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Purpose: Higher education, as a field of study, is one of the few programmatic areas that offer two doctoral degrees: The Doctor of Education (EdD) and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). In the United States, the two degrees are often conflated. Conversations, to this point, have done more to contribute to the theoretical debate than to operationally distinguish between the two degree paths. Method: The current study analyzed data collected from a review of the 188 doctoral programs at 145 institutions listed with the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE). Results: Results suggest that while there is a shift toward operational differences between the EdD and the PhD in higher education, the similarities in entrance requirements, formats, and research expectations, to list a few, suggest that the EdD and PhD still require further refinement to reach the theoretical clarity common in many conversations about the education doctorate.

This research was guided by a problem of practice experienced by an EdD program, which transitioned to a fully online modality during the pandemic and rapidly grew in enrollment. The problem evaluated was ensuring the redesigned program milestones -- capstone and comprehensive exam -- are feasible given the size of the program. The current study utilized descriptive research design to provide a comprehensive description of educational phenomena. The study was conducted at a large, public research university in the South. A total of 316 students enrolled in the program and were invited to complete the survey, of which 131 responses were analyzed. Results revealed differences in students' attitudes toward capstone projects and comprehensive exams, with a strong correlation between students' experiences with capstone projects and comprehensive exams and their overall academic self-efficacy while in the program.

The doctorate has long been associated with advancement in one's field, not only within academic work but also within one's profession. But the doctorate had the weakness of trying to serve two ends, teaching and research, ends not always distinguished clearly by graduate schools. As the twentieth century continued, the idea of professionalism would add a third need, and professional doctorates would take on new precedence. The field of education has two doctoral degrees, one generally reserved for the practitioner, the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), and the other for the researcher, the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). While they each serve different purposes, they are often conflated, and there have been, historically and currently, an ongoing calls to distinguish the degrees from one another. In this article the authors address the doctoral distinction, and the battle of balance between research and practice.

Concerns about alcohol use at college events have been documented for students, administrators, faculty, and the community across the history of higher education in America. Concerns range from the scrapes and bruises related to events that encourage or allow student inebriation, to student alcohol poisoning. Yet, a host of campuses have developed traditions and events that involve students engaging in the consumption of alcohol. One of the most historical events of this nature was the University of Virginia's Easters celebration. Through studying its history, one gains a better understanding as to why administrators have consistently grown concerned about alcohol consumption, especially as institutions have transitioned from in loco parentis to considerations of duties owed to students. An examination of this long-standing historical event--and the tragedy that led to its end--traces administrations' often slow responses, placing these events in current and historical contexts. Further, this event can be used to chronicle the changes in views of alcohol consumption by college students. Thus, by considering the choices of administrators, boards, and students, as well as the way alcohol consumption has been viewed in society across generations, a complex and responsive consideration of campus consumption may shed light on the historical and the current transition from in loco parentis to a duty to care.

This case study is designed for use in graduate courses in student affairs and higher education administration. This case presents some of the challenges that higher education professionals face concerning policies and laws as they relate to student mental illness and emotional support animals. Requests for emotional support animals are becoming more common, and institutions must determine how to accommodate such requests as required by law, while also ensuring a safe educational environment for all students. This case highlights the complex issues that administrators must confront as well as provides students the opportunity to evaluate important issues via the deconstruction of this complex case.

As colleges and universities respond to the COVID-19 outbreak, many in the media call it "unprecedented." This is not the first time that institutions of higher education have had to respond to an epidemic, however. A historical review of college and university reactions to illnesses such as yellow fever and the 1918 influenza pandemic provides prior examples of institutional responses to epidemic diseases.

The role of the academic library, student library usage, and faculty perceptions of student learning have been ongoing discussions for many years. The purpose of this study was to bring those conversations together and illustrate how students at a mid-size university are currently using their library, preferences for library space usage, and faculty/staff perceptions of usage. This study was conducted to determine how to effectively bring the expectations of students and library faculty/staff together. Data results show library faculty/staff perceptions of student usage did not always align with the actual student usage, especially concerning traditional library services and resources.

Expectations of campus safety and security are inherent in the development of policies internal to the campus environment as well as to national regulations inclusive of Title IX, the Clery Act, and so forth. Yet, there seems to be an ongoing concern that international students may have heightened risk or are less likely to report violations of policies and regulations. This research is focused on determining to what extent awareness of policies and regulations often linked to equality on campus are a part of international student orientations and outreach. By examining the timing, manner, and extent of training, this article seeks to add to the study of ways that campuses may better engage, prepare, and serve students engaged in international education experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case is for use in graduate courses pertaining to student affairs and higher education administration. It presents challenges higher education professionals face concerning anonymous social media, and specifically how threats made through anonymous social media platforms such as Yik Yak affect the entire university community. The anonymity of Yik Yak users poses difficulties for administrators when harassment and threats occur, whether directed toward one student or an entire campus community. This case highlights the complex issues that administrators must confront as well as provides students the opportunity to evaluate such issues via the deconstruction of this multifaceted case.

This case study is designed for graduate students interested in higher education finances. It presents the challenges that higher education is facing regarding financial exigency elements that have led to responses with a primary focus on mergers. This financial exigency process has also caused increased legal considerations in higher education settings as administrators, faculty, staff, and alumni challenge finances in academic settings. This case highlights the complex issues that administrators must confront while considering mergers that will provide students an opportunity to evaluate the complex issues related to the financial status of an institution of higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case is for use in graduate courses in student affairs and higher education administration. It presents the challenges faced by student affairs professionals at the University of Virginia where some students participate in an annual high-risk drinking practice that has resulted in injuries and even death. Student affairs professionals at the university have attempted to address this dangerous practice for almost 20 years with minimal success. This case highlights the complex issues that administrators must often face as well as provides students the opportunity to evaluate the complex issues from the perspectives of the various constituencies involved.