Higher Education
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    Higher Education

    Northern Illinois University
    Northern Illinois University
    United States of America
    United States of America, DeKalb
    Go to Official Website
    Duration4 year(s)
    Tuition Fee
    USD 738 / credit
    Next IntakeAugust 28, 2023

    Higher Education

    About

    The Ed.D. program in higher education provides a sequenced program with course work in areas of instruction, educational policy, administration, and research to prepare both generalists and specialists in the field. Doctoral students in higher education prepare for leadership and teaching roles in a variety of adult and higher education contexts including student affairs, academic affairs, and other areas of higher education administration.

    The student learning outcomes for this degree are located here.

    Application Deadlines

    Admission to the doctoral program in higher education is competitive and takes place once a year in the spring. Students are admitted for the fall semester. All materials must be received by the Graduate School and the Department of Counseling, Higher Education and Student Affairs no later than March 1.

    Admission

    Admission to the doctoral program requires a master's degree either in adult education, higher education, student affairs or in another discipline acceptable to the admissions committee. Three letters of recommendation are required from professors, employers, or supervisors who can provide supportive evidence of an applicant's professional qualifications and potential. Each applicant must submit a resume/CV and written goals statement. An interview with the higher education admissions committee may be required. The faculty reserves the right to request additional evidence of potential such as assessment letters from higher education faculty. Applicants must contact the admissions committee chair about additional requirements.

    Simultaneous Enrollment in Ed.D. and J.D. Degree Programs

    The Department of Counseling and Higher Education and the College of Law offer the opportunity for simultaneous enrollment in the Doctor of Education in Higher Education (Ed.D.) and Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree programs to qualified graduate students. Students must be admitted to both the Ed.D. program and the J.D. program. Matriculation in the two programs must be within 18 months of each other.

    Since students enroll in two separate degree programs, to receive both degrees students must meet all of the graduation requirements for both degree programs. A student may obtain either degree prior to completing all requirements for the other degree. Under the simultaneous enrollment plan, students are required to take at least 126 total semester hours, 78 from the College of Law and 48 from the Department of Counseling and Higher Education. Up to 36 semester hours of College of Law coursework may be applied toward the 84 semester hours required for the Ed.D. degree, and up to 12 semester hours of Ed.D. course work with a grade of B or better may be applied toward the 90 semester hours required for the J.D. degree.

    Students should begin their coursework in Higher Education during a fall semester. During each semester in which students plan to take courses in the Higher Education program, they must enroll in two courses and follow the outlined course sequence throughout their program.

    Student-at-Large, Study-Abroad, and Transfer Credit

    Students-at-large are normally prohibited from registering for higher education Ed.D. courses. Transfer students will be considered on a case-by-case basis and can transfer in a maximum of 9 semester hours into a student's doctoral degree program. See "Requirements for Graduate Degrees" for limitation on study-abroad credit.

    Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    Eligibility Requirements

    In general, you need to have accomplished the following in order to be considered for admission:

    • Completed a four-year undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution or one with equivalent recognition.
    • Achieved a 2.75 grade point average on a 4.00 scale, or the equivalent.

    NIU only recognizes degrees awarded by regionally accredited institutions or foreign institutions with equivalent recognition. For example, we recognize degrees from institutions in India that are recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC), designated by the UGC as deemed to be a university, or designated as an Institute of National Importance as possessing the equivalent to regional accreditation.

    Application Materials

    In general, you may follow the information provided on the application materials page when preparing to apply. Additional information and requirements are below.

    Transcripts

    When you apply, you must upload transcripts and proof of degree (diploma, diploma supplement, etc.) attested by an appropriate school official, as well as certified English language translations.

    If you're from India or Pakistan, you must upload individual marksheets rather than transcripts, as well as degree certificates (if available), all attested by the principal, controller of exams, registrar or USIEF.

    If you're admitted, you'll need to submit hard copies of all transcripts, marksheets and proof of degree.

    Test Scores

    In addition to test scores required by your intended program, you must submit a TOEFL or IELTS score unless you meet one of the following criteria:

    • You're seeking admission to the Intensive English Program at ELS DeKalb.
    • You completed or will complete a baccalaureate or higher degree from an institution in one of these countries (listed).

    Please note the following regarding test scores:

    • NIU requires an 80 (TOEFL), 6.5 (IELTS) or 53 (PTE Academic) or 115 (Duolingo).
    • When preparing your score report for upload, be sure that your name and all scores are legible.
    • If you're admitted, you must have your test score sent to NIU from the testing center. When having your TOEFL score sent, use institution code 1559. NIU does not require department codes; neither does the testing center. For your Duolingo test score, you will be able to send it through the Duolingo website directly. There is no separate testing center.

    Passports

    Though not required, you may upload a copy of your passport during the application process. A passport is required to be issued an I-20, but not for admission purposes.

    English Requirements

    • PTEMin 53
    • IELTSMin 6.5
    • TOEFLMin 80

    Fee Information

    Application Fee 60

    How to Apply

    Select Your Program

    • Select the graduate program in which you wish to enroll.

    • Gather Your Application Materials

      Your application materials will consist of the following:

      • Transcripts (unofficial copies are accepted for admission purposes).
      • Letters of recommendation.
      • Statement of purpose.
      • Test scores (if required).
      • Resume or curriculum vitae (optional).
      • Additional materials required by your program.Take note of the program's application requirements and its application deadline, the date by which you must submit all application materials.

      Format Your Materials

      Read our file upload requirements to make sure your materials are formatted correctly.

      Check in With Your Referees

      Your referees are people who will write letters of recommendation for you. You should ask them if they are willing to write a letter before you begin the application process.

      Start Your Online Application

      When you start your application, you'll be asked to do the following:

      • Provide required information.
      • Enter email addresses for your referees and trigger an email to be sent to them.
      • Upload a statement of purpose.
      • Upload copies of unofficial transcripts.
      • Provide additional materials required by your program, such as a writing sample or test score.

        Finalize and Submit Your Application

        Double check your work. Verify that you have chosen the correct program of study. Once an application is submitted, it is considered final. We will not accept revised documents (except for your resume/curriculum vitae).

        If you save your application before you submit it, you can log back in to continue working on it. After you submit your application, you can log back in to view a checklist of materials and upload any you still need to submit.

        • Checklists are only updated after you submit your application.
        • Duplicate materials and items that are not required will not appear on your checklist.

    Higher Education

    Northern Illinois University

    Northern Illinois University

    United States of America

    United States of America, DeKalb

    Go to Official Website