Higher Education, PhD

Contact:

Cathy Engstrom, Faculty Director of Graduate Studies, cmengstr@syr.edu

Faculty:

Cathy Engstrom, Dawn Johnson, David Perez, Qiu Wang

Program Description

Higher Education focuses on issues of diversity and inclusion, as applied to both the theory and practice of student success, development and learning in higher education. Given the increasing diversity of college student backgrounds, critical reforms are needed in higher education in order to develop diverse curricular and non-curricular structures, practices, policies, and pedagogies that embrace and build upon students’ talents, experiences, and potential so they learn, develop, and succeed. Due to the complexity of the issues facing higher education around the world, students draw on resources in the School of Education and across the University to provide an interdisciplinary, foundational perspective supplemented by ongoing, integrated practical experiences. Students analyze higher education at a variety of levels, including individual students, student populations, institutions, and systems of higher education, and the policies and practices related to each that foster the success of all college students.

Doctoral students specializing in higher education are required to have a minimum of five years of full-time experience in higher education. Because the department and its faculty have a strong reputation within the field, graduates of the program are typically embraced by a vibrant market offering a variety of positions.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Examine, synthesize, and integrate theories, research, and practices of leadership, organization, and governance that impact higher education institutions and federal/state systems and agencies

2. Demonstrate knowledge of theories, philosophies, research, and practices that facilitate effective teaching, learning, development, and overall student success

3. Synthesize and analyze historic and contemporary social and political issues in K-12 and higher education landscapes using critical perspectives and interdisciplinary approaches

4. Become familiar with various research paradigms and practices, develop competence in a research methodology, and synthesize and analyze a topically-focused body of higher education literature

5. Develop an understanding of systems of inequity in higher education and experiences of marginalized groups in higher education and how to lead change toward equity and social justice

Program Requirements

The Higher Education doctoral program requires a minimum of 90 graduate credits beyond the undergraduate degree, and 9-24 credits of dissertation work. The Doctoral degree program can include coursework throughout the School of Education and University so students can draw upon the expertise from a variety of faculty. Students can study full time or part time-most of our Ph.D. students are working full time while they complete the program in its entirety.

Coursework areas include:

Assessment, Research and Evaluation: minimum of 12 research methodology credits

EDU 603 - Introduction to Qualitative Research 3 credit(s)
EDU 647 - Statistical Thinking and Applications 3 credit(s)
6 credits in advanced research methodology (either qualitative or quantitative focus).

Other Requirements include:

Research apprenticeship, typically in the context of a required or elective course or as an independent study with the student’s advisor.
Doctoral Qualifying Exam
Dissertation proposal, writing, submission, and defense (within 5 years of exam).

Note:

No more than 9 credits post master’s degree may be taken before matriculating into the Ph.D. program. All doctoral students must complete 12 credits per academic year.