LHAE: Higher Education EdD

Doctor of Education

Program Description

The EdD Program in Higher Education is intended to shape highly competent professionals in leadership positions in higher education administration or policy. It best serves students seeking the knowledge and research skills needed to pursue research-grounded professional careers in colleges, universities, government agencies, professional associations, and international organizations.

The EdD program can be pursued either on a part-time or full-time basis. The department welcomes applicants with diverse but relevant backgrounds.

Students cannot transfer between the EdD and PhD programs.

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education’s additional admission requirements stated below.

  • Relevant and acceptable MEd or MA. In individual cases, students with a highly relevant master’s degree or other equivalent graduate degree may be admitted, but additional courses in Higher Education will be required.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must complete a minimum of 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • LHA1803H Recurring Issues in Postsecondary Education (0.5 FCE).

    • At least 1.0 other FCE in Higher Education.

    • 0.5 FCE in research methods approved by the faculty advisor.

    • 1.0 FCE selected either in Higher Education or in another graduate program at OISE or, with the approval of the faculty advisor, in another graduate department at the University of Toronto.

    • Supervised applied research practicum (0.5 FCE).

    • Collaborative proseminar (0.5 FCE).

  • Comprehensive examination. The objective of the doctoral comprehensive examination is to ensure that all students master at least one substantive research area in Higher Education and have the capacity to develop their own written analysis of selected issues within this area. The examination is designed to ensure that students are familiar with the literature and concepts associated with their special area of study within the field of Higher Education.

  • Thesis reporting the results of original research on an applied topic in postsecondary education.

  • Students may begin their EdD degree on a full-time or a part-time basis but must maintain continuous registration. They must register full-time for a minimum of two consecutive sessions, not including Summer, of on-campus study. Once enrolled full-time, students must maintain continuous registration full-time and pay full-time fees until all degree requirements, including the thesis, are completed.

Program Length

4 years full-time; 6 years part-time

Time Limit

6 years full-time; 6 years part-time