutoff, the report found, although 18 — nearly all of them for-profit schools offering nondegree certificate programs in beauty or hairstyling — had students with median incomes below that threshold.

Majors also matter, since those in science, technology, engineering and nursing typically lead to significantly higher salaries than majors in the arts or humanities. (Last year, HEA published a separate analysis of the college majors that pay the most.)

When comparing the earnings after college, students and families shouldn’t look at the data in a vacuum, said Kristina Dooley, a certified educational planner in Hudson, Ohio. Many schools where former students go on to be top earners have programs focusing on health sciences, technology or business, but that may not be what you want to study.

“Use it as one piece of information,” Ms. Dooley said.

She said that students shouldn’t rule out a college just because it wasn’t at the pinnacle of the income list. Do ask questions, though — like whether its career services office helps with setting up internships and making alumni connections to assist you in finding a good-paying job.

Amy S. Jasper, an independent educational consultant in Richmond, Va., said postgraduate income might matter more to students and families who had to get a loan for college. “How much debt do they want to incur?” she said. “That is something that needs to be taken into consideration.”

But, she said, the benefits of college are not just financial. “I’d like to think that picking the right school is also about becoming a better person and contributing to the world.”

Here are some questions and answers about college costs:

What colleges had the highest median incomes?

Marquee names, like most Ivy League schools, Stanford and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, are heavily represented at the top of HEA’s analysis. Their students had median incomes of at least $90,000 a decade after enrollment. (A handful of for-profit schools, focused on careers like nursing and digital production, can be found there as well.) But the highest-earning colleges on the list? Samuel Merritt University, a nursing and health sciences school in Oakland, Calif., and the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis, each with incomes above $129,000. You can see the data on the HEA website .

How much does college cost?

The average estimated “sticker” price for college — the published cost for tuition, fees, housing, meals, books and supplies, transportation and personal items — ranges from about $19,000 a year at a two-year community college to about $28,000 for in-state students at a public four-year university to almost $58,000 at a four-year private college, according to 2022-23 data from the College Board . Some students, however, may pay much less because of financial aid.

Are some college programs required to meet income benchmarks?

A federal “gainful employment” rule , which aims to make career programs more accountable, is scheduled to take effect in July. The new rule, which mostly affects for-profit schools but also applies to certificate programs at all types of colleges, requires schools to show that at least half of their graduates earn more than a typical high school graduate in their state and that their graduates have affordable student loan payments. Colleges that miss either benchmark must alert students that the school could lose access to federal financial aid. Schools that fail the same standard twice in three years will become ineligible for federal aid programs.

A Guide to Making Better Financial Moves

Making sense of your finances can be complicated. the tips below can help..

Credit card debt is rising, and shopping for a card with a lower interest rate can help you save money. Here are some things to know .

Whether you’re looking to make your home more energy-efficient, install solar panels or buy an electric car, this guide can help you save money and fight climate change .

Starting this year, some of the money in 529 college savings accounts can be used for retirement if it’s not needed for education. Here is how it works .

Are you trying to improve your credit profile? You can now choose to have your on-time rent payments reported to the credit bureaus  to enhance your score.

Americans’ credit card debt and late payments are rising, and card interest rates remain high, but many people lack a plan to pay down their debt. Here’s what you can do .

There are few challenges facing students more daunting than paying for college. This guide can help you make sense of it all .

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15 Free and Cheap Universities in Moscow for International Students

In Moscow, there are a lot of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in Russia without paying a lot. These institutions also provide well-rounded academic programs and curriculums, allowing students to earn a degree with less burden on their pockets.

Now, if you’re planning to study in Moscow , you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 59 universities . But if you’re looking for cheap universities in Moscow, make sure to read more!

How do I get admission to affordable universities in Moscow?

Applying to cheap universities in Moscow requires you to complete different requirements depending on your degree and chosen university. These usually include admission forms, language proficiency scores, and a visa. Check out our full guide to studying in Russia for a more comprehensive guide!

What can I study at Best affordable universities in Moscow?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Moscow. For example, one of the best affordable schools in Moscow is the Moscow Automobile and Road Construction State Technical University , which offers Environmental Engineering, Staff Management, and Transportation Technologies to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University offers Public Health, Biotechnology, and Biology.

Cheap Bachelor's Colleges and Universities in Moscow for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Moscow ordered by their tuition fee for international bachelor's students.

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 221,200 RUB for universities in Moscow.

1. Moscow Polytechnic University

  • International Bachelor's Tuition: 0 RUB to 290,200 RUB
  • Domestic Bachelor's Tuition: 0 RUB to 290,200 RUB
  • Moscow Polytechnic University Admissions Pages
  • Moscow Polytechnic University Tuition Pages

Established in 1865, Moscow Polytechnic University, or Moscow Poly, is one of Russia’s educational institutions that provide technology-related programs. Currently, they deliver education to more than 16,000 local and international students. As they provide top-quality education and research in various fields, they also have various activities on campus to foster diversity.

2. Moscow International University

  • International Bachelor's Tuition: 31,200 RUB to 264,000 RUB
  • Domestic Bachelor's Tuition: 31,200 RUB to 264,000 RUB
  • Moscow International University Admissions Pages
  • Moscow International University Tuition Pages

Moscow International University ensures that students are being taught with a combination of theory and practice. It allows students to experience modern practical approaches that give them the opportunity to be creative in their respective fields and to achieve the ultimate foundation that reflects on their professionalism. The university follows global standards and deeply connects with international organizations.

3. Moscow Region State University

  • International Bachelor's Tuition: 73,500 RUB to 340,000 RUB
  • Domestic Bachelor's Tuition: 73,500 RUB to 340,000 RUB
  • Moscow Region State University Admissions Pages
  • Moscow Region State University Tuition Pages

The Moscow Region State University was established in 1931 in the region of Moscow, which is the official capital city of Russia. This university is very famous in the region because of its affordable prices that are established for every level of study. Some of the best directions a student can choose at this university are mathematical education, physics education, and professional education. Another attraction point for this university is the fact that they introduce innovative programs and concepts from which students can take advantage and become experts in their chosen fields.

4. Moscow City Teachers’ Training University

  • International Bachelor's Tuition: 107,150 RUB to 164,350 RUB
  • Domestic Bachelor's Tuition: 107,150 RUB to 164,350 RUB
  • Moscow City Teachers’ Training University Admissions Pages
  • Moscow City Teachers’ Training University Tuition Pages

Moscow City Teachers’ Training University is a public university in Moscow, Russia. The Ministry of Education established it in 1995 as a pedagogical university, with only 1300 students in its first year. The university currently has over 18,000 students and offers degree programs in the humanities, natural sciences, sports technology, law, business, and language studies.

5. Russian State Social University

  • International Bachelor's Tuition: 142,800 RUB to 301,563 RUB
  • Domestic Bachelor's Tuition: 142,800 RUB to 301,563 RUB
  • Russian State Social University Admissions Pages
  • Russian State Social University Tuition Pages

The Russian State Social University is a distinguished university in the country of Russia because it provides all levels of study to both domestic and international students with the opportunity to gain various financial aid through university or state-funded scholarships. This university is located in Moscow and was founded in 1991, but it is making its way slowly toward the ranking of the best universities in Russia.

6. Moscow Information Technology University – Moscow Institute of Architecture and Civil Engineering

  • International Bachelor's Tuition: 164,000 RUB to 187,000 RUB
  • Domestic Bachelor's Tuition: 164,000 RUB to 187,000 RUB
  • Moscow Information Technology University – Moscow Institute of Architecture and Civil Engineering Admissions Pages
  • Moscow Information Technology University – Moscow Institute of Architecture and Civil Engineering Tuition Pages

Moscow Information Technology University – Moscow Institute of Architecture and Civil Engineering, or MITU-MASI, is a university that allows extramural, full-time, and part-time learning modes for students. All students may apply for Preparatory courses, Bachelor’s degrees, and Master’s degrees. Preparatory and special courses can also be undertaken by these students. The university promises quality education, multiple extracurricular opportunities, and strong international connections.

7. Moscow State Pedagogical University

  • International Bachelor's Tuition: 170,000 RUB to 400,000 RUB
  • Domestic Bachelor's Tuition: 170,000 RUB to 400,000 RUB
  • Moscow State Pedagogical University Admissions Pages
  • Moscow State Pedagogical University Tuition Pages

Moscow State Pedagogical University is a Russian higher education institute that offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral programs. It was established as the Women’s Courses of Higher Education in 1872 and underwent a transformative journey to what it is now. The university is well-recognized with International Partners across the globe, such as the University College of Teacher Education Vienna in Austria, the University of Pardubice in the Czech Republic, and the CY Cergy Paris University in France. Accessibility is a forefront advocacy with dedicated institutes for it, such as the Center for Student Disability Services and Psychological Assistance Center.

8. Russian New University

  • International Bachelor's Tuition: 178,800 RUB
  • Domestic Bachelor's Tuition: 178,800 RUB
  • Russian New University Admissions Pages
  • Russian New University Tuition Pages

Russian New University has branches in over 21 cities in the country, offering adequate educational opportunities for students regardless of their gender and race. The university is proud of its diverse learning environment, which is composed of various institutes, research facilities, and training laboratories. It follows a teaching method that enhances not just the theoretical foundation of students but also their critical and practical skills.

9. N.R.U. Moscow Power Engineering Institute

  • International Bachelor's Tuition: 179,292 RUB to 344,358 RUB
  • N.R.U. Moscow Power Engineering Institute Admissions Pages
  • N.R.U. Moscow Power Engineering Institute Tuition Pages

N.R.U. Moscow Power Engineering Institute is a public technical university in Moscow with a prominent reputation for producing outstanding scientists and engineers for more than 90. It is also one of the most sought-after universities for aspiring engineers from around the world. The university also has numerous cooperation agreements with foreign universities and companies for its students and faculty to participate in different international programs and activities. 

10. Moscow University for the Humanities

  • International Bachelor's Tuition: 202,000 RUB to 258,000 RUB
  • Domestic Bachelor's Tuition: 202,000 RUB to 258,000 RUB
  • Moscow University for the Humanities Tuition Pages

The Moscow University for the Humanities is a private university in Moscow, Russia. It was founded in 1944 as the Central Komsomol School, but it was only in 2003 that it was designated as a university. As one of the country’s leading classical universities, the university provides affordable tuition, a cultural center for performing arts, and a sports center for a variety of sports activities.

11. National University of Science and Technology MISIS

  • International Bachelor's Tuition: 209,500 RUB to 251,000 RUB
  • Domestic Bachelor's Tuition: 209,500 RUB to 251,000 RUB
  • National University of Science and Technology MISIS Admissions Pages
  • National University of Science and Technology MISIS Tuition Pages

The National University of Science and Technology MISIS started as a mining academy and then became a steel institute. Over time, it expanded its course offer and modernized its facilities, but it’s still widely known for its programs in metallurgy and mining. Nowadays, the university has six campuses, 8 academic colleges, and multiple research institutes. They also have cutting-edge specialized laboratories in fields such as nanomaterials, cryoelectronic systems, biophysics, casting technologies, and much more!

12. Moscow Automobile and Road Construction State Technical University

  • International Bachelor's Tuition: 213,900 RUB
  • Domestic Bachelor's Tuition: 213,900 RUB
  • Moscow Automobile and Road Construction State Technical University Admissions Pages
  • Moscow Automobile and Road Construction State Technical University Tuition Pages

Established in 1930, Moscow Automobile and Road Construction State Technical University (MADI) is a specialized institute that leads in providing study programs in transportation, road and airport construction, traffic safety management, logistics and transport, and economics. It offers advanced and innovative educational courses at the undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, and postgraduate levels. Graduates of the school are guaranteed to acquire fundamental knowledge and skills deemed necessary for their future careers.

13. Russian State Geological Prospecting University

  • International Bachelor's Tuition: 222,800 RUB to 290,260 RUB
  • Domestic Bachelor's Tuition: 222,800 RUB to 290,260 RUB
  • Russian State Geological Prospecting University Admissions Pages
  • Russian State Geological Prospecting University Tuition Pages

One of the oldest universities in Russia, Russian State Geological Prospecting University was founded in 1918 as Sergo Ordzhonikidze Russian State University for Geological Prospecting. It was first made for Russian students only and was opened to students from abroad in 1931. All students may study programs at Bachelor, Master, or Doctoral levels. Six faculties exist in the university, covering multiple disciplines of study. All students are provided accessible services, but foreign students are advised to get a health insurance plan.

14. RUDN University

  • International Bachelor's Tuition: 235,710 RUB to 370,220 RUB
  • Domestic Bachelor's Tuition: 236,500 RUB to 342,199 RUB
  • RUDN University Admissions Pages
  • RUDN University Tuition Pages

RUDN University is one of the best universities in the capital city of Russia and is known as The People’s Friendship University of Russia. This higher education institution is mostly known for the high number of international students attracted to this university’s high ranking. The university is ranked among the world’s top 500 universities, which speaks volumes about the level of study this university provides.

15. Russian State University of Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism

  • International Bachelor's Tuition: 243,500 RUB to 317,200 RUB
  • Russian State University of Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism Admissions Pages
  • Russian State University of Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism Tuition Pages

Russian State University of Physical Culture, Sport, and Tourism is a leading sports university in Russia. It was established in 1918 and is known for producing over 200 outstanding athletes that have made their marks in prestigious international competitions such as the Olympics. The academic and research programs at the university are conducted by highly qualified and reputable coaches, experts, and scientists to further enhance athlete training and prepare future sports champions and professionals. 

Cheap Master's Colleges and Universities in Moscow for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Moscow ordered by their tuition fee for international master's students.

* Average Master’s International Tuition is 260,300 RUB for universities in moscow.

  • International Master's Tuition: 0 RUB to 269,000 RUB
  • Domestic Master's Tuition: 0 RUB to 269,000 RUB

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, Moscow Polytechnic University should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 0 RUB to 269,000 RUB annually for their master's degree.

2. I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University

  • International Master's Tuition: 21,800 RUB to 318,000 RUB
  • Domestic Master's Tuition: 21,800 RUB to 318,000 RUB
  • I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University Admissions Pages
  • I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University Tuition Pages

I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University or usually referred to as Sechenov University was founded in 1758, making it the oldest medical school in Russia. It was initially the medical faculty of the Imperial Moscow University and eventually became independent in 1930. At present, the university has more than 18,000 total enrollment and offers undergraduate to Ph.D. programs in Medicine, Sciences, and Professional Education.

3. Moscow International University

  • International Master's Tuition: 31,200 RUB to 264,000 RUB
  • Domestic Master's Tuition: 31,200 RUB to 264,000 RUB

The tuition fee at Moscow International University for incoming international master’s students is 31,200 RUB to 264,000 RUB. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. Moscow Region State University

  • International Master's Tuition: 90,000 RUB to 408,000 RUB
  • Domestic Master's Tuition: 90,000 RUB to 408,000 RUB

Another affordable university to consider in Moscow is Moscow Region State University.

The tuition fee in Moscow Region State University for master’s program for foreign students starts from 90,000 RUB.

5. Moscow City Teachers’ Training University

  • International Master's Tuition: 107,700 RUB to 165,500 RUB
  • Domestic Master's Tuition: 107,700 RUB to 165,500 RUB

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, Moscow City Teachers’ Training University has some of the lowest tuition fee prices for foreign students who are planning to take a master's degree here. International master's students only pay as low as 107,700 RUB yearly.

6. Russian State Social University

  • International Master's Tuition: 119,000 RUB to 335,938 RUB
  • Domestic Master's Tuition: 119,000 RUB to 335,938 RUB

7. Moscow Information Technology University – Moscow Institute of Architecture and Civil Engineering

  • International Master's Tuition: 179,000 RUB to 187,000 RUB
  • Domestic Master's Tuition: 179,000 RUB to 187,000 RUB
  • International Master's Tuition: 193,000 RUB
  • Domestic Master's Tuition: 193,000 RUB
  • International Master's Tuition: 198,800 RUB to 374,551 RUB
  • International Master's Tuition: 218,000 RUB
  • Domestic Master's Tuition: 218,000 RUB

11. National Research University Higher School of Economics

  • International Master's Tuition: 220,000 RUB to 450,000 RUB
  • National Research University Higher School of Economics Admissions Pages
  • National Research University Higher School of Economics Tuition Pages

The National Research University Higher School of Economics, or otherwise known as HSE University, is one of the best universities of higher education in the capital city of Russia. This institution has one of the largest campuses in the country that houses approximately 50,000 students and can provide them with all the necessary equipment for them to have the best possible experience.

  • International Master's Tuition: 229,400 RUB
  • Domestic Master's Tuition: 229,400 RUB

13. National University of Science and Technology MISIS

  • International Master's Tuition: 230,000 RUB to 357,600 RUB
  • Domestic Master's Tuition: 230,000 RUB to 357,600 RUB

14. Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox University

  • International Master's Tuition: 230,490 RUB
  • Domestic Master's Tuition: 230,490 RUB
  • Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox University Admissions Pages
  • Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox University Tuition Pages

Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox University is a private theological university in Moscow, Russia. It was founded in 1991 by Orthodox missionaries who offered evening theology classes, and it received state accreditation as a university in 1992. Degree programs are available in theology, history, education, missionary practice, religious art, and music at the university.

15. Kutafin Moscow State Law University

  • International Master's Tuition: 240,000 RUB to 450,000 RUB
  • Domestic Master's Tuition: 240,000 RUB to 450,000 RUB
  • Kutafin Moscow State Law University Tuition Pages

Kutafin Moscow State Law University is one of the prominent law schools in the country. The university has been the home of more than 150,000 lawyers since its establishment. It has become popular because of its practical-oriented academic training that allows students to have strong theoretical knowledge and sound ethical values.

It's important to take a look at all your options when selecting where to attend post-secondary school. With so many different types of schools, degrees, and universities in Moscow, it can be tough to know where to start looking.

So, make sure to explore the best public universities in Moscow as well if you're looking for affordable education!

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Doctoral studies must be improved to meet social needs

doctoral programs higher education

In its annual education conference in January, the Ministry of Education highlighted the significant measures it has taken in the past year to integrate education, technologies and talents. Intensifying efforts to expeditiously synergize educational advancement with economic and social development, the ministry has initiated comprehensive reform of higher education in order to ensure education serves social needs.

That 612,000 doctoral candidates are currently registered with Chinese universities shows the universities have become a dynamic force in the field of research and development.

While the registration of doctoral candidates is expected to be made reasonable and forward-looking, the process for enrolling for master's degrees will likely become easier.

In recent years, China has seen rapid growth in the number of doctoral candidates and those opting for post-doctoral research. In 2019, a record 105,200 people registered for doctoral research. In 2022, the number increased to 139,000, a 32 percent hike. But as the number of doctoral candidates increases, it is important to maintain the quality of research and prevent the devaluation of doctoral degrees.

According to Ministry of Education data, 75,200 students earned a doctoral degree last year. By the end of August 2023, less than 40 percent had found employment in higher education and research institutions, while more than 20 percent joined different industries.

To address these challenges, China needs to adopt a nuanced approach. For example, it is essential to categorize doctoral programs into academic and professional streams. This entails a social shift in the perception toward doctorates and a concerted effort by universities to improve faculty quality and develop curriculums to serve the specific needs of each doctoral candidate.

In China, there's a widespread misconception that all doctorates are destined to take up academic careers, and any attempt to seek employment in the corporate world is deemed a waste of talent. This misperception stems from an oversimplified understanding of doctoral degrees.

Academic master's and doctoral programs fall under general education, while professional master's and doctoral programs are essentially vocational education programs and are aimed at cultivating highly skilled professionals. Unfortunately, due to social biases against vocational education, some professional programs lack clarity, with some even mirroring the structure of academic programs, leading to a mismatch between undergraduate education and social needs.

In December 2023, the Ministry of Education issued guidelines emphasizing a significant increase in the number of professional doctoral candidates, acknowledging the need for a more diverse approach to doctoral programs.

The key challenge lies in aligning the mentorship, training models, and evaluation systems with professional doctoral education. Currently, mentors often oversee both academic and professional doctoral candidates, making it necessary to work out distinct training programs based on different educational goals. Many universities have similar criteria for awarding doctoral degrees, emphasizing that theses be published, putting the focus on quantity rather than the practical application of knowledge.

To address this problem, professional doctoral candidates should shift the emphasis away from paper publications, and instead focus on solving real-world technological problems. The prevalent "thesiscentric" approach, typical in academic programs, undermines the development of applied doctoral candidates and blurs the line between academic and professional doctoral training.

With the annual registration of doctoral candidates exceeding 100,000 and total enrollment surpassing 600,000, it is necessary to make clear the objectives of training for different types of doctoral candidates.

Dispelling the myth that "higher qualification equals academic talent", we must strengthen the professional and practical aspects of professional doctoral degrees. To do so, we must build mentors' teams comprising both theoretical and practical experts, promote industry-academia integration, and align the training of high-level professionals with the actual needs of enterprises.

The author is director of the 21st Century Education Research Institute.

The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

If you have a specific expertise, or would like to share your thought about our stories, then send us your writings at [email protected], and [email protected].

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    A highly individualized doctoral program with nationally-recognized faculty researching the issues shaping higher education. Penn GSE's Higher Education Ph.D. program is pioneering research on the most pressing questions in higher education: college access and affordability; race, gender, and inclusion policies on campus; international education; and university governance. Our graduates are ...

  9. Degrees and Programs

    Part-time, career-embedded program, delivered online, for experienced educators looking to advance their leadership in higher education or pre-K-12. Doctor of Education Leadership Preparing transformative leaders to have the capacity to guide complex organizations, navigate political environments, and create systemic change in the field of ...

  10. Doctoral Programs

    Our comprehensive, research-based curriculum enables you to specialize in urban leadership; mind, brain, and teaching; entrepreneurial leadership; or instructional design in online teaching and learning. The Johns Hopkins School of Education offers two doctoral degrees — the Doctor of Philosophy in Education and the Doctor of Education.

  11. Best Online Doctorate In Higher Education 2023

    4 years. Online + Campus. The online higher education leadership program, offered by Colorado State University, ranks as a top program in the field. With its flexible format, the public university makes a doctorate more accessible. Doctoral students engage in advanced research and benefit from support services.

  12. Education (Online), EdD < Johns Hopkins University

    Overview. To address the dramatically changing landscape of education in the 21st century, which includes new research on the science of learning, advances in technology, and the emergence of a for-profit education sector, the Johns Hopkins School of Education offers an innovative online Doctor of Education degree program.

  13. Ph.D. Higher Education

    The Ph.D. in Higher Education Program prepares higher education researchers who will take their scholarship, knowledge, and research skills into a range of higher education settings such as universities and colleges, state governing and coordinating boards, federal government, independent higher education organizations, consulting groups, not-for-profit organizations, and foundations.

  14. Ed.D. Higher Education Online

    The Ed.D. Higher Education online program can be completed entirely online in 26-38 months. Requirements include a dissertation and the completion of 45 credits through a variety of courses that cover essential higher education topics, including academic innovation, effective retention methods, data analysis, field internships and more.

  15. Ph.D. in Higher Education: Doctoral Programs: Graduate: Academics

    Doctoral Programs FAQ; Specialist Programs; Certificate Programs; Doctoral Minors; Licensure Programs; Transition to Teaching; Global Gateway for Teachers ... and evidence-based improvement of higher education institutions and programs Email: [email protected] Phone: (812) 856-0855. Danielle DeSawal Clinical Professor Email: [email protected] ...

  16. Online Doctor of Education (EdD) Program

    Walden is the #1 conferrer of doctoral degrees in education in the U.S.¹ ... Whether your chosen field is K-12, early childhood, or higher education, or whether you focused on program development, policymaking, or corporate education, earning a Doctor of Education degree can take your career to new heights.

  17. Online Doctor of Education (EdD)

    The best higher education doctoral programs prepare you to address the critical issues that will shape the future of higher ed. That's why we focus on topics such as quantitative and qualitative data analysis, future-focused governance and finance, contemporary student experiences, new and innovative technologies, and just about anything else ...

  18. 25 Best Online Doctoral Programs in Higher Education [2024 Guide]

    Saint Cloud State University. The Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration program from Saint Cloud State University is 100% online and flexible. Students can choose between 8 week and 16 week course terms and can earn their degrees in 4 years.

  19. Best Online Health Science Ph.D. And D.H.S. Programs Of 2024

    Since 2018, she has worked in the higher-education web content space, where she aims to help current and prospective students of all backgrounds find effective, accessible pathways to rewarding ...

  20. World University Rankings 2023

    The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023 include 1,799 universities across 104 countries and regions, making them the largest and most diverse university rankings to date. The table is based on 13 carefully calibrated performance indicators that measure an institution's performance across four areas: teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international

  21. Doctor of Education Leadership

    The Ed.L.D Program — taught by faculty from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Harvard Business School, and the Harvard Kennedy School — will train you for system-level leadership positions in school systems, state and federal departments of education, and national nonprofit organizations. Ed.L.D. is a full-time, three-year ...

  22. Ready to make a difference

    Desimone is director of the Graduate College's interdisciplinary education and social policy doctoral program. Ready to make a difference. Article by Eric Ruth Photo by Eric Tommer ... social policy, human development and family sciences, early childhood, K-12 education, or higher education. Quickly, they find themselves immersed in real ...

  23. Higher Education & Student Affairs (MS)

    The Student Affairs Graduate Association (SAGA) offers students in the program another great way to get involved in the university community. This student-led organization aims to provide support and services that encourage personal, professional and community development to current students and alumni.

  24. Doctoral School of Economics

    The Economics PhD programme is designed to prepare professionals in economic research and education of the highest academic calibre in Russia, as well as the global academia. The Doctoral School of Economics offers training in the following fields: Economic Theory. Mathematical, Statistical and Instrumental Methods of Economics.

  25. Admissions & Cost

    Cost Delaware State University utilizes a national doctoral tuition rate for institutional programs. Please refer to the Graduate Tuition rates for cost of attendance information. Admission to EdD in Educational Leadership in Higher Education The EdD Educational Leadership in Higher Education program utilizes holistic admission to consider prospective student applications.

  26. 25 Best Universities In Moscow For International Students 2024

    This higher education institution is mostly known for the high number of international students attracted to this university's high ranking. The university is ranked among the world's top 500 universities, which speaks volumes about the level of study this university provides. ... Master's, and Doctoral programs. It was established as the ...

  27. NY institution transfers teaching programs, refines mission

    Clarkson University is transferring 16 graduate teacher education programs to Siena College in a deal both institutions expect to help them weather enrollment shifts. As the pool of potential college students continues to shrink, some institutions are trying to distinguish themselves in an increasingly competitive market by shifting or refining their academic focus.

  28. Report Helps Answer the Question: Is a College Degree Worth the Cost

    The report used data from the Education Department's College Scorecard to assess the earnings of about five million former students who had attended about 3,900 institutions of higher education ...

  29. 15 Free and Cheap Universities in Moscow for International Students

    Moscow State Pedagogical University is a Russian higher education institute that offers Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral programs. It was established as the Women's Courses of Higher Education in 1872 and underwent a transformative journey to what it is now. The university is well-recognized with International Partners across the globe ...

  30. Doctoral studies must be improved to meet social needs

    This misperception stems from an oversimplified understanding of doctoral degrees. Academic master's and doctoral programs fall under general education, while professional master's and doctoral ...