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Higher Education Degree Options
The Higher Education Program offers five types of degrees: |
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Master's Degrees |
The Higher Education Program grants two master's degrees in Higher Education Administration and Leadership. The most popular degree, the Master of Education (Ed.M.) is designed to meet the academic and professional interests of students working in administrative positions in higher education institutions and for those seeking entry level administrative positions in colleges and universities. The Master of Science (M.S.) degree is intended for students who have academic research interests in higher education. The primary objective of the Higher Education Program is to provide graduate students with a theoretical and practical understanding of the social, political, and economic issues encompassing the development and future challenges of higher and postsecondary institutions. At the master degree levels, these objectives are achieved through a set of interrelated core courses that examine the relevant theoretical and conceptual developments that continue to impact higher education institutions.
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Master of Education (Ed.M.) |
The Master of Education (Ed.M.) is oriented for professionals working in administrative positions in higher education institutions and for those seeking entry level positions in colleges and universities. The program stresses a basic foundation of study necessary to become effective administrators and leaders at colleges and universities. It consists of a set of integrated courses introducing students to higher education policy, organizational structures, administrative functions, and historical developments. The Ed.M. degree provides individuals with unique opportunities to integrate academic course work and practical experiences to address emerging challenges faced by administrators and researchers in the field. The Master of Education (Ed.M.) curriculum is designed to provide graduate students with a theoretical and practical understanding of the complex administrative environment encompassing higher education institutions. To achieve this objective, the curriculum introduces graduate students to the historical, philosophical, and economic foundations that have driven college and university development and continue to impact it. 32 semester hours are required to complete a Master of Education (Ed.M.) in Higher Education Administration and Leadership. Academic course work consists of 4 core courses (16 hours), 3-4 courses in educational foundations (8 hours), and 2 elective courses in higher education (8 hours). The credit-no credit option may not be used to meet the minimum 32 hours requirement for the Ed.M. degree, and no thesis is required. For a checklist displaying the courses that meet the Ed.M. degree requirements, click on the link below. Masters of Education (Ed.M.) Checklist -
For students matriculating after Spring 2004 and before Fall 2008 (Back to Top)
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Master of Science (M.S.) |
The Master of Science (M.S.) degree is oriented for students with academic research interests in higher education. Candidates often enter this program with the intent of eventually pursuing doctoral programs leading to the Ed.D. or Ph.D. degrees. The primary difference between this degree and the Ed.M. is that a master's thesis must be completed and defended as part of the M.S. degree. The Master of Science (M.S.) curriculum is designed to provide graduate students with a theoretical and practical understanding of the complex administrative environment encompassing higher education institutions. It is also intended to provide students interested in eventually pursuing doctoral degrees with the skills necessary to conduct and complete major higher education research projects. To achieve this objective, the curriculum introduces graduate students to the historical, philosophical, and economic foundations that have driven college and university development and continue to impact it. After completing course work, the student is expected to write and defend a master's thesis in an oral examination in the field of higher education before a committee of three faculty members. 32 semester hours are required to complete a Master of Science (M.S.) in Higher Education Administration and Leadership. Academic course work consists of 4 core courses (16 hours), 3-4 courses in educational foundations (8 hours), 4 hours of thesis credit, and 1 elective course in higher education (4 hours). The credit-no credit option may not be used to meet the minimum 32 hours requirement for the M.S. degree, and a thesis is required. For a checklist displaying the courses that meet the M.S. degree requirements, click on the link below. Master of Science (M.S.) Checklist -
For students matriculating after Spring 2004 and before Fall 2008 (Back to Top) |
Doctoral Degrees |
The Higher Education Program offers both the Ed.D. and Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration and Leadership. The doctoral degree programs are designed to prepare graduate students for administrative, faculty, and policy development positions in postsecondary educational institutions, governmental agencies, and other public and private sector organizations. Through course and other planned learning experiences, such as supervised internships and research assistantships, students are provided with multiple learning opportunities enabling them to critically examine college and university teaching, learning, and administrative leadership processes. During their course of study, doctoral students are expected to learn how to conduct effective research that advance the study of higher education and postsecondary education in general. Doctoral degree (Ph.D. & Ed.D.) specializations are available in three focal areas:
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Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) |
The Ed.D. degree is designed as a practitioners degree to provide graduate students with advanced professional training and to develop further their abilities in the scholarly study of problems in higher education administration. The degree requires the completion of at least 64 hours beyond the master's degree including a maximum of 16 hours of thesis credit. Course work includes area of specialization, perspective options, research, and thesis credit. The continuous residence requirement for Ed.D. candidates must include concurrent and reciprocal participation in an approved full-time combination of academic courses and professional experiences over four consecutive terms. This plan must be approved by the Graduate Programs Committee. Students must also complete a professional work experience, written qualifying exams, and preliminary and final oral exams for the thesis. 64 semester hours beyond the master's degree including a maximum of 16 hours of thesis credit are required to complete a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree. Academic course work consists of 4 core courses (16 hours), 2-4 research methodology courses (8-16 hours), 4 cognate courses taken outside of EOL (16 hours), 4-16 hours of thesis research, and 4 courses in higher education specialization and focus area (16 hours). The continuous residence requirement for Ed.D. candidates must include concurrent and reciprocal participation in an approved full-time combination of academic courses and professional experiences over 4 consecutive terms. This plan must be approved by the Graduate Programs Committee. Students must also complete a professional work experience, written qualifying exams, and preliminary and final oral exams for the thesis (dissertation). For a checklist displaying the courses that meet the Ed.D. degree requirements, click on the link below. Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Course Checklist -
For students matriculating after Spring 2004 and before Fall 2008
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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) |
The Ph.D. program is structured to assist students in becoming effective researchers and faculty scholars in the field of higher education administration. Ph.D. programs are planned by students with their faculty advisors to develop students' abilities to conduct research in higher education. 64 semester hours beyond the master's degree including a maximum of 32 hours of thesis credit are required to complete a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. Academic course work consists of 4 core courses (16 hours), 4-7 courses in chosen research specialization area (16-28 hours), 4-32 hours of thesis research, and 4 courses in higher education specialization and focus area (16 hours). To satisfy the research specialization area requirement, it must be approved by the faculty advisor and Research Specialization Committee. Ph.D. candidates must conduct an early research study in the field of higher education early in their graduate programs. Students who have completed master's theses may be able to present that research to satisfy the early research requirement. The research specialization and early research requirements are beyond the 64 hours of credit. The minimum continuous residence requirement for a Ph.D. candidate is completion of at least 12 hours of course work for each of 2 consecutive semesters. Students must also complete a professional work experience, written qualifying exams, and preliminary and final oral exams for the thesis (dissertation). For a checklist of courses that meet the Ph.D. degree requirements, click on the link below. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Course Checklist -
For students matriculating after Spring 2004 and before Fall 2008 (Back to Top)
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College Teaching Minor |
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Announcing the College Teaching Minor. EOL is accepting applications to the College Teaching Minor through December 15, 2009 for Spring 2010. Applications for Fall 2010 are due on April 1, 2010. Please contact Educational Organization & Leadership, Higher Education Program, at EOL-info@illinios.edu if you have any questions about the College Teaching minor. Click for the Application for College Teaching Minor (Back to Top) |