
Higher Education Leadership, EdD (Online)
The EdD in Higher Education Leadership at CBU prepares students to lead and innovate within the higher education sector through a curriculum grounded in a biblical worldview.
Program Intro
Integrating Christian principles with leadership strategies, the Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership program equips students to address the complex challenges of higher education, including enhancing student engagement, promoting academic success and navigating issues of equity and diversity.
Courses combine theoretical frameworks with practical applications, emphasizing ethical decision-making, strategic problem-solving and fostering inclusive campus environments.
The program culminates in a research-based comprehensive project, allowing students to apply evidence-based practices and demonstrate mastery in leadership and institutional change, preparing them to lead with integrity and purpose in diverse academic settings.
Based on current academic year. Subject to change.
Why Earn Your EdD in Higher Education Leadership at CBU?
Christian Worldview Integration
As a Christian university, CBU integrates faith with learning throughout its programs. This unique approach helps students develop as ethical, servant leaders, offering a biblical perspective that informs their leadership style and decision-making within higher education.
Supportive Campus Community
At CBU, students benefit from a strong, supportive community that is committed to their academic and personal success. Faculty and staff are dedicated to providing guidance and mentorship, creating an environment where students feel connected, valued and empowered to reach their full potential.
Fully Online, Flexible Program
The EdD program is offered entirely online, allowing students to pursue their degree while balancing work, family and other commitments. This flexibility ensures that students can maintain their professional careers while advancing their education without compromising academic quality.
Experienced Faculty with Proven Leadership
CBU's faculty members are not only distinguished scholars but also experienced leaders in higher education. Many have served in top academic or administrative positions within institutions, providing students with insights drawn from real-world experience in leading colleges and universities.
What You'll Learn
Students graduating with a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership will learn to:
- Apply a biblical worldview to leadership practices and decision-making in higher education settings.
- Integrate leadership theories with practical strategies to address student engagement, success, and organizational challenges.
- Analyze and address issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion within higher education institutions, promoting access and success for all students.
- Demonstrate ethical decision-making and problem-solving skills in navigating complex, diverse campus environments.
- Conduct and apply research to develop evidence-based strategies for institutional change and leadership improvement in higher education.
Program Details
HED 700: Trends in Higher Education
This course introduces the student to leadership and service in higher education. In the modern context, this course compares contemporary campus cultures, objectives, and settings, including public, private, and for-profit colleges, adult learning centers, online colleges, community colleges, universities, and professional/research institutes.
ORG 720: Organizational Communication
This course examines effective principles of communication critical for effectiveness within diverse organizations. Principles focus on opportunities for administrators to reflect on their own communication style and examine the components of effective communication strategies.
HED 720: Student Access and Success
This course examines the critical factors influencing student access, choice, and success in higher education. Students will explore how individual, institutional, and systemic factors shape pathways to college enrollment, decision-making, and academic achievement.

Elizabeth A. Morris, Ph.D.
Professor of Education and Mathematics
Associate Provost for Accreditation, Assessment and Curriculum
Office Phone: 951-343-4507
E-mail: emorris@calbaptist.edu
Office Location: Cottage 19

Tae Sung, Ph.D.
Professor of English
Dean of Student Success
Office Phone: 951-552-8992
E-mail: tsung@calbaptist.edu
Office Location: Lancer Arms 54
As you make decisions about graduate school, keep in mind the full social, spiritual and educational experience awaiting you at CBU. Here, you will be supported by professors, staff and fellow students who will help you discover your strengths and challenge you to do more than you ever thought you could. Let us equip you with the education, training and opportunities you'll need to start making a unique difference doing what you love.
Application Deadlines | Fall |
---|---|
Priority | May 15 |
Standard | August 1 |
Career Possibilities
Graduates of CBU's Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership can apply their field of study to a variety of higher education careers.
- Educational Administrator
- Administrative Services and Facilities Manager
- College Faculty
Related Programs
Next Steps
Join our community. At CBU, you’ll be challenged to become an individual whose skills, integrity, and sense of purpose glorify God and distinguish you in the world.