Ph.D. in Higher Education

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

The PhD in Higher Education is for post-Master’s degree students who are interested in preparing for service and leadership in a broad range of roles in Colleges and Universities. Program graduates will understand the administrative, political, financial, legal, and socio-cultural aspects of higher education and be prepared to be change agents in 21st century institutions of post-secondary education, including community colleges, 4-year degree granting institutions, and comprehensive graduate and professional degree granting universities. In addition to core coursework, students will have the opportunity to specialize by taking a minimum of 6 credit hours of coursework in an area of professional interest. Additionally, focused internships working with professionals in their field of interest and an international research focused study abroad experience will provide students with mentorship and real-world experience.

February 15th is the deadline for consideration for Fall admission. Incomplete applications are not reviewed.

What makes our program right for you?

Purdue specific outcomes and program highlights:

Distinguish yourself in the education industry with a superior credential from an institution with worldwide recognition and impact.
Advance and network with an experienced and motivated peer group for mutual support, team exercises, and enhanced learning.
Publish with internationally recognized faculty.

Purdue quality. Flexible schedule.

Online and hybrid students enjoy the same rigorous academic programs as on-campus students, but with a much more flexible class schedule. Assignments, discussions, and other coursework are posted each week in the virtual classroom. Students are required to participate in real-time classes from 6-9 p.m. EST two nights per week. The hybrid model of this program requires students to travel to campus at least once a semester.

The cohort model provides opportunities for student to get to know their peers. Students can build friendships and a support system during the program that helps to build a professional network. Students are able to learn from others who are in the same field and may have different and similar experiences. The Cohort Doctoral Program strives to develop leaders in the education industry.

Students will publish with internationally acclaimed faculty. During the program, students will co-author with Higher Education faculty a minimum of three articles, published in peer reviewed journals. Higher Education students gain highly sought-after skills and experiences in research, writing and publishing – the currency of Higher Education Institutions.

For more information, view the
Admissions Application Checklist

Request Information – Ph.D. Higher Education

This program does not lead to licensure in the state of Indiana or elsewhere. Contact the College of Education Office of Teacher Education and Licensure (OTEL) at licensure@purdue.edu before continuing with program application if you have questions regarding licensure or contact your state Department of Education about how this program may translate to licensure in your state of residence.

Career Outlook

The higher education field is growing rapidly, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Universities and institutions are struggling to find candidates who have the foundation to understand higher education structure, governance, and operation. The Ph. D. in Educational Studies, Higher Education can give you the needed foundation to be successful.

Job opportunities include (but are not limited to):

Leadership Program Administration
Chief Academic Officer
Admissions Dean or Administrator
Financial Aid Director
Student Services Dean
Provost or Vice President
Student Engagement Outreach Specialist
Professor
Athletic Director
Education Consultant
Development Officer

Cost

The Ph.D. in Educational Studies with a concentration in Higher Education program is affordable and competitive in cost.

	In-State	Out-of-State
Total Cost Per Credit	$700.00	$750.00
Credit Hours	59	59
Study Abroad Fee (includes 1 credit hour of tuition)	Approximately $4,000 – $6,000 + airfare	Approximately $4,000 – $6,000 + airfare
Total Costs	$45,300 – $47,300 + airfare for study abroad	$45,350 – $47,350 + airfare for study abroad

_{*Tuition and fees are charges on a per credit hour basis and are subject to annual increase. Annual increases may change the total program costs.
*Textbooks and course materials are not included.
*A 10-day study abroad program is required for all students and is completed during the summer of the second year of doctoral students. The fee for study abroad includes one credit hour of tuition.
*Faculty and staff fee remissions are not valid with this program. Partial tuition scholarships may be available to Purdue University employees.
*International Fee}

Testimonials

This program allows me to keep working full-time without having class, research projects, or internship experiences conflict with my work schedule. I wanted a cohort model, and was really intrigued by the three-paper dissertation format with a broader research arc. Additionally, when I interviewed colleagues, friends, and mentors, they all said they wished they had more experience with law, finance, and policy, which are three strong aspects of this program.
MICHELLE L. ASHCRAFT
Director of Purdue Promise
Student Success Programs

The faculty has successfully created a rigorous program that also inspires collaboration and caring. Every aspect, from the cohort model to the dissertation process, is designed to help students be successful and also to strive a little further toward their educational goals. Cohorts are selected with diversity in mind to provide each class with a broad lens of understanding. Coursework allows for personal growth and development of our research arcs that fit within the scope of the class while allowing me to work full-time.
SHAUNA MCCLURE
Data Management Specialist
Office of Global Partnerships and Programs
Purdue University

This program is designed to accommodate full-time workers. I did not have to resign from my position to pursue my doctorate. After a couple months into the program, I can attest to the rigor of the program and most importantly the real-world experiences that we gain through different case studies. There are so many opportunities to do research or even publish a research article in the very first semester into the program.
KANGNI “SAM” MOMBOU
PhD Student in Higher Education

The program has been a great experience! The coursework has been the perfect blend of theory and real-world application. Faculty have offered tremendous support throughout my journey. I am a much more efficient and effective administrator and leader because of things I have learned and experienced in this program. I would not trade the experience and knowledge I have gain for anything else like it!
MARK SCHNEIDER
Assistant Vice President of K-14 Academic Initiatives & Support
Ivy Tech Community College

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the program?
The program is designed to take 4 years (Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters).
Is the GRE required for admission? Are GRE waivers available?
Yes, the GRE is required for all students. There are no GRE waivers for this program. However, you can submit GRE scores that are up to 5 years old.
Is a Masters degree required for admission?
Yes. All applicants must have a masters degree from an accredited College or University.
Are there funding opportunities available?
Students can apply (by December of the year prior to the start of the cohort) for competitive fellowships through the College of Education and the University. Please note that the fellowship application deadline is much earlier than the regular application deadline. Fellowship students come and work either as teaching assistants or graduate assistants at Purdue.
Is it possible to work full time and complete the PhD?
Yes. However, students must be available to take classes (either in person or live via Zoom) from 6 – 9 p.m. EST two weeknights each week (days may vary).
How much is tuition?
Tuition is $700/credit hour for in-state students and $750/credit hour for out-of-state students. Please note that the required study abroad program expenses are in addition to tuition and will range from $4,000 – $6,000 plus airfare.
How many courses do PhD students take each semester?
Standard load is two three-credit courses each semester. In addition to these two classes, depending on the semester, students may also register for 1 hour of internship, or dissertation research. Students will not take more than 7 credit hours in a semester unless special arrangements are made in advance.
What is the study abroad component of the program?
The required study abroad program will take place during the summer after students’ second year of coursework. We will travel abroad for approximately 10 days and work with professors and administrators at a partnering Higher Education Institution (currently at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland). Please note that study abroad costs are in addition to tuition and will range between $4,000 – $6,000 plus airfare.
What does the dissertation for this PhD look like?
The dissertation requires that students author (with program faculty) at least three peer-reviewed scholarly articles of appropriate length and subject matter during their doctoral studies. The dissertation consists of an introductory chapter, reprints of these three (or more) articles, and an analysis/conclusion chapter.
What does the internship involve?
Internships are individualized and are designed to give students experience in areas of a college or university that they are interested in exploring. The internship is not a “job shadowing” experience and students are not required to be physically present in West Lafayette to complete an internship at Purdue. Instead, the internship is project based, allowing students to gain important experience with “real world” higher education issues and challenges.
What does it mean to be a “hybrid” doctoral program?
Students are required to come to West Lafayette for an intensive class once per semester. Students are encouraged to attend class in-person each week as they are able. However, for students who live some distance from Purdue, they can access the weekly courses in real time via Zoom each week. The only requirement is that students must be available to be “at” classes from 6 – 9 p.m. EST two nights each week.
When is the application deadline?
NEW DEADLINE – February 15^th (note that students interested in fellowships must apply by December of the previous year)

Download a PDF of this FAQ factsheet

Questions?

Admissions:
edgrad@purdue.edu
Course Content Information:
Contact Dr. Christine Kiracofe
Course Registration, payment, drops/withdraws, and removing holds:
Purdue Online purdueonline@purdue.edu
Career accounts:
ITaP (765) 494-4000

Ph.D. in Higher Education

What makes our program right for you?

Purdue quality. Flexible schedule.

Request Information – Ph.D. Higher Education

Career Outlook

Job opportunities include (but are not limited to):

Courses

Program and Required Courses (42 credit hours)

Elective Courses (6 credit hours)

Dissertation Research (15 credit hours)

Cost

Admissions

Admissions requirements:

Program Faculty

Testimonials

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions?