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The online PhD in Leadership for Higher Education is also known as a Doctorate in Educational Administration, Student Affairs, or College Counseling. The online PhD in Leadership for Higher Education will prepare students who have a Bachelor’s or Masters’ level background in education, counseling, or university administration for leadership and managerial careers within universities and related business and educational institutions.

Graduates with an online Leadership for Higher Education PhD will:

• Set academic standards and insure that students meet these standards;
• Maintain relationships with current, prospective, and former students;
• Develop student service programs to best serve their students; and
• Oversee academic records, budgets, and other administrative duties as needed.

An online Leadership for Higher Education PhD will open the door to a dynamic and rewarding career that is predicted to have rapid job growth and opportunities for advancement and job security over the next 8-10 years according to education administrators

Online PhD in Leadership for Higher Education Requirements

Successful leaders in higher education will have strong communication, interpersonal, organization, and administrative skills as required by the job. There are a number of fields that applicants to online doctoral programs in leadership for higher education can come from, including education (general and special), communication, psychology, social work, counseling, business, and other related fields in addition to student affairs and leadership in higher education.

Although a Masters degree is not required to enroll in some online doctoral programs in Leadership for Higher Education, it is highly encouraged. Common and related Masters Degrees include, but are not limited to:

• Leadership in Higher Education (Student Affairs, College Counseling, Higher Education Administration and Supervision, College Student Development)
• Counseling (Professional, College, Career)
• Education (School Counseling, Curriculum and Instruction, Teaching, School Psychology, Special Education)
• Communication (Interpersonal, Corporate, Organizational)
• Psychology (Educational Psychology, Individual Differences)
• Social Work
• Business Administration

Education for Online PhD in Leadership for Higher Education

Online PhD programs in Leadership for Higher Education require between 60 to 72 credit hours beyond the Masters degree and can take 3-4 years to complete. Course study for the online PhD Leadership for Higher Education will teach students about the various administrative matters involved in running a university, as well as theory and practice of teaching for those wishing to pursue professor positions.

Information on Leadership for Higher Education Courses

The required coursework for the online PhD Leadership for Higher Education will require students to study the history and theory of university education, as well as statistics. Students will be required to research, legal and financial issues in addition to completing an internship.

Some courses students can expect to take include:

• Foundations of Student Development Administration.
  Students will learn the foundation and application of student development programs at both community colleges and university settings.
• Programming for Conferences, Seminars, Workshops.
  Students will learn the theory and application of how to stimulate learning through educational conferences, seminars and workshops.
• Economic Development and Higher Education.
  Students pursuing online Doctoral degrees in Leadership for Higher Education will learn the theory of human and student capital, as well as federal and state policy.
• The Professoriate in Higher Education.
  Student will learn about the history and development of professors in North America, as well as current research, statistics, and theory in university level teaching.
• Doctoral Dissertation.
  Students will earn course credit for completing their dissertation on an approved topic of study.

Specializations and Concentrations

There are many specialization and concentrations to chose from when pursuing an online Leadership for Higher Education Doctorate, such as:

• Professoriate and Teaching (for students who wish to hold a position as professor in Bachelor and Masters level programs in Higher Education)
• Research, Planning, and Development (for students who wish to hold research positions in universities that analyze current trends in college student development and how the university can develop policies and procedures to best serve their students)
• Student Services (for students who wish to develop programs to best serve students)

Careers in Leadership for Higher Education

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, career prospects for those pursuing a career in Higher Education Leadership are excellent as the demand for higher education degrees increases, and new positions open up due to the retirement of incumbents. Therefore, enrolling in online PhD programs in Leadership for Higher Education is a wise career move.

Top careers in the field include:

• Director of Academic Support Services: Provide oversight and develop programs for campus tutoring centers. Salary: Average salary: $75,000.
• Director, Academic Advising: Provide oversight on academic programs and develop and maintain course catalogs. Average salary: $57,000.
• Director of Compliance for the Department of Athletics: Provide oversight and insure compliance with local, state, federal, and NCAA requirements for student athletes. Average Salary: $37,000.
• Assistant Director, Center for Students with Disabilities: Provide oversight in assessment and accommodations for students with disabilities. Average salary: $52,000.
• Director of Special Projects: Develop and implement projects on the university campus to raise awareness and address specific issues. Average salary: $54,000 USD per year.

Most positions require at least a Masters degree, but online PhD programs will give you a competitive edge that will increase your salary in today’s competitive job market and tough economy.