The Higher Education Leadership specialization is designed to meet the needs of persons interested in leadership positions within administration at higher education institutions. The program will empower current practitioners and administrators to develop the knowledge and competencies, as well as improve their practice of leadership to become more accomplished leaders and to seek more advanced leadership roles within higher education. Participants in this program will engage in research and the application of theory and research to the practice of leadership in a variety of higher education settings.
By centering equity and justice in the program's coursework, students gain analytical, research, and critical thinking skills that help learners address contemporary issues in higher education policy and practice. Program graduates learn to apply and create knowledge that leads to transformation in higher education.
This hybrid program is structured in a cohort model where students take coursework online in the fall and spring semester using synchronous video conferencing. During the summers, students take a one-week course in Fort Collins. Specific dates for summer engagements are determined by the program faculty.
Students interested in graduate work should refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
For more information on this program, please contact:
Alex C. Lange, Ph.D. (they/them)
Assistant Professor & Program Coordinator
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion, students will be able to:
- Shape postsecondary organizational and institutional change processes and policy implementation grounded in equity.
- Develop and apply their quantitative and qualitative research skills to investigate and address complex problems related to higher education organizations.
- Integrate theoretical, historical, and contemporary understandings of higher education with practice-based solutions to address challenges faced by students, faculty, staff, and administration.
- Ethically lead programs, departments, divisions, and institutions of higher education.
Effective Fall 2025
| First Year | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| EDHE 771 | Higher Education Leadership | 3 |
| EDHE 773 | Student Development in a Collegiate Context | 3 |
| EDRM 702 | Foundations of Educational Research | 3 |
| EDUC 709 | Leadership Development | 3 |
| EDUC 710 | Higher Education Finance | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| EDCL 701 | Higher Education Law | 3 |
| EDRM 704 | Qualitative Research | 3 |
| EDRM 705 | Qualitative Data Analysis | 3 |
| EDUC 675 | Analyzing Education Literature | 3 |
| EDUC 725 | Professionalism in Education and Leadership | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| EDOD 769 | Theory and Practice of Change | 3 |
| EDRM 700 | Quantitative Research Methods | 3 |
| EDRM 707 | Quantitative Data Collection Methods/Analysis | 3 |
| EDUC 714 | Education Policy Analysis | 3 |
| EDUC 715 | Critical Theory, Educational Equity Praxis | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| EDCL 750 | Simulated Presidential Cabinet I | 3 |
| EDHE 799 | Dissertation | 9 |
| EDRM 792B | Seminar: Proposal Development | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
| Program Total Credits: | 60 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Completed Ph.D. Coursework Total | 60 | |
| Completed Master's Coursework Total | 30 | |
| Program Total Credits: | 90 | |
A minimum of 90 credits are required to complete this program.
Beyond coursework, Ph.D. students in the HEL concentration must complete three milestones: preliminary exams, a dissertation proposal, and a final dissertation. Students will work with their advisors and examining committee throughout these processes. All three of these milestones—including details, formatting, and structure—are detailed in the School of Education Ph.D. student handbook.
Preliminary Exams
- Written and oral exams that assess students’ readiness to complete the dissertation process
Dissertation Proposal
- A substantial, independent research project that contributes new knowledge to the field.
- Requires students to indicate if they plan to complete the (a) traditional, book-chapter proposal or (b) multi-article dissertation format.
- Written and oral exam to assess students’ readiness to complete data collection, analysis, and reporting of the final project.
Final Dissertation
- A substantial, independent research project that contributes new knowledge to the field.
- Completion of data collection, analyses, and formal oral defense, including a public presentation of research findings and Q&A session
For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees
NOTE: Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.
Forms are available online.
| Step | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Application for admission (online) | Six months before first registration |
| 2. Diagnostic examination when required | Before first registration |
| 3. Appointment of advisor | Before first registration |
| 4. Selection of graduate committee | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) | Two terms prior to final examination |
| 7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) | Within two working days after results are known |
| 8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) | When change is made |
| 9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) | Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying |
| 10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee | At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee |
| 11. Final examination | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) | Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website. |
| 14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 15. Graduation | Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website |