Academic Programs Catalog

The doctoral program in higher, adult, and lifelong education is designed for individuals pursuing careers as administrators, researchers, professors, or policymakers in the field.  The program emphasizes the complex and multifaceted nature of post-secondary education in the United States and other nations.  By studying the diversity of contexts, structures, practices, and participants, students in the program should gain a broad, comparative perspective on the interrelated systems that influence the provision of post-secondary education in modern societies.

The program is designed to assist students to distill from these perspectives a meaningful professional agenda and to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to carry this agenda forward. The program is based on the belief that practitioners in the field of higher, adult, and lifelong education must (1) be knowledgeable about current practices, trends, and issues and (2) be able to advance the current boundaries of professional knowledge.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Education, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

The applicant must submit three letters of recommendation from persons who are acquainted with the applicant's academic and professional experience, performance, and potential.  Applicants may be required to participate in an interview and to submit a sample of scholarly writing.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education