Doctoral Program (EdD)

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.

 

• Faculty members are accomplished professionals with experience in the field.
• A cohort approach is offered with up to 15 students progressing together through the curriculum.  This fosters a learning community where students challenge and support one another.
• 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. 
• A weekend model (Friday evening and all day Saturday) of course delivery makes it a great choice for working professionals. 
• Coursework may be completed in eight semesters.  Completion of the dissertation proposal, research, and final defense vary depending on the student’s research timeline.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• A master’s degree or doctorate is generally required for higher level postsecondary education administrator positions.**
• 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.**
• 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.***
• Employment opportunities for persons with doctoral degrees continue to grow with our evolving job market.

*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).

***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.

St. Cloud State University Doctoral Program Distinction

• Prestigious. A flagship institution in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, SCSU is an accredited institution with a history of excellence since 1869.
• Established Faculty. Faculty members have strong academic credentials and are accomplished professionals who engage you in a mix of research, theory, and real-life experiences.
• Convenience. Courses are offered in a flexible format to meet the needs of working professionals with family and community responsibilities.
• Global Outreach. The University boasts a strong international program with 1,000 students from more than 90 nations. Every year more than 450 students study abroad in one of 15 countries.
• Wealth of Resources. A new, $32.5 million, state-of-the-art Learning Resource Center is renowned for connecting you with information and technology resources. It offers a wealth of training workshops, writing tutors, statistical consulting, and research assistance to prepare your thesis, field study, or dissertation.
• Smart Investment. It offers a competitive tuition combined with generous scholarships, graduate assistantships, work study, financial aid, and research grants to assist students as they pursue their degree.
• Location. Courses are offered on the St. Cloud campus or at the Twin Cities Graduate Center in Maple Grove.

About SCSU

St. Cloud State, the flagship institution in the Minnesota State Universities & Colleges System, SCSU is a well-respected university with a history of excellence since its founding in 1869.

Location
Minnesota's second-largest university, with more than 17,200 students, is located about an hour northwest of Minneapolis, along the oak-crowned west bank of the Mississippi River.

Accreditations
St. Cloud State is an accredited university, which means you'll receive an education from an institution that has proven its quality through rigorous measures. St. Cloud State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.

Student Body
• Enrollment Fall Semester 2011 was 17,231, including almost 3,000 graduate students.
• St. Cloud State boasts about 1,000 international students from more than 90 nations.
• Every year more than 450 students study abroad in one of 20 countries.
• The university enrolls about half males and females; 46.9% and 53.1% respectively.
• Full-time graduate students: 40%, Part-time graduate students: 60%
• Percent of students of color: 8.5%

Faculty/Staff
• Students learn from about 904 faculty in 44 academic departments.
• Faculty members have strong academic credentials and are also accomplished professionals.
• Nearly a third of the faculty members have international teaching experience.
• Faculty members provide a mix of research, theory, and application with a focus on teaching and learning.

Financial Facts
• Graduate assistantships, scholarships, and financial resources assist students as they pursue their degree.
• Over $112 million in scholarships, grants, loans, and work opportunities are dispersed to students each year.
• Over 25 percent of our full-time graduate students receive assistantships.

Research Offerings
• A new, $32.5 million, state-of-the-art Learning Resource Center is renowned for connecting you with information and technology resources.
• The university offers training workshops, writing tutors, statistical consulting, and research assistance to prepare your dissertation proposal.

Intercollegiate Sports
The Huskies rank among the best NCAA programs in the region and the nation. Sports teams include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, hockey, Nordic ski, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, volleyball, and wrestling.

Student Activities
A college education goes beyond the world of the classroom. Enjoy more than 250 student organizations in the arts, language and culture, politics and social concerns, honoraries, academic, religious and spiritual, service, recreational sports, student government, fraternities and sororities to help you meet new friends, develop leadership skills, stay fit, and have fun.

 

Higher Education Administration

Contact Information
Phone: (320) 308-4220

Quick links:

Site Map | Map & Directions | Contact SCSU | Social Media Directory | Accreditations | Mobile