Higher Education – College of Education

Reach Higher

From practice and leadership to research and policy, the Higher Education programs at the University of Florida can help you reach higher. With on-campus, online, and hybrid programs, we have a degree path that meets your needs. Learn more about your options below, or contact us with your questions.

Our top-ranking programs prepare students to take on today’s largest issues head on, in an interactive, flexible, collaborative environment. Wherever you want to go, our accomplished faculty are here for you – to help you take the next step and to take on new opportunities. Are you ready to transform higher education, impact lives, and strengthen society?

About the Programs

Higher Education Administration

Doctoral Programs

The Higher Education Administration doctoral programs are research-based, nationally-recognized programs that prepare future leaders for their roles in research, faculty, policy development, and administrative positions in a variety of higher education settings. The program integrates coursework with high-quality scholarship and faculty mentoring that aims to advance both empirical knowledge within the field and innovative practice that can change the landscape and future of higher education. Our students from both the on-line/hybrid and the on-campus programs regularly research, publish, and present in collaboration with the faculty, fully preparing them for both faculty and practitioner roles. Graduates go on to become skilled university and community college professors, administrators, deans, and presidents. Program options include:

Higher Education On-Campus Ph.D.  |  Higher Education Hybrid Ed.D.

Student Personnel in Higher Education

Master’s Programs

The Student Personnel in Higher Education (SPHE) master’s programs are designed to prepare students to enter or advance in student affairs and academic affairs leadership positions in a variety of settings in higher education.  The University of Florida SPHE programs develop well-rounded professionals prepared to handle the diverse challenges facing student affairs today with a strong foundation in counseling skills, student development theory, higher education law, assessment, and finance. A balance of full-time faculty and practitioner faculty integrate academic coursework with practitioner-based experience, creating a learning environment that allows students to immediately apply their new knowledge. Graduates go on to take on leadership roles in both academic affairs and student affairs. Program options include:

SPHE On-Campus M.Ed.  |   SPHE Online M.Ed.

Affiliated Centers

The Institute of Higher Education

Founded in 1968, The Institute of Higher Education (IHE) at the University of Florida conducts cutting-edge research and offers data-driven recommendations for higher education administrators and policymakers seeking to better understand the critical problems facing higher education at the local, state, and national level. IHE partners with individual colleges and state systems to provide rigorous and innovative assessment of current practices and policies aimed at improving student access and success.

The Education Policy Research Center

The Education Policy Research Center (EPRC) is an independent research center that unites an interdisciplinary array of nationally prominent scholars from across the university to provide the depth and scale of research needed to affect education policy in meaningful ways. At its core EPRC’s mission is to stimulate and support scholarly research on relevant and timely education policy issues and to disseminate the findings widely to students, scholars, and policymakers.

Student Testimonials

I spent almost 10 years working in higher education administration, including student services, residence life, diversity affairs, academic support services, student activities, athletics, student conduct, and other capacities. My experiences working in college student services and subsequently adjunct teaching, motivated me to pursue the Ph.D. program in Higher Education here at UF.  The program exposes me to a diverse range of research, giving me a breadth of knowledge on higher education. I am most appreciative of the faculty, who challenge and support me in achieving my goals.

Maryanne Long
Maryanne LongHigher Education Ph.D candidate

My time at UF was challenging, but those experiences better prepared me as a doctoral student and student affairs professional. The camaraderie found within my cohort and the Division of Student Affairs was also key in my personal and academic growth. I remain appreciative of the in-depth discussions had in class and mentorship found as a result of this program.

Courtney Matthews
Courtney MatthewsSPHE Class of 2018

UF SPHE is comprehensive, intentional, and excellence-driven. It continues to grow and development me as both an individual and professional. The faculty in this program make intentional effort to get to know you in a personal way and value your opinion when it comes to pressing issues in the field. UF SPHE has allowed me to have a seat at the table with highly regarded student affairs professionals, but more importantly has challenged me to evaluate the ways in which I can make the greatest impact upon students.

Savannah Woodall
Savannah WoodallSPHE Class of 2020

The hybrid format of the program was a perfect fit for me. The knowledge, skills and abilities that I have gained through this program have already paid off. Working toward the Ed.D. degree allowed me to accept a promotion at my current institution and gave me the opportunity to serve as both an instructor as well as an administrator.

Dr. Tres Loch
Dr. Tres LochHigher Education Ed.D graduate

The Ed.D. cohort allowed me, as a full-time working single parent, the opportunity to acquire world-class theoretical and practical skills that are requisite to successfully advancing a career in higher education. The program provides aspiring college administrators with both the analytical insight and administrative skills that support student success and also contribute to the body of knowledge foundational to excellence in postsecondary educational leadership.

Dr. Judy BilskyHigher Education Ed.D. graduate
Retired Provost, Florida State College at Jacksonville
Retired Executive Vice Chancellor, The Florida College System