College and University Leadership

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education and Human Resource Studies – Higher Education Leadership

College and University Leadership (Ph.D.)

Degree Overview

Develop the competencies you need to successfully and ethically lead higher education institutions with a doctoral degree specializing in higher education leadership.

With this College and University Option of the Ph.D. in Education and Human Resource Studies – Higher Education Leadership Specialization, you gain skills that can be applied immediately to professional challenges and issues. Coursework:

  • Develops research knowledge and skills.
  • Expands your knowledge base of higher education organizations, practice, and outcomes.
  • Reinforces a commitment to diversity, open access, supporting institutional mission, and addressing issues of privilege and oppression.

With the program's specific focus on universities and colleges, you become a more accomplished leader with the practical knowledge needed to advance your administrative leadership career in higher education.

  • Distance education allows working professionals to obtain a doctorate while remaining employed full-time.
  • With a cohort structure, the same group of students begins, proceeds through, and completes the program together. This fosters support and allows you to network with others across the country who hold similar positions in higher education institutions.

Requirements

You are required to complete an orientation and coursework on campus one week per year, 30 credits of higher education administrative coursework, 30 credits of research, preliminary exams, dissertation proposal advising, written and oral comprehensive exams, juried publication submission or presentation, and a dissertation. Learn more about the degree requirements

Curriculum

This curriculum emphasizes applied knowledge more than other similar degrees available and gives you practical skills for research and administration in colleges and universities. Learn more about the curriculum

Learning Experience

You are part of a cohort of students who proceed through a structured program together. You will learn through online presentations and lectures as well as audio conferencing. These instructional methods are supplemented by assignments, readings, and online interaction and discussion with faculty and fellow students. One on-campus visit each fall and spring semester is required to complete the program. Find out more about the learning experience

CSU's School of Education has been preparing teachers and teacher educators, educational specialists, administrators, and trainers for over 70 years.

Career Opportunities

With this doctoral degree, you differentiate yourself as a skilled administrator who will lead with a commitment to access, learning, institutional mission, quality, and educational outcomes. Learn more about career opportunities

Admission and Application

Applicants are required to have a master's degree in any discipline from a regionally-accredited institution, completion of basic research courses, and two years of higher education work experience. Find out how to apply

Questions? Ask us.

We'll be in touch within 2 business days.

- or contact -

Jenny Hannifin
(970) 491-2665
jenny.hannifin@colostate.edu

Receive periodic emails about this program.

For admission questions:

Kathy Lucas
School of Education
(970) 491-1963
kathy.lucas@colostate.edu

For curriculum and advising questions:

Linda Kuk
Program Chair
School of Education
(970) 222-1337
linda.kuk@colostate.edu

Degree at a Glance

Delivery

Online, on-campus, and audio conferencing. On-campus attendance one week and one extended weekend per year are required to complete this program.

Total credits

60 credits

Tuition/fees

$666 per credit ($496 tuition / $170 course fees)
(financial aid available)

Time frame

Can be completed in four or five years. Program duration will vary based on learning style, intensity of study, and career objectives. Summer courses are required to complete this program. As a cohort program, the same group of students begins, proceeds through, and completes the program together.

Designed for

Student affairs administrators and other administrative personnel employed full-time at four year colleges and research universities who want to pursue a doctorate.

What you will earn

You will earn the same regionally-accredited Colorado State University degree that a student on the Fort Collins campus is awarded. Your diploma and transcript are identical to those awarded to on-campus students.