Online and Distance Degrees > Degree Programs > EdD in Higher Education Administration Executive Cohort

Doctor of Education (EdD) in
Higher Education Administration (Executive Cohort)

Hybrid

Program Overview

The University of Alabama’s Doctor of Education (EdD) in Higher Education Administration (Executive Cohort) degree program is designed for working professionals wanting to advance and accelerate their careers. Students will further develop valuable leadership skills and enhance their applied knowledge of principles relevant to the field of higher education. Explore education trends in leadership, academic and student affairs, administration, teaching and more! Exclusive to this program is the opportunity to embark on an international study abroad trip during your second year, offering a unique global perspective on higher education.

Program Format
Hybrid
Credit Hours
66
Tuition Per Hour
$440

Reach the Highest Level in Higher Education

No matter your interests in higher education, our accelerated doctoral program prepares you to succeed. The curriculum is designed to help you achieve your goals and graduate in three years. Our hybrid model provides limited in-person meetings and plenty of opportunities to engage with your dynamic faculty and classmates. The program enrolls as a cohort to encourage peer support and nationwide networking. Learn about current events in the field, expand your skills and prepare to become a leader in the evolving world of higher education.

Program fees contribute toward an international study abroad trip during your second year of coursework. Previous cohorts have traveled to the University of Oxford in Oxford, England, to spend a week learning from some of the top researchers and professors in the world.

From university presidents to provosts, deans and directors, this accelerated program has propelled our alumni into coveted leadership positions across the country, empowering them to make a positive difference at their respected colleges and universities, furthering their contributions to higher education.

Application Priority DeadlineFebruary 15 for fall admission
FeesTuition Rate: $440; Other Fees: $300 per credit hour EdD in Higher Education Administration program fee, $10 per credit hour college fee
FT Study RequiredYes
Other Program SpecificsCohort-based program
Scholarships and Grants AvailableDiscover a range of scholarships and grants to support your educational journey

Curriculum

This degree program consists of 54 credit hours of coursework and 12 credit hours of dissertation research. Please note that courses are subject to change.

AHE 520 The Student in Higher Education
AHE 521 Student Affairs
AHE 530 Law and Higher Education
AHE 550 Financing Higher Education
AHE 560 Comparative Higher Education
AHE 601 Professional Seminar in Higher Education
AHE 602 Problems in Higher Education
AHE 610 Academic Cultures and Learning
AHE 640 Organizational Change
AHE 645 Higher Education and Student Affairs Assessment
AHE 680 Readings in Higher Education
AHE 699 Dissertation Research (12 hours)
BEF 534 Multicultural Education
BEF 653 Studies in Higher Education History
BEF 654 Philosophy and American Higher Education
BEF 681 Ethics and Education
BER 540 Statistical Methods in Education
BER 600 Quantitative Research Methods
BER 631 Inquiry as Interpretation: Qualitative I

The decision-making process of Louisiana’s executive university leaders during declining state appropriations from 2008 to 2016

Dr. Kelsey Walden Bohl, Cohort 11
Dr. Claire Major and Dr. Arleene Breaux, Chairs

Pathways to the baccalaureate: Exploring graduating transfer students’ involvement at a four-year institution

Dr. Amelia Bickel, Cohort 11
Dr. Frankie Santos Laanan, Chair

Exploring student experiences of faith development through intercollegiate athletic participation

Dr. Tim Sceggel, Cohort 10
Dr. Nathaniel Bray, Chair

Department chairs’ research-related roles and responsibilities

Dr. D. Jay Cervino, Cohort 10
Dr. Claire Major, Chair

Agricultural education at the Virginia Military Institute during the 1850’s

Dr. Michael Wallace, Cohort 9
Dr. Philo Hutcheson, Chair

Bennett College: Faith, Protest and Race 1960-2000

Dr. Sharon Height, Cohort 9
Dr. Philo Hutcheson, Chair

A case study of early career faculty in a medical environment

Dr. J. Michael Mathis, Cohort 9
Dr. Karri Holley, Chair

The college choice process: A qualitative review of the role of parents in freshman, first-generation scholarship recipients’ access to higher education

Dr. Ronald Hebert, Cohort 8
Dr. Karri Holley, Chair

Division II NCAA male athletes and risk taking behaviors

Dr. Matthew Kerch, Cohort 8
Dr. Nathaniel Bray, Chair

Classes meet Thursdays 4:30 – 9:00 p.m., Fridays 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., and Saturdays 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. once a month, year-round, for two years. Breaks for meals are included in these timeslots.

Over the course of a weekend, students participate in instructional time with faculty members teaching the three different courses that they are enrolled in for that semester.

Here is the most updated course schedule for Cohorts 18 and 19:

Fall 2024

Sep. 12-14, 2024
Oct. 3-5, 2024
Nov. 7-9, 2024
Dec. 5-7, 2024

Spring 2025

Jan. 9-11, 2025
Feb. 6-8, 2025
Feb. 28-Mar. 1, 2025
Apr. 3-5, 2025

Summer 2025

May 8-10, 2025
Jun. 5-7, 2025
Jul. 10-12, 2025

The EdD in Higher Education Administration Executive Cohort from The University of Alabama

Find out what students like best about UA’s EdD in Higher Education Administration Executive Cohort program.

Admission

The EdD in Higher Education Administration Executive Cohort at The University of Alabama welcomes applications from highly-qualified individuals who have strong academic preparation, leadership potential, and a clearly-articulated commitment to the field of higher education. Admission is competitive, as we admit a small number of students each year into the EdD program.

Applicants must apply to both the Graduate School and the Department of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Technology Studies. When applying to the Graduate School select ‘Executive Cohort Campus’ as the campus, select ‘Distance (Online/Blended/Gadsden)’ as the program type, and select ‘Fall’ as the entry term. Choose ‘Doctoral’ as the degree type, and ‘Higher Education Administration EDD’ as the program of study.

Questions concerning the application process should be directed to Dr. Arleene Breaux at (205) 348-1169 to discuss your options.

A completed application package includes unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended, three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose and a completed Graduate School application.

The following departmental requirements should be submitted to the Graduate School’s Managing Supporting Documents portal:

3 letters of recommendation
A one-page statement of purpose for pursing the degree, which can be the same document submitted to the Graduate School
Current curriculum vita or resume
Five-page writing sample that describes a problem within higher education today (nationally), analyzing salient points of the issue, and evaluating potential solutions. The sample should demonstrate formal, academic writing and include appropriate citations. Applicants may submit an academic paper in lieu of the five-page essay, preferably on a recent topic related to higher education.

Dr. Arleene P. Breaux

Clinical Full Professor, Higher Education Administration
Executive EdD Program Coordinator

EdD | University of Arkansas
Research Interests: Higher education administration, leadership and the presidency, governmental affairs and policy, finance

Dr. Nathaniel Bray

Professor, Higher Education Administration
Program Coordinator, Higher Education Administration
Associate Director, Educational Policy Center

PhD | Vanderbilt University
Research Interests: College student issues, faculty-administrator relationships, rural education, student access, policy, finance and prestige of sociology in higher education

Dr. Paton Roden-Beck

Clinical Assistant Professor, Higher Education Administration

PhD | The University of Alabama

Dr. KC Culver

Assistant Professor, Higher Education Administration

PhD | University of Iowa
Research Interests: Students’ academic experiences and outcomes, teaching pedagogy, faculty careers and academic leadership

Dr. Donald Gilstrap

Professor, Higher Education Administration
Dean, University Libraries

PhD | University of Oklahoma
Research Interests: Library design projects, innovation with practical applications for effective space utilization that support the research enterprise, emerging technology applications

Dr. Hee Jung Gong

Assistant Professor, Higher Education Administration

PhD | The University of Georgia
Research Interests: College access, choice, and success, education policy and STEM higher education

Dr. David Hardy

Associate Dean for Research & Service/Associate Professor of Higher Education

PhD | The University of North Texas
Research Interests: Ethical issues; Community college financial, administrative, instructional, governance, faculty and student issues; The nexus of academic culture and popular culture

Dr. Karri Holley

Professor, Higher Education Administration

PhD | University of Southern California
Research Interests: Interdisciplinary teaching and learning, organizational change in higher education, graduate and professional education, qualitative inquiry

Dr. Tonjanita Johnson

Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs for the University of Alabama System (UAS)
Associate Professor, Higher Education Administration