Part of the Graduate School of Education
Higher Education, PhD
Our doctoral program in higher education will prepare you for a variety of professional paths, including leadership positions in college and university administration, higher education faculty and policy research. Our program focuses on issues of concern to scholars and leaders in all types of higher education institutions. Given the variety of positions that you can pursue post-graduation, your advisor will work individually with you to craft a course of study and pursue experiences that will help you meet your individual goals.
Why Higher Education at UB?
The features of our program include:
- application of theory and research methods to the study of higher education
- commitment to issues of equity, diversity, justice and inclusion, and the development of multculturally competent higher education professionals
- emphasis on interdisciplinary work that allows researchers to develop new insights for the scholarship of higher education
- flexible curriculum that allows you to concentrate on areas of special interest
- focus on the broad foundations and contexts, as well as the critical contemporary issues of higher education
- frequent and close collaboration with prominent faculty, knowledgeable professionals and community leaders
- strategic links with Western New York's 32 two- and four-year colleges and universities, numerous school districts and other educational settings that offer abundant research, practice and professional opportunities
Program Overview
| Academic credential granted | Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) |
|---|---|
| Credits required for completion | 72 |
| Time to completion | 4 to 5+ years |
| Course delivery | On campus |
| Careers |
|
| Application deadline | Jan. 1 |
Required Courses (15 credits)
ELP 667 Pro-Seminar
ELP 670 Advanced Doctoral Seminar: Postsecondary Students
ELP 679 Academic Affairs in the Contemporary University
ELP 615 Critical Race Theory
ELP 618 Sociology of Higher Education
or
ELP 517 Public Policy in Higher Education
Research Methods Courses (18-20 credits)
Two quantitative methods courses (e.g. CEP 522 and 523)
Two qualitative methods courses (e.g. ELP 593 and 594)
Research Design (CEP 581)
One additional qualitative or quantitative methods course to inform dissertation
Cognate/Minor Area (9 credits)
You are required to develop a minor area in consultation with your faculty advisor.
Moving Toward Dissertation (9 credits)
ELP 601 Higher Education Doctoral Qualifying Exam
ELP 699 Research Practicum (resulting in significant research product, such as journal article or paper/presentation at a national conference)
ELP 599 Writing Dissertation Proposals or and additional course that scaffolds the research process, chosen in consultation with your academic advisor
Dissertation Research (minimum 9 credits)
ELP 702 Dissertation Research
You must continue to register for ELP 702 until your dissertation is complete. A minimum of 3 credits per semester is preferred. Consult with your advisor prior to registration.
Assistantships are available in a variety of areas that change from year to year. Compensation for positions ranges from hourly pay only to a stipend to tuition remission plus a stipend. Generally, assistantships require 20 hours of work per week.
The application process for assistantships is separate from the program admission process. Assistantship opportunities are posted for the following academic year in mid-January, from offices on campus such as Campus Living, Career Services, Student Engagement, Intercultural and Diversity Center, among others.
While assistantships are limited, new opportunities become available throughout summer and into the fall semester.
If you are accepted into the higher education (doctoral) or the higher education administration/student affairs administration (master’s) programs, check back here for updates on available positions and how to apply. Interviews for assistantships typically take place during the higher education program’s Open House and Assistantship Day (end of February/beginning of March). In addition to interviewing positions, you will have an opportunity to learn more about UB and the higher education program, network with current and accepted students, and meet program faculty. For those unable to come to campus for Assistantship Day, offices will conduct phone interviews, although we highly encourage you to attend in person, if possible.
Standardized Testing No Longer Required
In an effort to make the application process more equitable, the GRE/MAT is no longer required for admissions consideration for those applying to this program through the fall 2023 semester. If you still plan to take the GRE/MAT exam, you can send your scores through the testing agency, and they will automatically be added to your application; however, they are not required for admission consideration to this program.
You must have a bachelor's and master's degree.
Submit your completed online application, which includes:
- Application fee: A $50 non-refundable application fee, submitted electronically through UB's ePayment system.
- Contact information for three individuals (2 academic, 1 professional) who will each be asked to provide an electronic recommendation letter. If you have been out of school for a significant period of time, you should find recommenders who can best speak to your abilities to succeed in a PhD program.
- Unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended. (UB transcripts are automatically submitted for current UB students and alumni.)
- Sample of academic writing: A sample of your academic writing at least 10 pages long.
- Statement of research interests and professional goals: This statement should address your academic and research background, your reasons for applying to this program, and your professional goals. Please be specific in explaining how the curriculum and faculty expertise of this program fit your educational and career objectives. Be sure to include the specific faculty you would like to work with and why. We consider three to four double-spaced pages as an appropriate length.
Finding the right doctoral program requires that doctoral candidates specify and describe their research interests so they can evaluate whether there is a good fit between what they want to study and faculty research expertise. Start by reviewing our faculty directory and faculty web pages and once you are familiar with faculty research areas, read some of the faculty publications that you find most interesting. That will help you determine if there is a good fit between your scholarly interests and what our faculty members are currently researching. Everyone knows that grade point average, letters of reference and relevant higher education experience are important in the decision-making process; however, alignment with faculty research interests and the academic program can often be a determining factor in admission decisions. - Resume
Faculty Interview: After applications are submitted and reviewed, you may be offered an interview with the faculty.
Former/Maiden Name: Please provide us with your former/maiden name if you have one. When requesting transcripts, please ask the sending institution to indicate your current name and former/maiden name.
Admission Decision: The admission decision will be communicated to you as soon as review is complete. The decision is based on a number of factors and is the result of a thorough and deliberate process. All decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
In-state Residency Tuition
In order to qualify for the in-state residency tuition rate, you are required to provide residency documentation indicating you have lived in New York State (NYS) 12 months prior to your semester start date.
If accepted, you will need to upload 3 documents to qualify for the in-state tuition rate. See Required Documents for Residency Application for more information.
International Applicant Additional Requirements
- Official original proof of your degree
- A copy of your passport biographical page
- Official test scores for either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic. Test scores must be dated within two years of submitting your application.
- TOEFL minimum score is a 250 for a computer based test, 600 for a paper based test and 79 for the Internet based test
- IELTS minimum score is 6.5 overall
- PTE minimum score is 55 overall
- Financial documentation — International graduate applicants must document their ability to pay for all costs incurred while studying in the U.S.
- An official bank statement
All financial forms and supporting documentation with required signatures must be uploaded with your application, and must be dated within one year of your intended enrollment date.
Are you an international student and unable to take the IELTS, PTE or TOEFL?
If you are currently unable to take the IELTS, PTE or TOEFL tests because they are canceled due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the University at Buffalo will accept the Duolingo English Test (DET) for proof of English proficiency. This test can be taken online, in your own home. More information can be found on the Graduate School’s website.
The TOEFL iBT® Special Home Edition is a safe and convenient option for students who are unable to take the TOEFL iBT test at a test center due to public health concerns.
Program Faculty
Associate Professor
Educational Leadership And Policy
Research Areas: Access and Equity; Economics of Education; Educational Change; Educational Policy; Equity and Poverty; Gamification; Higher Education; Organizational Change; Program Evaluation; Quantitative Research Methods; Race, Inequality, and Education; School Counseling; Sociology of Education; Urban Education
Associate Professor
Educational Leadership And Policy
Research Areas: Access and Equity; Achievement; Diversity; Educational Policy; Equity and Poverty; Ethnography; Gender, Culture, and Equity; Higher Education; Organizational Change; Qualitative Research Methods; Race, Inequality, and Education; Sociology of Education; Urban Education
Research Areas: Access and Equity; Administration/Management; Cultural Competence and Humility; Diversity; Equity and Poverty; Gender, Culture, and Equity; Higher Education; Leadership; Multicultural Competence; Organizational Change; Race, Inequality, and Education; Racism and AntiBlackness; Social Justice
Associate Professor
Educational Leadership And Policy
Research Areas: Gender Studies; Gender, Culture, and Equity; Higher Education; Leadership; Organizational Change; Qualitative Research Methods
Assistant Professor
Educational Leadership And Policy
482 Baldy Hall North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260
Email: srsantar@buffalo.edu
Research Areas: Access and Equity; Diversity; Higher Education; Immigrant Issues; Legal Issues; Race, Inequality, and Education
Frequently Asked Questions
We have a collection of frequently asked questions that may help you. If your questions are still unanswered, we are glad to help! Contact our admission office.
Questions About the Admission Process?
Graduate School of Education
366 Baldy Hall, North Campus
716-645-2110
gseinfo@buffalo.edu
University Computing Standards
You are required to have daily access to a reliable broadband connection and a computer that meets university computing standards. You are also expected to have basic computer competency before beginning your coursework.