Apply

This is a cohort-based program; all members of the cohort will begin in the summer of each new academic year. Applications are due January 8 to begin in the summer of the same calendar year.

Please submit your application via the MSU Graduate Education Application Portal.

Please review each section of this webpage in its entirety to assist you with your application.

To apply to the Ed.D. Leadership for Equity Minded Change in Postsecondary Education (LEMCPE) 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: Once the application fee is received, you will be prompted to upload your additional materials. 

Application Materials

The LEMCPE Ed.D. admissions committee considers the following criteria. Details about each of these items will be provided soon:

• Master’s degree and five years of professional experience in higher education or related field.
• Academic transcripts showing the award of undergraduate and master’s degrees.
• A copy of the applicant’s CV or resume.
• Three letters of recommendation, at least one of which speaks to your professional experience and one that speaks to your academic capabilities.
• Personal statement (see below)

Personal Statement

Please answer each of the following questions in 250 words or less. 

1. How does the Ed.D. program in Leadership for Equity-Minded Change in Postsecondary Education align with your personal and professional goals? 
2. How do you personally define equity-minded change, and how do you advance equity-minded change in your leadership and professional practice? 
3. The Ed.D. in Leadership for Equity-Minded Change in Postsecondary Education is built on a cohort model, where you will be working and learning in community with a group of peers to explore equity in postsecondary education. What is your approach to working in a team setting? What qualities, characteristics and values do you bring, and what do you expect from your colleagues and peers, in team-based work?  

Supplementary Question 

We recognize that the required application materials do not always paint a complete picture of your academic, professional, and personal experiences. Please use this space to share any additional information that you feel is not included elsewhere in your application that would be helpful for the admissions committee to know when reviewing your application. [500 words maximum] 

International Applicants

International students seeking admission to the LEMCPE program 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.

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.

Transfer Students

Current graduate students who wish to transfer into the LEMCPE program from another Michigan State University graduate program must complete a new Graduate Application for Admission including all supplemental materials.

Federal and Need-based Aid

Private loans and MSU scholarships are available to qualified graduate students pursuing their Ed.D. This accredited program is eligible for federal student loans, i.e., Direct Unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS loans. 

For more information on private student loans, review the Graduate Loans Resources page (MSU) or read more at MSU Financial Aid.