Doctoral Program (EdD)
"St. Cloud State University's doctoral program in Higher Education Administration provides current and future college and university administrators an opportunity to learn about leadership in a rigorous and supportive environment that is designed for professionals. The Center for Doctoral Studies is a state-of-the-art facility, where experienced faculty work with and mentor doctoral students. The cohort model of delivery provides students with a supportive atmosphere for learning."
Dr. Wanda Overland
Vice President for Student Life and Development
St. Cloud State University
Program Mission
The mission of the Higher Education Administration doctoral program is to prepare higher education professionals for advanced leadership positions in a diverse array of post-secondary institutions. The program is driven by a commitment to excellence in teaching, learning, leadership development, and understanding of the role the academy plays in a global society for creating and distributing knowledge.
Program Overview
Individuals currently holding, or interested in, senior-level leadership positions in higher education will find this program flexible and accommodating to their needs. This program is available on the St. Cloud campus and at the Twin Cities Graduate Center in Maple Grove, MN. International students may attend the program in either setting.
Cohort Location
A new cohort will start on the following semester and location:
Fall 2012
Twin Cities Graduate Center
in Maple Grove
Fall 2013
St. Cloud
Fall 2014
St. Cloud
Fall 2015
Twin Cities Graduate Center
in Maple Grove
*This is
subject to change
- Students are prepared as practioners for advanced leadership positions in a diverse array of post-secondary institutions.
- A cohort approach with up to 15 students progressing together through the curriculum fosters a learning community where students challenge and support one another.
- Courses are taught by faculty members who are accomplished professionals with work experience in the field.
- A weekend model (Friday evening and all day Saturday) of course delivery makes it a great choice for working professionals with family and community responsibilities.
- Coursework may be completed in eight semesters. The dissertation proposal, research analysis, and final defense vary depending on the student’s research timeline.
- A new cohort starts each fall semester on the St. Cloud campus or at the Twin Cities Graduate Center in Maple Grove. International students may attend the program in either location.
- Students usually take two courses per semester (fall, spring, and summer) and concentrate on one course at a time. Each course typically meets three weekends. Summer courses may be in a three weekend format or a one week time block.
- Course learning typically takes place in the classroom. Some online assignments and hybrid courses may be offered.
- The program infuses internationalization and globalization into the curriculum.
- The program offers a course to discover Universities in the European context through an education abroad course in Italy.
- The program hosts the annual Summer Leadership Institute for women in Higher Education.
Doctoral Students at a Glance:
- Average doctoral class size: 12
- Our doctoral students possess varied experiences and backgrounds which enrich the classroom.
- Doctoral students come from all around the world with many of them commuting to campus.
- A majority of doctoral students work full-time and have a career before pursing their doctorate.
- Doctoral students are engaged in research under the advice or in collaboration with faculty members.
- Students and faculty members may present together at a variety of regional, national, and international conferences.
- Doctoral students participate on committees and professional organizations on and off campus.
Career Opportunities
- The program prepares professionals for entry-level and advanced leadership positions in technical, community, colleges and universities in academic affairs, student affairs, and administrative affairs.
- The average salary of those with a doctoral degree is 20% higher than those with a master’s degree.*
- Employment of postsecondary education administrators is expected to grow by 19
percent from 2010 to 2020.**
*Ewert, S. (Feb. 2012). What It’s Worth: Field of Training and Economic Status in 2009. U.S. Census Bureau. P70-129. Retrieved from http://www.census.gov/prod/2012pubs/p70-129.pdf
**Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook
Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Postsecondary Education Administrators,
on
the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/postsecondary-education-administrators.htm (visited April 26, 2012).
Consider the following:
- The average salary of those with a doctoral degree is 33.5 percent higher than the average salary of those with a masters degree.***
- Employment opportunities for persons with doctoral degrees continue to grow with our evolving job market.
- There will be a 26 percent projected increase nationally, and 32 percent projected increase statewide, in the need for new post-secondary administrators. This translates into a numeric change of 32,353 and 748 respectively over a 10-year period.****
- There will be 30,000 replacement openings nationally, and 579 replacement openings statewide, for post-secondary administrators, over a 10-year period.****
- These figures translate into an annual need for 6,235 post-secondary administrators nationally, and 133 post-secondary administrators statewide.****
***Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Current Population Reports 2001, series P70-51.
****On January 9, 2006, a labor market analysis was conducted by Bruce Steuernagel, Labor Market Analyst for MnSCU. These are the projected employment and job openings for post-secondary administrators from 2002-2012.
