Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Studies and Leadership

Baylor University

Join a transformative journey in Baylor University’s PhD in Higher Education Studies & Leadership (HESL). Designed for aspiring scholars and leaders, this fully funded 72-hour residential program blends rigorous academics, faith integration, and hands-on apprenticeship. Engage in a close-knit cohort, explore pressing issues in higher education through a theological lens, and prepare to shape the future of the academy with purpose and conviction.This program is designed to educate scholars and scholar-practitioners who desire to have a meaningful, lasting influence on higher education. Our program is uniquely balanced among research, academic rigor, and hands-on professional experiences. Students entering our program will be professionally challenged through their apprenticeships and academically challenged throughout the course sequence. The program is small and built on the idea that a great doctoral education stems from great mentorship. We seek to provide support, camaraderie, and debate as students come together from across the nation, representing a great diversity of regional and cultural worldviews. The HESL degree plan seeks to strike a balance between structure and specialization. Students progress through a series of courses alongside others in the program however, the program sets aside elective hours for students to use for courses both inside and outside the department to help meet their professional and research interests.

Moody School of Education