Admission requirements

Students seeking admission should apply for either the EdD or PhD program depending on their academic preparation, prior experience and career goals. Admission to the program is selective and restricted.

In addition to the minimum requirements of the Toulouse Graduate School  and the College of Education  listed under the “Admission Requirements” heading in the appropriate section of this catalog, admission to the EdD and PhD doctoral programs in higher education is contingent upon the following:

1. The submission of GRE or GMAT scores. Contact the academic program for information concerning acceptable admission test scores.
2. The quality, quantity and relevance of the applicant’s prior undergraduate and/or graduate work and prior work experience in higher education administration, teaching and/or research.
3. The applicant’s career objectives.
4. The submission of three professional references.
5. The quality of the application essay.
6. An interview by program faculty.

Each semester has an application deadline. Contact the program for application deadlines.

After review of the application packet, eligible applicants will be invited to be interviewed by the faculty.

Both doctoral programs offered in higher education enable students to acquire knowledge about and evaluate major organizational, behavioral and learning theories applicable to higher education; to conduct applied and/or original research in the field of higher education; to become familiar with past, present and emerging patterns of organization and professional administrative practice in higher education; and to observe and participate in the actual practice of higher education administration and/or research. However, the two programs differ significantly in length and emphasis and in course work, research tool, minor field and dissertation requirements.

Doctor of Education

The EdD program in higher education is designed for individuals interested primarily in the application of theory to practice. It is particularly appropriate for persons who aspire to administrative leadership careers in one or more of the following areas.

• Senior leadership positions in four-year colleges and universities, such as dean of students, vice president for student affairs, dean of administration, vice president for administration, vice president for development, assistant to the president, dean of continuing education and dean of a college of education.
• Senior leadership positions in two-year community colleges, junior colleges and vocational/technical institutes, such as department chair, dean of learning resource centers, dean for instruction, dean of students, dean of administration, vice president and president.
• Higher education middle management administrative positions in student affairs, administrative affairs, business affairs and development in all types of institutions of higher education, including such positions as director of housing, director of financial aid, director of student services, director of student life/student activities, director of student center, director of purchasing, director of auxiliary services, director of institutional research, director of development, director of human resources and director of continuing education.
• Senior administrative and staff positions in higher education coordinating and/or governing agencies in state, regional and federal government.
• Administrative leadership positions with higher education accrediting agencies, professional associations, consortia and other professional organizations.

Degree requirements

The minimum total number of hours required for the EdD is 60–66 hours beyond the master’s degree or 90–96 hours beyond the bachelor’s degree.