Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership & Policy

• Master's degree in the area of Educational Leadership and Policy or an equivalent degree with high academic standing from a recognized university.
• The applicant must be in a leadership position in education, or must have held a leadership position, or must demonstrate potential for leadership.

All applicants must submit: 

• Transcript(s) from each post-secondary institution attended.
• Two letters of reference (one academic and one professional).
• Resumé that provides clear and complete information about the applicant's work or field experience related to their proposed studies.
• Answers to faculty admissions questions (applicants are to answer each question in an essay format). Please see questions in the next accordion.
• In addition to the answers to faculty admissions questions, a supplementary writing sample is required, which will help the admissions committee to assess an applicant's readiness to succeed in rigorous coursework and to conduct systematic research for the EdD. Applicants typically submit a master's-level Major Research Paper or thesis as their writing sample. Applicants who do not have a Major Research Paper or thesis must provide a writing sample that showcases their ability to write clearly and analytically about educational issues. Examples include a master’s-level course paper, a policy document, and a professional publication.

Applicants are to answer each question in an essay format. 

• Please address the following (2000 words max): 
  • Describe your academic background, professional experiences, community service and other relevant experiences and accomplishments and how they relate to PK-12 Educational Leadership and Policy. If your academic background is not in education or a related social science field, you are encouraged to describe how your experiences have prepared you for the program. 
  • Discuss your research potential, prior research experience (if any), as well as any other related skills or experiences that make you a strong candidate for a research-stream program. This may include a master’s thesis, major research paper or other capstone project, and/or conducting research in professional, practitioner, or policy contexts. Discuss any prior experience with academic presentations, conferences and/or publications.  
  • Describe your research interests and/or state the problem of practice you wish to investigate and how. You may want to cite core scholars or readings that orient you in this field.  You should highlight the synergy between the ELP program and your proposed research. You may also want to mention ELP courses that interest you. Review ELP courses.
  • (optional) You are encouraged to speak to your academic and professional goals (after graduation) and how pursuing the EdD in Educational Leadership and Policy would advance these goals.  
  • (optional) The Educational Leadership and Policy program seeks to maintain a diverse, inclusive, and engaged learning community. You are encouraged to identify any ways that your identity (including--but not limited to--ancestry, culture, gender, race, religion, socio-economic status or other social identities) or life experience will contribute to this community. 
  • (optional) Is there any additional information you want to share with the Admissions Committee that will inform their review of your application? 
• Indicate the faculty member(s) you would like to work within the program and why. How will the expertise of the faculty member(s) support your proposed research? Note you do not need to secure a supervisor prior to applying. Please take time to review descriptions of the Educational Leadership & Policy faculty members here (200 words max) 
• Delivery options – although not all elective and research methods courses are offered in each modality, students may be able to complete the EdD degree program through one of two delivery modes: In-person: students will mainly complete their coursework and other program requirements in-person, with up to one-third of their coursework online; and Hybrid: students will experience a mix of modes of engagement, with some of their coursework and other program requirements in-person and between one-third and two-thirds of their coursework online, depending on their choice of elective and research methods courses, or an (optional) collaborative specialization. Are you available for in-person or hybrid study? (select one)
  • Yes, I am available for in-person study.
  • Yes, I am available for hybrid study.
  • No, I am available for online study only. For a hybrid EdD where in-person components are delivered in short on-campus institutes, please consider applying to the EdD in International Educational Leadership and Policy.