Community College Leadership

Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Education and Human Resource Studies

The Community College Leadership Program (CCL Program) is designed to meet the needs of persons interested in leadership positions at community colleges and other higher education institutions. The CCL Program offers students the opportunity to improve their practice if they are currently serving in a leadership position. If students are seeking a leadership position, the CCL Program offers them the opportunity to develop the cognitive, emotional, and interpersonal skills required for success in such appointments.

CCL Cohorts

Program Objectives

  • To provide a comprehensive and progressive doctoral curriculum that develops the skills needed to successfully lead community colleges.
  • To develop students' research skills and abilities to enable them to expand the knowledge base concerning community colleges, effective teaching, and student learning.
  • To instill or reinforce a commitment to the critical engagement of diversity.
  • To assist students in exploring ways to strengthen commitments to open access, the comprehensive mission, and instructional quality.

Program Prerequisites

Earned Master's degree (30 semester credits minimum) from a regionally accredited institution.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must submit the following items to the Graduate Programs Office in the School of Education:

  • A statement of your professional goals describing the relationship between your goals and the CCL Ph.D. program (labeled as Part A.) Additionally, you must submit a statement describing and explaining your vision for the future of the open access, comprehensive, and culturally diverse community college (labeled as Part B). These statements must be no more than 5 pages in length (double spaced) and must reflect the applicant's best writing.
  • Evidence of a completed master's degree.
  • Transcripts of all attempted graduate and undergraduate academic work.
  • Three current letters of reference from people who speak to your leadership ability or potential.
  • A current resume.

View Admission Procedure and Forms

Note: The CCL program uses affirmative action in student admissions in an individualized and holistic manner to promote enrollment of a critical mass of women, under-represented racial & ethnic minorities, and persons from other under represented groups to attain the educational benefits of a diverse student body.

Program Course Work*

Specialization (30 Credits)

Year One - Core Courses
Fall:
EDCL 675 The Community College and
 
EDCL 702 Community College Curriculum
Spring:
EDCL 710 Finance and
 
EDCL 703 Community College Leadership
Year Two - Core Courses
Fall
EDHE 673 Student Development Theory and
 
EDUC 725 Professionalism in Education and Leadership
Spring
EDCL 701 Higher Education Law and
 
EDUC 709 Leadership Development
Summer
EDCL 750 Simulated Presidential Cabinet I and
 
EDCL 751 Simulated Presidential Cabinet II

Research (30 Credits):

Year Three - Research Courses
Fall
EDRM 704 Qualitative Research and
 
EDCL 792 Literature Analysis & Synthesis
Spring
EDRM 700 Quantitative Research Methods and
 
EDRM 711 Ethnography or
 
EDRM 705 Qualitative Data Analysis or
 
EDRM 707 Quantitative Data Collection Methods
Year Four - Research Courses
Fall
EDRM 792 BV Dissertation Proposal and
 
EDRM 706 Analysis of Relationships or
 
EDRM 708 Narrative Inquiry
Spring
EDCL 799 Dissertation
 

*Note: Courses and course sequencing may change as needed to meet emerging needs.

Career Opportunities

This specialization is designed for individuals preparing for instructional leadership or administrative leadership in community colleges and other higher education institutions.