Dr. Walter A. Brown, Professor and Executive Director
JSU Mississippi e-Center
P.O. Box 17209
Jackson, MS 39217

Telephone: (601) 979-2434
Fax: (601) 979-9213
E-mail: ephd@jsums.edu
URL: www.jsums.edu/ephd

Faculty

Professor
Dr. Walter Brown
Dr. Alma Thornton
Dr. Felix Okojie

Associate Professors
Dr. Walter Crockett
 

Mission

The Executive Ph. D. Program (EPhD) in Urban Higher Education is intended to prepare executives, middle/senior managers and other institutional leaders in higher education and related human services agencies to respond effectively to the challenges posed by urban and metropolitan communities in a pluralistic society undergoing sustained social, economic and political change. 

The EPhD Cohort Model

This program is designed on the cohort model which requires all admitted students to complete the same courses from beginning to end or a 24-month period.  Although culminating dissertation development is finalized in the latter stages of doctoral studies, the preparation, planning and refining of the dissertation is interwoven throughout the 24 months.  Students will be required to develop a two-year plan which identifies a balance between their coursework and professional work duties at their home/host institution or agency.  It is imperative that this plan is developed to facilitate high performance and sustainable productivity in the student’s life during enrollment in this program.

The EPhD cohort model represents a cadre of committed colleagues who enroll in, and graduate from, an accelerated research-based doctoral program collectively-- matriculating in a rigorously planned and intensely prescribed academic program of study according to a signed agreement and a related pledge agreed upon by each student in the cohort.

The EPhD cohort model requires students to carefully and diligently plan ahead.  The model promotes collegiality, interdependence, networking and camaraderie among students for a lifetime. The Cohort model is designed for adult learners who are working professionals and can persevere as well as endure the rigors of the program toward personal and professional growth.

Accreditation

The EPhD program is offered in the College of Education and Human Development which is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).  Both the College of Education and Human Development, and Jackson State University are accredited by the Southern Association for Schools and Colleges (SACSCOC).  To date, there is no agency or organization for accrediting programs in higher education at the doctoral level.  Students who successful complete the EPhD program will meet the standards and requirements set by CAEP and SACSCOC. 

Program Admission

Students applying for admission to the EPhD Program must first obtain general admission to the Division of Graduate Studies; however, this admission does not mean automatic admission to the Program. Applications are accepted year round for admission each fall. Applications must be submitted prior to March 1. Admission will be limited to a cohort of typically 15-25 participants from higher education faculty, experienced, and mid/entry level executive personnel in higher education and other related sectors. Admission to the EPhD Program will be guided by the following criteria:

1. A Master's degree from an accredited university.
2. A completed EPhD program application.
3. Transcripts for all post secondary work attempted prior to submitting a program application.
4. A satisfactory score on the GMAT, GRE or MAT.
5. References from three (3) professional persons who are knowledgeable of the applicant’s professional academic ability, job experiences, leadership potential and availability to participate in the program. A reference from the President or Chief Executive Officer will strengthen the application.
6. Acceptable evidence of a student's writing ability as determined by an on-site writing sample completed under the supervision of the screening committee member.
7. Clear statement on how previous graduate work relates to urban higher education and the proposed dissertation topic.
8. A successful interview with the program screening committee.
9. Recommendation for admission by the screening committee. Note: Students accepted in this program will transfer twelve (12) hours from previous graduate work to complement the core areas. Approval is required by the program faculty, before being admitted formally and officially to the program.

Dissertation Pre-Planning

As part of the admissions process for the EPhD program, students are required to complete a dissertation framework for their anticipated research, which covers the following:

1. The proposed research topic and problem statement
2. The preliminary results from a review of related literature

Time Limits

No student admitted to the Executive PhD program will be granted the doctoral degree unless all program and academic requirements are completed. The time frame allotted for coursework completion is 24 months (2 years).

Financial Aid

Students admitted to the Executive PhD program are strongly encouraged to seek financial support from their home institution/agency. This is also reinforced in the Executive PhD degree agreement signed by the admitted student and his/her supervisor. Under special circumstances, and provided resources are available, graduate research and teaching assistantships or fellowships may be available and awarded on a competitive basis to highly qualified admitted students. Students admitted to the program are eligible to apply for the Stafford Loan.

Retention 

Students admitted to the EPhD program will be required to successfully complete all academic classes, program requirements and evidence toward dissertation to demonstrate student points of progress concerning enrollment to retention, and retention to graduation. 

Residence Requirements

Students admitted to the Executive PhD Program will be required to spend approximately one weekend a month, defined as Thursday through Saturday to actively participate in all required program classes, activities, modules, and other related field work.  Wednesday is considered a travel transition day in preparation for this required residence and Sunday a departure day.  Lodging and food expenses are incorporated into the tuition and participatory fees for this program.

Candidacy Requirements

To be successfully admitted to doctoral candidacy in the Executive PhD program, all students must successfully prepare for the comprehensive examinations, complete the comprehensive examinations, and present evidence of successful progress toward the development of the dissertation.  In this regard, students must: 

1. Successfully complete formal coursework and all instructionally related activities with a GPA of 3.0 or better following the completion of at least 2 semesters.
2. Successfully pass the comprehensive examination.
3. Appropriately, and in a timely manner file with the Dean of the Division of Graduate Studies, the dissertation proposal approved by the student’s advisor, Department Chair, EPHD Executive Director, and College Dean.

Cognate Component (12 Hours).  

Students accepted in the EPhD must be able to transfer 12 hours of approved previous graduate work before admission is granted to enhance the cognate area of interest and to complement the cores.

Degree Requirements

This executive program requires approximately 24 months or two years of coursework and related activities, resulting in a minimum of 72 hours, including a minimum of 12 hours toward dissertation. Additional requirements of this program include:

1. completion of the EPhD agreement,
2. satisfactory performance and completion of the comprehensive examinations, following the completion of required course work and 
3. successful preparation and defense of the dissertation.

The final basis for granting this degree shall be the candidate’s evidence of gained knowledge, skills, and dispositions from the collective course work, mastery of theoretical, conceptual and research perspectives and completion of the dissertation.

Course Requirements

The Program offers courses on a cohort basis.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Professional Specialization Core
EDHE 814	LEADERSHIP IN HIGHER EDUCATION	3
EDHE 824	STUDENT AFFAIRS ADMINISTRATION	3
EDHE 825	MTHDS OF URBN & REG ANL & PLAN	3
EDHE 877	PUBLIC POLICY FORMULATION	3
EDHE 882	SEM IN PROG DVLPMNT, IMP & EVA	3
Higher Education Core
EDHE 800	PHIL & HIST OF URBAN HIGHER ED	3
EDHE 802	HIGHER ED LDSHP & ORG IN CC EN	3
EDHE 804	EDUCTNL FUTURES:PLANG & DVLPMT	3
EDHE 805	GLOBALIZATION OF HIGHER EDUCAT	3
EDHE 829	SEM IN LEGAL ASPS OF HIGHER ED	3
EDHE 865	HIGHER EDUCATION FINANCE	3
Statistics and Research Methods Component
EDHE 812	QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS	3
EDHE 813	QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS	3
EDHE 820	ADVANCED STATISTICAL METHODS	3
EDHE 830	ADVD QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METH	3
EDHE 833	RESEARCH DESIGN	3
EDHE 899	DISSERTATION	7
EDHE 899	DISSERTATION	5
Cognate Transfer Component
12 hours of previous graduate work 1		12
Total Hours		72

¹

12 hours of previous graduate work must be approved for transfer before admission is granted to enhance the cognate area of interest and to complement the cores.