Higher Education PhD
At the doctoral level, students gain knowledge and demonstrate competence through course work, the comprehensive examination and completion of a dissertation. The successful dissertation defense and graduation are a statement of academic and professional competence in higher education.
Organization and Governance
Students interested in Organization and Governance take course work in college organization and administration, finance, law, enrollment management and ethics. They are likely to aspire to or already hold administrative or managerial positions in college and university settings.
Postsecondary Public Policy
For those interested in Postsecondary Public Policy, this four-course public policy sequence enables students to become familiar with the major issues and forums related to federal and state policy regarding higher education. These courses sometimes include guests who are policy professionals from the Denver area working in organizations such as the Education Commission of the States, the State Higher Education Executive Officers, and the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.
Since Denver has one of the largest concentrations of public agencies related to higher education in the country outside of Washington, D.C., it provides students with unique opportunities to grapple with public policy issues. Moreover, the state capital with its legislature and the National Council of State Legislatures also offer exciting forums for understanding state policy as it relates to higher education.
Diversity and Higher Learning Doctoral Concentration
The Diversity and Higher Learning doctoral concentration is a four-course sequence that focuses on individual and organizational learning, training and development in a diverse and global society. Designed for those students with special interests in teaching and learning who intend to work in postsecondary settings, adult education teaching and curricular development positions, corporate or diversity training, or proprietary education, this concentration is tailored for several audiences.
The concentration is intended for students who are already involved with staff development in colleges and universities; trainers in business, government, not-for-profit agencies and for-profit companies; consultants who provide training; teachers in proprietary institutions; administrators and faculty in two-year and four-year higher education institutions; and those who work with adults in religious, community, or athletic programs.
To speak to someone about the Higher Educatioin PhD Program, please call or email our Admissions Office at 303-871-2509 or 1-800-835-1607, edinfo@du.edu.