Higher Education Administration Ed.D. FAQs
Are standardized test scores required for admission to the HEAM Ed.D.?
No, standardized test scores are not required.
Does the HEAM Ed.D. program offer application fee waivers?
The program does not offer application fee waivers.
Is an academic background in higher education or student affairs needed to apply for the HEAM Ed.D. program?
No. Our students come from a variety of academic backgrounds for their bachelor’s and master’s degrees—some have prior training in higher education/student affairs, but many come from other areas as well.
Does the HEAM Ed.D. program include any elective courses?
No; this is a highly structured professional practice doctorate that can be completed in 3 years total by taking courses in a prescribed sequence and completing dissertation-in-practice research milestones.
Does the HEAM Ed.D. program accept transfer credit from other programs or institutions?
The program does not accept transfer/waiver credit for courses taken prior to admission because we will be using a cohort model and embedding dissertation-in-practice components into many courses throughout the program.
Can I switch between the Ed.D. and Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration?
We ask applicants to think very carefully before embarking on either the Ph.D. or Ed.D. path about which degree makes the most sense. There is not formal transfer option—in other words, if you start in one program but wish to change to the other program, you must apply as a new applicant.
Can I learn how to publish research or teach at the graduate level within the HEAM Ed.D. program?
The Ed.D. program is aimed at those with aspirations for mid- to senior-level administration/leadership positions in higher education institutions and related organizations. Given the central focus on administrative leadership, the program will not focus heavily on publishing research or teaching at the graduate level. However, Ed.D. students interested in those aspects can connect with faculty members for may be able to mentor them in teaching or publishing. Those connections would not be part of the formal program curriculum or required courses. Doctoral students can take additional courses beyond those required for the program (for instance, by taking additional advanced research methods courses).
Are any components of the HEAM Ed.D. required to be in person? Is there an in-person residency?
Students are required to attend an initial short-term, in-person residency in Knoxville in August of their first year on dates announced well in advance. There is not a virtual participation option for the residency. The program/university does not fund the cost of travel to or lodging within Knoxville for the residency.
Is funding available for the HEAM Ed.D. program?
Students are responsible for securing funding for their education through some combination of employer tuition remission/payment, loans/financial aid, grants/scholarships, or other personal resources. The program does not provide funding for students or offer graduate assistantships.
What are the synchronous (live) components of HEAM Ed.D. coursework?
Students are responsible for attending and actively participating in each of their classes. Each course will have between four and eight synchronous (live/real-time sessions on Zoom) class sessions during the semester from 6:00-8:30 pm Eastern. Each student takes two courses per semester, thus resulting in between eight and 16 synchronous sessions per semester, including summer semesters. Course instructors will share the dates of scheduled Zoom meetings prior to the start of the semester. These sessions facilitate interactive learning experiences and develop social capital, professional networks, and collegial relationships.
What are the asynchronous components of HEAM Ed.D. coursework?
Each course includes required asynchronous work (not live/real-time) facilitated through the learning management system, which includes course assignments such as discussion boards and papers. Course instructors will share the dates and deadlines for scheduled asynchronous work prior to the start of the semester.
How is the HEAM Ed.D. completed in three years? Is there a prescribed course sequence?
Students will be part of a cohort of Ed.D. students who take all courses together starting in the Summer semester and, if completing all courses in the prescribed sequence and meeting requirements for the comprehensive examination and dissertation-in-practice project, can potentially graduate in the Spring semester of the third year in the program. Students receive a prescribed course sequence for 51 credit hours from the program and will register for and complete all courses each semester as prescribed. This includes two courses or 6 credit hours each semester during enrollment for Summer, Fall, and Spring semesters (except the first Summer semester when there is one course that is 3 credit hours).
If students do not complete a course as prescribed, they will not be able to enroll in the course again for one year (until is offered for the next cohort) and completion of the program and graduation will be delayed by at least one year. If students do not earn a minimum grade of C in a course, they will not receive credit and will need to repeat the course the following year. If students do not complete all comprehensive exam and dissertation-in-practice milestones and courses as prescribed, they may need to take more than the 51 credit hours prescribed and their graduation may subsequently be delayed. If students take longer than three years for any reason, they understand that Graduate School policy stipulates that comprehensive examinations must be taken within five years, and all requirements must be completed within eight years, from the time of a student’s first enrollment in a doctoral degree program. Students agree to abide by all university and Graduate School policies related to leave of absence, reinstatement, readmission, and continuous enrollment.
Is the dissertation-in-practice project for the HEAM Ed.D. completed within coursework? What is required outside of coursework?
The dissertation-in-practice project is advised by faculty members but that students will be responsible for completing all aspects of the project within a prescribed timeframe. The project will require a significant investment of time, attention, and effort outside of coursework and students commit to seek appropriate resources and support as needed for the project. The program structure will guide and inform broad aspects of the project such as timeline, content, and research methods, and project components such as research questions, relevant literature, methods, and analyses must be reviewed and approved by program faculty members.