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Higher Education, Executive Track

Advance Your Career in Higher Education Leadership

Our Executive Ed.D. in Educational Administration: Higher Education Concentration is designed for professionals ready to elevate their leadership in colleges, universities, and related educational organizations.

This flexible, three-year hybrid program blends online coursework with in-person sessions in Chicago, allowing you to balance academic advancement with your professional career. Students progress through the program in a cohort model, building a strong professional network while engaging in hands-on research, applied learning, and a summer educational excursion.

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Program Overview

  • Format: Hybrid (online + in-person sessions in Chicago)
  • Duration: 3 years
  • Credit Hours: 54 credit hours (including 12 dissertation hours)
  • Delivery: Cohort-based, designed for working professionals

The curriculum combines leadership theory, policy analysis, diversity and equity, finance, law, and student affairs administration to prepare you for executive roles in higher education. You’ll complete a dissertation that demonstrates your ability to apply research and leadership to real-world challenges within higher education systems.

Doctor of Education Degree Requirements

The Ed.D. in Educational Administration with a concentration in Higher Education: Executive Track prepares experienced professionals to lead effectively across complex educational environments. The program emphasizes strategic leadership, equity, and data-informed decision-making in higher education institutions.

  • Total Degree Requirements: 54 credit hours (including 12 credit hours of dissertation work)
  • Professional Core: 18 credit hours
  • Higher Education Leadership Courses: 21 credit hours
  • Internship: 3 credit hours
  • Research: 12 credit hours
  • Capstone Project: 12 credit hours

Program Highlights

Designed for Leaders: Advance your career while continuing to work full-time.

Flexible Hybrid Format: Combine face-to-face weekend sessions with engaging online courses.

Cohort Experience: Collaborate with peers across diverse institutions and disciplines.

Hands-On Learning: Participate in a summer comparative education excursion and real-world administrative projects.

Personalized Mentorship: Receive dedicated faculty guidance throughout your coursework and dissertation.

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Career Outcomes

  • Graduates are prepared for leadership roles such as:
  • College or University Dean or Vice President
  • Director of Institutional Research or Assessment
  • Chief Diversity Officer
  • Student Affairs or Academic Affairs Administrator
  • Policy or Accreditation Specialist

Admissions Information

  • Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
  • Master’s degree from an accredited institution
  • Professional experience in higher education or related field
  • Completed application with statement of purpose, résumé/CV, and three professional references
  • Interview (by invitation)

For full admission details, visit the Graduate School Admissions page or contact the School of Education directly.

Faculty Expertise

Our distinguished faculty specialize in higher education leadership, law, equity, diversity, finance, policy, and student affairs. They guide students through every stage of their doctoral journey, from research design to dissertation defense, providing mentorship and practical insight rooted in decades of professional experience.

Learning Plan

 

Summer Fall Spring
Year 1

EAHE 510: Higher Education in the United States

EAHE 555: Leadership and Change in Education Organizations

EAHE 502: Administrative Leadership and Practice

ERES 501: Intro to Education Research Methods

EAHE 535B: Law and higher education

To Do:Form Committee

ERES 540: Intro to Qualitative Research in Education

EAHE 5XX: Academic Affairs Administration (new class)

EAHE 526: The Community College

To Do:Develop Research Topic
6 hours 9 hours 9 hours
Year 2

EAHE XXX: EXCURSION: Comparative Education

EAHE 525: Equity and Diversity in Higher Education

To Do:Literature Review

ERES 520 – Intro to Quantitative Research

EAHE 515: Student Affairs Administration

ERES 589: Doctoral Research Seminar

To Do: Develop chapters 1-3

EAHE 528: Finance in Higher Education

EAHE 546: Co-Curricular Assessment

To Do: Comprehensive Exams (Prelim) Advanced to Candidacy
6 hours 9 hours 6 hours
Year 3

EAHE 600B – Dissertation Credit Hours: 3

To Do: Prospectus Meeting Finalize Chapter 1-3 Collect & Analyze Data

EAHE 600B - Dissertation Credit Hours: 3

To Do: Write CHs 4 & 5

EAHE 600B – Dissertation Credit Hours: 6

To Do: Dissertation Defense
3 hours 3 hours 6 hours

Contact Information

Brad Colwell
Director
Wham Hall 223 N
625 Wham Dr.
Carbondale, IL 62901
bcolwell@siu.edu

Victoria Groves-Scott
Dean
Wham Hall 115
625 Wham Dr.
Carbondale, IL 62901
victoria.grovesscott@siu.edu