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Curriculum
This is a 114-credit* doctor of education degree with options in leadership in higher education and community college leadership, at the completion of which you will earn a Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Adult and Higher Education degree from Oregon State University. (*Up to 36 credits from an approved master's program may be transferable.)
Curriculum overview
Instructional methods include individual and small group projects, seminars and a professional internship. A dissertation is required to complete the program. It is suggested that you plan for an average of eight hours of reading, research and writing on a weekly basis. You can expect to complete the program in three and a half to four years.
Visit the OSU Academic Catalog for more curriculum details.
Core courses (36 credits total)
Foundational core (27 credits)
AHE 517. Education and Work (3)
AHE 575. Educational Finance (3)
AHE 582. Legal Issues in Higher Education (3)
AHE 621. Leadership in Student Services (3)
AHE 638. History of Higher Education (3)
AHE 640. Higher Education Administration (3)
AHE 643. Organization Theory-Higher Education (3)
AHE 645. Ethical Practice (3)
AHE 653. Instructional Leader I (3)
Research core (9 credits)
AHE 611. Quantitative Analysis in Educational Research I (3)
AHE 616. Quantitative Analysis in Educational Research II (3)
AHE 618. Qualitative Analysis in Educational Research (3)
Major option (12 credits)
Community college leadership
AHE 612. Research Perspectives in Education (3)
AHE 613. Research Analysis and Interpretation in Education (3)
AHE 614. Advanced Research Methods in Education (3)
AHE 615. Research Issues (3)
Leadership in higher education
AHE 672. Research Perspectives in Four-Year Higher Education (3)
AHE 673. Research Interpretation in Four-Year Higher Education (3)
AHE 674. Advanced Research Methods in Four-Year Higher Education (3)
AHE 675. Four-Year Higher Education Research Issues (3)
Internship (6 credits)
AHE 610. Internship (3-6)
Thesis (24 credits)
AHE 603. Thesis (24-36)
Total = 114 credits
Includes up to 36 credits transferred from an approved master’s program for the Ed.D.
Face-to-face cohort meetings
As a member of a learning cohort, you’ll collaborate with other higher education professionals, share real-world experiences and build lasting relationships.
In the first two years, you will meet two weekends per term in the fall, winter and spring. After the first two years, you will be enrolled in "instructional research" courses each term to complete your thesis work until graduation. No face-to-face course meetings are required after the first two years.
Ready to apply?
View the admissions page for complete application and admission details.
This is not a teacher licensure program
In compliance with an agreement with the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission for participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), Oregon State University provides information regarding professional licensure through distance education. The courses and programs, delivered online by OSU Ecampus, are not formally approved for professional licensure outside of the state of Oregon.
To determine whether these courses or programs meet licensure requirements in your state, you must contact the appropriate licensing board(s). Visit our license disclosure webpage for each state's contact information.
Notice: Oregon State University students may now take part in internships anywhere in the United States. Read more about Ecampus’ authorization to operate in your state.
Important dates
See our academic calendar for our full quarter term schedule.
Degree details
* Oregon State University is on a quarter-term system. There are four quarters each year and classes are 11 weeks long. This program's 108-120 quarter credits are equal to 72-80 semester credits.
† Cost per credit is calculated using tuition per credit for the current academic year. It does not include associated fees, course materials, textbook expenses, and other expenses related to courses.
‡ This program is not fully online. During the first two years of this program, you will meet and study with a learning cohort both in person and online. Classes are held two weekends per term at a convenient location near Portland, Oregon.
Find application deadline
Ready to apply?
Once you've gathered the information you need to know before you apply to Oregon State University, take the next steps.
