Ed.D. in Educational Administration: Higher Education Emphasis
Program Overview
This program prepares administrative leaders for positions in community colleges and two- and four-year colleges and universities. Graduates will complete the program with a better understanding of higher education leadership and management, improved research skills, and exceptional multicultural competencies.
Curriculum
The Ed.D. is a practitioner’s degree designed for advanced students who wish to achieve superior competency in their professional field with emphasis on practice and leadership in an urban setting. The degree requires students to demonstrate proficiency in independent research in higher education and to make original contributions to the field.
Visit the Academic Catalog for full program details, including course listings.
Program Structure
Format
Primarily in person. All classes begin at 4:30 p.m. or later
Typical program length
Three to four years depending on course load (54 credit hours)
Typical course load
Two to three courses per semester
Application Details
Application procedure
1) Complete the online application.
2) Submit the following materials with your online application:
- A letter of intent, including a statement of the reason for pursuing a doctoral degree in higher education and a brief discussion about the match between applicant’s needs and the program offering
- A CV or resume providing a summary of leadership activities, work experiences and scholarly activity
- Writing sample. This sample may be a previous academic product (from your graduate program) or a significant professional writing sample.
3) Await scheduling of an interview with at least two faculty members as the final step in the admission process. Interview topics will be wide-ranging, including personal goals and objectives, current issues in education and successful college experiences. The interview is designed to acquire information concerning the applicant’s oral skills and critical thinking skills.
Note: This program does not require letters of recommendation or GRE scores.
Application deadline
- Dec. 15 for summer entry
- The program admits a cohort of students every three years in the Summer Session. The next session starts Summer 2026.
Still Have Questions?
Consult the Academic Catalog for a detailed description of this program, including student learning outcomes, course descriptions and program requirements, or email our program coordinator for more information.
Michele Smith Associate Professor Phone: 816-235-1141 Email: Michele.d.smith@umkc.edu