Indiana University

Our graduate program in higher education and student affairs is one of the oldest programs in the United States. We started offering courses more than 50 years ago. For many years we have been considered one of the leading graduate programs in the country. We are consistently ranked among the top ten graduate programs by U.S. News and World Report. 

Our faculty possess a unique blend of strong scholarly records and extensive experience in senior administrative roles. As a result they bring a rich understanding of leading research in their areas of expertise along with the ability to translate their ideas into the practical world of public and institutional policymaking. Collectively our faculty resources include expertise in the areas of assessment and evaluation, comparative education, economics and finance, enrollment management, institutional research, policy studies, student affairs, student development, student engagement and teaching and learning.

The Ed.D. degree is a 60 credit hour post-masters degree program designed for doctoral students who are planning a career as a senior-level college or university administrator. 

The Ed.D. program requires a set of core courses that focus upon most of the major areas of expertise in which effective college and university administrators are required to be knowledgeable. These include administration, governance, law, and finance. In addition students can choose courses in a variety of areas including:

• Assessment, economics and finance of postsecondary education
• Enrollment management
• Institutional research
• Public policy
• Student development
• Teaching and learning

The doctoral dissertation for the Ed.D. can be focused on a more action-oriented aspect of research. Many full-time students in the Ed.D. program who are able to identify a dissertation topic by the end of their second year can finish their degree in a three- to four-year time period.