Ph.D. in Education – Higher Education Leadership & Management
Lead & Manage Confidently
We are in a crucial time in our history where we need strong, Christian leadership in higher education. If you have a passion for improving the quality of higher education and enjoy the responsibilities of leadership and management, this concentration can help you make the type of impact that changes lives. Regent’s Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education – Higher Learning Leadership & Management* prepares you to teach or hold positions of significant administrative leadership. More specifically, this research-based Ph.D. can prepare you for a career in academia.
*The name of this program will be changed to Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration & Leadership (HEAL) starting with students enrolling in Spring 2025.
INCREASE YOUR EARNING POTENTIAL
Capitalize on a higher salary with your Ph.D. degree.
EXPAND YOUR CAREER PATH
Take your career to the next level with exciting leadership opportunities.
MAKE AN IMPACT
Present ground-breaking research to improve the world of education.
ALIGN YOURSELF WITH EXCELLENCE
Regent has been ranked among Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report for four years (2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023). Our programs have also been ranked among the Top 10 Best Online Graduate Education Programs in Virginia for 11 years in a row (2013-2023). Experience the Regent difference through the Ph.D. in Education – Higher Education Leadership & Management program.
Presented from a Christian worldview, this specialty degree is supported by award-winning faculty in Virginia Beach.
Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.
On completing the Ph.D. in Education – Higher Education Leadership & Management degree, you can:
- Develop vital skills in higher education administration including program evaluation and strategic planning.
- Prepare for accreditation, train board members, and assess higher education policies.
- Effectively explain historical and contemporary legal issues that have shaped universities, along with constitutional provisions and federal statutes.
Career Opportunities
- University Faculty
- Division Chair
- Academic Dean
- Assistant Dean
2024-25 Semester Check-In Deadlines
All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.
| Session | Semester Check-In | Session Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| Session A | Friday, August 9 | Monday, August 19 |
| Session M | Friday, September 6 | Monday, September 16 |
| Session B | Friday, October 11 | Monday, October 21 |
| Session C | Wednesday, January 8 | Monday, January 13 |
| Session T | Friday, January 31 | Monday, February 10 |
| Session D | Friday, March 7 | Monday, March 17 |
| Session E | Friday, May 2 | Monday, May 12 |
| Session F | Friday, June 13 | Monday, June 23 |
Admissions Requirements
Step 1: Apply to Regent University
Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.
Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.
Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts
Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.
Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.
Step 3: Submit Your Government-Issued ID
To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.
Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.
Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.
PART-TIME STUDENTS
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Education (M.Ed.) | $565 | 6 | $3,390 |
| Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) | $800 | 6 | $4,800 |
| Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) | $800 | 3 | $2,400 |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | $800 | 3 | $2,400 |
Full-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Education (M.Ed.) | $565 | 9 | $5,085 |
| Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) | $800 | 9 | $7,200 |
| Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) | $800 | 6 | $4,800 |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | $800 | 6 | $4,800 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer) |
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $700 |
Part-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Education (M.Ed.) | $565 | 6 | $3,390 |
| Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) | $800 | 6 | $4,800 |
| Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) | $800 | 3 | $2,400 |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | $800 | 3 | $2,400 |
Full-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Education (M.Ed.) | $565 | 9 | $5,085 |
| Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) | $800 | 9 | $7,200 |
| Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) | $800 | 6 | $4,800 |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | $800 | 6 | $4,800 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer) |
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $700 |
*Rates are subject to change at any time.
Ph.D. Requirements
A Ph.D. student will (a) complete 21 hours associated with the Ed.D. core curriculum, (b) complete 24-26 hours associated with an Ed.D. concentration, (c) complete an additional 6 hours of research related credit, and (d) complete 16 hours of dissertation research credit—the total program is 67 hours. A candidate for the Ph.D. degree must present an acceptable research-based dissertation. The dissertation demonstrates that the candidate has technical competence in the field and has done research of an independent character. It must add to or modify what was previously known in the candidate’s field of interest or present a significant interpretation of the subject based upon original investigation and research.
Ph.D. students are required to take the following courses:
EDCO 806 Multivariate Statistics (3)
EHEA 805 Advanced Research Design and Analysis (3)
Faculty
Dr. Pittman is the concentration chair for Higher Education Leadership & Management and is committed to your success.
Dr. Jeff Pittman brings a wide range of experience to his faculty role in the School of Education. He served for over nine years as Vice President for Student Services at Regent University. He has also held Regent positions as Associate Dean for Administration and Academics in the School of Divinity; Assistant Vice President for Administrative and Auxiliary Services; and Assistant Director of Admissions and Financial Aid.
Active in several organizations, Pittman is past president (2005) of the National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS). He currently serves on the board of the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS). He also serves on the board of the NACAS Education Foundation. In addition to his affiliation with NACAS, Pittman is a member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and the Southern Association of College Student Affairs (SACSA).
A prolific writer, Pittman is a contributor to Business Officer, College Planning and Management, College Services, the International Journal of Emergency Mental Health, and Leadership Exchange. Pittman completed his Ph.D. at Old Dominion University, where he was selected as a member of the honor society of Phi Kappa Phi. He earned his MBA from Regent University and his B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Pittman holds professional certificates from the Administrative Management Institute at Cornell University and the College Business Management Institute (SACUBO) at the University of Kentucky.