The Higher Education track in the Educational Leadership EdD program is appropriate for students who are committed to advancing their leadership capabilities in college and university settings.
The Higher Education track in the Educational Leadership EdD program has been designed to broaden the administrative knowledge and skills of higher education professionals who bring to the program a prior discipline specialization. Students admitted to the program are typically employed in teaching, research and administrative positions in community colleges and universities or education related agencies.
Students pursuing the Higher Education track in the Educational Leadership EdD program are typically employed in two- or four-year colleges or universities. Their programs of study require them to complete a minimum of 36 credit hours of specified core and specialization courses plus two elective courses. Students must also complete 12 credit hours in research methods and 15 credit hours of dissertation. The 63 minimum credit hours is required beyond the master's degree, with an emphasis related to the study of higher education as a field of inquiry. Details about the administration of this program can be found in the Higher Education Handbook.
Total Credit Hours Required: 63 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Master's Degree
Track Prerequisites
Master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Evidence of a minimum of one year full-time or two years part-time professional higher education work experience.
Application Requirements
For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.
In addition to the general UCF graduate application requirements, applicants to this program must provide:
- One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 (on 4.0 scale) in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate degree.
- Master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 (on 4.0 scale) for all graduate work at the time of application.
- Official, competitive GRE score, taken within the last five years.
- Three letters of recommendation (electronic or hard copy).
- Resumé/CV.
- Goal statement. (Describe the following: preparedness for the program, career goals related to the program, and potential area of research interest in the program.)
- Evidence of a minimum of one year full-time or two years part-time professional higher education work experience. Evidence may include, but not be limited to, any one of the following: work experience listed on the resume/CV with confirmation email/telephone, letter of reference, or copies of annual reviews, etc.. (Please note that graduate assistantships, teaching assistantships, internships and practica do not fulfill this requirement.)
- An interview might be required.
Financial Information
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowship Information
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
