About the DCCL Program

The Ferris State University Doctorate in Community College Leadership (DCCL) develops leaders of mission-driven, 21st century community colleges. Taught by experienced, high-level community college leaders, this program prepares leaders for the changing environments in higher education through real-world problems and cases. This blended program requires minimal on-site time. A key feature of the program is that the dissertation is integrated throughout with a goal to have individuals complete it by the end of the three years of the program.

Below is information for you to explore regarding the DCCL program.

Program Facts

Below are quick facts about the DCCL program:

Started in 2010
Degree = Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
3-year program: courses and dissertation
Hybrid format
- 4 to 5 face-to-face sessions per year
- 7-8 weeks' online engagement per course
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

These numbers reflect vital statistics in DCCL’s evolution:

Twenty-one of the first cohort successfully completed the program.
Cohort Two has achieved 100% completion through the dissertation, and other cohorts are expected to make this target.
Through May 2020, 197 have completed the program.
An additional 122 are currently enrolled.
By 2023, there will be more than 300 graduates of the program, which is sure to create a “tipping point” in the program’s influence in America.
As of 2020, DCCL grads or students work in 26 states and 100+ colleges.
DCCL has launched 14 cohorts since 2010, including the 11 Michigan-based cohorts, one Harper College (Illinois) cohort, and two Texas-based (Houston) cohorts.
Of particular pride is the fact that 65% of our students/completers are women, reflecting the growing representation of women in leadership roles.
Over the 10 years, more than a third of our students reflect ethnic diversity. This representation is encouraging given the diversity of community college students and the great need for a more representative leadership team. Even more encouraging is that the most recent cohorts are more diverse, with Cohorts Ten, Texas 2, and Cohort Eleven enrolling 50%, 65%, and 61% ethnically diverse students, respectively.

Upcoming Cohorts

Informational Sessions

Contact Us:

Send us a note by email or give us a call. Either way, we are committed to providing you with a personal response typically within a business day. There are a couple of ways to contact us for more information:

Call us directly at (231) 591-2710.
Email us at [email protected]