Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Administration (Ph.D.)

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Degree Options

100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Next Start Dates: January 19, 2026 | February 16, 2026 | March 23, 2026

Become a University Leader with Liberty’s PhD in Higher Education Administration

Liberty University’s 100% online Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Higher Education Administration degree program can help expand your knowledge, skills, and training in education through advanced course content and in-depth research. Our program focuses on developing leadership and research skills, so you can become equipped with the problem-solving abilities needed to lead students to success.

Our PhD in Higher Education online degree program can help provide you with the tools to effectively communicate through various mediums and solve complex issues. This program can also enable you to focus on leadership or student affairs in higher education through research and practical application – allowing you to enhance your skills and market your abilities.

Your officially conferred degree name will be Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Higher Education Administration.

What is a PhD in Higher Education Administration?

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Higher Education Administration is a terminal degree designed to help prepare scholars and academics for career advancement. This program focuses on giving you the tools you need to pursue roles as a professor or administrator at colleges and universities. This degree program can teach you best practices for managing departments, implementing enrollment growth strategies, and complying with government standards as you prepare for success in higher education leadership.

What Will You Study in Our PhD in Higher Education Administration Degree Program?

Our online education classes seek to enhance your knowledge of leadership styles in the educational setting. Understanding how leadership styles promote excellence is crucial in guiding your organization toward its defined mission, as is gaining an advanced understanding of ways to foster student success. To this end, our higher education administration doctoral degree offers practical studies in topics such as educational law, administration, and collegiate teaching.

Though our PhD in Higher Education Administration degree online offers different specializations, the core courses are the same for all specializations. Through your core PhD courses, you will study:

Assessment and accreditation
College and university administration
Economic aspects of higher education
Historical perspectives of higher education
Teaching the college student

In addition to the core courses, you’ll be able to pick from our various specialization options – so you can tailor your degree to match your unique interests and goals! Additionally, by completing a dissertation, you’ll be able to contribute to the body of knowledge in your field.

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PhD in Higher Education Online Degree Information

Why Choose Liberty’s Online PhD in Higher Education Administration Degree?

Liberty’s PhD in Higher Education Administration online degree program is designed to help provide you with the advanced training you need to seek promotions, explore new opportunities, or make a career change. This degree can help prepare you to work in a Christian college, community college, or state university system. With your experience and Liberty’s higher education administration doctorate degree, you can help students transition to college successfully.

At Liberty, we value your time. Our PhD programs are designed to work with your busy schedule and equip you with effective learning tools. Our PhD in Higher Education Administration is offered 100% online, so you won’t have to attend courses on campus. We are committed to helping you obtain your degree in a way that is most convenient for you.

Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College Campus in America for 2026

Private Nonprofit University
600+ Online Degrees
No Standardized Testing for Admission
Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Top 10 Reasons to Choose Liberty

Potential Career Options for PhD in Higher Education Graduates

College/university administrator
Curriculum specialist
Educational consultant

Program coordinator
Student affairs director

Degree Options for the PhD in Higher Education Administration

Check out the specializations we offer and find the perfect fit for you:

Assessment and Evaluation

Educational Leadership

Student Affairs

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

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Tuition & Aid

At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.

Doctoral Full Time	$610/Credit
Doctoral Part Time	$675/Credit

Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $375/credit hour (learn more).

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

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Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid Forms & Eligibility

Scholarship Opportunities

Admission Information for Our Online PhD in Higher Education Administration Degree Program

Admission Requirements

Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.

Transcript Policies

Official College Transcript Policy

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.

Admissions Office Contact Information

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

Active Duty
Reserve/National Guard
Veterans/Retirees
Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees

Military Tuition Discount

We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want – at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $375/credit hour. Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work toward your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession – for less.

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

View Military Benefits

Frequently Asked Questions About the PhD in Higher Education Administration Degree

Is a PhD in Higher Education Administration worth it?

Should I get a PhD in Higher Education Administration?

Higher education PhD programs are designed to help you specialize in an academic role at a college or university. Because of this focus, this degree is especially suited for those who:

Already have a role in managing a higher education department.
Are currently teaching at the college level.
Want to move into a higher education teaching role.

Earning your PhD in Higher Education Administration can open doors to new ways you can help your school thrive. You can teach at the collegiate level while helping your school create new, successful programs.

The skills you gain in this degree can also translate to a corporate administrative role, a nonprofit leadership role, or a government role, as you can offer insights and expertise in education that many industries rely on.

What can you do with a PhD in Higher Education?

With teaching experience and a PhD in Higher Education, you can be more qualified for many roles in education administration.

With research experience from Liberty’s PhD in Higher Education, you can be well prepared for roles in colleges and universities, such as department head, university board chair, or instructional coordination manager.
Many companies and organizations that develop instructional products, courses, training, and teaching materials also rely on the expertise gained from a PhD in Higher Education.
Administrators in many government roles at the local, state, and federal levels need to lobby for, design, and implement education policies. These roles often require advanced degrees in higher education in order to develop and execute effective education regulations and laws.

Are you ready to change your future?

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*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Higher Education Admin. Shaping the Future of Academia: Innovation and Leadership in University Administration

Become a University Leader with Liberty’s PhD in Higher Education Administration

What is a PhD in Higher Education Administration?

What Will You Study in Our PhD in Higher Education Administration Degree Program?

Featured Courses

PhD in Higher Education Online Degree Information

Why Choose Liberty’s Online PhD in Higher Education Administration Degree?

What Sets Us Apart?

Potential Career Options for PhD in Higher Education Graduates

Degree Options for the PhD in Higher Education Administration

Assessment and Evaluation

Educational Leadership

Student Affairs

Not sure what to choose?

Tuition & Aid

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Admission Information for Our Online PhD in Higher Education Administration Degree Program

Admission Requirements

Preliminary Acceptance

Transcript Policies

Admissions Office Contact Information

Military

Frequently Asked Questions About the PhD in Higher Education Administration Degree

Is a PhD in Higher Education Administration worth it?

Should I get a PhD in Higher Education Administration?

What can you do with a PhD in Higher Education?

Are you ready to change your future?

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