The Executive Ph.D. (EPhD) in Urban Higher Education at Jackson State
University (JSU) prepares and develops students to assume senior leadership
roles in post-secondary institutions and other organizations whose primary
endeavors relate to or impact the operations of institutions of higher learning. 
The program engages participants in the analysis of the different facets of
operations and management of post-secondary institutions and in the
development of solutions to potential or existing challenges facing urban and
metropolitan institutions.

Students are trained to study higher education institutions from a
trans-disciplinary perspective and to appreciate the role and impact of
these institutions as engines of social and economic change in urban and
metropolitan venues.

Students master core knowledge in the field of higher education, and
develop a high level of analytical (quantitative and qualitative) research skills,
complemented by an extensive breadth of relevant leadership knowledge in
management, planning, and policy. Faculty and administrators associated
with the program are committed to the continuous pursuit of knowledge in the
discipline through demonstrated scholarship, effective delivery of instruction,
and professional service to their fields and the community.

Program Objectives:                                                                       

• To provide students with the knowledge, skills and dispositions
   required to lead higher education institutions or human services
   agencies in urban and metropolitan communities.

• To enable students to master the theoretical, conceptual, and
   research perspectives necessary to improve the quality of life
   in urban and metropolitan settings.

• To support the development and implementation of clearly defined
   and focused action-research initiatives designed to address existing and
   pressing urban and metropolitan challenges, such as the following:

                          (a) Pre-K through 16 education
                          (b) Human service delivery system
                          (c) Economic development
                          (d) Urban revitalization
                          (e) Regional planning
                          (f) Individual, group and community empowerment
                          (g) Program evaluations

• To create a culture of ongoing intellectual inquiry that supports
   professional development and active lifelong learning.

Target Clientele                                                                               
The audience for this unique program could include faculty in management
positions seeking higher level leadership, as well as, mid-entry level personnel
in management from colleges and universities in urban or metropolitan settings
and executive related agencies that work either as suppliers or clients of the
higher education enterprise. This could include human resource/service
agencies, foundations, corporations with an adult training mission, and other
sectors that represent government, industry, commerce or technology.

Research