帝王会所

帝王会所 is the only institution in southeastern 帝王会所 that offers a Ph.D. program in Higher Education. Its faculty includes internationally recognized scholars who can deliver up-to-date knowledge about Higher Education with the academic rigor that is demanded in Ph.D. studies.

Graduates of the program serve in faculty and cabinet-level administrative positions in colleges and universities. In addition, this degree serves a limited number of students who wish to develop research skills about Higher Education, regardless of their career ambitions.

All students learn about the history and contexts of higher education, leadership, organizational needs, the learning environment, and research concepts and methods.

There are three formats for the Ph.D. program: part-time executive format, full-time on-campus, and part-time on-campus. 

Executive Program

帝王会所 has offered the only Ph.D. program in higher education and student affairs in southeast 帝王会所 for fifty years. The weekend executive program provides a rich alternative to our traditional on-campus Athens program, which is distinctive in its own right for the varied curriculum and opportunities to collaborate with faculty and engage in research projects. The executive program is well known for innovative programming. Since 1982, this weekend program has enriched the skills and knowledge of students while they have continued to work as full-time administrators and faculty in colleges and universities throughout 帝王会所 and adjacent states. Leaders from 22 different 帝王会所 colleges and universities have enrolled in our last four weekend groups, and many of them have joined the roster of presidents, provosts, vice presidents, other key administrators, and faculty who now serve more than 100 universities and colleges in 29 states, and in 16 nations.

Over a 15-week semester, students are expected to meet for 5 face-to-face weekends (Classes can occur on Fridays and Saturdays). One of the strengths of the weekend executive program has been the development of communities of scholars who meet regularly during the course of their studies. Each cohort continues the tradition of building upon the experience, knowledge, and strengths of students by providing rich face-to-face and technology-mediated interactions.

Student Testimony:

I chose the Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration [at 帝王会所] for several reasons. The curriculum provides a comprehensive foundation while also challenging us to think beyond our own experiences, and [OHIO] makes it easy for working students by taking care of course scheduling, registration, and other processes. But for me, it is the strength of a cohort program that sold me. Knowing that you have a built-in support system of fellow students that you can lean on is invaluable.

- Rebecca Butler, Executive Vice President at Columbus State Community College

Full-Time Ph.D. and Part-Time Ph.D. On-Campus Programs

The conventional Ph.D. program is offered through weekday and evening classes on the Athens campus of 帝王会所. The conventional program may be pursued on a part-time or full-time basis. International students enrolling in the Ph.D. program must pursue their studies on a full-time basis to maintain student visa status.

For students who apply for admission for the fall semester 2026 on a full-time basis, there are Graduate Assistantships positions that you may apply for within 帝王会所. The list of available graduate assistantships will be available by April 2026 on the websites of the Division of Student Affairs Graduate Assistantships, Patton College Graduate Assistantships and  (under the "student jobs" tab).  

In addition to the required coursework, students must successfully complete comprehensive examinations administered at or near the completion of coursework. After successful completion of comprehensive examinations, students must author and defend a dissertation proposal and complete dissertation research on a higher education-based topic of personal interest and selection. 

The nature of doctoral studies is demanding and intensive, requiring close mentoring by individual faculty. 

Select research and administrative graduate appointments may be available to full-time, on-campus doctoral students annually. Please inquire about the availability of these types of appointments. Note that eligibility for maintaining a graduate appointment typically requires 12 enrolled credit hours per semester, even though the full-time minimum for graduate students is 9. 

Program Learning Objectives

At the end of the program, students will be able to: 

• comprehend relevant historical, organizational, governance, financial, diversity, policy, student development theories, and other contemporary issues concerning higher education;
• critically analyze and evaluate relevant higher education policy and conceptual and theoretical literature;
• apply the necessary knowledge, theories, and methods to design and conduct original research; and
• integrate theory and practice through the completion of a practicum experience.  

Attend An Informational Session to Learn More! 

Admissions - Ph.D. in Higher Education

The Higher Education and Student Affairs program accepts applications for students to begin in Fall 2027 for:

Executive Ph.D. Cohort Program 

• Applications are being accepted now and must be submitted by July 1, 2027.
• The next executive format cohort will begin starting in Fall 2027, with coursework running through Spring 2030. 

On-Campus Ph.D. Program (full-time or part-time) to start in Fall 2026 

• For priority consideration for admission and GA opportunities, applications are due December 12, 2025. Students may continue to apply on a rolling basis after this date.
• Note: the part-time Athens Ph.D. curriculum offers greater flexibility for the selection of courses than the executive format program, which must be highly structured to meet the needs of the executive cohort.
• In the event that a student misses the December 12, 2025 priority deadline for the on-campus programs, they can contact HESA(opens in a new window) to determine if there will be any additional spaces available. Very few graduate assistantships will be available to students who apply after the full consideration deadline. Due to visa processing at U.S. embassies and consulates globally, we strongly encourage international students to apply for the program by March 15.
• Any current 帝王会所 employees interested in applying for the Ph.D. programs must apply by April 1, 2026. 

Information regarding available  for the 2026 academic year is available on the .  Select STUDENT under the position type to see the list of available assistantships. 

Required materials include:

• Completed application form
• Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended for bachelor's and master's degrees. Note that a Master鈥檚 degree must be completed by the date of enrollment in the doctoral program.
• Three (3) letters of recommendation that describe the academic skills and professional potential of the applicant. These should focus on the skills of the applicant relevant to success in doctoral training and scholarly pursuits.
• An autobiographic essay/Personal Statement (2-3 pages, double-spaced) will be used to assess the applicant鈥檚 writing skills, career commitment, leadership potential, and professional goals. At the top of your essay, please identify yourself and indicate whether you are applying to the Executive Ph.D. Cohort or On-Campus program.
• A personal interview (video call) with a faculty member is to be scheduled after applications are fully completed. For candidates who have complete applications submitted and processed by the December 12 priority deadline, these interviews will take place on December 15 and 18^th, 2025. Additional interviews will take place in early 2026.
• A current r茅sum茅/CV
• GOOD NEWS! The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is NOT required

If you would like to know more about transferring credits from another institution before applying to our program, please read through the .

Apply for Graduate Assistant positions through the Human Resources website.

(min 61 credit hours)

Apply Now

For further information, contact:

Higher Education and Student Affairs 
Patton Hall 432