The program has a strong reputation as an academically rigorous program that emphasizes executive-level leadership preparation. Students interact with some of the most important higher education leaders and policymakers in the U.S. while studying under the guidance of dedicated faculty members.
Students from across the U.S. take live web classes in the fall and spring and gather once-a-year at the annual Summer Institute, our signature national event the first two weeks in June.
Courses are not your typical "online class". You interact in real-time with professors and other passionate community college leaders from across the U.S. as classmates. Think of it as a "traditional" college class, except instead of a classroom you meet with classmates once-a-week via live video conference in the afternoon/evening anywhere you have high-speed internet, so you can attend class from home, work, or on the road. Watch video where students talk about the online experience.
The course of study has four elements:
- core coursework in community college leadership (21 credits)
- research courses (15 credits)
- elective courses (6 credits)
- dissertation (12 credits)
The 54-credit program typically takes about 3.5 years to complete, including a dissertation that students start developing early in the program in a series of Proseminar courses. ODU's reputation as a U.S. News & World Report top-ranked research university and its status as the most affordable university in the Commonwealth of Virginia makes your degree worth the investment.
Courses of Study
- CCL 820 Community College Leadership
- CCL 824 Community College Finance, Fundraising, and Resource Management
- CCL 826 Community College Curriculum, Program Development, and Quality Assurance
- CCL 830 Community College Politics, Policy, and Advocacy
- CCL 866 Modern Community College: Foundations, Philosophy, and Vision
- HIED 808 Contemporary Issues in Higher Education
- HIED 852 The Law of Higher Education
- HIED 809 Proseminar in Doctoral Studies (3 x 1-credit)
- FOUN 812 Research Design and Analysis
- FOUN 813 Program Evaluation in Education
- FOUN 822 Applied Linear Models in Educational Research or
FOUN 823 Analysis of Variance Applied to Educational Research - FOUN 814 Qualitative Research Design in Education
Note: Most students also take FOUN 722 Applied Statistics & Data Analysis as a prerequisite to advanced statistics. However, students with prior knowledge of statistics (i.e., univariate, bivariate, t-test, chi-square, and simple linear regression) from prior graduate-level coursework may email syllabi from those course(s) to their academic advisor and request a waiver of the FOUN 722 prerequisite requirement.
Students work with their advisor to select two (2) electives to personlize their plan of study. Electives include courses such as:
- CCL 868 Internship in Community College Leadership
- HIED 812 Strategic Planning
- HIED 863 Special Topics in Higher Education
- SEPS 865 Trends and Issues of Economic and Workforce Development
- HIED 844 Global Higher Education Systems (includes 10-day study abroad program)
- FOUN 822 Applied Linear Models in Educational Research
- FOUN 823 Analysis of Variance Applied to Educational Research
- FOUN 881 Dissertation Seminar
- CCL 899 Dissertation (9 credits minimum)
Summer Institute
The Summer Institute is the premiere annual event for the Community College Leadership doctoral program.
Student Profiles
Learn about the program firsthand from some of our current students.
How To Apply
The community college leadership program has rolling admissions. Ph.D. applicants for Community College Leadership that want to start in Summer should apply by March 15, Fall by July 15th, and Spring by November 15th.
- Complete an online application;
- Upload unofficial transcripts from previous educational institutions;
- Applicants whose native language is not English must submit a current score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT of at least 80.
Applicants also upload supplemental materials including:
- A CV or resume that describes the your academic and professional background;
- Provide three (3) letters of recommendation. At least one letter must come from an individual can describe the applicant's academic performance and writing ability. Letters from senior-level leaders that endorse the applicant's leadership potential are encouraged
- Provide a 1-page, single-spaced essay that presents a concise statement about your academic and professional background, your career goals, and your reasons for applying to this degree program. Please be specific in explaining how this program aligns with your educational and career objectives.
- Provide an original academic writing sample, up to 2 pages single-spaced, in which you identify at least one thematic research area of interest and explain your interest in this area. Possible topics may include completion and transfer, learning outcomes, labor market outcomes, equity, technology, culture/organizational behavior, or a topic of your choosing. Be sure to describe the issue at hand and explain its significance to community college research and practice.
The GRE is not required to apply to the program. Email us at ccl@odu.edu if we can help you at any time throughout your application process.
The admissions committee composed of program faculty will review all applications and may select applicants for an interview via phone with the committee or committee member(s).
- Complete an online application;
- Upload unofficial transcripts from previous educational institutions;
- Applicants whose native language is not English must submit a current score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT of at least 80.
Applicants also upload supplemental materials including:
- A CV or resume that describes the your academic and professional background;
- Provide three (3) letters of recommendation. At least one letter must come from an individual can describe the applicant's academic performance and writing ability. Letters from senior-level leaders that endorse the applicant's leadership potential are encouraged
- Provide a 1-page, single-spaced essay that presents a concise statement about your academic and professional background, your career goals, and your reasons for applying to this degree program. Please be specific in explaining how this program aligns with your educational and career objectives.
- Provide an original academic writing sample, up to 2 pages single-spaced, in which you identify at least one thematic research area of interest and explain your interest in this area. Possible topics may include completion and transfer, learning outcomes, labor market outcomes, equity, technology, culture/organizational behavior, or a topic of your choosing. Be sure to describe the issue at hand and explain its significance to community college research and practice.
The GRE is not required to apply to the program. Email us at ccl@odu.edu if we can help you at any time throughout your application process.
The admissions committee composed of program faculty will review all applications and may select applicants for an interview via phone with the committee or committee member(s).