Research & reality: Morgan State takes two-prong approach to stemming educational leadership deficit - Top 100 Degree Producers, 2000-2001 - Cover Story

Black Issues in Higher Education, June 20, 2002 by Phaedra R. Brotherton

"I think Morgan is leading the way--I think we will see others doing the same thing."

Documenting African American Contributions to Higher Education

To bring its Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs in higher education under one umbrella, plans are now under way to create a new Center for Higher and Postsecondary Education at Morgan State.

The center not only will prepare graduates, it also will become a clearinghouse for information on African Americans in higher education and other issues, says Patricia Welsh, dean of the School for Education and Urban Studies.

"The center will take its place alongside the departments and institutes in the university to help provide new knowledge and enhance existing knowledge for the academy." Welsh says the goal is for the center and the two doctoral programs to be top-notch programs that not only will draw African American students, but others as well. "We believe that good quality will attract minorities as well as non-minorities to our programs," she says.

The Ph.D. in higher education curriculum has five components:

1. Research--quantitative and qualitative research methods

2. Cognate disciplines--studies in the social and behavioral sciences;

3. Foundations course work in higher education--five required courses in historical and contemporary concepts in higher education, which cover technology, policy analysis, quality assurance and diversity and multiculturalism. Students can choose electives tailored to their needs.

4. Modular "signature" courses often taught by professionals working in the field of higher education policy or administration.

5. Dissertation Project.