Doctor of Philosophy in Community College Leadership

Advance Your Career with a Degree from Mississippi State

Ph.D. in Community College Leadership

The Ph.D. program in Community College Leadership is designed to prepare professionals for leadership positions in community colleges. The program consists of courses in history and philosophy of the community college, leadership and organizational theory, leading and managing a community college, and research and statistics.

Application Deadlines:

Spring: October 15
Summer: March 15

Number of credit hours:
61 Hours

Number of Courses:
~20 Courses

Tuition per credit hour:
$602.50

Instructional Support Fee per credit hour:
$25.00

Tuition and fees listed are subject to change and do not include all possible charges. Additional fees may apply. Please refer to the master class schedule for individual course charges.

Program Highlights

In-State Tuition for All: Students both in and out of state only pay In-State tuition rates.
Fully Online: All courses are 100% online, making them accessible from anywhere in Mississippi and beyond.

Respected Degree from an Accredited University: Earn your degree from Mississippi State University, a nationally recognized research institution and leader in online education.
Flexible Schedule: Courses are delivered asynchronously to accommodate work and life schedules.

Career Opportunities

Those interested in careers in community college administration and higher education leadership should apply for this degree program. Examples of positions graduates may achieve are:

Community College President
Vice President of Academic Affairs
Dean of Student Services

Director of Institutional Research
Higher Education Policy Analyst
Professor of Higher Education Leadership

Course Requirements

The Ph.D. in Community College Leadership requires 61 credit hours beyond the master's degree, broken into three parts:

Core Courses — 27 hours
Nine courses covering community college history and philosophy, finance, legal issues, administration, leadership, organizational theory, human resources, community development, and institutional research.
Research Courses — 14 hours
Four courses in educational and psychological statistics, research design, and qualitative research methods.
Dissertation — 20 hours
Independent research culminating in a written dissertation and oral defense.

Curriculum

Transfer Credit

Students may transfer up to twelve (12) hours of graduate level credits from regionally accredited institutions. The decision to grant transfer credit is made by the advisor and the student’s graduate committee. If you wish to transfer credits, contact your advisor. You will need to provide an official transcript showing the courses you wish to transfer.

What Our People Say

"It's been an incredible journey. Juggling a career and being a full-time mom and student can sometimes feel overwhelming, but I’ve been fortunate to have amazing professors who are always available to offer support whenever I need it."

Tolanda Jones,
MS State Online Student

Admissions

Ready to advance your education with a flexible, fully online degree? Follow the steps below to apply for the Doctor of Philosophy in Community College Leadership at Mississippi State University.

YOUR NEXT STEP

Ready to apply?

Your next chapter starts at MSU.

REQUIRED APPLICATION STEP

Identity Verification

Complete Stripe Identity verification to confirm your identity before your application can be completed.

Start Application

Attention International Students

Applicants whose native language is not English must submit an approved English language proficiency test score. Mississippi State University accepts scores from the TOEFL, TOEFL Essentials, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test (DET). Prospective students should consult the appropriate testing organization for information about test registration and administration.

The Graduate School maintains a list of countries exempt from English language requirements. Please consult the Graduate Catalog for specific English language test score requirements and additional information regarding English language proficiency.

Contact Us

Samantha Clardy

Enrollment & Onboarding Coach

Assistance with Admissions Process

General Program Questions

s.clardy@msstate.edu

662-325-9092

Anusha Rijal

Retention & Engagement Coach

Current Student Inquires

Academic & Support Services Assistance

a.rijal@msstate.edu

662-325-8876

Dr. Katie Oswalt

Educational Leadership

Assistant Teaching Professor

Graduate Coordinator

koswalt@colled.msstate.edu

662-325-1597

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should pursue this degree?

To be eligible for admission to the program, you must hold a master's degree from an accredited institution, meet the basic requirements specified for graduate students at Mississippi State University, demonstrate interest in the mission of community colleges, demonstrate academic proficiency, have completed one year of full-time work experience in the community college setting, and hold current employment within a community college at the time of application.

Is Mississippi State Online accredited?

Mississippi State Online programs are offered by Mississippi State University, which is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award bachelor's, master's, specialist, and doctoral degrees. Individual programs may also hold specialized accreditation. Learn more on the Mississippi State University accreditation page.

Will my Mississippi State University diploma say "online"?

No. When you earn a degree through Mississippi State Online, your diploma identifies Mississippi State University and does not indicate that you studied online. Online programs meet the same university standards for academic quality and rigor as on-campus programs.

How much does Mississippi State cost?

Mississippi State helps make your education more affordable by offering the applicable in-state tuition rate to online students regardless of where they live. Tuition and required fees are charged per credit hour, and your total cost depends on your program, credit hours, and applicable fees. Textbooks and course materials are additional expenses, and rates are subject to change.

Do out-of-state students pay in-state tuition at Mississippi State Online?

Yes. Mississippi State Online students pay the applicable in-state tuition rate whether they live in Mississippi or elsewhere. You do not need to be a Mississippi resident to receive this rate for your online program. Required fees and other course expenses still apply.

Can Mississippi State Online students receive financial aid or scholarships?

Eligible online students may receive financial aid, and scholarship opportunities are available. Eligibility and award amounts vary; funding is not guaranteed for every student or program. Complete the FAFSA to be considered for federal student aid, and review scholarship requirements and deadlines.

How do I apply to Mississippi State Online?

Start with the Apply Now page and choose the application that matches your undergraduate or graduate program and applicant status. Select "Online Education" as your campus. Review your program's admission requirements and deadlines, then submit the application, required documents, and any applicable application fee. Requirements vary by program and may differ for new, transfer, returning, and international students.

Do Mississippi State Online programs require campus visits or in-person experiences?

Requirements depend on the program and concentration. Some programs can be completed entirely online, while others include internships, field experiences, or coursework that requires in-person participation. Review your program's curriculum and contact its program representative before applying to confirm attendance requirements. Explore programs and their requirements in the Academic Programs directory.

Can I transfer previous college credits to a Mississippi State Online program?

Transfer-credit policies vary by degree level and program. Some programs consider eligible coursework from other institutions, while others do not accept prior credit toward program requirements. Review your program's transfer-credit policy and contact its academic advisor or program coordinator before planning your coursework.

What support is available to Mississippi State Online students?

Mississippi State Online students have access to academic advising, library resources, writing support, technical assistance, and career services. Program coordinators and advisors can help you navigate your studies and connect with university resources.

Doctor of Philosophy in Community College Leadership

Tuition & Fees

Apply Now!

myState

Class Schedule

Request Info

Advance Your Career with a Degree from Mississippi State

Ph.D. in Community College Leadership

Application Deadlines:

Program Highlights

Career Opportunities

Course Requirements

Curriculum

Transfer Credit

What Our People Say

"It's been an incredible journey. Juggling a career and being a full-time mom and student can sometimes feel overwhelming, but I’ve been fortunate to have amazing professors who are always available to offer support whenever I need it."

Tolanda Jones,
MS State Online Student

Admissions

Ready to apply?

Identity Verification

Attention International Students

Contact Us

Samantha Clardy

Enrollment & Onboarding Coach

Anusha Rijal

Retention & Engagement Coach

Dr. Katie Oswalt

Educational Leadership

Frequently Asked Questions

Doctor of Philosophy in Community College Leadership

Tuition & Fees

Apply Now!

myState

Class Schedule

Request Info

Advance Your Career with a Degree from Mississippi State

Ph.D. in Community College Leadership

Application Deadlines:

Program Highlights

Career Opportunities

Course Requirements

Curriculum

Transfer Credit

What Our People Say

"It's been an incredible journey. Juggling a career and being a full-time mom and student can sometimes feel overwhelming, but I’ve been fortunate to have amazing professors who are always available to offer support whenever I need it."

Tolanda Jones, MS State Online Student

Admissions

How to Apply

Complete the Online Application

Submit the Application Fee

Submit Official Information

Readmission

Ready to apply?

Identity Verification

Attention International Students

Contact Us

Samantha Clardy

Enrollment & Onboarding Coach

Anusha Rijal

Retention & Engagement Coach

Dr. Katie Oswalt

Educational Leadership

Frequently Asked Questions

Tolanda Jones,
MS State Online Student