Program Overview

Program Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is a full-time program that prepares professionals for research, policy, and professorial roles in higher education settings. The degree will support students in developing the research competencies to generate new knowledge in the field of higher education. Knowledge of educational research methodology is highly desirable.

Program Details

Major Code

The Major Code for this program is 2075.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:

• Produce and defend an original significant contribution to knowledge.
• Demonstrate mastery of subject material.
• Conduct scholarly activities in an ethical manner.
• Identify structural conditions that maintain and reproduce systemic inequities in higher education.
• Describe student- and organizational-level factors that influence the structure, culture, and operation of institutions.
• Apply concepts and theories to the development of research.
• Design and implement methodological approaches for social science research.
• Contribute to the production of higher education knowledge and theory.
• Conduct research that contributes to the understanding or mitigation of inequality.

Course Requirements

The following courses are required for the PhD program:

• AHE 575: Educational Finance (3 credits)
• AHE 582: Legal Issues in Higher Education (3 credits)
• AHE 603: Thesis (repeatable, 36 credits)
• AHE 611: Quantitative Analysis in Educational Research I (3 credits)
• AHE 616: Quantitative Analysis in Educational Research II (3 credits)
• AHE 618: Qualitative Analysis in Educational Research (3 credits)
• AHE 619: Qualitative Analysis in Educational Research II (3 credits)
• AHE 623: Contemporary Issues in Higher Education (3 credits)
• AHE 634: Power and Privilege in Leadership (3 credits)
• AHE 638: History of Higher Education (3 credits)
• AHE 643: Organization Theory-Higher Education (3 credits)
• AHE 644: Policy Issues in Higher Education (3 credits)
• AHE 652: Individual Level Theory in Higher Education (3 credits)
• AHE 672: Introduction to Research Methods in Higher Education (3 credits)

Electives and Credits

• Advanced Methods Electives: 6 credits
• Content Electives: 6 credits
• Free electives or transfer graduate credits: 21 credits
• Total Credits: 108