Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership

Doctoral Program

Department of Educational Leadership and Policy

Empowering Equity-Minded and Entrepreneurial Leaders

The Executive Ed.D. is a doctoral program in Higher Education Leadership launched in 2019 explicitly designed for working professionals aspiring to high-level administrative and executive roles in higher education. We develop students who will lead dynamic organizations in an increasingly complex world. Our courses are taught by renowned faculty and higher education administrators with years of experience in advancing the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Courses are offered on the UT Austin campus, with some online components.

Program Details

Semester Start: Summer

Deadline to Apply:
Priority: December 1
Official: January 15

GRE Required? No

Location: On Campus

Schedule: Full Time

Length of Program: 36 months, 57 hours

  • Practitioner-focused curriculum
  • Flexible schedule designed for current and aspiring executives
  • Real-world, real-time application
  • Cohort model: team collaboration, networking, shared learning
  • Designed for completion in 30-36 months
  • Face-to-face contact with renowned faculty, combined with eLearning
  • Social justice, inclusion, and equity foundations
  • Assessment, evaluation, and research
  • Law, policy, and governance      
  • Organization and human resources
  • Leadership
  • Student success and learning  
  • Technology in education 

This program starts in the summer semester only. You must select the “summer” semester in the ApplyTexas application. If you apply to the wrong semester or incorrect program track in the Educational Leadership and Policy department in the ApplyTexas application, you could be subject to additional application fees.

Linda Battles, Cohort 2021
Yulanda McCarty-Harris, Ed.D., ’22
Andrea Kehoe, Ed.D. ’22

Important Notice

This program requires additional materials beyond the Graduate School Application, such as pre-requisites, program-specific documents or other information. Please make sure to check with the department/program in order to ensure you have submitted all required application materials on or before the deadline.

All graduate students are required to apply to the state application system ApplyTexas. We strongly encourage you to start this process well in advance of the deadline to allow us time to process your information. Learn more on our How to Apply page.

GRE test scores are not required and submitted test scores will not be considered.

  1. A master’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution, or proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution in education, the social sciences, or related field. 
     
  2. A statement of purpose that describes:
    • why you are interested in the Executive Ed.D. program at UT Austin;
    • how does an Executive Ed.D. support your career goals and aspirations during and after you complete your degree;
    • what type of research would you be interested in conducting for your treatise and which faculty member(s) you would like to work with; and
    • what personal experiences, achievements, and accomplishments, best reflect your strengths and fit for admission to the executive Ed.D. higher education leadership program.
       
  3. Submission of a 4-6-page writing sample (e.g., master’s thesis, published article, paper prepared for a professional conference, etc.) after you receive an acknowledgment email from the Graduate School. This email will also contain your UT EID and temporary password, as well as a link to the Online Admissions Status Check page. From this site, you will be given the opportunity to upload your essay.
     
  4. Three letters of recommendation to be uploaded to https://utdirect.utexas.edu/ogs/forms/supp_docs.WBX

    Professional: Please provide one recommendation from a recent or current direct supervisor. If you are unable to ask a recent or current direct supervisor for a recommendation, we advise you to select an indirect supervisor or a client for your recommendation. The Admissions Committee is looking for insights from an individual who has a superior knowledge of you as a professional and should speak to your work qualities and leadership potential.

    Academic: Please provide one recommendation from a faculty member. If you are unable to ask a recent or current faculty member for a recommendation, we recommend asking an advisor for a recommendation. The Admissions Committee is looking for insights from an individual who has a superior knowledge of you as a student and should speak to your qualities and academic potential.

    Employer support letter: Your employer’s support while you work towards earning your Ed.D. is important. Ideally, the person you select should be a direct supervisor who acknowledges the time, energy, and discipline it will take to complete an executive program in 30 months in written form.
Photo of faculty member Christopher P Brown
Professor

Researches how early childhood stakeholders respond to and conceptualize policies affecting the the complex educational, cultural, and individual goals and aspirations of teachers, children, and their families.

Photo of faculty member Juan C Gonzales
Professor of Practice

Dr. Juan C. Gonzalez is Clinical Professor in the College of Education within the Program in Higher Education Leadership (PHEL). His expertise in student affairs leadership and administration, improving the college student experience, and expanding ...

Photo of faculty member Michael E Nava
Associate Professor of Practice

Works in support of first-generation, low-income and underserved populations in the areas of student development, retention, academic support, assessment and advising.

Photo of faculty member Richard J Reddick
Senior Vice Provost and Dean of the Undergraduate College

Examines the experiences of faculty of color at predominantly White institutions; mentoring relationships between faculty and Black students; and work-life balance in academia.

Photo of faculty member Pedro  Reyes
Department Chair, Educational Leadership and Policy, Education - Office of the Dean

I study student success for children experiencing poverty. I analyze how school leadership and state policy facilitate student success across the education pipeline.

Photo of faculty member Victor  Saenz
Associate Dean for Student Success, Community Engagement, and Administration, College of Education

Leads the Project MALES (Mentoring to Achieve Latino Educational Success Initiative focused on Latino males in education; seeks to advance research-informed policy solutions that enhance educational outcomes for underserved students in secondary and ...

Photo of faculty member Luis  Urrieta
Professor

Follows trends around cultural and racial identities, agency, migration, and social movements in education.

Photo of faculty member Joe  Wilcox
Program Director and Faculty Specialist

Expertise in Title IV policy and administration and higher education fundraising. Focused on issues of college affordability, under-represented student recruitment, and donor relations.

Photo of faculty member Danielle J Alsandor
Deputy Director for Curriculum & Enrollment and Undergraduate Studies, Undergraduate College

Photo of faculty member Aileen T Bumphus
Assistant Professor of Practice

Photo of faculty member Gerardo E De Los Santos
Professor of Practice

Photo of faculty member Martha M Ellis
Professor of Practice

President of Mellis LLC

Photo of faculty member Emma B Mancha
Adjunct Assistant Professor

Photo of faculty member Yulanda L McCarty-Harris
Assistant Professor of Practice

Photo of faculty member Mark D Milliron
Professor of Practice

President, National University

Photo of faculty member Colette  Pierce Burnette
Professor of Practice

President & CEO, Newfields

Photo of faculty member Richard M Rhodes
Professor of Practice

Chancellor, Austin Community College (ACC)

Photo of faculty member Justin T Samuel
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, College of Pharmacy

Focuses research on South Asian American college students, diversity training efficacy for student leaders, and work/life integration for student affairs administrators.

Key Qualifiers for Exec Ed.D. Ph.D.
Fully employed Yes Depends
Full-time student Yes Depends
Part-time student No Depends
Ability to meet flexible schedule Yes No
Number of years in higher ed leadership role 5-8 3-8
Work in close relation to higher ed Yes Preferred
Degree increases potential for future leadership impact Yes Provides potential
Employer endorsement Ideal/preferred Not required
Diverse life skills and experiences Yes Yes
Social justice passion Yes Yes
Ability to demonstrate to emotional intelligence & self-awareness Yes Yes
Academic/Research aspirations No Yes
Practitioner aspirations Yes Provides the opportunity
Ability to complete prescribed curriculum (57 hours in 30 months) Yes No
Photo of Michael Nava

Faculty Director
Michael Nava

Photo of Joe Wilcox

Specialist, Program Director
Joe Wilcox



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