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Curriculum

PhD, Higher Education

How to Apply Info Session

In the 54-credit PhD program in Higher Education, you will delve into issues of access and equity, state and federal policy, student development, and institutional development and assessment. You’ll benefit from the diverse interests and expertise of the faculty in research, policy development, and institutional leadership and engage in a rigorous sequence of research courses to prepare for your dissertation, which combines literature research with empirical investigation. The curriculum's flexibility allows you to create a personalized program supporting your research interests.

Core Course Sequence

The curriculum requirements for the Program include core coursework in higher education, electives in higher education and cognate areas, and extensive training in research methods and analysis. The program culminates in a dissertation.

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 Title Credits
Major Requirements
Core Courses
HPSE-GE 3001Doctoral Colloquium in Higher Education3
RESCH-GE 3001Dissertation Proposal Seminar3
HPSE-GE 3009Doctoral Seminar in Higher Education3
Research Courses
Quantitative and Qualitative Research courses by advisement18
Higher Education Specialization
Select 18 specialization credits by advisement18
Electives
Select 9 elective credits by advisement9
Total Credits54

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
1st Semester/TermCredits
HPSE-GE 3001 Doctoral Colloquium in Higher Education 3
HPSE-GE 3009 Doctoral Seminar in Higher Education 3
Research Course 3
Higher Education Specialization 3
 Credits12
2nd Semester/Term
Research Course 6
Higher Education Specialization 3
Other Elective Credits 3
 Credits12
3rd Semester/Term
Research Courses 6
Higher Education Specialization 6
 Credits12
4th Semester/Term
Research Course 3
Higher Education Specialization 6
Other Elective Credits 3
 Credits12
5th Semester/Term
RESCH-GE 3001 Dissertation Proposal Seminar 3
Other Elective Credits 3
 Credits6
 Total Credits54

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.

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