PhD Higher and Postsecondary Education at Columbia University

Programme overview

A research doctorate of at least 75 graduate points preparing scholars in higher education, combining subject-matter competence with research skills. Students choose a discipline-based cognate and complete a dissertation.

Faculty: Teachers College | Department: Organization and Leadership (Higher and Postsecondary Education) | Duration: 4-5 years full-time beyond the master's degree | Intake: Fall 2027; priority and final deadline 1 December 2026 | Study mode: full-time / part-time | Location: New York, NY, United States

What you will study

19 points of core courses (research methods, college and university organization, college teaching or the professoriate, diversity or civic mission, literature of higher education, coordinating seminar, dissertation seminar), 9-12 points of methods, a 12-point disciplinary cognate, electives, a two-part certification exam and dissertation.

Career pathways

Academic faculty, administrators, policy analysts and educational researchers.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Master's degree required; online application with statement of purpose and resume; transcripts or course-by-course evaluations; three letters of recommendation, at least two academic; academic writing sample; $75 application fee. International applicants whose native language is not English submit TOEFL iBT (minimum 100 if taken before 21 January 2026, 5.0 on the new scale if taken on or after that date), IELTS 7.0 or Duolingo 130, unless exempt (for example by a graduate degree taught in English).

Intake: Fall 2027; priority and final deadline 1 December 2026

Duration: 4-5 years full-time beyond the master's degree

Apply through the official page: https://www.tc.columbia.edu/admissions/

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