Higher Education Leadership & Practice (Ed.D.)

The Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership and Practice (HELP) at UNG is tailored to the needs and interests of higher education administrators and professionals seeking to expand their professional knowledge and career opportunities. The cross-disciplinary structure of the HELP program is committed to educational equity, a deep integration of theory and policy with practice, and the cultivation of a scholarly community that supports constructive conflict, encourages novelty and creativity, and questions prevailing norms in higher education.

The Ed.D. program has been approved by the Board of Regents and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Ranked Most Affordable Doctor of Education in Georgia

HELP Quick Facts

No GRE Required
All applications reviewed after March 1 deadline
Cohorts begin fall semester
Fully Online Program

Asynchronous online classes
Program length 60 credit hours
May be completed within three years
Number 1 ranking for Georgia's most affordable EdD programs in 2024-2025

Request Information Apply Attend a Virtual Information Session

Learn More About the Program

Vision, Objectives, and Goals of the HELP Program

The vision of the Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Practice (HELP) at the University of North Georgia is comprised of three tenets: 1) a commitment to educational equity; 2) a deep integration of theory and policy with practice; and 3) the cultivation of a scholarly community that supports creative conflict, encourages novelty, and questions prevailing norms in higher education.

The HELP program links research and higher education leadership as the core. It also utilizes a cross-disciplinary approach to bridge faculty and staff from a multitude of departments across campus -such as the College of Education, Research and Engagement, Institutional Effectiveness and Research Administration, Student Engagement and Success, and the Office of the General Counsel - to support curriculum development and dissertation research.

The Ed.D. program is delivered completely online through asynchronous courses, including 45 semester hours of higher education leadership, practice, and research coursework, and 15 dissertation hours. Individual meetings with faculty for advising, research, and mentoring occur face-to-face, synchronously online, and through regular asynchronous online interactions.

Program Alignment for the HELP Program

The Ed.D. curriculum in Higher Education Leadership and Practice (HELP) is scaffolded to match specific dissertation milestones. Coursework in the first year fosters the development of a dissertation topic, as well as the supporting theoretical framework and methodology. During the second year, students utilize classroom readings and assignments to complete their dissertation prospectus and receive institutional approval for their research. The third year focuses on data collection and analysis related to the dissertation, as well as the successful completion of the written dissertation and subsequent oral defense. Therefore, through the inherent synergy between coursework and dissertation research, students work closely with faculty to complete the Ed.D. program within a three-year time frame.

Program Information

HELP students have the latitude to select from a large array of research topics within the realm of higher education. The coursework at the beginning of the program is designed to initiate and raise awareness to the various foundations and issues within higher education today. Many students begin to conceptualize their research topics during these first few months of the program. Students conduct their dissertation research utilizing quantitative or qualitative methodologies, and are supported through research coursework and a methodologist on their dissertation advisory committee. Some examples of prior dissertation research include: Chief Diversity Officers’ paths to higher education presidency, leadership behaviors and cadet performance at the United States Military Academy, changes in alumni identity during higher education mergers, the lived experience of women presidents, stake-holder mindset in higher education, and the impact of an appreciative education approach on burnout levels in academic advisors.

Professional Development Opportunities for Students

HELP students have participated in a number of opportunities outside of the program of instruction to bolster their development. In coordination with the HELP faculty, students have had the opportunity to guest lecturer, present projects at professional conferences, attend conferences as a UNG HELP group, publish op-ed articles and publish worthy course assignments (book reviews, final papers, group presentations, etc.), and encouraged to participate in professional organizations. In addition to the group/individual efforts, the HELP program facilitates an annual grant writing workshop and monthly virtual professional development workshops throughout the year. These workshops are not mandatory, but great opportunities to hear from some of the foremost experts within the higher education community.

Scholarship Opportunities

Research assistantships are available dependent upon faculty grants. These positions are only open to non-TAP (Georgia Tuition Assistance Program) students.

Program Diversity

The HELP program is proud of the diversity of students in the program. We have students from all over the country who participate 100% from a distance, and from a great range of higher education fields. Students who come to the program are typically looking for an opportunity to advance their careers in higher education, gain advanced knowledge of research design and methodology, have a passion for learning, or want to fulfill a lifelong goal. Each year’s applicants are grouped into a cohort model that begins in the fall semester, where cohorts quickly form an identity and culture of their own through various methods of communication. The cohort model offers each individual the support and community needed to sustain a high impact learning environment throughout the three-year program.

Questions?

For questions about the program, contact:

Dr. Katherine Adams
678-717-3519
katherine.adams@ung.edu

For questions about the application process, contact:
Graduate Admissions
grads@ung.edu
706-864-1543

Program Application Deadlines

All application materials are to be received prior to the deadline. The HELP program will not begin reviewing completed applications until after the March 1 deadline.

Fall Deadline

March 1

How to Apply to the Doctor of Education Program

Degree Seeking Regular
Requirements

Master's degree from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with at least a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with Graduate Admissions procedures.

Required Supplemental Documents

Resume/vita highlighting the personal and professional achievements of the applicant, including experience working and/or teaching in higher education

A five to ten page writing sample that demonstrates scholarly writing

Personal statement describing your doctoral educational and research goals. This statement should identify your general area(s) of interest, outline potential research problems and specify your career objectives. Include in your research statement your purpose for pursuing a doctoral degree. Your statement should be well organized and concise, and be no longer than five-pages in length. In your statement, please address the following proposed questions:

Why is pursuing a doctoral degree in Higher Education important to you? Share personal and professional goals you hope to achieve through participation in UNG’s Higher Education doctoral program.

Earning a degree online requires self-discipline and motivation. Give an example from your life that illustrates your commitment to continued intellectual and professional development.

Share an experience you possess conducting research and your potential to contribute to the field of Higher Education.

Discuss a tentative higher education topic you would like to research in this doctoral program. Keep in mind that you are not committed to studying this topic exactly, but demonstrate to the admissions committee that you have a clear direction in mind.

Participation in a doctoral program is a significant commitment in time and cognitive energy. Address how will you prepare for and address the challenges to obtain a School-Work-Life balance.

Applying to UNG

Step 1Application and Application Fee

Step 2Official Transcripts

Step 3Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.

Step 4Persons Aged 62 or Over

Step 1Application and Application Fee

Submit the online application for Graduate Admissions.

Please allow three business days after submitting your application for processing. You will receive an email from grads@ung.edu after your application has been reviewed for accuracy and updated with submitted documents. Please do not check your application status prior to receiving an email from this office as your online application checklist will not accurately reflect the required items for your program of interest.

Non-refundable application fee of $40.

Pay with a credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express) or electronic check (U.S. banks only) when completing the online application.

Include a check or money order payable to UNG when submitting a paper application.

Required supplemental documents may be uploaded with your application or emailed to grads@ung.edu.

Step 2Official Transcripts

Submit one set of official transcripts from each institution attended for all course work, undergraduate and graduate level.

Transfer credit posted on records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from original institutions. Please request a transcript from each institution attended.

Transcripts that have been opened, scanned or forwarded by email are not official and will not be accepted.

Official paper transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution and mailed to University of North Georgia Admissions Imaging Center, P.O. Box 1358, Gainesville, GA 30503-1358. Student paper transcripts are accepted only when issued to the student in a sealed envelope and submitted to Graduate Admissions unopened.

Official electronic transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution to grads@ung.edu. Depending on the transcript service you are using, grads@ung.edu may not be an available option. You may then select any admissions or undergraduate admissions @ung.edu address. Electronic transcripts forwarded via email from the student are not accepted.

International transcripts must have a course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). Evaluations must be sent directly from the agency to the Admissions office. Refer to the evaluator website for a full list of NACES or AICE members. Official evaluations must include certification that the applicant's course work and degrees earned are equivalent to course work and degrees earned from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) and include a cumulative grade point average. Evaluations should be submitted from the evaluation service to Graduate Admissions. Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with a minimum grade point average of 2.75.

Graduate Admissions will retrieve transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at UNG. You do not need to order official transcripts from UNG.

Step 3Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.

Board of Regents’ policy requires all applicants accepted for admission or readmission to UNG seeking in-state for tuition classification provide validation of residency and lawful presence in both the state of Georgia and the United States.

Learn More

Step 4Persons Aged 62 or Over

Submit a birth certificate or Georgia driver’s license to enable UNG to determine eligibility.

Must be a resident of Georgia and 62 years of age or older at the time of registration.

May enroll as a regular or auditing student in courses on a “space available” basis without payment of fees, except for supplies, laboratory or shop fees.

Learn More

Degree Seeking Provisional
Students who do not meet the regular admission criteria may be granted provisional admission pending a successful admission appeal. See Appeal of Graduate Admission.

Provisional degree-seeking students:

may register for a maximum of six semester hours of graduate credit.

will be reviewed to determine eligibility for regular admission following completion of six hours.

are not eligible for federal financial aid while enrolled in courses as a provisional student.

will not be allowed to continue in the program if a grade of C or lower is earned in any graduate course.

may apply for readmission after three semesters from the date removed from the program because of a deficient grade by submitting a new application to Graduate Admissions with a letter addressed to the program coordinator requesting readmission.

Non-Degree

The EdD program does not permit non-degree students.

Transient

The EdD program does not permit transient students.

All International

International applicants who must be issued an F-1 visa by UNG to enter the United States to attend school may not apply for completely part-time (less than nine hours) or online programs. This program is only offered as an online program and therefore does not permit F-1 visa student admission.

If you are interested in enrolling in this program fully online from your home country and are not seeking a visa, you can apply as an Online Foreign National graduate student.

Online Foreign National
UNG defines online foreign national graduate students as those who are not currently citizens, permanent residents, or refugees in the U.S. and are enrolled in a fully online UNG graduate program. Online foreign national graduate students are not offered visas and they are not required to have U.S. residency to enroll in a fully online graduate program.

Requirements

Master's degree from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with at least a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with Graduate Admissions procedures.

Required Supplemental Documents

Resume/vita highlighting the personal and professional achievements of the applicant, including experience working and/or teaching in higher education

A five to ten page writing sample that demonstrates scholarly writing

Personal statement describing your doctoral educational and research goals. This statement should identify your general area(s) of interest, outline potential research problems and specify your career objectives. Include in your research statement your purpose for pursuing a doctoral degree. Your statement should be well organized and concise, and be no longer than five-pages in length. In your statement, please address the following proposed questions:

Why is pursuing a doctoral degree in Higher Education important to you? Share personal and professional goals you hope to achieve through participation in UNG’s Higher Education doctoral program.

Earning a degree online requires self-discipline and motivation. Give an example from your life that illustrates your commitment to continued intellectual and professional development.

Share an experience you possess conducting research and your potential to contribute to the field of Higher Education.

Discuss a tentative higher education topic you would like to research in this doctoral program. Keep in mind that you are not committed to studying this topic exactly, but demonstrate to the admissions committee that you have a clear direction in mind.

Participation in a doctoral program is a significant commitment in time and cognitive energy. Address how will you prepare for and address the challenges to obtain a School-Work-Life balance.

Step 1Application and Fee

Step 2Official Transcripts

Step 3Review Requirements and Submit Documents

Step 4Proof of English Proficiency

Step 5Foreign National Supplemental Form

Step 1Application and Fee

Submit the online application for Graduate Admissions.

Please allow three business days after submitting your application for processing. You will receive an email from grads@ung.edu after your application has been reviewed for accuracy and updated with submitted documents.

Note: Do not check your application status prior to receiving an email from this office as your online application checklist will not accurately reflect the required items for your program of interest.

Non-refundable application fee of $40.

Pay with a credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express) when completing the online application.

Include a check or money order payable to UNG when submitting a paper application.

Required supplemental documents may be uploaded with your application or emailed to grads@ung.edu.

Step 2Official Transcripts

Submit one set of official transcripts from each institution attended for all course work, undergraduate and graduate level.

International transcripts must have a course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). Evaluations must be sent directly from the agency to the Admissions office. Refer to the evaluator website for a full list of NACES or AICE members. Official evaluations must include certification that the applicant's course work and degrees earned are equivalent to course work and degrees earned from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) and include a cumulative grade point average. Evaluations should be submitted from the evaluation service to Graduate Admissions. Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with a minimum grade point average of 2.75.

Transfer credit posted on records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from original institutions. Please request a transcript from each institution attended.

Transcripts that have been opened, scanned or forwarded by email are not official and will not be accepted.

Graduate Admissions will retrieve transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at UNG. You do not need to order official transcripts from UNG.

Step 3Review Requirements and Submit Documents

Individual graduate programs require different supplemental documents. Review the required supplemental documents listed under the requirements header.

Step 4Proof of English Proficiency

English proficiency is required

Students who are non-native speakers of English, who transfer from an institution of higher education outside the U.S. where English was not the language of instruction, are required to submit an English language proficiency exam score from one of the approved providers.

Proficiency can be proven as follows:

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) scores if applicant's native language is not English.

Scores must be sent directly from the testing agency. Personal copies and photocopies are NOT accepted.

TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for two calendar years from the test date.

UNG accepts MyBest™ scores for the TOEFL iBT® test, in addition to TOEFL iBT scores from a single test date.

Required minimum scores:

TOEFL internet based - 79

IELTS - 6.5

-or-

An official evaluation by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE) member indicating proof of a degree at the secondary or collegiate level either outside or inside the U.S. where English is the official language of academic instruction. If the NACES evaluation does not indicate English as the official language of academic instruction, request an official letter from the institution to be sent directly to UNG with this information, or direct this office to where it is stated on the institution's website.

-or-

Proof of completion of the equivalent of English 1101 and/or 1102 with a grade of C or better in one or both courses, at a regionally accredited U.S. institution.

-or-

Other approved exams and recommended standards as stated by the USG English Proficiency Requirements. Acceptable scores must be earned at the recommended score for admission level, not the minimum score for admission as indicated on the USG English Proficiency Requirements website.

Scores must be sent directly from the testing agency. Personal copies and photocopies are NOT accepted.

Step 5Foreign National Supplemental Form

All applicants must complete the Foreign National Supplemental Form to be considered for admission. This form will help to determine your eligibility for specific programing at the University of North Georgia.

No applicant who is a citizen of an OFAC-sanctioned nation is eligible for enrollment as an online foreign national graduate student.

To maintain compliance with OFAC regulations, the University of North Georgia requires this additional information from foreign national applicants prior to acceptance into our online programs where no visa is issued that would serve as license. On the form you will indicate your citizenship as well as the location where you will be a resident for the duration of your studies at the University of North Georgia.

Appeal of Graduate Admission
A candidate whose application is denied has the right to appeal the decision. A written letter of appeal must include strong evidence to support the basis for your appeal. The appeal should consist of information beyond what was previously submitted in your admissions file and detail your ability to be successful in graduate studies.

Students whose appeals are granted will be admitted as provisional students.

Students are not eligible for financial aid while taking courses under a provisional admission status.

Students may not appeal for regular admission.

Email your letter of appeal as a pdf attachment to grads@ung.edu.

Higher Education Leadership & Practice (Ed.D.)

HELP Quick Facts

Learn More About the Program

Questions?

Program Application Deadlines

Fall Deadline

How to Apply to the Doctor of Education Program

Requirements

Applying to UNG

Step 1Application and Application Fee

Step 2Official Transcripts

Step 3Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.

Step 4Persons Aged 62 or Over

Requirements

Step 1Application and Fee

Step 2Official Transcripts

Step 3Review Requirements and Submit Documents

Step 4Proof of English Proficiency

English proficiency is required

Step 5Foreign National Supplemental Form