Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Higher Education/Student Personnel
Improve the landscape of post-secondary education with a Ph.D. in Higher Education.
About this Program
A Ph.D. in Higher Education can help administrators, faculty, and university leaders make evidence-based decisions that improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and equitableness of post-secondary institutions. Special areas of interest may include recruitment and admissions, student retention and academic performance, curriculum and instruction, campus climate and residence life, alumni relations and philanthropic development, and more.
The Ph.D. degree program sharpens students' quantitative and qualitative research skills, equipping them to conduct scholarly research about institutions of higher learning. Students learn how to synthesize research, identify gaps in knowledge, test hypotheses, and produce original research.
A Ph.D. in Higher Education typically prepares individuals for advancement within the institution they currently serve. Graduates from this program have taken on vice-presidencies, directorships, and state and federal government positions. A few have become presidents of institutions.
Students in the Ph.D. program have the option to complete an emphasis in Gender Studies, offered in partnership with the Sarah Isom Center for Women and Gender Studies.
On this Page…
Program Information
Program Type
Doctorate Program
Area of Study
Education
School
Duration
4 years
Degree
Ph.D. in Higher Education
Program Location
Emphases
Gender Studies
Required Credit Hours
72
Ph.D. in Higher Education
The Ph.D. in Higher Education requires the following courses for a minimum of 72 credit hours.
To complete the Ph.D. in Higher Education, students must complete:
- 21 hours of Research Component courses
- 12 hours Higher Education Core courses
- 21 hours of Specialization courses
- 18 hours of Dissertation courses
Research Component Courses (21)
- EDRS 700 Models of Inquiry & Literature Review
- EDRS 701 Educational Statistics II
- EDRS 704 Foundations of Qualitative Research Methods
- EDRS 705 Educational Research II
- *3 Additional courses chosen in consultation with advisor
Higher Education Core Courses (12)
- EDHE 701 Doctoral Studies Proseminar
- *3 Additional Core Courses selected from the list below:
- EDHE 759 Finance of Higher Education
- EDHE 760 History of Higher Education
- EDHE 762 College Teaching
- EDHE 764 Law of Higher Education
- EDHE 721 Recent Developments in Educational Practice
- EDHE 730 Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives on Leadership
- EDHE 772 Advanced Educational Policy Analysis
Specialization Courses (21)
- Courses to be selected in consultation with your advisor in the development of an area of specialization to support the dissertation study. Courses maybe selected from the Department of Higher Education and other programs in the School of Education and the University. At least twelve hours must be selected from the Department of Higher Education.
Dissertation (18)
- EDHE 797 Dissertation - 18 semester hours after comprehensive exam
- Comprehensive Examination: During the last semester of course work, or the next available comprehensive exam offering, the student must sit for a comprehensive examination.
Other Academic Requirements
- Students should be enrolled in six credit hours each semester
Students applying to the Ph.D. in Higher Education must meet the following requirements. Students must have:
- A completed masters degree
- An undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 on the course work attempted and a 3.25 graduate grade point average
- A completed online Graduate School application, which includes official transcripts, and GRE scores (less than five years old with verbal, quantitative, and writing component sub-scores)
- The following supplemental materials uploaded to the Graduate School application:
- statement of purpose: Please discuss how your life experiences (personal, academic, and/or professional) have fostered your interest in pursuing a graduate degree in higher education, the strengths you bring that will help you be successful in the program, areas of research interest you have, and how earning the degree might help you achieve your goals as a professional serving in higher education.
- resume
- contact information for three references
- A successful interview with faculty
To properly complete the application process for admission, students must submit all application materials before the following deadlines:
- Fall priority application deadline: January 1
- Spring priority application deadline: October 1
We're here to help!
If you have any questions about the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Higher Education/Student Personnel, don't hesitate to reach out!
George Stewart McClellan
Professor of Higher Education
Next Steps
Explore Affordability
We have a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make college more affordable for you and your family.
Apply to the University of Mississippi
Are you ready to take the next step toward building your legacy?