Credits required
108* Oregon State University is on a quarter-term system. There are four quarters each year and classes are 11 weeks long. *
Cost per credit
$602 Based on current tuition rates. No additional charge for nonresident students. Does not include course materials and associated fees and expenses.†
Delivery
Hybrid You can complete this program in a hybrid format that blends online coursework with in-person classes held periodically in Portland, Oregon. View the curriculum.‡
Start term
Fall
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Ed.D. in Adult and Higher Education

Overview | Curriculum | Careers | Faculty | Admissions | Tuition & Fees | Contact Us

Curriculum

The Ed.D. degree program has a newly updated curriculum, and it requires 108 credits including up to 30 transfer credits from an approved master's program.

In the first two years, you will meet face to face two weekends per term with your cohort in the fall, winter and spring. Summer courses are completed fully online. After the first two years, you will be enrolled in applied research courses each term to complete your thesis work until graduation.

This degree can be completed in as little as three years. No face-to-face course meetings are required after the first two years.

Degree requirements

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.

Visit OSU's academic catalog or the College of Education's program website for curriculum details.

Updated curriculum (as of fall 2021)

  • Leadership courses (15 credits)
  • Higher education courses (18 credits)
  • Applied research courses (15 credits)
  • Internship (6 credits)
  • Dissertation (24 credits)

The total credits for this program will be 108. This includes 78 required AHE credits and up to 30 transfer credits.

Additional program features

Internship

The program includes a professional, practice-focused internship that all students must complete in order to graduate. Find more information on the College of Education's program website.

Dissertation

All students are required to develop a dissertation proposal for a research problem or issue related to institutions of higher education. Candidates must complete at least 24 dissertation credits.

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Notice: Oregon State University students may now take part in internships anywhere in the United States. Read more about Ecampus’ authorization and compliance.

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Important dates

These are the start dates for OSU’s next two terms. However, this program only admits for fall term.

Summer term starts
June 24
Fall term starts
Sept. 25

See our academic calendar for our full quarter term schedule.

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