Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education (Ph.D.)
Identify and address critical issues in higher education
Graduates of this program will lead the identification, analysis, evaluation and application of critical research that addresses higher education issues. The program develops skills for those seeking career advancement in both administrative and faculty tracks.
Learning Model
Online
Credit Hours
90 credits
Students typically transfer 30 hours from a qualifying Master’s program.
Tuition Estimates
Average In or Out of State
$415-500 per credit hour
Tuition rates are based on your residency determination of Texas Resident, Non-Resident, or Foreign. Please consult the Admissions site for more information.
About This Program
The Ph.D. in Higher Education focuses on preparing students for roles in leadership, teaching, research, and engagement in higher education contexts. Graduates of the program will develop skills in analysis, evaluation, and application of research that addresses higher education issues related to multiple populations and a variety of social and cultural contexts domestically and internationally.
The program is conducted in a cohort model designed to be completed within 3-4 years (dependent on student progress). Students follow a prescribed curriculum that includes 6 credit hours in the fall, 6 credit hours in the spring, and 9 credit hours in the summer. Students are required to take two years of prescribed coursework and the third year focuses on the completion of the dissertation.
Many students in the Ph.D. in Higher Education program are employed full-time and courses are taught in the evening to ensure accessibility. Ph.D. students are required to attend three onsite sessions at Texas Tech University (New Student Orientation before year one + two summer immersion sessions before years two and three, all of which typically occur in the first week of June).
Key Courses
EDHE 6305: Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Change
An examination of leadership perspectives and theory and their application in the four-year college and university environment. Addresses organization culture and behavior, management and leadership studies, and entrepreneurial and change leadership.
EDHE 5310: Data-supported Decision-making
A special topics course designed to acquaint students with current research, theory, policies, and/or practices in higher education.
EDHE 6325: Policy Analysis and Issues in Higher Education
Examines the relationship between colleges and universities and policies developed by boards and governments. Explores prevalent issues facing higher education from a policy perspective.
EDHE 6370: Dissertation Proposal Seminar
Required culminating class for both Ph.D. and Ed.D. students. Students will prepare a draft of chapters one through three of their dissertations. At the end of the class, students will have a working draft of their dissertation proposal.
Learn More About our Higher Education Programs
Higher Education Administration & Leadership Certificate
- Online/Hybrid delivery
- Introduction to higher education administration and leadership
- Designed for full-time professionals or current graduate students at Texas Tech
- Internship not required
- No Final Project
M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration (Online)
- Online delivery
- Prepares graduates to lead in higher education organizations
- Designed for full-time professionals seeking graduate degree
- Internship not required
- Capstone Project
M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration
- Hybrid delivery
- Prepares graduates to lead in higher education organizations
- Designed for Graduate Assistants and working professionals
- Internship not required
- Capstone Project or Thesis
Ph.D. in Higher Education (Online)
- Online delivery
- Prepares graduates for executive leadership roles in higher education and to conduct research
- Designed for full-time professionals, with limited Research Assistantships available for potential full-time students
- Practical experiences in research and scholarly communication
- Dissertation
Why a Ph.D. in Higher Education?
Optimally Online
Throughout this program, students experience a thoughtfully assembled collection of online synchronous and asynchronous learning experiences, which are complemented by in-person immersion experiences each summer.
Informed Leaders
Students graduate this program with ability to find, organize, analyze, critique, and effectively utilize the research, scholarship, and data related to their efforts as higher education professionals and leaders.
Knowledge Producers
Students in this program receive instruction on quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods, are mentored as they conduct research on their own, and graduate from the program able to produce (not just consume) knowledge related to their work in higher education.
More info about this program
The Ph.D. in Higher Education has been approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and is taught fully online with three required 2-3 day face-to-face summer intensive sessions. Please contact Dr. Grant Jackson at grant.jackson@ttu.edu for application requirements. Qualified applicants should have a master's degree in a related field, research foundation coursework, and experience in higher education organizations.
For those students interested in Research Assistantships, please contact Dr. Grant Jackson at grant.jackson@ttu.edu. Research Assistants are offered a generous financial package that will cover tuition and most fees. To be selected as a Research Assistant, a student must be willing to live in Lubbock and work 20 hours a week with a faculty mentor.
Transfer credit from another university will be evaluated and awarded in accordance with the guidelines established by the Graduate School. In no case can transfer credit reduce the minimum residency requirement. The majority of students are given a thirty-hour block transfer for the completion of a master's degree. However, students and their faculty advisors should assess whether transfer or course replacement credit may be awarded for any of the Ph.D. curricular requirements. Courses with a letter grade other than A or B cannot be counted for transfer credit (including Pass/Fail).
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Start your journey with Texas Tech today and unlock a flexible, career-focused education tailored to your needs. Have questions? We’re here to help!
Meet the program faculty
Higher Education
-
Address
Texas Tech University, College of Education, 3002 18th Street Lubbock, TX 79409 -
Phone
(806) 742-2377 -
Email
educ.webmaster@ttu.edu