This degree is part of the higher education program, housed in the Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis.The mission of the doctor of philosophy with an emphasis in higher education is to prepare graduates for research and teaching (i.e., faculty) positions in higher education programs, centers, and departments, as well as practitioner-leader positions in the variety of institutions and organizations in which postsecondary education plays a central role.The higher education faculty are nationally recognized experts in college student development, administration, college access, faculty work, diversity issues in higher education and higher education policy. They regularly publish in top journals in the field and present their scholarship at national and international conferences, including the Association for the Study of Higher Education, the American Educational Research Association, and the Association for Education Finance and Policy.Classes are mainly taught in seminar formats. This provides opportunities for students to enhance their communication skills and discuss empirical and theoretical work. Courses typically include case studies, presentations, papers, debates and reflection. These experiences are intended to help students meet the learning objectives of the program.