Admission Process and Requirements

Admission to this program is based on a variety of factors, including academic achievement, the probability of success in performing doctoral level work, and perceived fit with the cohort experience. Admission is based on the following criteria.

1. Written Letter of Intent :  Applicants will provide a brief cover letter outlining both their prior experiences that prepared them for graduate study as well as their objectives in pursuing a doctorate in the Educational Leadership program at UTEP.

2. Curriculum Vita/Résumé :  Applicants should submit a curriculum vita that lists educational degrees, work experience, and other information relevant to the application.

3. Letters of Recommendation: Applicants will furnish a minimum of three letters of recommendation from individuals who are able to assess their scholarly potential, past academic performance, and leadership skills.

4. Statement of Personal Belief: Applicants will provide a written statement of their personal beliefs related to significant educational leadership issues. This statement should also outline relevant past experiences which have led the applicant to this point in their academic career, and describe of future goals related to the completion of the doctorate in educational leadership and administration.  This statement helps faculty members assess compatibility between applicant goals and program focus, and serves as a writing sample.  This statement must be written in English.

5. Completion of a Master’s Degree:   Students entering the doctoral program should have completed a master’s degree in educational administration or leadership, or an equivalent field.  In cases where the degree was not in the field of educational administration or leadership, students may be required to enroll in master’s level courses and other learning experiences as determined by the program faculty advisor.  Courses required to remove deficiencies or meet prerequisites will not count toward meeting doctoral degree credit-hour requirements. These requirements must be met before permission will be granted to enroll in the doctoral core courses. 

6. Transcripts:  Applicants must submit official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate course work documenting academic performance. Generally, a minimum grade point average of at least 3.25 on all graduate-level course work is expected.

7. TOEFL International Applicants for whom English is not a primary language must also provide evidence of acceptable  scores (minimum of 550) attained on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). With permission of the department, students scoring lower than 550 may apply to the program providing they are attending formal English classes and attain a score of 550 within a year. International students seeking a graduate assistantship need to attain a score of 600. Applicants can submit scores of tests taken within the previous two years.

8. Graduate Record Exam (GRE): All applicants must submit verbal, quantitative and analytical writing scores from the GRE General Test. Scores must accompany the application.  The GRE should be scheduled at least 6 weeks prior to the application deadline in order to ensure that scores will be received prior to review of candidate materials.  (For GRE schedules call the GRE Center at 1-800-473-2255 or the Prometric Center in El Paso at 842-7500.)

9. Additional Information :  Applicants may submit any additional information (publications, papers submitted in graduate courses, etc.) that might enhance your application

10. Faculty Interview :  After the faculty has received the completed applications, selected applicants will be invited to meet with members of the EDLF doctoral faculty prior to the determination of final admission status.  The purpose of the interview is to establish compatibility between an applicant's goals and interest and goals of the doctoral program.

Selection of Doctoral Student Cohort

The final selection of doctoral students by the EDLF faculty is accomplished by the following:

• review and detailed assessment of all application materials;
• discussion and evaluation of the applicant's oral interview;
• consideration of the congruence between the applicant's interests and faculty expertise; and,
  
• availability of departmental resources.
  

Applicants who consistently demonstrate potential for success throughout the application process may be accepted to the Ed.D. Program. Successful applicants typically demonstrate excellence in their academic and professional pursuits; have clearly articulated goals that demonstrate a commitment to the doctoral program and to the field of educational leadership and administration, and share the academic and research interests of the EDLF faculty.

Admission to the Ed.D program is competitive.  The number of applicants commonly exceeds the faculty resources available to provide an appropriate level of academic support for each new and continuing student. As a result, it is often necessary to deny admission to otherwise qualified applicants.  The decision to deny a doctoral application for admission is only made after thorough consideration and thoughtful deliberation by the EDLF faculty.

Letters of Addmission or Non-Admission to Doctoral Program

The Office of the Graduate School will advise doctoral applicant in writing whether they have been admitted or not admitted to the doctoral program.

Application Process

Application deadline: March 15 (all application materials must be received by this date).

Cohort selection:  Process will be completed by April 15. 

• Letter of intent
• Curriculum vitae/resume
• Typed, double-space statement of personal beliefs regarding educational leadership, which includes short and long term career goals and aspirations (maximum 1,500 words)
• Three letters of reference that focus on applican't achievements, leadership ability and aptitude for graduate study
• Any additional information (publications, papers submitted in graduate courses, etc.) that may enhance the application

To:       Doctoral Program/Educational Leadership and Foundations Department 
             Education Building Room 501 / UTEP 
             500 W. University Ave. 
             El Paso, Texas 79968

For further information about the program, contact: 
Department of Educational Leadership and Foundations
Phone: (915) 747-5300 / Fax: (915) 747-5838