This program is available at the following locations:

• Corvallis (PhD)
• Ecampus (EdM, EdD hybrid)

The College of Education offers graduate programs leading to a major in Adult and Higher Education with degrees in Master of Education (EdM), Doctor of Education (EdD), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), as well as Masters of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS).

Master of Education (EdM)

The Master of Education (EdM) degree in Adult and Higher Education is designed for working professionals to enhance their knowledge, skills, and abilities to serve adult learners in a number of settings. These can include for-profit corporations, not-for-profit agencies, community organizations, and various higher education settings. This program is guided by the Academy of Human Resource Development Standards, a professional organization recognized internationally.

Doctor of Education (EdD)

The Doctor of Education degree in Adult and Higher Education prepares professionals for faculty/administrative leadership roles in a variety of positions in community colleges or other higher education settings. Candidates must have appropriate professional experience in a higher education setting that enables them to benefit from the program learning outcomes. Examples of experience include student services, administration, finance, teaching, support staff, and/or supervision. 

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The Doctor of Philosophy degree is a full-time program that prepares professionals for research, policy, and professorial roles in higher education settings. The degree will support students in developing the research competencies to generate new knowledge in the field of higher education. Knowledge of educational research methodology is highly desirable.

Major Code: 2075

Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:

EdM

• Conduct research or produce some other form of creative work.
• Demonstrate mastery of subject material.
• Conduct scholarly or professional activities in an ethical manner.
• Apply learning theories through the use of instructional technology.
• Evaluate the diverse needs and characteristics of adult learners.
• Create educational and training opportunities in diverse settings.
• Manage project resources, systems, and information in developing and implementing courses and training opportunities.
• Conduct ethical research, assessments, or evaluations of learners’ needs, courses, and training efforts.
• Describe instructional philosophy and approach to advancing equity.

EdD

• Produce and defend an original significant contribution to knowledge.
• Demonstrate mastery of subject material.
• Conduct scholarly activities in an ethical manner.
• Apply evaluation skills to assess efficacy and effectiveness of solutions for problems of practice.
• Identify inequities in problems of practice.
• Recognize structural conditions that serve to maintain/reproduce systemic inequities in higher education.
• Articulate strategies to effectively lead higher education institutions.
• Identify leadership practices that can make institutions more inclusive and equitable.
• Describe how institutions are governed and policies guiding the operation of institutions.

PhD

• Produce and defend an original significant contribution to knowledge.
• Demonstrate mastery of subject material.
• Conduct scholarly activities in an ethical manner.
• Identify structural conditions that maintain and reproduce systemic inequities in higher education.
• Describe student- and organizational-level factors that influence the structure, culture, and operation of institutions.
• Apply concepts and theories to the development of research.
• Design and implement methodological approaches for social science research.
• Contribute to the production of higher education knowledge and theory.
• Conduct research that contributes to the understanding or mitigation of inequality.

​

Master of Education (EdM)

Doctor of Education (EdD) 

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) 

Major Code: 2075