Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration

Earn a doctoral degree in higher education administration

The field of higher education administration is rapidly growing, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting that higher education careers projected to grow faster than average. More than 13,000 jobs in higher education need to be filled by 2028. Institutions are eager to fill advanced positions with qualified candidates who understand university governance, structure and operation needs.

A professional with a doctoral degree in higher education administration might apply their skills by:

• Establishing or maintaining a school’s academic vision
• Allocating financial and human resources within academic departments
• Implementing new curricula or professional development initiatives
• Creating strategies to attract and retain students to a school
• Overseeing the operations, faculty or staff of an academic or administrative department

What careers are available for someone with a doctoral degree in higher education administration?

Students who graduate from KU’s doctoral program in higher education administration have acquired the analytical and leadership skills necessary to advance in their careers as college and university administrators or leaders of other nonprofit organization. 

Graduates of the Ed.D. in higher education administration program hold positions similar to the following.

Is the Ed.D. in higher education administration right for you?

The doctorate in higher education administration from KU is an exciting opportunity for current mid-level college and university staff members and administrators, with at least three years of full-time experience, who want to advance in their careers.

The program emphasizes research skills that help students apply their knowledge to improve everyday practice in a college or university setting. The program’s doctoral field experience component helps students develop a network of professional mentors, identify a problem of practice and perform background research for their dissertation.