Published annually since 1985, the Handbook series provides a compendium of thorough and integrative literature reviews on a diverse array of topics of interest to the higher education scholarly and policy communities. Each chapter provides a comprehensive review of research findings on a selected topic, critiques the research literature in terms…

The international imperative for postsecondary education is growing, and the push for state and national action is acute. To remain globally competitive, the United States must expedite efforts to further develop a well educated citizenry. Each state faces its own set of demographic and economic challenges. States and institutions operate in…

This monograph seeks to inform faculty, staff, administrators, and students about the nature of and structure in doctoral programs that lead to doctoral student development. It is accomplished through succeeding chapters, focusing first on an overview of existing student development theory and then on the structure of doctoral education and its…

Content analysis of five scholarly journals in the field of higher education from 1986-88 focused on the methodologies and topics of research reported there. Distribution of articles among 4 paradigms (functionalist, radical structuralist, interpretive, radical humanist), along 2 dimensions (social science, sociology), and according to 11 sets of…

In fall 1989, 88 doctoral programs in higher education offered 124 different courses, a body of knowledge that offers great potential for improving and professionalizing higher education administration. The field appears to be evolving from a generalized area of inquiry into a curriculum of professional specialization. (Author/MSE)

Historically, higher education administrators have advanced through faculty ranks. In recent years, higher education as a field of study has developed significantly, but its potential for improving the profession is underutilized. A growing group of administrators needs formal training to meet the needs of more sophisticated and complex…

Research on substantive issues and concerns of higher education is handicapped by higher education's lack of status and recognition as an academic discipline or professional specialty. Theory-based and policy-related research should be recast as disciplined inquiry, doctoral programs strengthened, and preparation of scholars, professors, and…

Identifies 10 areas that should be addressed in the academic preparation of community college leaders (i.e., value assumptions, human behavior, group process, personnel practices, legal principles, financial management, information systems, planning, research design and method, educational history). Enumerates desirable leader qualities and…

A proposal requesting approval to grant the Ph.D. as well as the Ed.D. to doctoral students in Educational Administration and Higher Education (EAHED) is presented. The proposal describes strengths and weaknesses of the present program and documents the program's development from one concentrating primarily on teaching and advising students to one…

The higher education doctorate is a probable path to administrative advancement, but not a guarantee. Faculty may be skeptical of this credential unless it is combined with a doctorate in an academic discipline. However, it is likely that there will be an increase in higher education doctorates in the future. (Author/MSE)

From 1893 to 1960, the study of higher education evolved from an apprenticeship method to a professional field of study, with the expansion of administrative functions, progressive demand for change, and growth of junior colleges. The origins, programs, and purposes in the field have focused predominantly on administration. (MSE)

The status of higher education as a field of study in Canada is examined and compared with the United States. The factor seen as most limiting the field's development is not low demand or limited employment opportunities, but reluctance to allocate resources because of low prestige and support outside academe. (Author/MSE)

Three papers, written as part of a seminar on governance and management in higher education, analyze the current situation and potential for development of MidAmerica Nazarene College in Springfield, Missouri. The first paper, "Governance and Governance Processes at MidAmerica Nazarene College," outlines the governance structure of the…

The development of this annotated bibliography of 58 doctoral dissertations arose from an interest in doctoral study in general, and concern for the magnitude of the attrition problem at the doctoral level in particular. Dissertations date from 1970 to 1990. Among the dissertations summarized are those relating to such topics as: factors relating…

A national survey of 75 directors of doctoral programs in higher education found that program missions are greatly affected by their reputation, governance, and organizational structure. High-reputation programs are distinctive in a variety of ways. Less prestigious programs may be able to capitalize best on local and regional missions.…