Graduate Programs
ACADEMICS
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Educational Studies
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 will provide students with mentorship and real-world experience.
March 30th is the deadline for consideration for Fall admission. Incomplete applications are not reviewed.
Apply
Program Requirements
View Requirements
A total of 60 credit hours (in addition to 30 credit hours from a Master’s degree) is required for completion of this degree. The Master’s degree need not be in the field of Higher Education. Students in the PhD in Educational Studies with a Concentration in Higher Education degree program attend courses both in person and online via WebEx.
Core Courses (36 credit hours)
- Organization & Administration of Higher Education
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Economics and Finance of Higher Education
- Human Capital & Talent Development
- Quantitative Data Analysis Methods in Education I
- Quantitative Data Analysis Methods in Education II
- Politics & Policy in Higher Education
- Higher Education Law
- History of the American College & University
- International & Intercultural Education
- Cultural Engagement in Communities and Workplaces
- Study Abroad for Educational Leaders
Elective Courses (6 credit hours)
For the remaining 6 credits, you and your advisor will work to develop a plan of study that matches your individualized interests and career goals. One suggestion would be Research Procedures in Education.
Higher Education Internship (3 credit hours)
Students will work with faculty advisors to identify internship opportunities with Higher Education professionals working in students’ area of interest. The internship will provide students with “real world” experiences that put into action what they have learned in the classroom.
Thesis (15 credit hours)
Tuition and Fees
View Tuition and Fees
Current Tuition Rates and Fees * |
In-State |
Out-of-State |
Tuition Rate |
$631.20 |
$681.20 |
Technology Fee |
$7.55 |
$7.55 |
Repair and Rehabilitation Fee |
$11.25 |
$11.25 |
Purdue Online (PO) Fee |
$50.00 |
$50.00 |
Total Cost Per Credit Hour |
$700.00 |
$750.00 |
Total Credit Hours |
60 |
60 |
Total Program Cost |
$42,000.00 |
$45,000.00 |
*Tuition and fees are charges on a per credit hour basis and are subject to annual increase. Annual increases may change the total program cost. The rate and fees above are effective for the 2018-2019 school year.
Faculty
< Back to Educational Leadership
PhD in Educational Studies
Concentration in Higher Education
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 will provide students with mentorship and real-world experience.
Students in the PhD in Educational Studies with a Concentration in Higher Education degree program attend courses both in person and online via WebEx. Quality and rigor are key components of all courses, leading students to challenge current assumptions and develop the skills and knowledge necessary to understand and work in a Higher Education environment. Curriculum and experiences are designed to offer real-world interactions and build highly marketable skill sets for a variety of Higher Education career paths. A 7-10 day study abroad experience will build global capacities by providing interested students with in-depth understanding of Higher Education practices and philosophies from outside the United States.
Students interested in full-time funding opportunities for the PhD in Higher Education cohort beginning in Fall 2021 should apply for application as soon as possible and no later than December 1, 2020. Contact Dr. Christine Kiracofe for more information.
March 30, 2021 is the deadline for consideration for Fall 2021 admission. Incomplete applications are not reviewed.
View the program information flyer >
Required Coursework (show/hide)
A total of 60 credit hours (in addition to 30 credit hours from a Master’s degree) is required for completion of this degree. The Master’s degree need not be in the field of Higher Education.
Students in the PhD in Educational Studies with a Concentration in Higher Education degree program attend courses both in person and online via WebEx.
Core Courses (36 credit hours)
- Organization & Administration of Higher Education
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Economics and Finance of Higher Education
- Human Capital & Talent Development
- Quantitative Data Analysis Methods in Education I
- Quantitative Data Analysis Methods in Education II
- Politics & Policy in Higher Education
- Higher Education Law
- History of the American College & University
- International & Intercultural Education
- Cultural Engagement in Communities and Workplaces
- Study Abroad for Educational Leaders
Elective Courses (6 credit hours)
For the remaining 6 credits, you and your advisor will work to develop a plan of study that matches your individualized interests and career goals. One suggestion would be Research Procedures in Education.
Higher Education Internship (3 credit hours)
Students will work with faculty advisors to identify internship opportunities with Higher Education professionals working in students’ area of interest. The internship will provide students with “real world” experiences that put into action what they have learned in the classroom.
Thesis (15 credit hours)
Application Procedure (show/hide)
Apply to the Graduate School
By filling out the grad application and following these steps >
- Official university transcripts from all universities attended
- To ensure they are official, please send have your university send them to the Graduate School at gradadm@purdue.edu or by mail:
Purdue University Graduate School
Young Hall, Room 170
155 South Grant Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907
- Official GRE general test scores from within the past 5 years
- Statement of Purpose – In no more than 500 words, describe the following:
- your motivation for graduate study in the area of applied behavior analysis at Purdue University
- how your previous experiences, studies, and/or skill sets prepare you for success in this program
- your career goals and how this program will enable to you achieve them.
- Three letters of recommendation
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (ask the program area)
- Getting started >
Receive Admittance Letter
Receive email notification of admittance decision letter from the Graduate School and make your decision >
Welcome Letter
Receive Welcome Letter from Purdue Online Learning
Receive Next Steps from Purdue Online Learning
Purdue Online Learning will send your next steps including those listed here >
- Remove holds (if necessary). Email POL when they are removed.
- Pay Tuition
- Registration authorization
Registered
Receive confirmation of official registration from Purdue Online Learning. Additional Information >
- Information about withdrawing, dropping and refunds will be included
Tuition and Fees (show/hide)
Current Tuition Rates and Fees *
In-State
Out-of-State
Tuition Rate
$631.20.00
$681.20
Technology Fee
$7.55
$7.55
Repair and Rehabilitation Fee
$11.25
$11.25
Purdue Online (PO) Fee
$50.00
$50.00
Total Cost Per Credit Hour
$700.00
$750.00
Total Program Cost
$42,000.00
$45,000.00
*Tuition and fees are charges on a per credit hour basis and are subject to annual increase. Annual increases may change the total program cost. The rate and fees above are effective for the 2018-2019 school year.
Online Faculty (show/hide)
Questions?
Course Content Information or Brightspace:
Contact Dr. Christine Kiracofe.
Course Registration, payment, drops/withdraws, and removing holds:
Purdue Online Learning purdueonline@purdue.edu
Career accounts:
ITaP (765) 494-4000