Frequently Asked
Questions
These are some of the prospective
students' most frequently asked questions about
the Educational Leadership Doctoral Program
at Seattle University.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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CONTACT US
Loyola Hall
Room 407
(206) 296-6170
edlr@seattleu.edu
Leadership Conference
Gonzaga & Seattle Universities' Conference Website
Prospective Students
General Information
Student Advising
Frequently Asked Questions
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Meet the Faculty
John Jacob Gardiner, Ph.D.
Roberto A. Pena, Ph.D.
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Aid
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Bulletin (PDF file)
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