Doctoral Degree in Higher Education

Cohort Program-Executive Cycle

Sometimes referred to as the cycle program, the executive cycle enables working professionals to complete weekend courses over a three-year period. This program is started bi-annually, with the next cohort currently schedule for admission in Winter, 2010.

The objectives of the program are similar to those of the conventional, on-campus program. More emphasis, however, is placed on the competitive selection of students based on the holding of significant responsibilities in higher education administration and the demonstrated potential for advancement and even greater contribution.

The cohort is typically 15-20 students. Classes meet about five weekends each quarter, on Friday and Saturday. Classes alternate by quarter between the Athens campus and an off-site campus, usually OU Lancaster.

The coursework and credit hour requirements are similar to the on-campus Ph.D. program. Coursework commences in the Fall term, every other year, and takes about 2.5 years to complete. Comprehensive examinations, and the research preparation, and defense of a dissertation are in addition to the structured, classroom-based components of the program.