Higher Education Administration - St. Cloud State UniversityHigher Education Administration - St. Cloud State UniversityHigher Education Administration - St. Cloud State University

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

Apply Online Today!

First Doctoral Student to Graduate May 8th

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

Program Brochure

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. A weekend model of course delivery makes this program a great choice for working professionals.

  • The program follows a cohort model with approximately 18 students admitted to pursue courses concurrently. 
  • A new cohort starts each fall semester.
  • Cohorts are offered either on the St. Cloud campus or at our Twin Cities Graduate Center in Maple Grove, MN. The location varies based on cohort.
  • Courses generally meet one weekend a month (Friday evening and all day Saturday) during the fall and spring semesters, comprising three weekends per course. Two courses are typically taken each semester.
  • Summer courses are offered in varying formats and may be in one-week time blocks per course.  Summer courses are required.
  • Course learning environments are typically held in the classroom.  However, hybrid and online courses may be offered.
  • A degree may be earned in three years (9 semesters) taking six credits per semester and six to nine credits in the summer.

Career Opportunities

Higher Education Employment Report

NACE Job Outlook

  • Graduates will be prepared for advanced leadership positions in higher education in a diverse array of post-secondary institutions. 
  • Excellent employment opportunities are expected due to a large number of expected retirees and fewer applicants for some positions.*
  • Employment is expected to grow by 8% between 2008 and 2018 primarily due to enrollment growth.*

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Education Administrators, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos007.htm (visited September 21, 2010).

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.

Higher Education Administration

Contact Information
Phone: (320) 308-4220

St. Cloud State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity educator and employer.
St. Cloud State University is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.
© 2012 St. Cloud State University