The Center for the Study of Higher Education is an instructional, research, and service unit within the Department of Leadership, Foundations, and Policy. The instructional program provides college, university, and adult-education leaders opportunities to explore established and emerging practices in postsecondary education, to analyze current issues and problems, and to think in a critical fashion about institutional, state postsecondary priorities and commitments.
Instructional programs offered by the center lead to the degrees of Master of Education and Doctor of Philosophy. Postdoctoral study is provided through the center’s professional-development program. Students take a core set of higher education courses, develop their research competencies, and develop a minor field of study in consultation with their advisors.
The Student Affairs Practice in Higher Education (SAPHE) program leads to a Master’s of Education degree. This program prepares students for a variety of professional positions within student affairs. The SAPHE program consists of 36 hours of coursework that can be completed in 15 months of study (two summer session and one academic year). As part of the 36 hours, students are required to take two semesters of an internship with professional staff responsibilities (15 to 20 hours per week) in a student-affairs or student services office. The paid internship gives each prospective administrator or agency staff member the opportunity to experience theory in practice.
Candidates for the Ph.D. degree are encouraged to complete as much of their doctoral study in full-time residence. Minimum residency for the Ph.D. is two academic years of full-time study with resident University faculty. Doctoral students complete 57 credits, not counting internship courses or dissertation credit.
Paid internships (20 hours/week) in various offices on and off-grounds are an important part of the program for many students. They provide the prospective faculty member, administrator, or agency staff member with an opportunity to experience theory in practice in an institutional context. Research assistantships are also available for students more interested in research than in administration.
Applications may be received at any time, but students interested in internships should apply by February 1. All applications must be accompanied by an academic writing sample.
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