Higher Education Leadership, Ph.D.

• Immediate career impact: 100% of WMU Educational Leadership graduates were employed or continuing education within three months of graduation.
• Tailored for working professionals: Designed for current faculty and administrators, the program accommodates both instructional and administrative career paths.
• Diverse and experienced cohort: Learn alongside peers from a wide range of disciplines and higher education roles, enriching collaboration and professional networks.
• Leadership development across sectors: Gain skills applicable to faculty positions, department leadership, student services, and other administrative areas in universities, community colleges, and adult learning institutions.
• Flexible career trajectories: Prepare for advancement as department chairs, deans, or senior administrators while maintaining part-time teaching responsibilities.
• Proven professional preparation: Admitted students bring 3–5 years of leadership experience, ensuring a practical, real-world learning environment.

I. Leadership Core (6 hours)
Provides foundational leadership knowledge applicable to complex organizations, systems, and change management. Courses focus on leadership theory, organizational dynamics, and preparing students for administrative and faculty roles in higher education.

II. Professional Inquiry, Research, and Dissertation Core (30 hours)
Develops advanced research and scholarly skills. This includes:

• Professional Inquiry Component (18 hours): Seminars and dissertation work designed to guide students through doctoral-level research and independent scholarship.
• Research Methods Component (12 hours): Coursework in quantitative and qualitative methods, data analysis, and research design to support dissertation and applied research projects.

III. Higher Education Core (24 hours)
Focuses on leadership, policy, governance, finance, law, and ethics in higher education. Includes:

• Core Courses (15 hours): Foundational concepts in administration, student affairs, and leading diverse organizations.
• Cognate/HE-Focused Courses (9 hours): Specialized electives tailored to individual research or professional interests, including field experiences or advanced seminars.

Required Program of Study (Higher Education) for students admitted Fall 2018 or later

Required Program of Study, (Higher Education) for students admitted after Summer 2012 and before Fall 2018

Required Program of Study (Higher Education) for students admitted before Summer 2012

• Cost of attendance
• Scholarships
• CEHD assistantships
• WMU assistantships
• Grants
• Loans
• Employer-paid tuition
• Military and veterans

Graudate Assistantships

For more information about graduate/doctoral assistantships visit the graduate assistantships page or apply here.

• Masters degree from an accredited institution, indicated on an official transcript.
• An overall grade point average of at least 3.0 for all graduate work undertaken beyond the bachelor’s degree.
• Official transcripts as required by WMU.
• Career and professional goals written narrative in which an applicant describes their professional goals, and how this doctoral program fits with those goals.
• Graduate reference forms completed by the different individuals who can address an applicant’s ability to successfully complete doctoral-level work.
• A professional curriculum vitae or resume.

Currently, the EDLD Ph.D. Program only admits for a start date in fall semester. The priority deadline for each fall semester is January 15; this is the only deadline for applicants who wish to be considered for a graduate assistantship (GA). The admissions application process is completely online. If you wish to be considered for department funding as a graduate assistant (GA or DGA), please complete the application by the stated deadline.

EDLD has permanently suspended the GRE requirement as an admission requirement. Be aware that there may be additional requirements during the admissions review to provide supplemental information about applicant's preparedness to be in a doctoral program.

Beginning in Fall 2026, the EDLD OLL and HE doctoral programs will hold a second admissions cycle in fall for students to start their classes in January of the following year (Spring semester). Complete applications will be due on September 15. Students will not be eligible for funding that academic year. For more information, please contact the Unit Director.

Applicants for the Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership in the Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Technology at Western Michigan University are strongly encouraged to contact a faculty member in their concentration area to discuss the program before applying. Applicants must be available on the interview dates below.

The priority deadline for fall semester (currently, the only semester to start the EDLD PhD program) is January 15; this is the only deadline for applicants who wish to be considered for a graduate assistantship (DGA), in which you work up to 20 hours per week in exchange for tuition and a stipend. Other funding opportunities also tend to be limited to this admissions deadline.

Your application must be fully completed by January 15 (not just submitted). We recommend you submit your application at least two weeks prior to the deadline to ensure recommenders have time to complete their recommendations by the deadline.

Transcript requirements

An official transcript from the institution from which you received your bachelor degree is required to be sent to WMU, as well as a transcript from the institution(s) where any additional graduate level courses or degrees have been taken/completed. Applicants are not required to submit an official transcript for courses taken/completed at WMU.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to upload an unofficial copy of any graduate transcripts to their application in order to expedite the review process.

Official transcripts must be sent to @email from the issuing institution or via postal mail to: Office of Admissions, 1903 W Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5211.

For more information, contact Dr. Donna Talbot.