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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education

School of Education

Leadership for Higher Education specialization

Prepare yourself to lead community colleges, universities, and other postsecondary education organizations in both academic and administrative positions. Through advanced course work in higher education leadership and administration, as well as your own doctoral research, develop the knowledge and critical-thinking skills to be a bold, innovative, ethical leader. People who choose this specialization are often faculty members or administrators pursuing or holding department chair, dean, provost, student service director, president, or vice president positions in higher education institutions or organizations that service the higher education market. This specialization is also designed to allow you to concurrently enroll in the Post-Master's Certificate in Enrollment Management and earn a professional certificate from Noel-Levitz.

This specialization is not designed to satisfy licensure requirements for P–12 public school teachers or administrators.

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Total Program: 120 quarter credits
Up to 48 quarter credits may be transferred into this specialization
Admission Requirements Icon indicating PDF
Next Start Date: March 5, 2012
Quarter - Coursework: $4,530
Up to 3 courses per quarter
Quarter - Comps/Diss: $4,062

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Residency requirements: Three 4-day weekend experiences

Learn about the residential colloquia experience.
In addition to your online courses, you will complete 3 residential colloquia, each of which includes a 4-day weekend experience, at specific stages in your program. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your PhD studies and beyond.

Doctoral colloquia each have 3 steps:

Step 1: Colloquium Courseroom (opens approximately 2 weeks prior to Weekend Experience)
Step 2: Weekend Experience (4-day residency)
Step 3: Colloquium Courseroom—Assessment and evaluation (completed the week after the Weekend Experience)

What is the cost to attend?

The price for each colloquium is $1,495 (pricing is subject to periodic adjustment), but doesn’t include costs for evening meals or travel. You’ll be responsible for making your hotel reservations and travel arrangements.
  • Learn more about residency requirements.
  • Get more detailed information and learn how the residency experiences will enrich your learning at Capella University. Speak with an enrollment counselor at 1.888.227.3552.

Core Courses (each course 4 quarter credits unless noted)

  • ED8002 - Foundations of Theory and Practice in Doctoral Studies
  • ED8112 - Educational Research Methods
  • ED8117 - Advanced Qualitative Research Methods*
  • ED8122 - Statistics for Educational Research I*

Specialization Courses (each course 4 quarter credits unless noted)

  • ED7540 - Leadership in Higher Education
  • ED7546 - Human Resources in Higher Education
  • ED7547 - Assessment in Higher Education
  • ED7818 - The Future of Teaching and Learning: Issues for the Educational Leader
  • ED7212 - Administration and Leadership of Distance Education Programs
  • ED7834 - Higher Education and the Law
  • ED8447 - Advanced Funding and Managing Education Enterprises
  • ED7840 - The Politics of Higher Education
  • ED7841 - The History of Higher Education
  • ED7855 - Higher Education Administration
  • ED9919 - Doctoral Comprehensive Examination*
  • ED9920 - Dissertation Courseroom* - non-credit
  • ED9921 - Dissertation Research 1* - 5 quarter credits
  • ED9922 - Dissertation Research 2* - 5 quarter credits
  • ED9923 - Dissertation Research 3* - 5 quarter credits
  • ED9924 - Dissertation Research 4* - 5 quarter credits

Ten Elective Courses (each course 4 quarter credits unless noted)

  • Recommended elective courses
  • ED7106 - Curriculum Development
  • ED7703 - Student Development Challenges and Successes
  • ED7713 - Student Advising and Retention
  • ED7800 - Grant Writing for Higher Education
  • ED8111 - The Historical and Social Foundations of Education
  • ED8123 - Statistics for Educational Research II*
  • OR
  • Choose any graduate courses.
* This course has a prerequisite. Contact an enrollment counselor for more information.

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Learn more about our related specializations:

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ResearchisKey. Know Hiring, Retirement Projections & State Budget Support for Higher Education

July 9, 2010Rosemari PhD's need to be market savvy. With serious state budget cuts, lay off and furloughs of faculty and administrators and where the focus on privatizing higher education in many states seem to be the trend, it is very important for anyone considering to specialize in leadership in higher education with a PhD unless you are already in a setting to move into a position, one should be realistic about the job market. Be prepared to go the adjunct route or consider applying to teaching positions on line. Finally explore how acceptable is the potential employer to hiring PhD's who acquired degrees online. Get published. Attend educational conferences where you can network. However it still appears as if one has a better chance of landing that position if you know someone-unfortunately at the top. good Luck!

Leadership for Higher Education.Worth the paper it's written on?

November 16, 2010Steve PhD in Leadership for Higher Education. Not worth the paper it’s written on? Four years ago all the rave was a study, in which Capella bought into and advertised for recruitment into this program, a study by AACC (American Association of Community Colleges) declaring a "critical shortage of community college leadership." Unfortunately this can't be further from the truth, but also through my own research has never been the case, nor is there any outlook of any kind pointing to a shortage of personnel, especially here in California. Speaking directly to a researcher who took part in the study with AACC, he said (and I paraphrase here) “we looked only at a few states and looked only at the numbers of retiring administrators. We did not compare that against the applicant pool applying for such positions.” In other words, AACC’s research premise was thus: there are 750 Major League professional baseball players in the world and 90% will be retired in 10 years. Therefore there is a critical shortage of Major League professional baseball players! AACC even said, and I quote: “We did not look at California, would you like to do that for us?” Well, I did. Calling into 22 of 71 community college districts throughout California, polling from metropolitan, suburban, and remote districts, not one HR administrator agreed with AACC, with one even stating “AACC is from Mars if they think there is any kind of shortage with administrative personnel.” One district administrator commented that their big problem is sorting through the tons of qualified applications for each position open. One position, a Dean at Santa Barbara Community College, received over 150 qualified applications. Calling into five other states, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Utah and Arizona, I found the same response from HR administrators: no critical shortage of leadership personnel predicted. One HR administrator from Arizona, jokingly but half serious, replied (and I quote): “AACC is not from Mars if they think there’s any type of leadership shortage…they are from Pluto!” Another HR administrator from New Jersey commented: “There is always a shortage of leaders with more talent than God and more money than Bill Gates.” I work at a university and currently in higher education. Unfortunately it’s a faith-based institution where you had better be a life-long member of the church if you apply for any administrative position. In California, as with my friend currently in the this PhD program who got a promotion to President of San Jacinto College, Roger Schultz, these degrees in Leadership for Higher Education might get you a promotion. It will not open the door to an outsider. Go do something of real value before you think about this worthless program. After 12 years of adjunct for three California community college districts I have recently stopped doing that (oh how many times I’ve heard the carrot before the stick… “well, we MIGHT have some tenure-track positions open soon!”) There are two things I used to do weekly: 1) apply to a California community college, and 2) play the California lottery. There is now one thing I do every week: 1) play the California lottery. And I’m damn glad I do! I’m up $62 bucks this year!

Currently enrolled in the PhD Leadership in Higher Education Specialization

July 8, 2010Amanda I am enrolled to take my 5th and 6th courses at Capella. I recently completed my Track 1 Colloquium and it was awesome. In only 6 months I have learned so much professionally and personally through my studies and interaction with both professors and online learners through my coursework at Capella. I am more confident when expressing myself through verbal and written communication and no longer afraid of this new challenge and desire to complete my doctorate degree. I am a 38 year old wife, mother of two (college student and middle schooler), full-time worker and full-time church volunteer. If you really are serious about furthering your education in the best possible way, Capella is the place to be.

Almost Done!

July 8, 2010Debbie I have been a doctoral student for five years! I will walk at graduation in August and just finished chapters 4 and 5 of my dissertation. The faculty and especially my mentor, Dr. Bourque, have been incredible. They have all been very supportive and encouraging. They are truly some of the best I have come in contact with throughout my higher education pursuit. Thank you all!

2007 Graduate PhD from Capella

July 8, 2010Nancy As a PhD student and graduate of Capella in 2007, I highly recommend Capella for study. The staff and professors go the extra mile to ensure you are on the right track to successfully complete your studies and graduate. The degree has offered me opportunities that I thought would be unreachable. Working towards a PhD is a long uphill climb, however, the view from the top is breathtaking. Good luck to all who join the Capella family (and I mean that literally). Capella is family!

My Learning Experience At Capella - PhD Program Leadership in HE

July 12, 2010Dale I have completed three courses and track 1 - colloquium at Capella. I am in the PhD Leadership in Higher Education. I am very satisfied with my learning outcome so far. I am really learning a lot, every thing is right at your finger tip. If you are focused and committed to your education, Capella will enhance that journey. I have no complaints, I am glad I chose Capella.

I never thought I would say I missed the classes!

July 8, 2010Jeannette I just finished my coursework and comprehensive exam. I never thought I would say I missed the classes! The learning conversations that take place in an online discussion board combined with the expectation that you stretch your critical thinking skills in research was made me a better student and education leader. The flexibility of online allows you to work and go to school, but it doesn't mean you don't work at learning. However, the instructors are as passionate about your success as you are (most days) and if you lose steam, the other students offer support and ideas. And then you meet at colloquium and you are old friends working towards a common, challenging but valued goal. The program makes you think, stretch, explore and challenge others views, understand yourself better and I will miss it when I finish my dissertation!
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