Because the program is jointly administered, every aspect of its operation is negotiated collaboratively through a consensus approach by the participating universities. This shared organizational structure ensures the smooth joint functioning of the doctoral program:

• The Inter-University Doctoral Administrative Committee (the IDAC) oversees the day-to-day operations of the doctoral program including admissions, approval of students’ programs of study, and approval of supervisory committees. The six-member committee comprises the Doctoral Program Coordinator and one other elected or appointed faculty member from each of the three participating universities. The elected Chair serves a three-year term. The Doctoral Program Office is supported by an Administrative Assistant, and rotates among the three universities on a three-year term.
• The Inter-University Doctoral Governance Committee (IDGC, herein the Governance Committee) monitors the quality of the doctoral program and attends to policies and fiscal affairs. It comprises the three Vice Presidents Academic and the Chair of IDAC.
• The inter-university doctoral program is financially supported through government funding, tuition, faculty research grants, and student scholarships and bursaries. Targeted portions of these monies support the Doctoral Program Office and an Administrative Assistant.
• The program serves identical overall goals at all participating universities (see Program Objectives).
• There is a common tuition fee for all participating universities
• The fields of study (six interrelated themes) reflect the cumulative, ongoing foci of faculty research at the three participating universities.
• Students are prepared to become educational researchers regardless of the theme(s) they choose to explore in their doctoral studies.
• The course work and degree requirements are identical across the participating universities, and have been approved by each respective Senate.
• Calendar descriptions of the program are virtually identical across the participating universities, accommodating respective Senate regulations for the said descriptions. Course numbers vary from one university to another. There exists agreed-upon protocols for course registration among the participating universities.