To apply for the Fall semester, all application materials, including the application fee, are due by March 1.
Please review each section of this webpage in its entirety to assist you with your application. Admissions decisions are competitive and made on the basis of program readiness and fit. Decisions also reflect our goal to enroll a diverse cohort with strong potential for leadership and collaborative dissertation research.
To apply to the Doctor of Educational Leadership (Ed.D-DEL) in K-12 Educational Administration Program, complete an application through the Office of Admissions Graduate Application portal and submit the application fee. Information about application fee waivers is available on the Graduate School website. A paid application fee or waiver is required for application review. Then, upload the required application materials (listed below) to the Graduate Application portal.
Please note: You will be prompted to supply only part of your required materials during the first portion of the application. Once the application fee is received, you will be prompted to upload your additional materials.
Application Process
The K12 EdD admissions committee considers the following criteria:
Three (3) Letters of Reference
All applicants must include three letters of reference. At least one letter should be an academic reference from someone who can speak directly to the applicant’s academic ability and accomplishments, by documenting evidence on how the student will excel in graduate study. Academic references should be from a referee with a terminal degree. If possible, this letter should come from a faculty member from a graduate or undergraduate program in which the applicant was enrolled. The remaining letters may be academic or professional references from individuals who can speak to the characteristics, skills, and abilities the applicant has that will support their success in the Ed.D.-DEL program.
Statement of Purpose
A statement of purpose should be provided, detailing how:
- your education and professional experiences shape your desire to pursue graduate study,
- how they have readied you for doctoral study,
- your long-term career interests and goals, and
- how the EdD program serves those interests. Be sure to upload this as a supplemental document.
Transcript
Send official college-level transcripts from ALL higher education institutions attended prior to the Ed.D.-DEL program at Michigan State University. If your degree has not yet been conferred from your current institution, have your institution send your current transcript to date.
Official transcripts must be sent directly from each degree-granting institution. Many institutions offer electronic submission of official transcripts through an online service such as the National Student Clearinghouse. Contact the institutions you attended to confirm their required process. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure the submission and receipt of official transcripts to the program by the application deadline.
Submitting official transcripts via electronic submission is preferred (e.g., via the National Student Clearinghouse). If this is not possible, official transcripts may be mailed from institutions to:
Admissions Committee, K-12 Educational Administration
Michigan State University
Department of Education
Erickson Hall
620 Farm Lane, Room 402
East Lansing, MI 48824
Electronic copies may be directed to K12adm@msu.edu
We encourage you to upload unofficial copies while waiting for the official copies to arrive. This will allow the program to review your application materials in case of delayed delivery.
We cannot accept unofficial transcripts. Hard copy transcripts are only considered official if they come directly from the institution or are received in the original, sealed envelope from the degree-granting institution with the official seal of the institution. Electronic PDF copies of transcripts uploaded to the application portal by the applicants or emailed to Ed.D.-DEL administration office by the applicants are unofficial.
Writing Sample
Provide a writing sample that best represents:
- your analytic thinking and
- your skills for written expression. Examples might include graduate research papers, grant proposals, research reports, published articles or other professional writing.
Current Resume or Vita
Resumes should be up to date and supplied as a PDF.
International Applicants
International students seeking admission are required to submit a Graduate Application for Admission and indicate their status as an international student. International students must also be able to provide both proof of financial support and proper proficiency in English.
International applicants should provide all previously mentioned application materials, as well as the additional Requirements for International Students:
APPLICANTS FROM CHINESE UNIVERSITIES: The CDGDC verification of transcripts for Chinese applicants has been recently modifed. Please see the following link for important details about the admissions requirements for applicants from Chinese Universities https://grad.msu.edu/verification-process-transcripts-and-degrees-china. Please refer to the China Academic Degree and Graduate Education Development Center (CDGDC) for more details http://www.chinadegrees.cn/en/.
Please review requirements for English Language Competency. If applicable, request your English proficiency test score to be sent directly to the admissions. For more information please visit the English Language Competency site for more information.
Complete the Financial Proof and Affidavit of Support for International Graduate Students to demonstrate the ability to pay for your program and sent to the department. ** This document must originate from your source of support and must be a certified, original statement with stamp and original signature. For more information, visit the Information for International Applicants page of the Michigan State University Graduate School. Additional resources, support, and general information can also be found on the Office for International Students and Scholars website.
Transferring from other Michigan State Graduate Programs
The Ed.D.-DEL program uses a cohort model and does not accept transferred credits. Students with unique circumstances may consult with program directors.
The review committee of K-12 Administration faculty members considers the following in assessing Ed.D-DEL program applications:
- Experience with and potential for educational leadership, outreach, research and scholarship
- Strength of professional background and academic record
- Skills in analysis and written expression
- Alignment of professional goals with the purposes and objectives of the Ed.D-DEL program
- Consistency with Graduate School and College admission requirements
