View our commonly asked questions and answers below. If you have further questions, contact a member of our team.
This degree program is designed for working professionals who want to make a difference in their organizations and who have a master's degree and at least four years of work experience.
Current students include higher education administrators and postsecondary instructors who do not have a doctoral degree.
Applicants are expected to have experience in or around postsecondary education. It is not designed for people seeking to move into education from other sectors.
The program is highly structured and takes three years, including summers, to complete.
For the first two years, students enroll in three (3) summer credits, seven (7) fall credits and seven (7) spring credits. In the third and final years, students enroll in three (3) summer credits, four (4) fall credits and four (4) spring credits. The whole program is 45 credits.
No, there is no online or hybrid option. The program is highly structured and classes meet in person in East Lansing, Michigan. The first summer course is a weeklong seminar, typically held in June. Subsequent summer courses are typically in May/June, but are not concentrated into a single week. All other classes meet once a week in the evening on the same day of the week to accommodate students who work and/or need to travel to East Lansing. Given this structure, the program has no electives.
In addition to satisfactorily completing all coursework, students are required to complete a dissertation of practice with a small group of their peers. The curriculum is designed to support students through this process, providing methodological training, content in various areas of higher education scholarship and regular contact with a faculty advisor.
The HALE Ph.D. emphasizes academic research, requires more credits and is completed by proposing and defending a dissertation that is written individually. Although HALE Ph.D. students take many of the same classes as LEMCPE Ed.D. students, and the programs are led by the same faculty, Ph.D. studies are more self-directed and typically take longer to complete.
You may, but it is discouraged. The goals and focuses of the two programs are different, and applications between the two programs are not transferable. We recommend that students considering both programs attend an informational session to decide which one is the best fit for them. After attending an information session, you may also speak with a faculty member to learn more about the two degrees.
LEMCPE Ed.D. students are eligible for college scholarships and fellowships (e.g., Dissertation Hard Cost Grants, Dissertation Completion Fellowship and College of Education Endowed Scholarships). MSU employees should check with their unit and union or employee group to see what tuition benefits are available. Non-MSU employees may be offered similar benefits through their employer. Federal student loans are available for students who qualify. Funding from private loans, scholarships and fellowships will be accepted.
The LEMCPE caters to students who are also working full-time. LEMCPE Ed.D. students are typically not granted assistantships to cover costs or tuition. You may apply for an assistantship, however, if one that matches your needs becomes available.
Federal and private student loans may be available. For more information on student loans, review the corresponding information at Graduate Loan Resources. Review Gift Aid for scholarship options. Learn more about federal financial aid through MSU Financial Aid.
LEMCPE Ed.D. applicants must submit the following to the MSU Application Management system:
International students must also submit an English proficiency test result.
The GRE is not required.
Application materials are due in early January. Applicants will be notified of admissions decisions in February.