Adult & Higher Education Ed.D.

The hybrid Ed.D. degree in Adult & Higher Education has a newly updated curriculum designed for students interested in advancing in leadership positions in higher education. The curriculum has been updated to better meet the current needs of leaders at technical colleges, community colleges, and 4-year colleges and universities. 

The Ed.D. program is offered in a hybrid format for the first two years with a learning cohort both in-person and online. Classes are held two weekends each term at the OSU Portland Center. Cohort meetings are half-day Thursday, all day Friday, and half-day Saturday.  As a member of an active learning community, students collaborate with working professionals in higher education settings from throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
 

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The Ed.D. priority application deadline has passed, however applications will continue to be reviewed until the cohort has filled. Please email [email protected] for more information. 

  • Equity-based research in practice.
  • All classes are developed and taught by OSU's renowned faculty and higher education leaders who bring real-world experience to the classroom.
  • Admitted students to the Adult & Higher Education Ed.D. program hold a variety of administrative positions including directors, deans, and vice presidents.
  • Students accepted to recent cohorts hold between 4-25 years of higher education experience.
  • All AHE programs are rooted in equity and social justice. Equity is intentionally embedded throughout all of the coursework.
  • Research interests of the AHE faculty are focused on equity and social justice.
  • Classes taught by program faculty and higher education leaders with content expertise related to the subject matter.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

25+

Graduates of AHE are now serving or have served as institutional presidents across 2-year, 4-year, and technical colleges and universities across the country

12-15

Average number of students per cohort

12

Average number of students per class

Hybrid

Cohort meetings in-person two weekends per term in Portland and online

3-4

Years to complete the program

What to Expect

Classes include a blend of applied research, leadership, and higher education. The program offers a 5-part research series, including Needs Assessment and Program Evaluation. Other notable courses include Higher Education Administration I and II, Contemporary Issues, Policy Issues, Organizational Development & Change, and Legal Issues.

The program offers hybrid learning with a cohort of 12-15 students. Classes meet twice per term at the OSU Portland Center in Portland, Oregon, otherwise fully online and asynchronous. In-person class sessions are Thursday-Saturday.

Students who have graduated from this program are prepared for careers in higher education upper administration. Career titles include college of university president, chief diversity officer, associate vice provost, and associate dean. 

The Ed.D. requires at least three years of full-time professional experience in a two-year or four-year higher education organization (i.e. college or university.

On average, students entering the program hold a variety of administrative positions including directors, deans, and vice presidents. Students accepted to our recent cohort hold between 4-25 years of higher education experience.

In addition to the Graduate School requirements, the program requests a resume/cv, writing sample, and three letters of recommendation. The GRE is not required for admission. 

Writing sample prompts: Formatting guidelines: Each prompt should be no longer than one-page, single spaced (500 words). In total, your statement should be no longer than three pages single spaced.

  • Prompt 1: What is your immediate and long-term career trajectory? Why do you want to pursue a doctoral degree in Adult & Higher Education at OSU to advance in that trajectory? 
  • Prompt 2: How have you impacted change as a leader on your campus? How will the experiences in this program contribute to your growth as an equity-minded leader? 
  • Prompt 3: Please tell us about a localized issue that produces inequity in your field of work that may be of interest as a scholar practitioner. 

A new cohort of students will begin Fall term. The priority deadline for the program is February 1st. Applications accepted after this date will be reviewed on a space available basis. 

Supporting you throughout your degree

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Financial Support

Over 40 scholarships just for College of Education students.

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Advising and Peer Support

We support the whole student, connecting you to resources for life and school.

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Large University Services

We're a small college in a big university, providing you with 1:1 support with OSU's great resources.

Why Choose OSU?

Ranked in the top 1% of research universities in the world, OSU produces more research than any other university in Oregon. OSU is known for its real-world connections, turning your experience into hands-on opportunities to make a difference in the world.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Scholarships, fellowships, and funding for your research.

SMALL COLLEGE, BIG UNIVERSITY

You get all the attention, plus all the resources.

Graduate Student Only Resources

Career, writing center, and more.

EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE FOCUSED

OSU's commitment to inclusive excellence is everywhere

Find Your Program

We have lots of opportunities for degrees, support for graduate students, and our flexibility is second to none. We love our graduates.


 

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