Higher Education Management, EdD

Peerless in our focus on the unique strengths and challenges of senior-level leaders in higher education, the Executive Doctorate reaches far beyond a standard doctoral program, as it brings together cohorts of current senior leaders to challenge each other and engage with world-renown faculty— all without career interruption. The Executive Doctorate in Higher Education Management trains an emerging generation of top higher education leaders from campuses, government, and affiliated organizations to manage resources strategically, leverage evidence-based decision-making, create entrepreneurial opportunities, challenge practices critically, and conquer the dynamics of complex organizations. The program redefines academic inquiry: we focus on using sound analytic principles to tackle relevant, practical questions of strategy for governing broad segments of the higher education enterprise. Our alumni form a growing and influential network of college presidents, vice presidents, deans, and other leaders who overwhelmingly report that the program propelled their careers and increased their impact.

For more information: https://execdoc.gse.upenn.edu

Curriculum

A minimum of 20 course units is required for graduation.¹

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Summer		Course Units
EDHE 5010	Introduction to Doctoral Studies	0.5
EDHE 5020	Contemporary Issues ²	1
EDHE 5040	Proseminar I	0.5
Transfer Credit		2-8
	Course Units	4.00
Fall
EDHE 5050	Proseminar II	0.67
EDHE 5060	Strategic Management Research I	1
EDHE 5070	Quantitative Methods I	0.33
EDHE 5080	Qualitative Methods I	0.67
EDHE 5210	Leadership, Governance, and Strategy	1
EDHE 6160	Advanced Topics in Higher Education Management III	0.33
	Course Units	4.00
Spring
EDHE 5120	Proseminar III	1
EDHE 5130	Strategic Management Research II	1
EDHE 5140	Quantitative Methods II	0.67
EDHE 5150	Qualitative Methods II	0.33
EDHE 5160	Higher Education Finance ²	0.5
EDHE 5170A	Equity And Diversity	1
EDHE 5170B	Equity And Diversity
EDHE 5190A	University And Community	.33
EDHE 5190B	University And Community
EDHE 5230A	Globalization	.33
EDHE 5230B	Globalization
	Course Units	5.16
Second Year
Summer
EDHE 6010	International Context ³	2
	Course Units	2.00
Fall
EDHE 5090	Public Policy ⁴	1
EDHE 5180	Managing Intercollegiate Athletics	0.33
EDHE 6020	Student and Campus Services	0.33
EDHE 6050	Enrollment Management	0.33
EDHE 6060	Dissertation Workshop I	0.5
EDHE 6150	Leadership and Change for Higher Education's Future	0.33
EDHE 6160	Advanced Topics in Higher Education Management III	0.33
	Course Units	3.15
Spring
EDHE 6090	Capstone Seminar	0.33
EDHE 6100	Advancement	0.33
EDHE 6110	Teaching and Learning	0.33
EDHE 6130	Dissertation Workshop II	0.5
EDHE 6170	Community Colleges	0.33
EDHE 6190	Quality/Risk Management	0.33
	Course Units	2.15
	Total Course Units	20.46

Course Requirements

Candidates for the Executive Doctorate must complete the equivalent of at least 20 course units of approved graduate work beyond the baccalaureate degree. Admission to the Executive Doctorate requires a master’s degree (M.S. or M.A.) or professional degree (M.B.A., J.D., M.S.W., M.P.A., M.Ed.) and transfer of eight post-baccalaureate courses. These credits must be approved by the program director.

Students are admitted to the Executive Doctorate as a cohort. A minimum of 12 course units of graduate work is included in the program. The program consists of a prescribed curriculum that students take as a single cohort offered over six consecutive semesters of enrollment—there are no elective courses or distribution requirements. Students begin in August, and complete coursework over the next five terms. Dissertations are completed during the sixth and final semester of the program. All degree students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least “B” in order to graduate.

CU count

The program is designed as an integrated twenty-two month experience where all classes are predetermined and continue across terms. Students are considered full time and pay a flat tuition/program fee rate regardless of the number of course units they are registered for each term.

Elective courses

The course load per term for Executive Doctorate students is prescribed; students may not take additional courses, either at Penn or elsewhere, nor may students drop or add courses, during the period of their enrollment

Dissertation Requirements

Information regarding program candidacy, the doctoral preliminary examination, forming a dissertation committee, holding an oral proposal hearing and scheduling a final defense can be found on the GSE website.

Dissertation Supervision Registration

For students registered after the sixth semester of the program, registration for consecutive semesters is required in the form of dissertation supervision (EDUC 9995). Applicable Penn tuition and fees will apply.

Registering for dissertation supervision does not necessarily mean that a student is on dissertation status. Dissertation status is attained once a student completes all coursework and passes the preliminary examination.

¹: This includes transfer of eight post-baccalaureate courses. These credits must be approved by the program director.
²: Course offerings vary per term, academic year, and/or cohort.
³: International site location changes per year
⁴: Session may require travel to off site location

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2022 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.