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Apply to the Ed.D. Program

Application Requirements

  • The Traditional Program application deadline is February 1.
  • The ELP-Ed.D. Bridge Program application deadline is March 1.
  • Interested candidates should use the UConn online application process through the Graduate School.
  • Courses will be held at UConn Hartford. Note that a portion of the coursework will be delivered remotely. 
  • Please note that graduates of the Ed.D. program do not receive a CT-093 endorsement for the Connecticut superintendency. The Executive Leadership Program is a separate program for pursuing the 093 certification.
  • Applicants to the Ed.D. in Education Leadership ordinarily have the following:
    • A depth and breadth of relevant experience in the field of educational leadership
      • However, CT-092 is not a requirement for admission
    • All applicants must meet the Graduate School requirements for admission into a doctoral program of study

Admissions Timeline

  • Application deadline: February 1 (Traditional pathway) or March 1 (Bridge pathway)
  • Review of applications: February-March
  • Interviews with finalists, if needed: March-April (The program director will contact applicants if interviews will be held).
  • Acceptance letters sent: May
  • Classes begin: August

Application Instructions

  1. Complete the online application from the Graduate School website.
  2. Assemble your application materials for the Graduate School:
    • Official transcripts of all collegiate work (including UConn)
    • (3) Letters of Recommendation
    • TOEFL Scores (if an international student)
  3. Assemble your application materials for the Ed.D. Program in Educational Leadership:
    • Personal Statement. The personal statement should:
      • Describe your interest in pursuing an Ed.D.; and
      • Identify a significant problem of practice faced in your work setting, including an analysis of why this is a problem and how it relates to the improvement of student learning and life outcomes (1500 word maximum).
    • Writing Prompt. Please read the article linked below and respond to the three questions that follow.
      For students with interests in K-12 leadership and change:
      https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/education/articles/10.3389/feduc.2024.1310754/full

      1. What are some of your main takeaways from the article regarding continuous improvement and collective thriving in schools under stress? How does this inform your current view of leadership under pressure?
      2. Describe one or two significant opportunity gaps in your professional context. What policies, structures, and/or routines help mitigate or exacerbate these inequities?
      3. What wonderings does this piece and its descriptions of improvement science leave you with regarding your own problem of practice? How do you envision the skills and tools of an Ed.D. program will help you explore these questions?
        1. AI statement-The purpose of this application is to understand your own perspectives, experiences, and insights about educational leadership in relation to your role as a future doctoral student. While artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT, may be used to check grammar or proofread your final draft, they should not be used to generate ideas, arguments, or reflections. AI must not be used to draft, rephrase, or expand the content of your response. Your response must be authored in your own words. As such, submissions that rely on AI-generated text or fail to reflect students' authentic scholarly voice will be disqualified from admission. By submitting this application, you also certify that this work is your own.
    • Current Resume or Curriculum Vitae

      The applicant should upload these materials to the online application system.

  4.  Interviews with finalists, if needed.
    • The program director will contact applicants if interviews will be held. Notification would take place following the review of all applications in March.

The Admissions Committee will review only completed applications and support materials received by the deadline.