PhD in Education - Higher Education in Orono United States | University of Maine

The University of Maine's doctoral program in higher education develops principled, forward-thinking leaders equipped with comprehensive knowledge and skills to navigate diverse, technology-driven academic institutions. This advanced degree equips mid-career professionals with both theoretical foundations and practical tools to analyze colleges and universities as multifaceted organizations within America's social landscape, covering essential areas like leadership principles, legal frameworks, cultural diversity, professional ethics, historical perspectives, and technological proficiency. Participants enhance their research capabilities to investigate pressing issues through rigorous coursework, scholarly analysis, and original academic investigations.

Career Pathways in Academia
Alumni have secured diverse leadership roles across higher education institutions, serving in areas such as academic counseling, student programming, disciplinary affairs, housing administration, career development, and related fields.

Program Structure
This doctoral program comprises 90 credit hours delivered through collaborative and personalized learning experiences, culminating in a dissertation. Key components include:

Core professional studies (18 credits) establishing fundamental doctoral-level knowledge shared by all higher education students.
Research methodology (minimum 12 credits) developing skills to assess and execute educational research, covering statistical analysis, qualitative methods, study design, and advanced quantitative or qualitative techniques.
Specialized concentration (minimum 18 credits) featuring interdisciplinary coursework customized to each student's career objectives and academic interests, which may incorporate prior graduate work.
Practical application (minimum 6 credits) involving either hands-on internships or field research plus dissertation work focused on addressing real-world challenges in higher education.