Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Higher Education Admin. Shaping the Future of Academia: Innovation and Leadership in University Administration
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Degree Options
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
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 you need 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 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 base of knowledge in your field.
Featured Courses
PhD in Higher Education Online Degree Information
- This program falls under the School of Education.
- View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
- The PhD in Higher Education Administration includes a dissertation.
Why Choose Liberty’s Online PhD in Higher Education Administration Degree?
Liberty’s PhD in Higher Education Administration online degree program is designed to 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.
Potential Career Options
- 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
Liberty University’s online PhD in Higher Education Administration – Assessment and Evaluation can help you understand the fundamentals of educational assessment and institutional research – so you can ensure that your school meets high standards of quality and follows best practices for helping students succeed.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Educational Leadership
Liberty University’s online PhD in Higher Education Administration – Educational Leadership can help equip you with the skills needed to pursue administrative positions at institutions of higher education.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Student Affairs
Liberty University’s online PhD in Higher Education Administration – Student Affairs can help prepare you to support collegiate student bodies.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Not sure what to choose?
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
Tuition & Aid
Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.
Doctoral Full Time | $595/Credit |
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Doctoral Part Time | $650/Credit |
Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $300/credit hour (learn more).
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
All Tuition & Fees
Financial Aid & Scholarships
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 Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Military
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 $300/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.
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Frequently Asked Questions About the PhD in Higher Education Administration Degree
Is a PhD in Higher Education Administration worth it?
Doctoral programs in higher education can give you the specialized tools and knowledge you need to move from a teaching career to an administrative role in a college or university.
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 level 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.
Inner Navigation
- Overview
- What Will You Study?
- What Sets Us Apart?
- Potential Careers
- Specializations
- Tuition & Aid
- Admission Information
- Military
- FAQs
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