Higher Education Doctoral Degree
The doctoral degree in Higher Education is designed to prepare individuals who are capable of leading, as well as analyzing and managing crucial problems in a variety of postsecondary settings. The program, built on a solid core of general coursework, offers three distinctive concentrations from which to choose: diversity and higher learning, postsecondary public policy, and organization and governance.
Diversity and Higher Learning
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.
Postsecondary Public Policy
Second only to Washington, D.C., Denver has one of the largest concentrations of public agencies related to higher education in the country. This rich environment 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. Students who are interested in this concentration complete a four-course public policy sequence which promotes familiarity with the major issues related to federal and state policy regarding higher education. These courses often include as guest speakers policy professionals from the Denver area, who are 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.
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.
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.