FAQ
These are some of the prospective students' most frequently asked questions about the Educational Leadership Doctoral Program at Seattle University.
When can a program of studies be formally proposed?
Initial discussion of the program of studies takes place with the student's assigned academic advisor during Summer and Fall of the first year; the formal approval process usually occurs during Winter Quarter of the first year.
How should a student proceed in developing a program?
Transcripts are required for any transfer credit included in the program. Submit all supporting transcripts, letters, bulletin descriptions, etc. Do this as soon as possible!
Discuss all questions with the academic advisor.
Submit a rough draft.
Complete the process in January of the Winter quarter seminar, or if problems arise, as soon thereafter as possible, but no later than the end of the Winter quarter of the first year.
Students should be sure to sign and date the form and to keep a copy for their records.
What happens to the program once it has been submitted to the advisor?
The academic advisor reviews it. If there are problems, the plan is returned to the student for revision.
It is the student's responsibility to ensure that transcripts, documentation of transfer classes and other materials needed to finalize the program of studies are submitted. (Even though students have submitted official transcripts during the application process, they must submit additional transcripts with the three copies of the program of studies.) Students may submit copies or unofficial transcripts to the advisor.
Once the advisor has approved the program of studies, the Program Director reviews it and either signs it or returns it for revision. The program office retains one copy for the student's file and distributes the other approved copies to the student and the Registrar. If the approved plan has not been received by the student within three weeks after submission, the student should check with the advisor or the program office.
If any credits are approved for transfer as part of the program of study, it is the obligation of the student to submit a "Petition to the Dean for Exception to Policy" requesting that the credits be approved for transfer by the University. NOTE: approval of the program of study does NOT constitute University approval of the transfer of credits. University approval of transfer of credits requires the official written approval of the Dean of the College of Education and the Registrar of the University.
Can an approved program of studies be amended?
Yes, the amendment process is the same as described above for the original program, i.e., academic advisor and Program Director. It is essential that approved program of studies and actual program of studies remain congruent because at program completion it is satisfying all the commitments made on the program of study that qualifies a student for the degree. Please note that no one can orally approve an amendment to a program of study.
Can transfer credit be included in a program of study?
Yes, BUT transfer credits in an approved program of study are ONLY a recommendation by the program that the credits be accepted for transfer by the College of Education and the University. The written approval of the Dean of the College of Education and the Registrar are required for official University approval. The limits and conditions for the approval of transfer credit and are outlined below. Transfer credits are:
Limited to a maximum of 15 graduate level credits.
Only for courses which have received a minimum of a "B" grade. Courses that have been graded P, S, or Credit require an additional petition for exception to policy to the Dean of the College of Education and often requires a letter from the instructor. Even then there is no guarantee the P, S, or Credit graded credits will be accepted for transfer.
Must be completed after the first master's degree. The first master's degree is a prerequisite to admission to the doctoral program. No credits from a prerequisite can be applied to the doctoral degree.
Applicable toward a graduate degree at the regionally accredited university where it was taken. Normally, courses must be 500 level or above and be taught by a doctoral level faculty member.
No older than 6 years at the time all requirements for the doctorate are satisfied. Eligible credit earned at SU prior to acceptance in the doctoral program must be included as part of the 15 transfer credit maximum.
Once a student is enrolled in the doctoral program, courses available at SU may not be taken elsewhere for transfer credit unless the student resides outside a reasonable commuting distance, e.g., Portland, Yakima or British Columbia and the credits are approved by the advisor, Program Director, and Dean of the College of Education.
What process must be used to assure that transfer credit is approved and counted toward the degree?
In ALL cases, an official transcript showing the completed work must be on file in the SU Registrar's Office. Aside from that, the details vary depending on when or where the transfer course has been taken:
Transfer courses taken at SU before admission to the doctoral program can be transferred by submitting an Exception to Policy Petition Form for approval of the transfer.
Transfer courses taken elsewhere prior to admission to the doctoral program can also be included by submitting an Exception to Policy Petition Form for approval of the proposed credits.
Transfer Credit taken after admission to the doctoral program can be accomplished in one of two ways: Either: (1) Prior to taking the course the student must obtain approval by a "Petition to the Dean for Exception to Policy" form. Mention of transfer credits on the program of study and approval of the program of study does NOT constitute SU approval of the transfer credits. OR: (2) Once the course has been completed, the official transcript for the course must be submitted to the SU Registrar (which is enough if 6.c.1 above was done). If 6.c.1 above was not done, it is necessary to fill out and process a "Petition to the Dean for Exception to Policy" requesting that the credit from the course be accepted and transferred to the student's SU transcript and applied toward meeting the student's credit requirements for the degree.
Can courses taken prior to admission to the doctoral program be used to waive specific degree or certification requirements?
Yes, but the burden of proof of equivalency is on the student. Details beyond course titles are often required. Course syllabi, letters from professors, and catalog descriptions are examples of evidence that can be presented. This is especially important when administration certification competencies are being met.
If a graduate course equivalent to one of the Professional Education requirements has been completed but the credits are not transferable for some reason, can it still be used to waive the specific content requirement?
Yes. This doesn't reduce the number of credits required in the Professional Education category nor for the degree, but it does open up room for electives. Such waivers are not automatic, however. For example, an education law course taken 10 years ago may be too out-of-date to waive the requirement. Students should discuss these issues with their advisors.
May the program be completed in less than three years?
No, because EDLR 641, 642, and 643 (formerly EDLR 603) are required of all and are taken as a cohort during the third year.
What happens when a student takes more than three years to complete the degree requirements?
Two points are relevant to everyone going beyond three years:
The degree is posted to the transcript at the end of the quarter when the student completes the degree requirements, but
there is only one annual formal graduation ceremony at the end of the Spring Quarter of the year (which includes, in order, Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring) in which all requirements have been satisfied.
Other effects vary depending on how far beyond three years a student goes:
No extra fees, registration nor credit are required if all work has been completed prior to the end of Summer School following the third year.
If a student goes into a fourth year and/or beyond, enrollment in EDLR 612 (0 credits, $750 fee) is required during ALL quarters beginning with the Fall of the 4th year. Enrollment in EDLR 612 is also required for the final quarter during which the student completes the degree requirements. EDLR 612 is required over and above the credits in the student's approved program of studies. In addition, beginning with Cohort 24, all students will be required to register in at least one credit of EDLR 610 (dissertation research) during the quarter in which the degree is granted.
If a student does not register for EDLR 612 or for a credit-bearing course during the summer following the completion of the 3rd year, the student is required to register for EDLR 649. If a student does not register for EDLR 649 when required, it is presumed that the student has withdrawn from the program and the student will be required to apply for re-admittance and be accepted in order to become an active student in good standing.
Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 1 EDLR 610 credit in the quarter in which their degrees are granted. This may result in students accumulating more than the number of dissertation credits indicated on his/her program of studies.
What if a student wants to earn a certificate as part of the doctoral program?
That can be done, but the details are not discussed here. For example, see the internship guidelines for a list of internships possible in the three K-12 administration certification areas: Superintendent, Principal and Program Administration. These three certificate programs can be incorporated into doctoral degree requirements. However, Superintendent and Principal certification programs normally require more than 90 credit hours for completion of the doctoral degree.
Those seeking a superintendent, principal, or program administrator certificate should use the appropriate special EDLR program of study forms.
More information
This website has most of the information available, but we can mail you brochures and catalogues. The faculty is always available to discuss the programs. The University has a graduate open house every quarter. The next open house will be Friday, Oct. 24 from 5-7 PM.
Seattle University College of Education
Educational Leadership Program
Loyola Hall 407
Seattle WA 98122
Telephone: 206-296-6170
Fax: 206-296-2053