Higher Education
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Quick Facts
Main Campus (Tucson)
In Person
Built for Flexibility: Many of our students are full-time professionals who advance their careers while earning their degree part-time
Fall 2026 application portal opened on October 1, 2025
- December 15 (domestic and international applicants).
- Applications received by December 15th receive priority consideration for financial aid.
- January 22 is the final deadline
The Higher Education Ph.D. is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of concepts, theoretical frameworks, issues, and practices in a particular area within higher education. The program integrates core courses in higher education, an area of concentration, and individually tailored courses of study that encourage students to undertake coursework with faculty in a variety of departments. Areas of concentration include comparative higher education, organization and administration, college access, and student affairs. The core coursework provides a foundation enabling students to comprehend the central sociopolitical, cultural, organizational, and economic structures comprising and influencing both American and global higher education.
Learn about and explore national and global dimensions, issues, and agencies related to higher education.
Study how developments in the political economy shape and are expressed in the restructuring of higher education settings, professions, and practices.
Graduate prepared for a career that will commit to educational changes and reform that enhance the realization of social justice in higher education.
The program prepares students for a wide range of leadership roles within education. Graduates of the program pursue careers in which they can inform and influence educational policy. Many also continue producing research and developing theories about teaching and learning. All graduates, no matter the career path taken, enter roles in which they can learn and develop new ways to affect positive change in classrooms, institutions, and local communities.
HED 601 Higher Education in the United States
HED 609 Organization and Administration in Higher Education
HED 611: Statistical Analysis in Higher Education
HED 619: Higher Education Across the World
HED 628 Theories of Inequality, Oppression, and Social Stratification
HED 636 College Access and Success
HED 642: Gender and Education
To allow for flexibility, courses in the program are delivered in a variety of formats, including completely online, hybrid, and in-person.
Admission Requirements
- Completed master's degree
- Experience in higher education and/or leadership
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 (preferred GPA of 3.5)
- Required documents: Curriculum Vitae/resume, personal statement, and three letters of recommendation
Ready to learn more?
We encourage you to review our Student Handbook for detailed information about our department, policies, and program requirements. You can also explore our Student Resources page for advising materials, forms, funding information, and additional support services.
If you have questions or would like to speak with someone directly, please contact our Graduate Coordinator, Diana Peel.
View Diana Peel's staff profile.
To learn more about the Higher Education (HED) PhD program, we invite you to join us for Center for The Study of Higher Education Virtual Preview Day on March 27th, 2026, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. MST. Please RSVP.
Follow the Center for the Study of Higher Education on Instagram:
@uarizonahed
Department Contact Information
Center for the Study of Higher Education
Education Building, Room 321
📞 520-626-7313
✉️ coe-hedpgm@arizona.edu