The students enrolled in the program are pursuing such areas of concentration as administration and organization, policy and evaluation, leadership in student affairs, and leadership and policy in two-year institutions. The program is selective and is limited to 10 students each year.
All new students begin the program in the fall semester.
The Ph.D. requires that students enrolled under the semester system take at least 52 credits of course work. Typically, a course that meets once a week throughout the semester is three credits. Attending full time, including summers, students often can complete the required coursework in 2 to 2 years. During this time they complete preliminary written and oral examinations. Many students are able to complete their dissertation in another 1 to 2 years.