Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Higher Education
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Higher Education
This in-person program will prepare you for research-focused careers within postsecondary institutions, education-adjacent non-profits, and the private sector. Students work alongside faculty on a variety of research projects in higher education, with an emphasis on social justice issues in (inter)national contexts and complete a curriculum focused on higher education.
How do I know if a doctoral program is a good fit for me?
Doctoral work is a good fit for students who are intellectually curious, self-motivated, and committed to rigorous, long-term study. Consider whether the specific program鈥檚 faculty expertise, research opportunities, and values align with your academic and professional goals.听
Should I reach out to faculty in advance of applying? Do I need to apply directly to a lab?听
No, you should not reach out to a member of advising for help with any questions. Please note that our faculty are unable to respond to prospective students because of the high volume of applicant inquiries, and in order to maintain a fair and unbiased application process.听 We encourage you to review faculty profiles to identify those whose research aligns with your interests and describe that alignment in your application materials. You do not need to contact or apply to a specific lab.听
Do I need to have a potential faculty advisor in mind to apply?听
We recommend that you have a faculty member or two in mind when you apply. The application for admission will ask you to name a faculty member or two whose research interests you believe align with your own; you do not need faculty sponsorship to apply. These should be faculty who are affiliated with the specific program/department to which you are applying. Each department-specific webpage lists the faculty who are currently accepting doctoral students. Please note that the faculty you name on the application are not the only ones you may be assigned to work with, if admitted. The department may determine that a different faculty member is a better fit.
Where can I find more information on entrance requirements? Is a specific graduate or undergraduate degree required for admission?听
Our doctoral programs have varying prerequisite requirements. You can find details about prerequisites in the 鈥淎pplication and Deadlines鈥� box within the bottom 鈥淎pply鈥� section of each page.听
Where can I find more about application deadlines and requirements?听听
You can find details about the application deadlines and required materials in the 鈥淎pply鈥� section toward the bottom of each program鈥檚 webpage. Please review the information carefully in order to ensure that you are able to submit all required materials by the deadline.听
Is it possible to apply after the application deadline?
Applications must be submitted by the stated deadline. Our deadlines are firm due to the competitive nature of programs and the structured, multi-round review process.听
When will I receive my admission decision?
Admission decisions will be released between February and April. We appreciate your patience during the review process.
How does Ph.D. funding work?听
All students admitted for full-time Ph.D. study receive a multi-year funding package that includes tuition coverage, a graduate assistantship position with a stipend, and health insurance coverage.
Can I complete a Ph.D. part-time?听
Many of our Ph.D. programs require full-time study. To confirm whether a specific Ph.D. program can be completed part-time, check the program鈥檚 webpage. The 鈥淎t A Glance鈥� section will indicate what study modes are available.
What makes a strong candidate for Ph.D. admission?
Admissions committees are generally looking for applicants with relevant academic preparation, research experience, strong writing skills, and a clear passion for the subject matter. The most competitive applicants will articulate a clear fit between their research interests and the research focus of programs and faculty. Applications are reviewed holistically, with attention to both preparation and potential.
Will I be involved in research in my program?听
Yes, research is a central component of our Ph.D. programs. Students typically engage in research throughout their training, beginning with faculty-led projects and gradually developing independent lines of inquiry. This experience is designed to build the skills necessary for scholarly and professional success.听
At a Glance
Curriculum
During this four-year research program, you are required to complete a dissertation reflecting individual research as well as a doctoral comprehensive exam. This competitive program is a full time, in-person program.听
Requirements
- Courses: 18
- Credits: 54
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ELHE9501 | Doctoral Proseminar in K-16 Administration This seminar is a required cornerstone course for doctoral Ph.D. students in the Educational Administration Program and the Higher Education Program. In addition to orienting students to doctoral studies and research, the course is designed to develop students' critical analysis of theoretical and empirical literature in their field, and to advance their knowledge of key concepts, issues, and theories in the field. Course activities include bibliographic research and skills development in conducting individual inquiry and analyzing scholarly literature. | 3 |
| ELHE9502 | Doctoral Research Seminar in Higher Education听 This seminar considers a variety of research issues in higher education. Each year, the topic of the seminar will be announced by the faculty member who will be teaching the course. Students enrolled in this seminar are expected to write substantive papers that might lead to actual research products. | 3 |
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ELHE7202 | Global & Comparative Systems in Higher Education听 Higher education the world over is an increasingly complex enterprise, undergoing significant change in many areas. This course seeks to familiarize students with key contemporary trends and developments affecting higher education systems across the globe. Students are also introduced to the use of "comparison" in higher education research. The course can be completed fully online or in a hybrid format. | 3 |
| 贰尝贬贰7101听 | Higher Education in American Society An introduction to higher education in America, this course focuses on the complex relationships between colleges and universities, and the political and social systems of society. This analysis includes a historical perspective on the evolution of American higher education, and especially the development of the contemporary university since the beginning of the twentieth century. Attention is also paid to the impact of federal and state governments on higher education; the role of research in the university; issues of accountability, autonomy, and academic freedom; the academic profession, student politics and culture; affirmative action issues; and others. | 3 |
Students will choose 1 advanced research methods elective course (3 credits) in addition to the courses listed below with their advisor.听
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| MESA6830 | Interpretation and Evaluation of Research This course will improve a students' understanding of the empirical research literature in education and psychology. It concentrates on developing the conceptual foundations of empirical research and the practical analytic skills needed by a competent reader and user of research articles. Topics address purpose statements, hypotheses, sampling techniques, sample sizes and power, instrument development, internal and external validity, and typical quantitative research designs. Exercises emphasize the critical evaluation of published research.听 | 3 |
| MESA6420 | Intermediate Statistics Topics and computer exercises address tests of means and proportions, partial and part correlations, chi-square goodness-of-fit and contingency table analysis, multiple regression, analysis of variance with planned and post hoc comparisons, elements of experimental design, and power analysis. | 3 |
| EDUC9851 | Design of Qualitative Research Introduces the foundations and techniques of carrying out qualitative research. Topics include philosophical underpinnings, planning for a qualitative research project, negotiating entry, ethics of conducting research, data collection and analysis, and writing/presenting qualitative research. Requires a research project involving participant observation and/or interviewing. | 3 |
| 听 | Advanced Research Methods Elective听 | 3 |
听
Students will choose four courses (3 credits each) with a substantive focus on postsecondary education.
Students will choose four courses (3 credits each) to fulfill their general elective requirement.
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ELHE9901 | Doctoral Comprehensive Exam In order to ensure that all students graduating from the program have a fundamental understanding of the field which they are about to enter, they are required to complete a comprehensive examination covering the broad areas of the core courses. | 0 |
| ELHE9988 | Dissertation Direction All advanced doctoral students are required to register for six credit hours of dissertation related course work, at least three of which are 988. The other three are usually the Dissertation Seminar for the student's area of concentration. Students are expected to work on their dissertation at least 20 hours per week. | 3 |
| ELHE9988 | Dissertation Direction All advanced doctoral students are required to register for six credit hours of dissertation related course work, at least three of which are 988. The other three are usually the Dissertation Seminar for the student's area of concentration. Students are expected to work on their dissertation at least 20 hours per week. | 3 |
- Knowledge of the important issues facing higher education from a multi-disciplinary perspective (history, sociology, philosophy, psychology, economic and political science)
- Knowledge of theoretical and empirical knowledge in the field
- Knowledge of managerial and policy-making issues in the field
- Knowledge of research methodologies and research ethics and applications
100%
of full-time Ph.D. students receive a multi-year funding package that includes full tuition remission, a living stipend, and medical insurance coverage
Tuition &听Aid
Education should level the playing field. We feel the same way about听financial听aid.
Full-time and part-time students are admitted to this research intensive program, and full-time students are fully funded for four years (Tuition remission, health insurance, and a stipend).
Careers
Roles
- Dean of Students
- Director of Assessment and Planning
- University President
- Senior Director of Program Design
- Policy Analyst
- Director of Enrollment Marketing
- Assistant Professor
- Associate Professor
Organizations
- Harvard Unversity
- University of Houston
- Salve Regina University
- uAspire
- Kyung Hee University
- University of Miami
- University of Connecticut
- Merrimack College
- Elms College
Apply
PrintApplication & Deadlines
Prerequisite Information: To be eligible for the PhD program, applicants must already hold a Master's degree.
A non-refundable application fee of $75 is required. The fee is waived for select applicants.
Fall 2026:
- Deadline: December 1, 2025
This program does not offer rolling admission after the deadline.
搁茅蝉耻尘茅
To be uploaded to your online application.
In addition to your academic history and relevant volunteer and/or work experience, please include any licenses currently held, any social justice-related experience, any language skills other than English, and any research experience or publications.
Personal Statement
To be uploaded to your online application.
In 1,000-1,500 words, share with the faculty committee how your reasoning for pursuing a Ph.D. in higher education at Boston College aligns with your personal and professional aspirations. We invite you to describe how prior academic, professional, and personal experiences have shaped you as an emergent researcher and how these experiences will contribute to your success in the program.
Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required with at least one required from an academic source. Applicants may submit one additional recommendation of their choice. Academic letters are a better indicator of your qualifications for doctoral work as compared to professional letters. Ideally, academic letters should be as recent as possible, and from faculty who are in related fields.听
Tip from the Admissions Team: Reach out to recommenders early to share your graduate school goals and confirm they can meet your deadline. Make sure to enter your recommender's contact information correctly on the application, as it can't be edited after you submit. Taking these steps generally leads to stronger letters and less stress.
Transcripts
Transcripts from all college/university study are required.
For degrees from the United States and Canada, unofficial transcripts may be used for application review. Official transcripts will be required upon enrollment.
Applicants who have received degrees from institutions outside the United States should view the "International Students" section for additional credential evaluation requirements.
Please begin your online application before submitting your transcripts. Details on how to submit transcripts and international credential evaluations can be found听. In order to ensure your transcript reaches our office, it is important to review and follow the instructions.
Standardized Tests
GRE scores are not required. If you wish to send GRE scores, the Lynch School GRE code is 3218.
Please view the "International Students" section for information on English Proficiency test requirements.
Writing Sample
To be uploaded to your online application.
All applicants to this program are required to submit one piece of work that demonstrates graduate-level writing ability. This document may be an academic term paper, a published work in which you are the primary author, a training manual or curriculum that you have created, a clinical case formulation, or another representative sample of your writing. The document should be approximately 15-25 pages.
International Students
Applicants who have completed a degree outside of the United States must have a course-by-course evaluation of their transcript(s) completed by an evaluation company approved by the . Submission of falsified documents is grounds for denial of admission or dismissal from the University.
Applicants who are not native speakers of English and who have not received a degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction must also submit a TOEFL or IELTS test result that meets the minimum score requirement.
Please click the link below for full details on these requirements.
Requirements for International Students
Tip from the Admissions Team: Order your credential evaluation and submit all documents to the evaluator at least one month before your program鈥檚 deadline. During peak application times, delays are common and can lead to missed deadlines.
Quick Links
Contact Us
听 gsoe@bc.edu
听 617-552-4214