Higher Education, Ph.D.

About the Higher Education Doctoral Program

The Higher Education program is designed to develop scholarly practitioners and researchers. Graduates of the program are equipped to apply theories and practical research as tools to name, frame, and solve problems of practice, using empirical evidence to evaluate impact and develop innovative solutions for colleges and universities. The Higher Education program is committed to excellence in preparing and supporting administrative and instructional leaders for higher education, generating and supporting research in the field of higher education, and delivering public service to the practice of higher education. The program delivers teaching, research, and professional services to students, institutions of higher education, and other academic disciplines.

The Ph.D. in Higher Education requires 90 hours including dissertation. A total of 30 hours from a master’s degree or professional doctorate program (any discipline) may count as graduate-level transfer coursework toward this total with program approval. The remaining 60 hours of doctoral-level coursework must be taken at Texas Tech University. As part of the credit hour requirements, candidates are required to demonstrate proficiency in independent research in higher education culminating in the completion of a dissertation. The Ph.D. will prepare students for professional careers as institutional researchers and planners; higher education administrators with an orientation towards research, sponsored programs, or grant proposal writing; program assessment-evaluation specialists; research associates; and faculty members. 

For further information, see the program website at www.depts.ttu.edu/education/graduate/psychology-and-leadership/higher_education.