Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies (Ph.D.)

The program admits students on a rolling basis, while tuition fees are 37,334 USD per year.

This Ph.D. program emphasizes theoretical, conceptual, and practical foundations in areas like university fundraising, accreditation, diversity, and education equity. Students engage with guest lectures from leaders of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and gain practical experience through collaborative opportunities with policy agencies and organizations in Washington, D.C. The program focuses on preparing students for leadership roles and policy advocacy, particularly for MSIs.

Focus areas include Higher Education Administration, Policy Analysis, Student Affairs, Institutional Assessment, Diversity and Education Equity, MSI and HBCU Governance.

The program requires 72 credit hours.

Graduates pursue careers in higher education administration, institutional assessment, policy analysis, student affairs, and leadership roles such as college presidents, provosts, and vice presidents, often focusing on Minority Serving Institutions.

Applicants need a Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, or a related field, with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and a postgraduate GPA of 3.3. Required documents include an online application, statement of purpose, autobiographical statement, critical writing sample, three letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and a resume/CV demonstrating at least three years of relevant professional experience; GRE scores are not required. Qualified applicants will be interviewed.

The programme totals about 72 credit hours. Full-time, on-campus format. For international students, tuition is well above the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 35% of applicants.

Howard University’s legacy is shaped by academic study, research, and service. Its community includes scholars, student researchers, athletes, artists, and entrepreneurs. The university carries the identity of an HBCU while preparing students for study and careers across a broad range of disciplines. Alumni stories include physicians, astrophysicists, educators, lawyers, public officials, and advocates whose work has reached beyond the campus.

Students can apply to more than 130 areas of study across 14 schools and colleges. Howard offers undergraduate, graduate, professional, and doctoral programs, with fields ranging from the humanities to scientific disciplines. Research and centers address health and medical issues, economic disparities, cybersecurity, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence and machine learning, drug abuse, energy systems, accounting and finance, women’s leadership, and journalism and democracy. The university has also launched an AI certificate program for undergraduate students.

Located in Washington, DC, Howard connects academic life with a city central to American government, public service, journalism, and cultural life. International students should review the university’s range of schools and degree levels carefully, since programs differ across undergraduate, graduate, professional, and doctoral study. Howard’s guiding phrase, “Excellence in Truth and Service,” reflects the university’s emphasis on student success and service to local and global communities.