Ph.D. in Higher Education

Program Code: PH6276

Ohio University is the only institution in southeastern Ohio that offers a Ph.D. program in Higher Education. Its faculty includes internationally recognized scholars who can deliver up-to-date knowledge about Higher Education with the academic rigor that is demanded in Ph.D. studies.

Graduates of the program serve in faculty and cabinet-level administrative positions in colleges and universities. In addition, this degree serves a limited number of students who wish to develop research skills about Higher Education, regardless of their career ambitions.

All students learn about the history and contexts of higher education, leadership, organizational needs, the learning environment, and research concepts and methods.

There are three formats for the Ph.D. program: part-time executive format, full-time on-campus, and part-time on-campus. 

Executive Program

Ohio University has offered the only Ph.D. program in higher education and student affairs in southeast Ohio for fifty years. The weekend executive program provides a rich alternative to our traditional on-campus Athens program, which is distinctive in its own right for the varied curriculum and opportunities to collaborate with faculty and engage in research projects. The executive program is well known for innovative programming. Since 1982, this weekend program has enriched the skills and knowledge of students while they have continued to work as full-time administrators and faculty in colleges and universities throughout Ohio and adjacent states. Leaders from 22 different Ohio colleges and universities have enrolled in our last four weekend groups, and many of them have joined the roster of presidents, provosts, vice presidents, other key administrators, and faculty who now serve more than 100 universities and colleges in 29 states, and in 16 nations.

Over a 15-week semester, students are expected to meet for 5 face-to-face weekends (Classes can occur on Fridays and Saturdays). One of the strengths of the weekend executive program has been the development of communities of scholars who meet regularly during the course of their studies. Each cohort continues the tradition of building upon the experience, knowledge, and strengths of students by providing rich face-to-face and technology-mediated interactions.

Student Testimony:

I chose the Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration [at Ohio University] for several reasons. The curriculum provides a comprehensive foundation while also challenging us to think beyond our own experiences, and [OHIO] makes it easy for working students by taking care of course scheduling, registration, and other processes. But for me, it is the strength of a cohort program that sold me. Knowing that you have a built-in support system of fellow students that you can lean on is invaluable.

- Rebecca Butler, Executive Vice President at Columbus State Community College

Full-Time Ph.D. and Part-Time Ph.D. On-Campus Programs

The conventional Ph.D. program is offered through weekday and evening classes on the Athens campus of Ohio University. The conventional program may be pursued on a part-time or full-time basis. International students enrolling in the Ph.D. program must pursue their studies on a full-time basis to maintain student visa status.

For students who apply for admission for the fall semester 2025 on a full-time basis, there are Graduate Assistantships positions that you may apply for within Ohio University. The list of available graduate assistantships will be available by April 2025 on the websites of the Division of Student Affairs Graduate Assistantships, Patton College Graduate Assistantships and Ohio University Jobs (under the "student jobs" tab). 

In addition to the required coursework, students must successfully complete comprehensive examinations administered at or near the completion of coursework. After successful completion of comprehensive examinations, students must author and defend a dissertation proposal and complete dissertation research on a higher education-based topic of personal interest and selection.

The nature of doctoral studies is demanding and intensive, requiring close mentoring by individual faculty.

Select research and administrative graduate appointments may be available to full-time, on-campus doctoral students annually. Please inquire about the availability of these types of appointments.

Program Learning Objectives

At the end of the program, students will be able to: 

1. comprehend relevant historical, organizational, governance, financial, diversity, policy, student development theories, and other contemporary issues concerning higher education;  
2. critically analyze and evaluate relevant higher education policy and conceptual and theoretical literature;  
3. apply the necessary knowledge, theories, and methods to design and conduct original research; and 
4. integrate theory and practice through the completion of a practicum experience.  

Faculty Diversity Statements

Admissions - Ph.D. in Higher Education

The Higher Education and Student Affairs program accepts applications for students to begin in Fall 2025 for:

• Executive Ph.D. Cohort Program
  • Applications are being accepted now and must be submitted by July 1, 2025
  • The next executive format cohort will begin starting in Fall 2025, with coursework running through Spring 2028.
• On-Campus Ph.D. Program (full-time or part-time) to start in Fall 2025
  • For full consideration for admission and GA opportunities, applications are due February 1, 2025
  • Note: the part-time Athens Ph.D. curriculum offers greater flexibility for the selection of courses than the executive format program, which must be highly structured to meet the needs of the executive cohort.
  • In the event that a student misses the February 1 deadline for the on-campus programs, they can contact HESA to determine if there will be any additional spaces available. Very few graduate assistantships will be available to students who apply after the full consideration deadline. Due to visa processing at U.S. embassies and consulates globally, we strongly encourage international students to apply for the program by March 15.
• Any current Ohio University employees interested in applying for the Ph.D. programs must apply by March 15, 2025.

Information regarding available graduate assistantship opportunities for the 2025 academic year is available on the HR website.  Select STUDENT under the position type to see the list of available assistantships.

Required materials include:

1. Completed application form
2. Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended for bachelor's and master's education
3. 3 letters of recommendation that describe the academic skills and professional potential of the applicant
4. An autobiographic essay/Personal Statement (2-3 pages, double-spaced) will be used to assess the applicant’s writing skills, career commitment, leadership potential, and professional goals. At the top of your essay, please identify yourself and indicate whether you are applying to the Executive Ph.D. Cohort or On-Campus program.
5. A personal interview (video call) with a faculty member is to be scheduled in February or March 2025.
6. A current résumé/CV and cover letter
7. GOOD NEWS! The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is NOT required
8. International applicants for whom English is NOT a native language are required to submit English Language Proficiency test results. Please check the Graduate College website for more information.

If you would like to know more about transferring credits from another institution before applying to our program, please read through the Graduate College Transfer Credit Limits for Master's and Doctoral Degrees.

Apply for Graduate Assistant positions through the Human Resources website.

Curricular Requirements (min 61 credit hours)

Apply Now

For further information, contact:

Higher Education and Student Affairs 
Patton Hall 432