Applying to the Program
Admissions Guidelines for the Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction
The College of Education offers two different Doctor of Education programs. The Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction (founded 1997), and an Ed.D. in Educational Technology (founded 2012). Applicants for either Ed.D. program must apply to the Graduate College . Within the application, you’ll choose one of the two Ed.D. paths, as well as the semester you’d like to start. If you have any problems uploading documents, please contact the Graduate College staff.
Application Deadlines
- Fall start: Feb. 1
- Spring start: Oct. 1
- Summer start: Mar. 1
(Deadlines): The dates are recommended for full consideration of the application. Dates later than those shown might be considered for the term shown, but depending on the total number of submissions, the application might be held until the next application review period.
(Summer Session): Summer session starts in early May. Applicants must have completed a master’s degree by the end of March of that year to enroll.
Admission Requirements & Preferences
- Undergraduate GPA
- We strongly prefer a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
- Graduate GPA
- We strongly prefer a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
- Graduate Degree
- Ed.D. in C&I: Completion of at least a master’s degree in a field related to education or the functional equivalent (ex., educational psychology, learning sciences, instructional design, etc.)
REQUIRED MATERIALS
Transcripts
- We need both undergraduate and graduate transcripts
- You can upload unofficial transcripts (digital copies you have them) for an initial review
- You must have each institution of higher education you attended (regardless of whether or not you finished a degree at them) send an official transcript to the Graduate College.
Additional Documents
- A letter of application in which you address:
- A description of professional experiences and how this has led you to seek a doctoral degree in education
- A statement of your career goals
- A description of your research interests and how these interests might be aligned to faculty in the College of Education.
- A professional resume or vitae
- A recent sample of scholarly and/or professional writing (e.g., a substantial writing project for a graduate course, Master’s thesis or project, scholarly papers or publications, project reports, grant proposal, etc.)
Please note that GRE scores are not required for the application, but TOEFL scores are required if the applicant is a foreign national who has completed their undergraduate or graduate degrees outside the United States.
Recommendations
In the application procession, you will be asked to provide the name of three people who can attest to your personal and professional integrity, professional effectiveness, potential to lead, and academic capabilities. The references do not have to write a letter; they can fill out a form that will automatically be sent by the Graduate College’s application system. You (the applicant) will not be able to upload reference letters to the system.
Application Process and Decision Making Process
Once all required application materials are in place, applicants who’ve completed the application by the due date may be asked to complete either a synchronous (via Zoom) or an asynchronous interview (via web-based form), which help us better understand the applicant’s interests, needs, and goals. A completed application packet will be available to the program area coordinator, who will work with other faculty and staff in the College of Education regarding the admissions decisions. Keep in mind that some of the most important data points for making admission decisions is the match in research interest and the capacity of faculty to provide mentorship.
The materials will be reviewed by the College of Education’s faculty members, who will use the information to make an admissions recommendation. The Graduate College Dean’s Office makes all final admission decisions.