THE PH.D. PROGRAM

The Ph.D. program is designed to prepare those who want to focus on specialized positions in research and policy analysis in higher education. Students interested in teaching and research develop competencies needed to contribute substantively to the academic discipline of higher education, as well as to the development of higher education as a force in economic and technological development, intellectual and cultural advancement, and international cooperation. The Ph.D. is a full-time program of study.

Ph.D. Program Applications and Assistantships

The Institute of Higher Education at the University of Georgia encourages students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in higher education to apply for admission and one of several research assistantships. The Institute and UGA are located in Athens, Georgia, 60 miles northeast of Atlanta.

Founded in 1964, the Institute is noted for its multidisciplinary approach to the study of higher education. The Ph.D. curriculum is grounded in a context of federal, state, and institutional policy studies and is designed to incorporate a wide range of specialties. The program requires that students engage in a coherent set of coursework from a given discipline such as economics, sociology, public administration, or law.

The Institute is freestanding within the university, reporting to the vice president of instruction and located in Meigs Hall on the historic North Campus. It has close working relationships with the School of Law and the School of Public and International Affairs and is allied with the College of Education. As an independent research, instructional, and public service unit integrated into UGA and the University System of Georgia, the Institute has international, national, and statewide reach.

In recent years, students have benefited in specific ways from the international emphases of the IHE. Our doctoral students have presented papers in IHE-sponsored international programs and we support an annual student-centered conference with the Oxford Center for Higher Education Policy Studies at Oxford University. As opportunities continue to expand in the international arena, our students will continue to be involved. Doctoral students at the Institute also benefit from the regular stream of distinguished visitors, including those from abroad, who visit the Institute to deliver guest lectures, participate in symposia, or collaborate with IHE faculty.

A master's degree in a relevant field is required for admission to the Institute. Interested students without a master's degree are encouraged to apply to the M.P.A. program with a higher education specialization offered through the School of Public and International Affairs.

Interested students should review the following web pages for detailed information on admissions and the doctoral program.


see also:	Requirements Admissions and Application Information Graduate Assistantships IHE Course Descriptions