FAU Ph.D. Program in Educational Leadership: Higher Education

A Ph.D. cohort in Higher Education Leadership is forming for community college, state college, college, and university faculty and staff.

Cohort begins Fall 2026

Many courses will be available for Summer 2026 enrollment.

Florida Atlantic University is forming a new Ph.D. cohort in Educational Leadership: Higher Education. This program serves individuals preparing for or serving in leadership positions in community colleges, state colleges, colleges, and universities.

The curriculum is designed for higher education instructional leaders (faculty) and administrative leaders seeking a Ph.D. in leadership.

Information Sessions will be held in person or via Zoom*as follows:

• Wednesday, August 20, 2025, from 1:00 to 1:30 pm (EST)
• Wednesday, September 3, 2025, from 1:00 to 1:30 pm (EST)
• Wednesday, October 1, 2025, from 1:00 to 1:30 pm (EST)

Other dates and times may be added. In-person sessions are available on request.

Information Session Registration Form

To register for one of the information sessions, complete this form. To register for one of the information sessions, complete this form (under construction).
*A Zoom link to the informational session will be shared with registered participants.

Overview of the Ph.D. Program

Admissions Requirements

Admission requirements for the Ph.D. program include the following:

• Master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• Minimum Graduate GPA of 3.0
• Three letters of recommendation
• Academic transcripts
• Personal objective essay
• Resume
• Interview with faculty

View the Ph.D. in Higher Education admission requirements.

The program admits two times per year (Fall and Spring semesters).

A master’s degree is required for admission. Students who do not have a higher education (or related) master’s degree will have an opportunity to earn another master’s degree (M.Ed.) along the way to the Ph.D. without taking additional courses required for the Ph.D.

Applications deadlines

Term	Deadline
Fall:	March 1
Spring:	September 15 (earlier submissions are strongly encouraged)

Ideal Candidates for the Ph.D. Program

This 84 minimum-credit Ph.D. program is designed for:

• individuals preparing for or serving in leadership positions in community colleges, state colleges, colleges, and universities,
• higher education instructional leaders (faculty) and administrative leaders seeking a Ph.D. to advance their careers, and
• motivated professionals who are committed to completing coursework and research on evenings and Saturdays over several years of doctoral study.

Our Program Emphasis

The Higher Education Leadership Program at FAU prepares leaders in higher education for the core missions of teaching, research, and service. Our program prepares individuals in leadership positions in community colleges, state colleges, universities, agencies, and proprietary colleges and universities.

View the Ph.D. in Higher Education program requirements.

Areas of emphasis include:

• university leadership
• community college and state college leadership,
• student affairs leadership,
• instructional leadership,
• foundations of higher education, and
• higher education policy.

The program of study is organized around the following domains:

• leadership and management,
• higher education foundation, and
• research methodology.

Required courses taken as a non-degree student (or transferred in) may be brought into the Ph.D. degree program after admission.

Program Delivery

The Ph.D. program courses are offered in a synchronous format via Zoom on weekends and evenings.

Our Faculty

Courses will be taught by full-time, graduate, and affiliate faculty. Learn more about our faculty.

Degree Requirements

View the Ph.D. in Higher Education degree requirements here.

Alumni

Our graduates include college and university presidents, provosts, vice presidents, deans of students and academic affairs, college and university professors, policy analysts, and other higher education leaders.

View highlights of some of our Ph.D. in Higher Education alumni.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Ph.D. Program in Higher Education

1. Where and when is the program offered?

The Fall 2025 cohort will begin August 2025. Classes will be available in Zoom synchronous formats. Classes with live lectures and discussions will be offered on a planned rotation during weekday evenings and Saturdays (executive fast-track). Some classes may be offered in a fully online format without synchronous meetings. Summer classes are offered.

2. How will I know what courses to take?

Each student will receive a personalized review of their prior course work and advice from the Ph.D. faculty. Students will enroll as a cohort in a seminar class the first semester, where they will learn about how to be successful in the program and finalize their degree plan of study.

View the Ph.D. in Higher Education degree requirements.

3. What is the cost of the program?

Tuition and Fees. Florida resident students pay resident tuition and fees.

Additional expenses may be incurred individually, usually related to conference travel if a student enrolls in a course requiring travel.

Financial Aid Availability. Financial aid may be available. Graduate students are generally eligible for Unsubsidized Direct Loans. For graduate students, Unsubsidized Direct Loans have an annual limit of $20,500. To apply, visit FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and add FAU’s school code (001481).

Graduate students may also be eligible for the FAU Graduate Grant. These funds are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to complete your FAFSA early (before our January 1st, priority deadline, or by March 1st, the 2nd priority deadline).

Additionally, graduate students may be eligible for tuition waivers, federal work study, scholarships, and fellowships. View more information about financial aid.

Employee Tuition Assistance. Many colleges and universities provide tuition reimbursement or waiver programs for their employees. Check with your college or university Human Resource Office regarding the availability of funds for your Ph.D. studies.

4. How do I apply?

To apply to the FAU Ph.D. Program in Educational Leadership: Higher Education, go to the Graduate College Admissions and submit a complete application.

Applications will be accepted through September 15, 2025, for January classes. Early applications are encouraged. Please allow several weeks to ensure you have the completed application and documentation, including official transcripts, a personal objective essay, a resume, and three letters of recommendation. No GRE scores are required.

Faculty will select applicants for personalized interviews.

Please note that some materials go to Graduate Admissions and some to the Department. If you need assistance with this process, contact Kathy DuBois at kdubois4@fau.edu or call 561-297-3550.

View the Ph.D. in Higher Education admission requirements.

Additional admissions and application information is available here.

Departmental information can be found on the Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology website (leadership.fau.edu).

5. I want to begin taking classes now but have yet to be accepted. Do I have to wait?

Occasionally, students are approved to enroll for classes as a non-degree student before being admitted to the Ph.D. program as long as you meet the university’s requirements for non-degree status. In addition, appropriate non-degree courses may be brought into your degree program after you are admitted.

View information on registering as a non-degree student.

If you want to enroll as a non-degree student you should seek advisement. We recommend you not “self-advise” and seek guidance before enrolling.

6. How long will it take to complete the program if I attend part-time?

It varies widely, depending on how many classes are taken per term. The coursework is usually 19 three-hour classes; we offer three terms per year. Our cohorts usually complete the coursework in 7 terms. The dissertation is 15 hours. If prerequisites are missing, more courses may be needed.

The average time for completion is around 4 years, but it can be less or more depending on the readiness of the student to successfully pursue the dissertation research requirement. Most cohort students complete the degree in 3.5 to 4.5 years. You will have up to 10 years to complete your Ph.D. Most students work full-time and graduate with their doctoral degrees in less than 7 years. You will have up to 10 years to complete your Ph.D.

Passing Grades

Satisfactory grades for graduate students in Higher Education Leadership must be B or higher. Grades of B- or below are considered unsatisfactory grades for courses at the 6000 and 7000 level.

To apply to the FAU Ph.D. Program in Educational Leadership: Higher Education, go to the Graduate College Admissions.

Program Admission Requirements

Program Requirements

To apply for the program, please contact Kathy DuBois for assistance. Questions about the curriculum should be addressed to Dr. Deborah L. Floyd, Ph.D. Coordinator. Applications are accepted online through the Graduate College.