Ed.D. in Higher Education: Community College Leadership

Develop the knowledge, research expertise and leadership perspective needed to address complex challenges and drive positive change as a community college administrator.

Our doctorate in higher education with a specialization in community college leadership is focused on developing the next generation of leaders in the community college environment. This online, asynchronous degree program includes one week of in-person classes each summer. The program is centered on an innovative, practice-based, problem-solving approach to knowledge development and research.

A focus on social justice, equity and inclusion is infused throughout the curriculum, helping prepare you to serve the increasingly diverse community college student population. You'll progress through the program as part of a cohort of fellow practitioners.

Real-world Learning

In our program, you'll join a community of practitioners and scholars actively pursuing educational research. Coursework emphasizes theory-to-practice applications and inquiry-based educational practices that help you address authentic challenges facing community colleges.

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How Can Earning an Ed.D. in Higher Education: Community College Leadership Advance My Career?

Earning an Ed.D. in higher education can help you expand your leadership skills, deepen your understanding of complex institutional challenges and prepare for advanced roles across community colleges and other higher education settings.

At a Glance

54 credit hours

Hybrid
(low residency)

Part time

Start in the summer semester

"I was looking for a program that worked with adult working students, but provided rigor and a nationally known program with faculty that focused on the student's research interests - including a focus on community college leadership - at a reasonable cost. I kept coming back to NIU as meeting all the criteria, and I loved that there was a residency week to work and learn together with my cohort of classmates." Jenifer Montag, Ed.D., Community College Leadership, '22, Director of Disability Services, Marion Technical College

How to Apply

You can apply if you have:

Three years of experience in the community college context
Master’s-level degree (30 credits or more)

The program admits students for summer enrollment only. Completed applications and supporting materials, including letters of recommendation, are due no later than March 1.

You’ll apply through the Graduate School. Select “Ed.D. in higher education” and the specialization “community college leadership” in your application.

Apply to the Graduate School

Application Materials

You must submit:

Completed application
Written statement of goals
Two letters of recommendation
Official transcripts
Current résumé/CV

The GRE is not required.

Your goals statement should be one to two pages, single-spaced, and address the following:

What experience in work or life prompted your interest in pursuing an Ed.D. in higher education?
What knowledge and skills do you hope to gain to support your career goals?
How will NIU's Ed.D. in higher education with a specialization in community college leadership support your personal, professional and academic aspirations?
Which program learning outcomes are you most interested in exploring?

Acceptance of Admission

Once admitted, you'll need to accept admission through MyNIU and respond to the department by the deadline indicated in your admission letter.

Waitlist

Due to limited enrollment capacity, qualified applicants may be placed on a waiting list. As openings occur, waitlisted students will be admitted on a rolling basis. Questions regarding waitlist status should be directed to Danae Miesbauer at dmiesbauer@niu.edu.

Costs and Funding

Our competitive tuition and fees helps ensure an excellent return on the investment of your time and resources. Learn about additional funding opportunities for graduate students.

Assistantships

Many NIU graduate students have an assistantship, which provides financial support (typically a tuition waiver and stipend), as well as career preparation.

Curriculum and Requirements

You'll complete online asynchronous coursework delivered sequentially in two eight-week sessions during the fall and spring semesters. Summer coursework follows a hybrid format and includes one week of face-to-face instruction at NIU Naperville.

Upcoming summer residency dates:

June 7-11, 2027
June 12-16, 2028
June 11-15, 2029

The culminating research experience is the Dissertation of Practice.

View Program Requirements

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Flexible Learning Environment

Each cohort begins in summer and progresses together through a structured sequence of online and hybrid coursework. Online courses during the academic year, combined with a summer residency at NIU Naperville, allow students to complete coursework in approximately two and a half years.

The Dissertation of Practice focuses on addressing authentic challenges in higher education and culminates in a scholarly research manuscript.

Program Learning Outcomes

Develop a professional knowledge base informed by literature, theory and research
Apply theory-to-practice models to complex problems of practice
Demonstrate collaboration and communication skills when working with internal and external stakeholders
Analyze issues related to social justice, equity and ethics in postsecondary education
Utilize inquiry-based practices to investigate programs, practices and issues in higher education settings

Work While Getting Your Ed.D.

Built on the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) framework, the program prepares practitioner-scholars to investigate and solve complex problems facing higher education institutions.

You'll engage in inquiry-based learning that combines research, theory, professional experience and problem-solving. Coursework explores higher education administration, community college student development, student learning, public policy, finance, enrollment management and institutional leadership.

Graduates benefit from strong relationships developed within a small cohort model and access to an extensive alumni network throughout the region.

Course Rotation

Year	Summer Term	Fall Term	Spring Term
1	HESA 770: The Administration of Higher Education HESA 751: Community College Students	HESA 771: Legal Aspects in Higher Education HESA 720: Review of Research in Higher Education	HESA 772: Financing of Higher Education HESA 704: Strategic Marketing and Enrollment Management
2	HESA 555: Seminar in Community Colleges HESA 757: Seminar in Higher Education Outcomes	HESA 740: Pedagogical Innovations and Student Learning HESA 700: Seminar in Higher Education and Student Affairs	HESA 575: Public Policy Studies in Higher Education HESA 710: Evaluating Higher Education Programs
3	HESA 721: Applied Research Design in Higher Education HESA 798: Research Seminar in Higher Education	HESA 799: Dissertation of Practice

Note: HESA 799 is a variable credit course offered in fall and spring terms. Minimum of 12 credits required to graduate. Dissertation of practice may take two to five terms depending on topic and data collection timeline.

Faculty

Our faculty bring diverse experiences, research interests and professional expertise from across higher education and student affairs.

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