The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program in Higher Education fosters research-grounded study of higher education administration and policy. It best serves students seeking the knowledge and research skills needed to pursue careers in colleges, universities, government agencies, professional associations, and international organizations as a higher education expert.
This program is delivered in person, which means that while the program may offer some courses online, a student will take less than one-third of their courses online.
The program offers both full-time and flexible-time options.
The program is available in two delivery models:
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Regular PhD stream: students are accepted every year into the full-time or flexible-time program.
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The Community College Leadership (CCL) Cohort: available in select years. The CCL Cohort is designed for emerging college leaders and focuses specifically on the college system. The CCL is mostly offered in compressed mode, mainly on weekends, to suit working professionals pursuing a flexible-time program. Applicants must specify their interest in the CCL Cohort in their responses to Faculty questions in the online admissions application.
The department welcomes applicants with diverse but relevant backgrounds.
PhD Program (Full-Time Option)
Minimum Admission Requirements
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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.
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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 may be required.
Completion Requirements
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Coursework. Students must successfully complete a minimum 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
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LHA3803H Doctoral Seminar: Recurring Issues in Postsecondary Education, to be taken at the beginning of the program.
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LHA3804H Doctoral Research Seminar in Postsecondary Education, to be taken at the beginning of the program.
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At least 1.0 other FCE in Higher Education.
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0.5 FCE in research methods approved by the faculty advisor.
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0.5 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.
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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.
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Thesis reporting the results of original research in postsecondary education.
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Students must register continuously and pay the full-time fee until all degree requirements have been fulfilled.
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Students cannot transfer between the full-time and flexible-time PhD options.
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Students cannot transfer between the EdD and PhD programs.
Program Length: 4 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 6 years full-time
PhD Program (Flexible-Time Option)
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 may be required.
-
Applicants must demonstrate that they are currently employed and are active professionals engaged in activities related to their proposed program of study. Applicants should have capacity to secure blocks of time to enable concentrated study.
Completion Requirements
-
Coursework. Students must complete a minimum 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
-
LHA3803H Doctoral Seminar: Recurring Issues in Postsecondary Education, to be taken at the beginning of the program.
-
LHA3804H Doctoral Research Seminar in Postsecondary Education, to be taken at the beginning of the program.
-
At least 1.0 other FCE in Higher Education.
-
0.5 FCE in research methods approved by the faculty advisor.
-
0.5 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.
-
-
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 in postsecondary education.
-
Students must register continuously until all degree requirements have been fulfilled. They must register full-time during the first four years and may continue as part-time thereafter, with their department's approval.
-
Students cannot transfer between the full-time and flexible-time PhD options.
-
Students cannot transfer between the EdD and PhD programs.
Program Length: 6 years full-time
Time Limit: 6 years full-time