The Application Process

The Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership Program (Ed.D.) seeks applicants with academic degrees, work experience, communication skills, and leadership potential to meet the challenges and rigor of doctoral studies.

Application Deadline: rolling

Admission Requirements

Applicants will be evaluated by the department admissions committee using the following measures:

  1. A completed application with application fee.
  2. Official transcripts from all institutions attended.
    1. An earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university with a minimum of a 2.75 GPA.
    2. An earned graduate degree (post undergraduate) from a regionally accredited university with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in all work leading to the degree, or
    3. An earned bachelor's degree and extensive previous and current leadership positions.
  3. Personal Statement (1,500 word maximum) addressing the following:
    1. Explain where and how you have the opportunity to apply theory in leadership practice in an organization.
  4. Two letters of recommendation addressing the candidate’s academic capability to complete a doctoral program.
  5. A curriculum vitae or resume.
  6. Applicants must have five years of work experience post-baccalaureate; one year of management/leadership experience is preferred.

Probational Admissions

Applicants who are probationally accepted admits to the Ed.D. program will be able to matriculate into the current Fall Year 1 cohort.

Applicants who are probationally admitted for writing improvement will need to show improvement in their writing quality throughout the first semester in order to continue in the EdD program. At the end of the semester, the program faculty will evaluate the student's progress. If the student's writing meets the program’s standards, the department will recommend that the applicant move forward with the program. However, if the student's writing does not meet those requirements, applicants may not be able to continue in the program.

Enrollment Deadline and Waitlist

A cap in the number of doctoral students admitted to the Ed.D. program helps to maintain a quality student centered experience, and maintain a reasonable student-teacher ratio. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis as completed applications are submitted. Once admitted, students must submit their intent to enroll. A waitlist will be implemented once the program has reached its cohort capacity.