Application Process
The goal is to admit highly qualified students, with clear career objectives, who choose to enter the doctoral program after obtaining a master's degree. To apply for admission to the doctoral program, the applicant must complete the following steps:
- Submit a formal application with the non-refundable application fee of $50. Send all application process materials to the attention of Graduate Admissions.
- Send a current resume that includes a career objective, previous undergraduate and graduate work, work experience, and special recognition or awards. The resume should make clear the number of employees the applicant has supervised in all leadership positions.
- Send at least three recommendation forms from the applicant’s current manager (this may be the chairman of the board of directors or a peer at another organization for CEOs), an academic in higher education, and someone that can speak to the spiritual character of the applicant.
- Prepare and submit a five to six page scholarly essay according to the requirements and outline in the application packet.
- Arrange to have your undergraduate transcript and graduate transcript sent from the accredited institution granting the respective degree. Transcripts should be supplied from all institutions the applicant has attended subsequent to the completion of the bachelor’s degree.
- NOTE: Ed.S. graduates making application to the program must submit a transcript showing the degree was conferred from a regionally accredited institution. Ed.S. applicants who completed their program from another institution must provide evidence that the Ed.S. program completed was nationally recognized by the Educational Leadership Constituents Council (ELCC).
- Arrange to take (or already have taken) the general test portion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) may be substituted at the discretion of the Admissions Selection Committee.
Formal Application Essay
This essay is an essential aspect of the admission process and will be carefully assessed in order to make an informed decision regarding your acceptance into the Ed.D. program. Please follow the guidelines carefully addressing each question. The essay will be assessed in regard to:
- Typed, double-spaced, and numbered with a minimum of five pages and maximum of six pages.
- Clear and convincing response to the questions.
- Organization and presentation (i.e., readability and formatting).
- Evidence of critical thinking that is clearly expressed.
- It should be carefully proof read and use convincing language and phrasing.
- Evidence of scholarly (academic) writing skills that evidences an ability to analyze and integrate literature from the leadership field.
Essay Questions
All questions are to be answered in a manner that demonstrates the scholarship and critical thinking of the applicant. The questions to be addressed in the essay include:
- How will the attainment of the Ed.D. with a major in Organizational Leadership enhance your ability to fulfill your life purpose?
- How will your leadership experience prepare you to excel in a doctoral leadership program?
- How will your current leadership position enable you to put into practice the concepts and principles that you hope to learn in this program?
- What is your understanding of the concept of leadership and of the need for it in your professional field?
- What convincing evidence can you offer that you are prepared for the scholarship necessary to complete doctoral coursework and a dissertation?
- Do you have convincing evidence of sufficient computer skills to engage in online discussion forums, access online library resources, engage in online videoconferencing, word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software?
Admissions Selection Process
The admissions selection process is as follows:
- Submit completed application and forms to Adult Enrollment Services.
- The completed Application Files will be reviewed and evaluated by the Admissions Selection Committee.
- The Admissions Selection Committee will recommend admissions approval to the Chair.
- A letter of approval will be sent to the student by the Chair.
- Students will then confirm their intent to commence the program and send a $200 deposit that can hold a position in the program for the student and be applied to the first tuition and fee statement.
