Higher Education EdD

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, chief academic affairs officer, vice president of student services, dean of business services, 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 institutional research, director of development, and director of continuing education.
• Senior administrative and staff positions in higher education coordinating and/or policy agencies in state, regional and federal government.
• Administrative leadership positions with higher education accrediting agencies, professional associations, consortia and other professional organizations.

Application Deadlines

• March 1 for fall enrollment
• Oct. 1 for spring enrollment

Apply to the University of North Texas

Apply with the UNT GradCAS (Centralized Application System).  Go to the Graduate Admissions Webpage for the links, instructions, and guidance.   Graduate Admissions | University of North Texas (unt.edu)  You will submit program related material listed below through the GradCAS portal. 

1. Completed the Application for Admission to the Doctoral Program in Higher Education
2. Three professional recommendations — recommendation form

• Three professional recommendations are required, including at least one from a faculty member with whom you have studied or conducted research.

1. A typewritten admissions essay that does not exceed 2 pages, addressing the following:
   1. Your reasons for pursuing a doctoral degree in higher education;
   2. Major area of interest in the field of higher education;
   3. Expectations regarding the program and career opportunities from the degree;
   4. Your immediate and long-range goals;
   5. Your work experience and previous scholarship as it relates to future career goals;
   6. Educational background as it relates to future career plans; and
   7. Personal uniqueness and how it contributes to the entering class and the program's reputation.
2. A resume/curriculum vitae
3. A sample of your best recent written work

• The writing sample can be a published journal article or book chapter, a research term paper, master’s thesis, or a professional report for which you are the sole or primary author.

Application materials will be uploaded to the GradCAS portal.  If you have any questions, please email  Shari.Wroe@unt.edu. Recommendations sent via email need to be submitted directly from the recommender.

UNT Higher Education Program
c/o Doctoral Admissions Coordinator
1155 Union Circle #310829
Denton, TX 76203-5017

The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application file reaches the Program Office in time to be processed by the application deadline.  If a complete application file is not processed by the deadline, the applicant will not be considered for admission that semester.

Note: Students who have not been granted admission will be administratively dropped from any Higher Education courses for which they may have registered.

Invitation to Interview

Admission to doctoral study in Higher Education, both the EdD and PhD, is selective and restricted. Admission decisions are made on a holistic basis by the faculty.

After faculty review, applicants may receive an invitation to an individually scheduled interview or conference call. Upon completion of the interview, faculty will make a final decision regarding an applicant's admission to the doctoral program.

Examples of Higher Education Doctoral Courses

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History and Philosophy of Higher Education (EDHE 6510)

• Study of the development of higher education in the United States, including the forces that have shaped institutions and institutional culture and practice. Identification of the significant events and philosophies that have influenced the evolution of higher education institutions and analysis of the implications of these for practice and for the future of higher education.

 Organization and Administration of Higher Education  (EDHE 6710)

• Examination of the theoretical principles of organizational behavior, leadership and institutional culture applied to a functional examination of administrative roles in higher education.

Policy Studies in Higher Education (EDHE 6550)

• Studies in the development, implementation and enforcement of policies by institutions of higher education, state higher education coordinating and governing boards and the federal government. Measurements of the impacts of policies on educational outcomes and institutional management also are examined.

Legal Aspects of Higher Education (EDHE 6550)

• Legal aspects and issues affecting institutions of higher learning and their administrations, faculties and students. Analyses of decisions rendered by the federal and state courts concerning procedural and substantive due process, civil rights, and the operation and function of higher education.

Estimate tuition and fees by using the Tuition Calculators. For more information about tuition plan options, fees, and tuition, see Student Financial Services.

Financial Aid

Scholarships funded by the department, the College of Education and the graduate school are available to help you pursue your graduate education.

Full-time and part-time higher education students in the standard format master's program and the doctoral programs may be considered for graduate assistantships in student affairs and other areas of higher education administration. Learn more about the Graduate Assistant Program

Information about other financial assistance can be found at the graduate school site or the financial aid site.

Applying for financial aid

1. Apply for financial aid online at fafsa.gov. The application is required for all types of financial aid, including Pell and other federal grants, state grants and loans. The FAFSA and Renewal FAFSA are available annually.
2. You must enroll in 6 hours (over one or two online sessions) in order to be eligible for financial aid.
3. Financial aid awards will be disbursed 10 days prior to the first day of class. Awards will not disburse if you are enrolled in only 3 credit hours.
4. Contact Student Financial Aid and Scholarships at 940-565-2302 or by visiting online at financialaid.unt.edu