PhD in Educational Leadership & Research Higher Education Administration Area of Focus

The PhD in Educational Leadership & Research with an area of focus in Higher Education Administration prepares scholars and administrators to lead, study, and strengthen colleges and universities. Through advanced study in higher education and rigorous research preparation, students develop the expertise to examine complex challenges, use research and data to inform decision-making, and develop academic structures and practices that respond to student and institutional needs.

PhD students in the Higher Education Administration program build advanced skills in quantitative and qualitative research methods and examine topics such as higher education leadership, governance, policy, finance, assessment, and college student development, access, and retention. The program culminates in original dissertation research that contributes new knowledge to the field of higher education.

Graduates are prepared for advanced leadership, administrative, research, and faculty roles in colleges and universities, as well as in other organizations that shape higher education.

Application Deadlines

Students may be admitted to the on-campus program for fall, spring, or summer semesters. Application deadlines are as follows:

  • Summer – April 15
  • Fall – April 15
  • Spring – November 15 (October 1 for International Students)

Meet the Faculty

Graduate Studies Application Process

Since higher education is an interdisciplinary field, we accept students with master's degrees from a variety of disciplines into our PhD program. In addition to the Graduate School requirements, the PhD program in Higher Education Administration requires:

  • Statement of Purpose (explain the reasons why you are seeking a PhD, your research interests, and your career goals)
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
  • Current resume or curriculum vitae
  • 2-3 Letters of Recommendation (addressing the student’s academic and professional qualifications and promise for succeeding in doctoral-level work) 

The curricular requirements for Higher Education Administration include:

  • A core area of 19 hours, which includes 11 hours of research and six hours in a school core.
  • 24 hours in the primary area of higher education, of which at least 15 hours must be completed during the doctoral program. If a student does not have a previously earned graduate degree in higher education, all 24 hours must be in the primary area of higher education.
  • Nine hours of dissertation research.
  • Admitted students are anticipated to have a master’s degree; students who do not have a master’s degree must complete a minimum of 38 hours in addition to the 52 hours required for the PhD.

ELRC 7299 Introduction to Scholarship in Education (3)
EDCI  7910 Traditions of Inquiry (3)

ELRC 7006 Educational Statistics (4)
ELRC 7241 Educational Research Methodology (3)
ELRC 7243 Qualitative Methods in Educational Research  (4)

Additional research course selected with advisor’s approval.

Examples of Higher Education Courses Recently Offered: 

ELRC 7601 Foundations of Higher Education (3)
ELRC 7603 Leadership in Higher Education (3)
ELRC 7604 Politics and Policy of Higher Education (3)
ELRC 7605 Higher Education and the Law (3)
ELRC 7607 Finance in Higher Education (3)
ELRC 7610 Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education (3)
ELRC 7611 College Students in the United States (3)
ELRC 7612 Student Development Theory (3)
ELRC 7613 Community Colleges (3)
ELRC 7614 College Access and Choice (3)
ELRC 7890 Seminar: Educational Administration (topics vary) (3)

Examples of ELRC 7890 seminar courses:

  • Academic Advising
  • College Student Retention & Success
  • Contemporary Issues in Higher Education
  • Land-Grant Universities

All concentration courses must be chosen in consultation with and approved by your advisor.

Continuous enrollment is required beyond nine hours until completion of the degree.

Candidates must:

  • successfully complete a General Exam consisting of written responses to questions and a comprehensive oral exam
  • successfully propose a Dissertation Proposal, which is typically the first three chapters of a proposed dissertation study, including an oral defense of the proposal
  • gain Internal Review Board (IRB) approval
  • complete a dissertation study, collecting, analyzing, and writing up research results, and successfully passing an oral defense of the dissertation study
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Contact Us

Ashley Clayton, PhD
Coordinator, Higher Education Administration PhD Program
202C Peabody Hall
aclayton@lsu.edu