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Higher Education Administration

Overview

The Higher Education program at The University of Alabama was founded in 1971, when a small number of such programs existed in the United States. The program today has a dynamic and nationally-recognized faculty, whose areas of scholarship include community colleges, higher education finance, college teaching and learning, student access and outcomes, and organizational behavior. Over the years, hundreds of program graduates have made a deep and positive impact in a range of higher education settings.

The program draws students with professional experience and interests in multiple institutional types, including two-year and four-year institutions, for-profit institutions, policy groups, and non-profit organizations. Across the degree programs, the curriculum is designed to challenge and expand students’ understanding, enabling creative thinking, rigorous analysis, and innovative problem solving.

The program in Higher Education at The University of Alabama welcomes applications from highly-qualified individuals who have strong academic preparation, leadership potential, and a clearly-articulated commitment to the field of higher education. Admission is competitive, as we admit a small number of students each year for our various programs.

Program Coordinator:  Dr. Nathaniel Bray

Programs

Certificate

Application Deadlines

Tuscaloosa campus:

  • Masters of Arts (MA) in Higher Education: January 15; for fall admissions, July 15
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Higher Education:  January 15
  • Doctor of Education (EdD) in Higher Education: January 15

Executive program:

  • Doctor of Education (EdD) Executive Cohort:  February 15

Online program:

  • Masters of Arts (MA) in Higher Education (online): July 15 (fall) and November 1 (spring) and April 15 (summer)

Qualified students interested in graduate assistantships should have all application materials by the application deadline.

Contacts

ProgramCoordinatorEmail
Higher Education Administration, MA, Ed.D., and Ph.D.Dr. Nathaniel Braynbray@ua.edu
Higher Education Administration, Executive Ed.D.Dr. Arleene Breauxapbreaux@ua.edu
Graduate Certificate in College TeachingDr. Claire Majorcmajor@ua.edu

Faculty

  • Dr. Paton Beck

    Clinical Assistant Professor, Higher Education

  • Dr. KC Culver

    Assistant Professor, Higher Education Administration

  • Dr. Donald L. Gilstrap

    Dean, University Libraries Professor, Higher Education Administration

  • Dr. David Hardy

    Associate Dean for Research & Service/Associate Professor, Higher Education Administration

  • Dr. Tonjanita Johnson

    Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affair

  • Dr. Claire Major

    Professor, Higher Education