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College of Applied Human Sciences: School of Education

Higher Education, PhD

The PhD program in Higher Education focuses on preparing future scholars, faculty and policy analysts who will critically analyze higher education issues and chart the future of colleges and universities.

Students in this program will be prepared to conduct new research and undertake leadership roles in higher education.

The PhD in Higher Education includes the following course components:

  • A higher education core designed to provide breadth across critical areas of HIED.
  • A specialization within HIED, which may include: Academic Affairs/Curriculum and Assessment, College Student Development, Administration, Organizations and Policy, or an Individualized Specialization.
  • A research core that provides the methodological competencies to produce original research as well as the ability to critically evaluate published scholarship.
  • A cognate outside the Higher Education program to allow for in-depth study in a field related to student interests and research foci.
  • A research, teaching and/or policy practicum.
Your Degree Plan The WVU Difference Learn by Doing Careers and Outcomes Meet Your Community Frequently Asked Questions Admission Requirements Take the Next Steps

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Aerial view of Martin and Woodburn Halls

The PhD program in Higher Education prepares future scholars, faculty and policy analysts who will critically analyze higher education issues and chart the future of colleges and universities.

Students take a common set of five core courses before selecting a specific area of specialization they’d like to focus on related to their research and professional interests and goals.

Students also take a research core, consisting of qualitative, quantitative and advanced methods courses to support them in their dissertation research. Finally, PhD students enroll in mentored teaching and research credits to gain experience in both arenas under the mentorship of a faculty member.

Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the doctoral program, graduates will be prepared to:

  • Develop scholarly work that advances the field of higher education.
  • Be an invested and collaborative member of academia.
  • Be reflective, ethical and effectual leaders of higher education organizations and institutions.
  • Apply research and theory to the practice of higher education administration.
  • Critically evaluate scholarship, policy and practice in order to promote equity, access and social justice.

Program Delivery
The doctoral program will follow a hybrid format, with some classes offered fully online, others offered as hybrid face-to-face and online and the remainder offered in face-to-face format. Face-to-face classes will be conducted on weeknights or weekends, in order to accommodate the needs of students who may be traveling distances of three or more hours.

Courses offered online as part of the Higher Education Administration MA Program will continue to be offered online, serving dual functions as MA and PhD courses. Instructors will differentiate assignments to tailor learning activities for masters and doctoral students.

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

  • Honors

    Expand your curiosity — and enhance your curriculum — through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations for first- and second-year students and Honors EXCEL for third- and fourth-year students.

    Explore Honors

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart from its competitors?

  • This is a hybrid program: some classes are offered fully online, others are hybrid face-to-face and online and the remainder are in face-to-face format.
  • Face-to-face classes are conducted on weeknights or weekends.

Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

Research
Students employ critical, qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods in their dissertation research. Recent topics include:

  • Experiences of Latina students at a PWI
  • Academic dishonesty
  • Academic advising roles
  • Land-grant institutional engagement with global and local publics
  • Place-based practice decisions of Appalachian medical students
  • Supports and barriers to women in higher education leadership

Students also engage with faculty on research projects. For example, Dr. Erin McHenry-Sorber is currently mentoring a doctoral student on a critical qualitative research study that explores the experiences of transgender and nonbinary students in creative arts programs. She is mentoring another doctoral student through a funded multi-state research project that investigates educational equity in rural schools and communities.

Hands-on learning

  • Mentored teaching
  • Mentored research
  • Policy practicum

Each of the above options is equivalent to a three-credit course. Under the mentorship of a faculty member or policy professional, students gain experience that can afford them a competitive edge on the job market. Students often select a mentored teaching experience based on the type of course they’re interested in teaching as well as course content. Students use mentored research experiences to gain practice in specific research methods or to collaborate with a faculty member on original research with the goal of publication.

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

  • Graduate Teaching Assistantship
  • Research Assistantship
  • Student Affairs Assistantship

Attending college will prepare you for many things. The Higher Education major will give you the following skills:

  • Analytical skills
  • Research Skills
  • Leadership
Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We’ll help you follow your curiosity.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Education Administrators, Postsecondary

Plan, direct or coordinate research, instructional, student administration and services and other educational activities at postsecondary institutions, including universities, colleges and junior and community colleges.

May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $96,910

Possible job titles include: Academic Dean, Dean, Provost, Registrar.

Explore Career

Education Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, instruction, teacher education and teaching English as a second language. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $63,910

Possible job titles include: Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Education Professor, Professor.

Explore Career

Higher Education Faculty

Suggested Experiences and Résumé Builders
  • WVU Higher Education Student Association
Related Professional Organizations Alumni
  • Portrait of Jason Hedrick.
    Jason Hedrick

Higher Education Research Analyst and Consultant

Suggested Experiences and Résumé Builders
  • WVU Higher Education Student Association
Related Professional Organizations Alumni
  • Photo of Susana Mazuelas Quirce.
    Susana Mazuelas Quirce
  • Portrait of Katlin Swisher.
    Katlin Swisher

Postsecondary Education Administrator

Suggested Experiences and Résumé Builders
  • WVU Higher Education Student Association
Related Professional Organizations Alumni
  • Photo of Justine A. L. Burnett.
    Justine A. L. Burnett
  • Professional Portrait of Meridith Balas.
    Meridith Balas

Meet Your Community

The Higher Education family will inspire and support you.

  • In large part due to the HIED PhD program, I was recently offered an associate director role at a fantastic institution, and I am thrilled for this great new career opportunity that the PhD program has made possible for me.

    “I am so grateful that I decided to pursue the higher education PhD program at WVU. The faculty are kind and extremely knowledgeable, and they have been endlessly supportive of my research interests, encouraging me to explore my passions while providing me with the patient mentorship necessary to expand my skills and achieve my goals. As someone who was already employed full-time at the WVU Office of Undergraduate Research when I began the PhD program, I am especially appreciative of the hybrid model that has allowed me to attend classes part-time in the evenings while simultaneously focusing on my budding academic career. In large part due to the HIED PhD program, I was recently offered an associate director role at a fantastic institution, and I am thrilled for this great new career opportunity that the PhD program has made possible for me. It has been the perfect choice of degree for me as someone passionate about expanding access and equity in higher education spaces and I cannot wait to see where the program continues to take me through the dissertation process and beyond.”
    Portrait of Paige Zalman.
    Paige Zalman
     MA, Musicology More About Paige

  • Being able to learn about concepts and then apply them in my daily work in a community college setting has been amazing.

    “I love the Higher Education program at WVU. Being able to learn about concepts and then apply them in my daily work in a community college setting has been amazing. I love this program as much as I love being a Mountaineer!”
    Portrait of Chandler Sagal.
    Chandler Sagal

  • I chose WVU because I believe the curriculum, professors and opportunities available to me would help me reach my academic and professional goals.

    “I chose WVU because I believe the curriculum, professors and opportunities available to me would help me reach my academic and professional goals. This program creates a welcoming and inclusive environment for the students, and the coursework challenges the students to stay up to date with higher education trends and research to be the most effective researchers, educators and administrators. As an R1 institution, the faculty are producing excellent research, and are always willing to bring students alongside to get hands-on research and teaching experience, but also genuinely care about the well-being of their students outside of academics. My wife and I both attend PhD programs at the University, and it has been such a great experience for us thus far!”
    Photo of Ashley Leggett-Bradley.
    Ashley Leggett-Bradley

  • The faculty members are very supportive and contribute meaningfully to my academic and career success.

    “My WVU experience has been great so far, though sometimes challenging but again I have learned to knock on doors because all it takes is to ask for support. The faculty members are very supportive and contribute meaningfully to my academic and career success. I chose WVU and Higher Education because it was congruent with my career aspirations, and I knew I would get the support to succeed.”
    Photo of Sandra Ayivor.
    Sandra Ayivor
     View Sandra's LinkedIn Profile Learn About Sandra's Research

  • I chose WVU because of the extensive opportunities for research as well as the close-knit community of graduate students.

    “I chose WVU because of the extensive opportunities for research as well as the close-knit community of graduate students! I am finishing my first year in the program and could not be more thankful for all of the personalized learning experiences with faculty and peers.”
    Photo of Madison Troha.
    Madison Troha
  • Professional studio portrait of John Campbell.

    John Campbell

    Professional highlights:

    • College Teaching Award, 2022
    • Purdue University Distinguished Education Alumni Award, 2017
    • Noel-Levitz Retention Award, 2012
    • Digital Educational Achievement Award, 2011
    • Campus Technology Innovator Award, 2011

  • Erin McHenry-Sorber

    Professional highlights:

    • NREA Howard A. Dawson Best Research Paper Award, 2016
    • NREA Howard A. Dawson Best Research Paper Award, 2019
    • Mary Catherine Buswell Award, WVU, 2019
    • Outstanding Teaching Award, College of Education and Human Services, WVU, 2019

  • Professional Portrait of Meridith Balas.
    Meridith Balas
     PhD, Higher Education
    “The PhD program and the opportunities within the Land Grant Center prepared me to be a lifelong learner and scholar-practitioner, equipped to challenge the status quo while prioritizing student service in higher education and student affairs.”

  • I had a great experience working with different groups of people and learning how to work towards a common goal.

    Photo of Justine A. L. Burnett.
    Justine A. L. Burnett
     PhD, Higher Education
    “I had a great experience working with different groups of people and learning how to work towards a common goal. Specifically in my program, I was able to understand differing perspectives and experiences that shape the way we interact with each other. These interactions have prepared me to make the best of any situation and to be confident in who I am to make my goals a reality.”

  • I rely on the foundation of higher education knowledge, research expertise and critical thinking and problem-solving skills gained from my WVU PhD every day.

    Portrait of Katlin Swisher.
    Katlin Swisher
     PhD, Higher Education; MA, Higher Education Administration; BS, Journalism
    “I use social listening research to help colleges and universities reach their goals by connecting the dots between insights and their marketing communications, enrollment and advancement priorities, building relationships with campus leaders, facilitating conversations and making recommendations to support their success. I rely on the foundation of higher education knowledge, research expertise and critical thinking and problem-solving skills gained from my WVU PhD every day to help campuses build trust with their audiences, guide their strategic planning and branding efforts and inform organizational change.”

  • Photo of Susana Mazuelas Quirce.
    Susana Mazuelas Quirce
     PhD, Higher Education
    “'Your story’s one of la búsqueda de conocimiento, of seeking experiences that’ll give you purpose, give your life meaning, give you a sense of belonging' (Anzaldúa, 2002, p. 577). So many thanks to the Department of Higher Education at WVU for a true experience of learning.”

  • My career and this program could not have fit together more seamlessly.

    Portrait of Jason Hedrick.
    Jason Hedrick
     PhD, Higher Education
    “While working for the School of Medicine, I was able to begin taking the literature and theory I was learning in the higher education program and begin applying it to my role from day one. Additionally, when it came time to begin dissertation work, the faculty in higher education encouraged me to leverage my work experience to find a unique research project. My career and this program could not have fit together more seamlessly.”

    • FAQs

    Common questions and answers about Higher Education.

    1. Our EdD program is designed primarily for people interested in pursuing senior leadership positions at higher education institutions, or who are interested in working for consulting or policy groups. Our PhD program can also benefit those students interested in pursuing leadership positions. In addition, the PhD prepares students for faculty and research roles.

    2. Many of our students work full-time. Our courses are offered in the evenings, and students may enroll full- or part-time in coursework.

    3. Courses meet once weekly and are offered in-person and online in the evenings. Online courses meet synchronously. This enables us to create and maintain a community of learners who can support each other through the program.

    Admission Requirements

    To be eligible for admission into a graduate program at WVU an applicant must submit official, bachelor's degree transcripts from a regionally accredited institution and hold a GPA of at least 2.75. WVU operates decentralized admissions. Decentralized admissions allows each graduate program to set its own application requirements in addition to the University requirements.

    • Additional application considerations:

      • Only applications with all completed requirements will be considered for admission.

      View Acceptance Policy and Admission Procedure

    • Application Deadlines

      Each graduate program sets their own terms for admission and application deadlines. Applicants can only apply for admission for the terms displayed below. Any questions regarding the application deadline should be directed to the graduate program representative.

      • Fall: January 15
      • Spring: November 1
      • Summer: February 15

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