Department Website
Program Description
The PhD program in Higher Education embraces issues of access and equity, state and federal policy, student development, and institutional development and assessment. The strength of the PhD program stems from the range of interests and expertise of faculty in research, policy development, and institutional leadership. The curriculum includes an extensive and rigorous sequence of research courses that prepare students for the dissertation, which requires combined research in literature and empirical investigation. The curriculum offers significant flexibility to ensure that students can construct an individualized program to support their research interests.
Other Opportunities
The program in higher education also offers an EdD in Higher Education Administration.
Admissions
Admission to graduate programs in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development requires the following minimum components:
- Résumé/CV
- Statement of Purpose
- Letters of Recommendation
- Transcripts
- Proficiency in English
See NYU Steinhardt's Graduate Admissions website for additional information on school-wide admission. Some programs may require additional components for admissions.
See How to Apply for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.
Program Requirements
The program requires the completion of 54 credits beyond the master's degree. Students with appropriate coursework in higher education and research methods may be waived up to 12 credits and complete the program for 42 credits. Full-time students can generally complete the degree in four to five years.
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| HPSE-GE 3001 | Doctoral Colloquium in Higher Education | 3 |
| RESCH-GE 3001 | Dissertation Proposal Seminar | 3 |
| HPSE-GE 3009 | Doctoral Seminar in Higher Education | 3 |
| 18 |
| 18 |
| 9 |
| Total Credits | 54 |
Sample Plan of Study
Plan of Study Grid
| 1st Semester/Term |
|---|
| HPSE-GE 3001 |
Doctoral Colloquium in Higher Education |
3 |
| HPSE-GE 3009 |
Doctoral Seminar in Higher Education |
3 |
|
3 |
|
3 |
| | Credits | 12 |
| 2nd Semester/Term |
|---|
|
6 |
|
3 |
|
3 |
| | Credits | 12 |
| 3rd Semester/Term |
|---|
|
6 |
|
6 |
| | Credits | 12 |
| 4th Semester/Term |
|---|
|
3 |
|
6 |
|
3 |
| | Credits | 12 |
| 5th Semester/Term |
|---|
| RESCH-GE 3001 |
Dissertation Proposal Seminar |
3 |
|
3 |
| | Credits | 6 |
| | Total Credits | 54 |
Following completion of the required coursework for the PhD, students are expected to maintain active status at New York University by enrolling in a research/writing course or a Maintenance of Matriculation course (MAINT-GE 4747). All non-course requirements must be fulfilled prior to degree conferral, although the specific timing of completion may vary from student-to-student. Students may be eligible for the MPhil upon completion of all coursework and an approved dissertation proposal.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:
- Demonstrate knowledge and expertise in the field of higher education and will be able to explain and compare different theoretical approaches in higher education in both verbal and written form.
- Be able to design and execute an original research project to address an identified problem and be able to employ appropriate research approaches to address the problem.
- Be able to effectively communicate complex ideas based on research outcomes in a clear manner; they will be able to disseminate their scholarly work in their field of study.
Policies
NYU Policies
University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
Steinhardt Academic Policies
Additional academic policies can be found the Steinhardt academic policies page.