Higher Education 

EdD-Higher Education  (EdD-HIED)

The Doctor of Education in Higher Education is designed to prepare people for careers as faculty and administrators in community colleges and universities.  The Higher Education program in the Department of Educational Leadership is the only one in Texas, and one of only 10 in the entire country that offers a graduate degree in college teaching.  The degree requirements include 90 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree or 60 credit hours beyond the master's degree (not including the 12 hours of dissertation). Components of the degree include an education foundation core and course work in both college administration and college teaching.  Recipients of this degree have made Texas A&M University-Commerce a leader in the state in producing college faculty, deans, and college presidents. 

The EdD in Higher Education is not available for admission by international students due to the course delivery structure.

Doctoral Admission Packet

Departmental Website

Required Documents for Admission

Admission Consideration Requirements for All Students

  • Apply Texas Application
  • Application fee:  $50 domestic student 
  • All official transcripts - Bachelor's degree, including all transcripts used towards bachelor's degree.  Any master's degree transcript or transcripts with graduate coursework (if applicable).

  •  4 Letters of Recommendation - 2 of the 4 letters must be from people that hold a doctoral degree

  • Statement of Goals

  • A writing sample.  The writing sample should be a research-based document consisting of a minimum of 10 pages, using APA Style Manual (6th ed.) on the topic of Privatization of Public Higher Education in America.    The sample must contain a reference list at the end with corresponding in-text citations.  The sample must exhibit the applicant’s writing skills.   
  • Official General Test GRE Scores

Application Packet Submission Deadline:

  • Apply Texas application submission deadline is 60 days prior to the first class day of the desired admission semester.
  • All required admission documents must be submitted at least 45 days prior to the first class day of the desired admission semester.