Overview
The EdD is designed for students interested in the practice of higher education. Many of our EdD graduates assume administrative and executive roles in two-year and four-year institutions, state and federal postsecondary education agencies, and other education related organizations. The curriculum is designed around the competencies necessary to assume a leadership role, with courses in program assessment and evaluation, policy, organizational change, finance, and student affairs administration. The EdD program of study requires a minimum of 66 hours of graduate study beyond the master’s degree, including at least 12 hours of dissertation research.
Program Coordinator: Dr. Nathaniel Bray
Admission
Prospective students should apply to both the UA Graduate School as well as the department. For information about applying to the Graduate School and to submit your Graduate School Admissions Application online, visit the Graduate School Online Application Center. When applying to the Graduate School, select the desired degree program as well as the campus location/mode of delivery.
The following materials need to be sent to the Graduate School.
- Graduate School Application (can be submitted online or printed from the Graduate School Online Application Center)
- Transcripts. You should submit all transcripts from postsecondary institutions attended. Prospective students should have maintained an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or a 3.0 average for the last 60 semester hours in a degree program.
Apply to the Department
The following departmental requirements should be submitted to Graduate School’s Managing Supporting Documents portal.
- HEA Application
- 3 letters of recommendation
- A one-page statement of purpose for pursing the degree (you can use the same for the graduate school application)
- Vita or resume
- Writing Sample: A five-page writing sample describing a problem that faces higher education today (nationally), analyzing salient points of the issue, and evaluating potential solutions. The sample should demonstrate formal writing and should include appropriate citations. Applicants may submit an academic paper in lieu of the five-page essay, preferably on a recent topic related to higher education.
Application Deadlines
Tuscaloosa campus:
- Doctor of Education (EdD) in Higher Education: January 15
Qualified students interested in graduate assistantships should have all application materials by the application deadline.
Questions concerning the application process should be directed to:
LaTara Turner
Higher Education Program
latara.turner@ua.edu
205.348.6871