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Higher Education Doctoral Programs
The Doctoral programs in Higher Education follow a scholar-practitioner model. They provide preparation for those who aspire to leadership positions in higher education, government agencies, or other educational policy organizations. They are designed for students preparing for positions in which research and creative experience are balanced with practice-based experiences to develop the student as a whole leader. Doctoral candidates are expected to undertake and complete independent research leading to an original contribution of knowledge in the field. It is generally expected that the doctoral dissertation will be publishable in the literature of higher education.
Recent Higher Education doctoral graduates have obtained mid-level and upper administrative positions in academic affairs, student affairs, and state or federal government education. Position titles for these graduates include University/College President, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Student Affairs, Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs for Diversity & Inclusion, Academic Dean, Dean of Customized Training, Dean of Students, and Director of Educational Programs.
Graduation Requirements
- A minimum of 90 (PhD) or 96 (EdD) semester credits of coursework beyond your bachelor's degree. With approval, 30 credits from a master's degree may be transferred from another regionally accredited institution. A minimum of 50 credits must be from UND.
- Maintenance of at least a 3.0 GPA for all classes completed as a graduate student.
- Completion of a dissertation, which incorporates independent research work that is an original contribution to knowledge.
- Successful completion of comprehensive examinations in Educational Leadership and Educational Foundations and Research.
- Successful completion of a final oral examination.
Tentative Program of Study for the Higher Education Doctoral Programs
As a doctoral student, you are required to complete courses of study similar to the following. Depending on the availability of faculty and/or student needs, specific courses provided to the cohort may vary from those listed below. The faculty will consider your requirements on a case-by-case basis if you have already completed one or more of these courses or their equivalents. Based on your background and degree, you will likely be required to complete one or more additional courses beyond those provided to the cohort.
Ph.D. in Higher Education Program of Study
Prerequisite/Corequisite Courses (6 Credits)
If your master's degree or specialist diploma did not include the following courses or their equivalent, you must complete the following as soon as possible after admission to the doctoral program.
- EFR 500: Foundations of Educational Thought (3)
- EFR 515: Statistics I (3)
Minor/Master's (24 credits)
- Your advisor will work with you to determine the courses from your master's degree program that will be counted in your total credits completed for the Ph.D. in Higher Education program.
Higher Education Common Core (18 Credits)
- HE 503 Doctoral Orientation (1)
- HE 532 Principles & Practices of Higher Education (3)
- T&L 541 History of Higher Education (3)
- HE 538 The College Student Experiences (3)
- HE 536 Learning & Leading in Organizations (3)
- HE 549 Dissertation Orientation (2)
- T&L 543 Scholarly Writing (3)
Administrative Emphasis Courses (18 credits)
- HE 563 Academic Administration (3)
- HE 570 Law & Higher Education (3)
- HE 576 Finance & Planning (3)
- Electives (9)*
Foundations of Education (6 Credits)
- Prerequisite: EFR 500 [Foundations of Educational Thought] or equivalent
- Advanced Foundations elective 1 (3)*
- Advanced Foundations elective 2 (3)*
Scholarly Tools (9-12 Credits)
- Prerequisite: EFR 515 [Statistics I] or equivalent
- EFR 516 Statistics II (3)
- EFR 510 Qualitative Research Methods (3)
- Advanced Scholarly tool elective 1 (3)*
- Advanced Scholarly tool elective 2 (3)*
Dissertation (12 Credits)
- EDL 999: Doctoral Dissertation
TOTAL for DEGREE: 90 credits
*selected with consent of advisor and faculty from area of specialization
Ed.D in Higher Education Program of Study
Pre-requisite/Co-requisite Courses (6 Credits)
If your master's degree or specialist diploma did not include the following courses or their equivalent, you must complete the following as soon as possible after admission to the doctoral program.
- EFR 500: Foundations of Educational Thought (3)
- EFR 515: Statistics I (3)
Minor/Master's (30 credits)
- Your advisor will work with you to determine the courses from your master's degree program that will be counted in your total credits completed for the Ed.D. in Higher Education program.
Higher Education Common Core (18 Credits)
- HE 503 Doctoral Orientation (1)
- HE 532 Principles & Practices of Higher Education (3)
- T&L 541 History of Higher Education (3)
- HE 538 The College Student Experiences (3)
- HE 536 Learning & Leading in Organizations (3)
- HE 549 Dissertation Orientation (2)
- T&L 543 Scholarly Writing (3)
Administrative Emphasis Courses (20 credits)
- HE 563 Academic Administration (3)
- HE 570 Law & Higher Education (3)
- HE 576 Finance & Planning (3)
- Electives (11)*
Foundations of Education (12 Credits)
- Prerequisite: EFR 500 [Foundations of Educational Thought] or equivalent
- Advanced Foundations elective 1 (3)*
- Advanced Foundations elective 2 (3)*
- Advanced Foundations elective 3 (3)*
- Advanced Foundations elective 4 (3)*
Scholarly Tools (6)
- Prerequisite: EFR 515 [Statistics I] or equivalent
- EFR 516 Statistics II (3)
- EFR 510 Qualitative Research Methods (3)
Dissertation (10 Credits)
- EDL 999: Doctoral Dissertation
TOTAL for DEGREE: 96 credits
*selected with consent of advisor and faculty from area of specialization
