Program Requirements
Course Requirements
The Ph.D. program requires 54 units beyond the masters degree, not including the required dissertation units. Most courses are four units, with some two unit courses. Some of the elective courses are offered in conjunction with travel to professional conferences or to international universities. The required research seminars each term are offered in conjunction with professional conferences as well. Please read the complete course descriptions for more information.
| Required Courses | 40 units | |
| HED 701 | Strengths-Based Leadership for Teaching and Learning | 4 |
| HED 702 | The Nature of Inquiry | 4 |
| HED 704 | Christian Perspectives and Ethics in Higher Education | 2 |
| HED 721 | Diversity and Social Justice in Higher Education | 4 |
| HED 726 | Policy Analysis In Higher Education | 2 |
| HED 727 | Introduction to U.S. Higher Education | 4 |
| HED 742 | Qualitative Research Methods | 4 |
| HED 744 | Research Design and Statistics | 4 |
| HED 745 | Advanced Quantitative Methods | 4 |
| HED 760 | Research Seminars | 6 |
| HED 790 | Doctoral Seminar in Research Studies | 2 |
| Concentration Courses | 10 units | |
| Organizational Leadership | ||
| HED 712 | Leading Change in Higher Education | 4 |
| HED 725 | Administration in Higher Education | 4 |
| HED 728 | Policy and Politics | 2 |
| Student Success |
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| HED 707 | Principles of Student Retention | 2 |
| HED 708 | College Impact on Student Success | 2 |
| HED 737 | Teaching and Learning in Higher Education | 4 |
| HED 743 | Program Evaluation 2 | 2 |
| Elective Courses | 4 units | |
| HED 719 | Financing Higher Education | 2 |
| HED 723 | Higher Education and the Law | 2 |
| HED 780 | International Higher Education Policy | 2 |
| HED 798 | Special Topics | 2 |
| Dissertation Courses | ||
| When students complete HED 790 and begin dissertation work with their committee, they enroll in HED 794 for one semester (3 units) and then in HED 795 for each semester thereafter until the dissertation has been successfully defended. Enrollment in HED 795 is at a 50-percent reduction in tuition. Enrollment in these courses entitles a student access to faculty and university resources, including library databases and the services of the doctoral research librarian. These courses do not count toward the total unit requirement for the Ph.D. | ||
| HED 794 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
| HED 795 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
| Independent Study | ||
| Students may petition to take an independent study course to substitute for an elective course. | ||
| HED 799 | Readings in Higher Education | 1-3 |
| Once a student has completed all coursework for the degree, he or she may enroll in additional courses at half tuition. | ||
Additional Requirements
All doctoral students are expected to attend at least two of the annual symposia sponsored by the department. Nationally recognized educators and researchers are brought to campus each July for presentations and informal interactions with students. Critical issues in higher education are the focus of the symposia.
All Ph.D. students are required to attend two national professional conferences with their research teams each year they are enrolled in coursework. Students in the Ed.D are encouraged to attend as well, but are not required to do so. In the fall, the professional conference is the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) and in the spring, the conference is chosen by the faculty that leads each research team.
First-year Review
To evaluate success in meeting program goals and uphold the mission and objectives of the university and the School Behavioral and Applied Sciences, the program design includes an extensive array of procedures for quality control and assessment. These include a First-Year Review when students have completed 12 units in the program. The First-Year Review calls for a self-assessment, a portfolio of coursework, and a written qualifying exam. The student's academic performance is also reviewed. Continuation in the program is contingent upon a successful First-Year Review.
Critical Issues Conference
Each July, the doctoral programs in higher education sponsor a “Critical Issues in Higher Education” conference on campus for our students and faculty. Invited speakers are experts and/or researchers in the field of higher education. Students are required to attend two of these conferences prior to graduation.
Advancement to Candidacy
Following successful completion of all coursework and approval of the dissertation proposal, students are advanced to doctoral candidacy status.
Dissertation
The final step in the doctoral program is to design, implement, and write a research-based dissertation. Standards and procedures for the dissertation are defined by the doctoral faculty and are provided to students in a Dissertation Handbook.
The student defends the dissertation in a meeting with the faculty committee. Subsequently, the student presents the highlights of his or her dissertation in a setting open to faculty, students, friends, and family prior to graduation.
Note: All stated academic information is subject to change. Please refer to the current Graduate Catalog for the most current and controlling information.
