Hybrid
Higher Education
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Educational Studies
Courses
Courses
Students enroll in 7 credit hours per semester: two 3-credit courses and 1 credit of research writing. Students should anticipate spending an average of 15 hours weekly on reading and homework.
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.
Students attend a required 10-day study abroad experience during the summer after the second year of coursework. Please note that study abroad costs are in addition to tuition and will range between $4,000 – $6,000 plus airfare. (This fee includes one credit hour of tuition).
Program and Required Courses (42 credit hours)
*all classes are 3-credit hours unless otherwise noted
- EDST 61300 Cinic for Educational Leaders (1 credit)
- EDST 64000 Higher Education Law (3 credits)
- EDST 64100 Organization and Administration in Higher Education (3 credits)
- EDST 64200 Cultural Engagement in Higher Education Communities (3 credits)
- EDST 64300 Higher Education Economics and Finance (3 credits)
- EDST 64400 Policy and Politics in Higher Education (3 credits)
- EDST 64500 Higher Education Leadership and Management (3 credits)
- EDST 64600 Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education (3 credits)
- EDST 64700 History of American Higher Education (3 credits)
- EDST 64800 International and Intercultural Higher Education (3 credits)
- EDST 69500 Internship in Higher Education (1 credit, taken twice)
- EDCI 61500 Qualitative Research Methods in Education (3 credits)
- EDPS 55600 Introduction to Quantitative Data Analysis Methods in Education I (3 credits)
- EDPS 55700 Introduction to Quantitative Data Analysis Methods in Education II (3 credits)
- EDPS 63000 Research Procedures in Education (3 credits)
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.
Dissertation Research (15 credit hours)
Careers
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 PhD in Educational Studies, Higher Education can give you the needed foundation to be successful.
Job Titles
- 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
Admissions
Admissions
February 15th is the deadline for consideration for Fall admission. Incomplete applications are not reviewed.
December 1st is the deadline for applications for those interested in being considered for any available College and University Funding for Fall. Funding opportunities for this program vary year-to-year.
Please see our webpage on Graduate Application Helpful Tips. If you have any questions after reviewing this information, please reach out to the Office of Graduate Studies.
Graduate Application Steps
- Create an application account and log in to start your graduate application.
- Select the following options for the PhD in Higher Education:
- Campus and Program Tab:
- Select a Campus: Purdue West Lafayette (PWL)
- Select your proposed graduate major: Educational Studies
- First Choice Program Details Tab:
- Please select an Area of Interest: Higher Education
- Please select a degree objective: Doctor of Philosophy
- Primary Course Delivery: Hybrid
- Campus and Program Tab:
- Submit 3 Recommendations
- Upload required materials, including:
- Resume
- Personal History Statement
- Academic Statement of Purpose
- Official GRE Test scores less than 5 years old
- Transcripts for every institution of higher education attended (a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or equivalent is required), including evidence of an awarded baccalaureate degree. For degrees still in progress – if admitted, the applicant will be required to submit a final transcript showing evidence of an awarded degree during the second session of enrollment.
- International Applicants must meet English Proficiency Requirements set by the Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars
- Once you are ready to submit your graduate application, please complete all sections, submit the application, and pay the nonrefundable application fee by credit card.
- The application must be fully submitted (and the application fee paid) in order for your application to be reviewed and considered for admission.
- Check the status of your submitted application by logging into the application portal.
- Once your application is complete, you will receive an email from edgrad@purdue.edu indicating that your application is complete and will be submitted for review.
Start Your Giant Leap with One Small Step
Cost
Cost
The PhD in Educational Studies with a concentration in Higher Education program is affordable and competitive in cost.
| Tuition* | Indiana Resident | Non-Indiana Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Per Credit Hour | $700 | $750 |
| Credit Hours | 90 | 90 |
| Estimated Tuition Costs** | $63,000 | $67,500 |
Additional Information
*The program is billed per credit hour; depending on the number of credit hours will determine your per semester cost. Total Estimated Tuition Cost is based on the total required credit hours. Tuition costs are subject to increase based on approval by the Purdue University Trustees.
*Textbooks and course materials are not included
*Faculty and staff fee remissions are not valid with this program.
^International Student Fee is assessed each term. Current rates are available on the Bursar website.
**The cost of attending Purdue varies depending on where you choose to live, enrollment in a specific program or college, food and travel expenses, and other variables. The Office of the Bursar website shows estimated costs for the current aid year for students by semester and academic year. These amounts are used in determining a student’s estimated eligibility for financial aid. You can also use our tuition calculator to estimate tuition costs.
Licensure
Licensure Information
This program does not lead to nor result in an educator license within or outside the State of Indiana. For licensure inquiries contact the College of Education, Office of Teacher Education and Licensure (OTEL).
testimonial
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.
MARK SCHNEIDER
Assistant Vice President of K-14 Academic Initiatives & Support, Ivy Tech Community College
program FACULTY
Learn From the Experts
Our faculty are nationally recognized and have the ability to work personally with students to individualize their plan of study to meet personal career interests and goals. These faculty will oversee the intensive coursework required for publications and research.
Frequently asked questions
The program is designed to take four years (Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters).
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Educational Studies with a concentration of Higher Education. This information will be listed on the transcript, and the diploma states the degree objective.
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.
Yes. All applicants must have a master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Please note that funding may or may not be available for this program. Please note that the fellowship application deadline is much earlier than the regular application deadline. Fellowship students work either as teaching assistants or graduate assistants at Purdue.
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).
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.
Standard load is two 3-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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Those applicants interested in being considered for any available PhD funding should submit completed applications by December 1 for the following Fall semester. Please note that funding may or may not be available for this program. All other applicants should apply and submit all application materials before February 15.
Interested in this program?
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