Best Online Doctorate in Higher Education Administration

Online PhD and EdD degree programs in higher education administration are fairly similar. In general, a PhD degree is more focused on research and is designed for those wishing to enter careers in academia or other research-based settings, while an EdD is designed more for practitioners. However, career overlap occurs with either degree. PhD programs in higher education administration commonly require around 60 credits of coursework, while EdD programs may require more or fewer credits. For instance, there is one EdD program that only requires 48 credits, while another one requires 75 credits. Despite these differences in the number of required courses, both types of degrees commonly require students to complete a dissertation as the cumulative experience. Another difference is that some online PhD programs may offer additional areas of specialization within higher education administration, while higher education administration is usually offered as its own concentration within online EdD degrees.

Students may decide to earn an online doctorate instead of an online Education Specialist (EdS) degree or online graduate certificate, such as online educational leadership graduate certificates, curriculum and instruction certificates or instructional technology certificates to gain more in-depth training in their desired field. Those interested in working at the postsecondary level may decide to pursue a doctoral degree in higher education administration to qualify for a wide range of leadership positions at colleges and universities. Generally, earning a doctorate will increase one's salary, and the flexibility of this degree can qualify for students for a variety of positions, increasing one's chance of finding a job. These degree programs also help further develop student's leadership, critical-thinking, problem-solving, and administration skills, as well as ensure they know how to conduct research in the field of education.

Admissions standards vary for online doctoral programs in higher education administration. Many programs require applicants to hold a master's degree and meet a minimum GPA requirement, usually around a 3.0. Some programs also require applicants to have between 2 and 3 years of professional work experience related to higher education or a related field. Depending on the school, applicants may also need to meet specific GRE test score standards, such as a 151 verbal, 153 quantitative, and 4.0 analytical writing. Other schools do not require the GRE at all. The application process also varies from school to school, but applicants typically need to include their transcripts with their application. Other common materials for these programs include letters of recommendation, a resume or CV, an essay, and a writing sample. It is also common for these programs to include an interview process.

Online doctoral degree programs in higher education administration usually range between 48 and 75 credits of coursework. Most of these programs can be completed fully online but do require a dissertation. Some of these programs follow a cohort structure to allow students to form relationships with their peers. Many of these programs are taught by faculty who have extensive experience as scholars, educators, and/or administrators in the field. Students in these programs can expect to further advance their communication, leadership, and research skills through the required coursework and dissertation experience.

How Long is an Online Doctoral Higher Education Administration Program?

Most online doctoral programs in higher education administration can be completed in 4 to 5 years. However, there are some online programs that may allow students to finish in as little as 3 years. The time to degree completion can depend on several different factors. For instance, full-time students can finish much faster than those who take lighter course loads or only go part-time. The time that it takes a student to finish his or her dissertation can also play a role in the time to graduation. The dissertation usually takes at least 1 year to complete, but it may take some students longer. Some programs have a time limitation, such as 8 years for degree completion.

Coursework for online doctoral degree programs in higher education administration is usually a fairly even mix of research courses and higher education administration courses. Research-based courses help equip students with the research skills needed to complete their dissertation, while higher education administration courses focus on the practical skills needed for leadership in higher education. Courses may utilize case studies and examine various types of research being conducted in the field. Students commonly have online discussions and other assignments that allow them to interact with their peers and professors. Below are just a few examples of possible courses students in these programs can take.

Student Development

Courses in student development explore the various concepts of adult development and learning theory and apply them to a college context. Some of these courses may also discuss the implications of these concepts for student programming. Depending on the course, students may discuss how to plan and implement various types of programs and student services that meet the needs of diverse students and follow institutional regulations.

Qualitative Research

Students will likely take multiple courses that can fall under the category of qualitative research and may discuss topics in qualitative research theory, research design, and analysis. These courses help students understand the research methods used in the field of education and other social sciences, as well as how to properly use various qualitative tools, such as interviews, case studies, and observations.

Higher Education Administration

In general, courses in higher education administration provide students with an overview of the field and begin by covering the history and structure of higher education administration. Students may also discuss the various administrative roles, processes, and purposes behind these concepts. These courses also explore administrative relationships with different kinds of higher learning institutions.

Professionalism/Ethics and Social Responsibility

Students typically take some kind of course that examines the different professional choices and ethical decision-making needed from higher education administrators. These courses explore the different responsibilities of educational leaders and how to make effective decisions. Students may get the opportunity to discuss and explore different ethical issues in education to further develop their own decision-making skills.

As mentioned, it is fairly common to see higher education leadership or higher education administration offered as its own specialization within a PhD or EdD degree program. However, there is at least one online PhD program in higher education administration that offers additional areas of specializations. Students can choose from a specialization in educational leadership or student affairs. The educational leadership specialization focuses on preparing students for administrative positions at a higher education institution, while the student affairs specialization helps prepare students for a career focused on supporting student bodies at a college or university. While there is some overlap in the potential jobs that graduates with these specializations can pursue, the educational leadership one is designed for those focused on administration and the student affairs specialization is designed for those wanting to interact more with students. Other online doctoral programs in higher education administration that do not offer additional specialization areas still allow students to examine their own research interests through the dissertation project.

Students in online doctoral programs in higher education administration typically have to complete a dissertation during the last year or so of their program. A dissertation is an independent research project that explores a specific statement or hypothesis. Although students will take courses throughout the program that will help them with their dissertation, such as research courses, the dissertation process usually begins when students are done with their coursework. After completing their courses, students usually need to pass their comprehensive exams. These exams may be written and/or oral. Once students pass their exams, they advance to candidacy and they usually need to form a dissertation committee with their advisor and other faculty members. This committee will provide students with feedback throughout the dissertation process and help ensure that students are on the right track. Students can then begin working on their dissertation prospectus that serves as a proposal of sorts. Their committee will provide feedback and once students pass their prospectus they can begin the in-depth research and writing of their dissertation. Finally, after finishing their dissertation, students must defend it before their dissertation committee. Commonly, students will be required to submit a publication from their dissertation and/or present their work before peers.

Choosing the right online doctoral degree in higher education administration can come down to several different factors. Students may first want to weigh the similarities and differences between an EdD and a PhD in the field to find which one best fits their career goals. Students should also carefully compare the titles of these programs, as some students may prefer a program specifically in higher education administration and others may prefer one that offers higher education administration as a concentration. Determining whether to take the program online or on-campus may depend on a student's schedule. Full-time working professionals may find it easier and more flexible to enroll in an online program. Once students have figured out which type of degree they want and have settled on an online format, they can begin comparing the unique features of different programs of interest. Specific course topics may be a determining factor, as students will want to find a program that best aligns with their interests and career goals. Students may also want to attend a school that has faculty members with similar research interests. Finally, students will need to compare the cost of different programs and find one that fits within their budget. Students may choose one school over another one based on availability of financial aid or funding.

Students should also always look to attend a doctoral program at an accredited institution. This allows students to utilize federal aid and degrees from these institutions often stand out to employers because it indicates a level of academic quality. Colleges and universities must also be accredited to obtain any funding from state governments. Most schools that offer online doctoral programs in higher education administration are regionally accredited by organizations, such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). In addition to regional accreditation, some colleges or departments within an institution and/or specific programs may hold subject-specific accreditation. For example, some online doctoral programs in higher education administration may be available from schools where their College of Education is accredited by an education-related group, such as the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Subject-specific accreditation may be preferred by employers, as it indicates an additional level of quality related to the field.

There are many different careers in higher education and education in general that graduates with their doctoral degree in higher education administration can pursue. While primary and secondary administrators may need additional certification, such as education administrator certification for school principals, most higher education administrators do not need additional certification. Graduates with their doctoral degree may pursue a range of university administrator positions, such as dean, president, academic advisor, program director, or college registrar. Graduates can also bypass becoming an education research assistant and conduct their own independent research as postsecondary educators. Here we examine a few possible career options in greater detail below.

Postsecondary Education Administrator

Postsecondary education administrators include a variety of job titles, including positions in admissions, student affairs, and the registrar's office. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary of postsecondary education administrators was $97,500 as of 2020. The BLS also reported that these administrators had a job outlook of 8% from 2020 to 2030. The duties and responsibilities of these administrators vary by position, but in general, these administrators perform various administrative duties that help keep the institution running smoothly and serve the student body. These administrators may review applications, help students register for classes, assist with graduation, and plan student events.

Top Executive

Top executives include a wide range of job titles, including college or university presidents. Per the BLS, as of 2020, the median annual salary of top executives was $106,180, and the job outlook was 8% from 2020 to 2030. Again, job duties vary by title, but in the case of college or university presidents, job duties may also vary based on the size of the institution. Typically, college or university presidents oversee the big-picture issues of their institution. They may oversee the budget, monitor student success, and work closely with the institution's stakeholders.

Postsecondary Teacher

Some graduates may want to continue conducting education research and teach the next generation of education administrators as postsecondary teachers. Postsecondary teachers made a median annual salary of $80,560 as of 2020, per the BLS. The BLS also stated that the job outlook for postsecondary teachers was 12% from 2020 to 2030. Postsecondary teachers generally teach multiple courses related to their field of expertise and then have research responsibilities to the institution. These teachers interact with their students and must create the curriculum for their courses.

Funding one's online doctoral degree in higher education administration can be a concern for some students. Therefore, students should be sure that they carefully research all of their financial aid options, starting by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This will notify students of any federal grants or loans that they qualify for. In addition to federal aid, students should carefully explore financial aid options from their institution of choice and other outside organizations related to their subject area and interests. Although some schools offer assistantships for graduate students, these are usually reserved for on-campus students. However, online students can still qualify for a range of scholarships that schools or outside organizations may offer. For example, the University of Wyoming, which offers an online EdD in Higher Education Administration, provides a couple scholarship options for students in the program. Of these options, non-traditional students with financial need can pursue the Kercher Family Scholarship in Education Scholarship, while students with financial need who are committed to working with adult education can pursue the Clarence Jayne Memorial Scholarship. Prospective students should make sure to research the options available at their chosen schools.