Prospective HIED Students

We are very pleased that you are interested in our higher education administration doctoral program. Keep checking this site for when applications will be open. 

Questions?
If you have questions about the program, consult the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page. If you have further questions about the program, please contact one person listed below:    

Barbra Pansiri
Assistant to the HIED Coordinator
pansirb@bgsu.edu

Patrick Pauken
Interim HESA Chair
paukenp@bgsu.edu

Application Process 

Admission to the BGSU HIED program is selective and restricted to the number of doctoral students to whom the program faculty believe they can provide quality instruction, advising, and dissertation direction.  To be considered for admission, candidates normally complete an online application file with the following components:

1. Graduate Admissions Application
2. Official transcript from all colleges and universities attended (graduate and undergraduate).
3. GRE Scores – For the 2022 school year the GRE and application fee have been waived for domestic students. See the graduate college website for more information. *The HESA Department is in the process of revamping this requirement; please contact Barbra (pansirb@bgsu.edu) to discuss this.
4. Current résumé or curriculum vitae detailing academic and professional background; at least 3 years full-time work experience in higher education or closely related field is preferred for successful work experience (preferably post-master’s) is preferred.  

  5. Statements of Intent in two parts (A Personal Statement and a contemporary issues essay).

    a). Personal Statement – A 3-5 page typed statement (double-spaced) which addresses:

• What professional and/or personal experiences and interests have led you to consider a Ph.D. in higher education?
• What are your goals in the profession of higher education? In what kinds of positions and institutions do you hope to work? Why?
• How will BGSU's Higher Education Administration program facilitate your reaching your professional goals?
• What are your current research interests?
• What strenghts and resources do you bring that will help you to be  a successful doctoral student in this program?

    b). Contemporary Issue Essay - A 3-5 page typed essay on a contemporary issue i higher education. Please identify a single     isssue creating challenges for students, administrators, faculty, or institutions of higher education as a whole. Your focus     should not be on a single college or university but on colleges/universities generall. Please address the prompt below:

• Why is the issue you have identified a challenge?
• What are the consequences of the issue?
• What are some potential solutions?

    We will be evaluating your essay on your understanding of higher education, ability to think critically and complexly, and to     articulate your ideas clearly. Academic citations are welcome but not required. Feel free to update writing you may have     generated in your master's degree program or as a professional.

  6. Three letters of recommendation with HIED program reference form attached.  Be sure to sign each reference form indicating whether or not you waive your right to review the reference forms.  At least one letter of recommendation must be from a faculty member and you are also encouraged to include a reference from a higher education or student affairs professional.  Your application is not complete without three references, so please follow up with your references to be certain these are submitted by the deadline.

Admission Sequence of Events

The HIED Admission Committee, comprised of faculty and current students, reviews completed applications to determine whether to invite the applicant for a personal interview. The purpose of the interview is for the faculty and applicant to determine whether there is a good “fit” (academically and professionally) between the program’s emphasis and the candidate’s personal and professional goals. If invited to campus, candidates also interview for graduate assistantships. The HESA chair makes a final recommendation on admission to the Graduate College.

Transfer Credit

Since the Ph.D. requires 64 hours of study at BGSU beyond any master's degree credits previously earned at another institution, those credits can not be applied toward the Ph.D. However, students who have already earned credit for courses required in the Ph.D. program may, in consultation with their advisor and with the permission of the HESA Chair, substitute those courses for required Ph.D. courses. Where students substitute courses they must still earn a total of 64 hours of post-master's credit at BGSU in courses approved by the Chair.

Background Checks

As a policy of the Graduate College, graduate interns are required to authorize and pass a background investigation prior to the start of employment. Offers of employment are conditional until a background investigation has been successfully completed and all other pre-employment requirements are satisfied. The University reserves the right to determine and confirm suitability for employment and to end any employment already begun if the background check reveals disqualifying information.

Please note that a past criminal conviction identified during a background check does not automatically cancel the contract offer. Candidates will be given the opportunity to provide additional information, to explain the nature and circumstances of the conviction, and any evidence of rehabilitation. In determining suitability for employment, consideration will be given to factors that include: the specific duties of the internship position; the number of offenses and circumstances of each; date of conviction; and whether the conviction rose out of employment. If you have any concerns or would like to have a confidential discussion regarding your situation please contact the Graduate College Office at BGSU (419) 372-2791 and request to speak to the dean or associate dean of the Graduate College.

Financial Aid

For information about financial aid beyond the internship, please visit the Graduate College Financial Aid web site. 

Questions?

If you have questions about the program, consult the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page. If you have further questions about the application process, or the status of your application, please contact one person listed below:    

Barbra Pansiri
Assistant to the HIED Coordinator
pansirb@bgsu.edu

Patrick Pauken
Interim HESA Chair
paukenp@bgsu.edu