Higher Education in Department of Curriculum and Instruction

  1. Higher Education Home
  2. About Us
  3. Programs
    1. Master of Education
    2. Post-master's Certificate
    3. Doctor of Philosophy
  4. Faculty
  5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
  6. Courses
  7. Application Procedures
  8. Links

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the profile of the successful Ph.D. applicant?

Admission to this rigorous and rewarding Ph.D. program is highly competitive.  We have the resources to admit only a small number of qualified applicants. In 2007 successful applicants presented an average GRE verbal score of 550, GRE quantitative score of 640, and GRE writing scores of 4.7. The majority of the successful applicants also hold master's degrees in higher education administration, college student personnel, counseling, and closely related fields. Those who are admitted but do not hold previous degrees in related fields present considerable leadership experience in collegiate settings. Doctoral students with no previous coursework in the field of higher education take prequisite courses prior to enrolling in doctoral-level courses. As expected, applicants are expected to demonstrate clear research interests, and these must be consistent with the expertise of program faculty.

2. What can I do with a Ph.D. in higher education?

Answer: Our graduates typically hold executive-level administrative positions in community colleges, baccalaureate-granting colleges, and universities. Individuals pursuing administrative careers in K-12 schools should contact the Department of Educational Leadership and Cultural Foundations.

NOTE: The program is not designed to prepare doctoral candidates for academic posts (such as professor). Most colleges and universities require the Ph.D. in the discipline to be taught. For example, an individual wanting to become a professor of English should pursue the Ph.D. in English--not higher education. The Postmaster's Certificate in College Teaching and Adult Learning is a great option for current and future faculty pursuing graduate degrees in various disciplines.

3. When are applications for admission due?

Answer: Applicants to the Ph.D. program must submit materials to the Graduate School before January 10 for admission the following fall semester. We admit Ph.D. students once per year. New Ph.D. students begin their doctoral studies in the fall.

4. Is a master's degree in higher education required to enter the Ph.D. program?

Answer: A master's degree is required, and most successful applicants hold master’s degrees in higher education administration, student personnel administration, or counseling. Some of our Ph.D. students have master's degrees from programs in the arts and sciences and from professional schools. When admitted, these students expect to take additional courses in order to establish a foundation in the field.

5. What is the minimum GRE score required for admission to the Ph.D. program?

Answer: The Department of Curriculum and Instruction does not have a minimum cut-off score. A variety of factors are used to make admissions decisions. These include GRE scores, graduate and undergraduate GPA, letters of recommendation, and a written statement of purpose. That being said, it is important to note that high scores on the GRE help to make a candidate competitive.

6. Is admission to the Ph.D. program competitive?

Answer: Yes, admission to the Ph.D. program is competitive. We have the resources to admit only a limited number of Ph.D. students each year. When the applicant pool is highly talented, only the most competitive are selected for admission. As such, some qualified candidates may not be selected for admission.

7. Can I complete the program if I am employed full time?

Answer: The Ph.D. is offered through the Evening University to accommodate current leaders in higher education who work during the day. Most of our Ph.D. students are part-time students who take, on average, two courses per semester.  Typically, courses are offered from 4:00 to 7:00 or 7:00 to 10:00 in the evenings.  Some courses may be offered from 6:00 to 9:00 in the evening.

9. Are courses offered online?

Answer: A few courses are offered through hybrid formats. Hybrid formats combine the advantages of face-to-face interaction and online learning. These courses meet on campus or at an extension site from four to eight evenings throughout the semester. The rest of the learning experience takes place online. Internet technologies are used to distribute course materials, to facilitate communication, and to establish a sense of community among participants in the learning process. A few courses may be offered entirely online.  At the same time, we offer many courses through traditional classroom-based formats.

10. Can I take courses before I am admitted to the program?

Answer: Yes. College graduates may take up to nine hours as a VISIONS student. If the applicant is subsequently admitted to a program then courses may be applied toward the degree provided that the courses taken through VISIONS are relevant to the course of study. Courses recommended for VISIONS students include CUI 661, CUI 662, and CUI 606. VISIONS students are not permitted to enroll in 700-level courses. One exception to this policy is that individuals interested in the Ph.D. program may enroll in CUI 750 prior to admission. Please note, if you take a VISIONS course and are subsequently denied admission to the program, the course will not be counted toward any plan of study at UNCG, even if you are admitted to the higher education program on a second or third attempt.