Updated January 3, 2013
EDLR Program Admissions Standards and Process
Graduates of the doctoral program are leaders whose studies, professional experience, and research prepare them to live, work and make a positive difference in an ever-changing world. Students will come from a variety of occupational fields including (but not limited to) education, healthcare, business, theology, non-profit administration and consulting.
The Seattle University Doctorate in Educational Leadership is designed to prepare graduates who:
- Develop and strengthen leadership skills to build team-oriented approaches
- Respond to the changing needs of organizations and strengths of working with diverse populations
- Demonstrate professional skills such as strategic thinking, critical problem solving, effective communication, reflective practice and community building in addition to skills for designing, critiquing, and implementing research relevant to effective leadership practice and community change
- Demonstrate scholarly behavior
- Respond to changing environments and problems, solve new problems and foster the development of adaptive learning organizations
- Demonstrate ethical standards in all leadership practices
In keeping with Seattle University's mission statement, candidates of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The program does not discriminate against any person because of age, ancestry, color, ability, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status. The best-qualified applicants will be accepted up to the number of spaces available for new students. It is anticipated that a maximum of 22 students will be admitted for each cohort.
Admission to the program will be based on the following criteria:
- An earned master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university and a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale) in all graduate-level course work calculated from submitted transcripts; a minimum combined score of 900 on the verbal and quantitative portions of the Graduate Record Examination (General Test) or a 400 on the Miller's Analogy Test (must be taken with the previous 5 years) may substitute for the 3.25 GPA
- Receipt of current transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Submission of a writing sample that demonstrates satisfactory preparation for scholarly research and publication; demonstration of effective oral communication skills
- Demonstration of graduate-level research competency
- A minimum of three years of mid- or upper-level leadership experience, to include supervision and team participation
- Two letters of recommendation that address the applicant's academic and professional competence as well as scholarship potential. At least one letter must be from your most recent supervisor who will support the applicant during enrollment in the program
- A current resume
- A personal statement that describes the applicant's prior experience as it relates to the requirements of the doctoral program to include ability to effectively engage in doctoral-level studies and research; applicants must address, in their personal statement, their experience with social justice advocacy and organizational and social change; applicants must discuss how their experience fits within the mission of the doctoral program and that of Seattle University
Applications are being accepted for the summer 2013 Cohort. Priority will be given to those who apply by February 1, 2013; applications received after that date but prior to April 1, 2013 will be considered in the order in which they are received. Learn more details about the admission process for the EDLR Program by clicking here: Online Application.
Applications must be received by the stated deadline date(s). Representatives of the Governance Committee with in core written material and transcripts, interview applicants and create a priority list for admission.
The Governance Committee will develop a series of standardized questions for use during the interview process. All material submitted becomes the property of Seattle University and will be maintained according to institutional records management practices.
In addition to the above detailed criteria, applicants must be able to find support for their research interests through the program's identified concentrations.
For more information on the program, read the detailed fact sheet on our revised program.