EdD in Leadership - Higher Education Student Affairs

Admission to the graduate school requires the completion of all standard admissions requirements in addition to the program-specific admission requirements outlined below.

Candidates are required to write three essays. The essays are an opportunity for you to share with us why the pursuit of an EdD in Leadership at Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling will help you realize your goals.

Please write an essay on EACH of the following three topics. Each of your essays should not exceed 500 words. You will be able to upload each essay through the online application process.

1. The Lewis & Clark doctoral program is designed to assist in the development of educational leaders with a commitment to social justice and equity. Share your understanding of the concept of leadership for social justice and equity. Include references to literature and research that you deem relevant and have helped shape your perspective on this concept. Describe how you have already demonstrated leadership and a commitment to social justice and equity in your professional life and how you plan to do so in the future.
2. How have your life experiences enriched your perspective on diversity, equity, and inclusion? Can you share instances where you’ve harnessed your strengths and assets, or navigated challenges during your journey towards graduate education? How have these experiences influenced your aspirations and commitment to pursuing a degree with Lewis & Clark?
3. Explain what aspect of educational leadership or policy you plan to make the focus of your advanced study and dissertation research. Why have you selected this focus?

We require letters of recommendation from three individuals who know you and are qualified to evaluate your academic competence, character and/or experience in professional or leadership roles.

Letters of recommendation are among the most important aspects of a doctoral application. The Educational Leadership faculty and Graduate Admissions Committee use recommendations to assess a candidate’s past accomplishments and determine potential for success. To present a well-rounded portrait of yourself as a candidate and a professional, we suggest that you request references from a former professor who is familiar with your academic ability, a supervisor who is knowledgeable about your leadership and professional work, and a colleague who can provide a composite picture of you as a professional.

All applicants must hold a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale), or the equivalent in their graduate degree.

Applicants who have an GPA of less than a 3.0 on their graduate, degree-posted transcript are required to provide a statement that explains their previous academic record

Qualified applicants will be invited to interview with faculty. Selection will be based on initial faculty review of completed applications.

Admitted applicants will be required to confirm their intent to enroll and pay a (non-refundable) $100 tuition deposit to secure a spot in the program. The tuition deposit will be credited toward the student’s first term of enrollment.

The EdD program consists of 60 semester hours. Up to 14 post-master’s graduate degree-applicable semester credits may be transferred into the doctoral program to be counted as electives. The program director will determine the applicability of all transfer credits. The coursework portion of the 46-semester-hour cohort program takes two summers and four semesters (two calendar years) to be completed.

Candidates interested in learning more are encouraged to contact the program director, Dr. Mollie Galloway (galloway@lclark.edu).