Doctor of Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) Application Process
Applications to the Doctor of Educational Leadership (DEL) in K-12 Educational Administration are considered until February 15 for the coming fall.
Required Application Materials
NOTE for Prospective Students: We are pleased to announce a new Online Supplemental Application System. As you submit your application materials, please follow the Ed.D. Application process.
Follow these steps to ensure a complete application:
Please note: You will not be able to begin the OSAS process until you complete the Graduate School application. You will receive a password to OSAS within a few days after you submit the Graduate School application. Please keep this in mind as you identify individuals to complete your letters of recommendation.
- Complete the online MSU Graduate School application, including the following:
- On-line graduate study application for admission (EAD K-12 Ed.D. Program Code is
6752 ).
- Pay $50 application fee.
- Academic statement and personal statement of purpose
- The graduate school asks for an academic statement and personal statement of purpose. Under each field, please enter "Please see my personal statement uploaded on the K-12 online supplemental application system"
- Complete the Online Supplemental Application System (OSAS).
- Provide information for three recommenders. The applicant should choose persons who are familiar with his or her academic and/or professional abilities and those individuals writing reference letters should be encouraged to be as specific as possible in their comments.
- Upload a PDF version of your resume listing each activity that accounts for your time since earning a bachelor’s degree (e.g., employment, military service, travel). Be sure to include the type of activity, name of your employer, city/state, and dates. List the most recent activity first.
- Upload your PDF version of your personal statement.This required statement should describe: how the applicant's professional and educational experiences have influenced the desire to pursue graduate study, the broader, long-term career interests of the applicant and how the K-12 program relates to those interests, and the applicant's goals and objectives for graduate study. This statement is used to determine if the applicant's goals are consistent with those of the program and to assess the clarity and coherence of the applicant's writing.
- Provide a writing sample that best represents the analytic and integrative thinking of the applicant. Examples of material might include research papers completed for a graduate class, grant proposals, research reports or other professional writing, or published articles.
- Supply scores from Graduate Record Examination taken within the last five years (MSU's ETS Institution Code is R1465).
- Send one copy of official transcript showing any confirmed Bachelor's degrees (and Master's degree, if obtained) from an accredited institution. If confirmed degree is not stated on the transcript, provide a certified copy of the degree certificate.
Cecelia Highstreet, Admissions Secretary
K-12 Educational Administration
Department of Educational Administration
Erickson Hall
620 Farm Lane Rm. 402
East Lansing, MI 48824-1034
Phone: (517) 353-8480 / Fax: (517) 884-1392
Email: k12adm@msu.edu
International students will also need:
- Request English proficiency test score to be sent directly to the department, program code is 6752.
International students whose first language is not English must meet requisite language proficiency requirements. The results of these tests should be sent directly to our department from the testing service. Please see MSU guidelines for recommended scores.
- 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.
We encourage you to keep copies of all application materials for your records.
The review committee of K-12 Administration faculty members considers the following in assessing doctoral 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 doctoral program
- Consistency with Graduate School and College admission requirements
U.S. Residents
U. S. applicants who are not already admitted to graduate study at MSU must submit the Graduate Application for Admission. An application fee and college transcripts of all previous academic work must be submitted with this form.
International Students
International students who have not been admitted to graduate study at MSU are required to submit: 1) the International Graduate Application for Admission, 2) proof of financial support, and 3) proof of proficiency in English. For additional information about these requirements, please see http://grad.msu.edu/apply/ or contact:
Office of International Students and Scholars
103 International Center
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: (517) 353-1720 or
email: oiex@pilot.msu.edu
Transferring from other Michigan State Graduate Programs
Applicants who wish to transfer into the K-12 program from another MSU graduate program not in the Department of Educational Administration must complete a new application, including the Graduate Application for Admission and all supplemental materials to the K-12 Unit. Current students in the Department of Educational Administration looking to transfer to another program within the Department of Educational Administration should consult their faculty advisor and the K-12 Unit Coordinator.
If you would like additional information or have any questions, please contact:
Cecelia Highstreet, Admissions Secretary
K-12 Educational Administration
Department of Educational Administration
Erickson Hall
620 Farm Lane Rm. 402
East Lansing, MI 48824-1034
Phone: (517) 353-8480 / Fax: (517) 884-1392
Email: k12adm@msu.edu
