Requirements for Application

• A completed master's degree with a GPA of at least 3.00.
• Experience in full-time administrative or leadership role in higher education for 3 or more years. 
• Application fee.
  • For domestic applicants, the application fee is $55; for international applicants, the fee is $65. You can pay your fee online through the SLATE application process.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required.

Required Documents for Application

Under the Program Information section on the Slate application, first choose your program Educational Leadership & Policy EDD program, and upload the following:

• Resume or Vita that includes academic and professional information and demonstrates career development (i.e. leadership roles, professional activities, and volunteer involvement)
• Statement of Purpose (Limit statement to 500 words or less) Describe the following:
  • Your reason for seeking this degree and your career aspirations upon completing an Ed.D.
  • How you see the program fitting into your academic and professional trajectory.

• Writing Sample
  • Using the statement and questions below, submit an essay that responds to the topic. (Limit response to 1000 words)
  • Describe a significant professional accomplishment that required strategic thinking, relationship building, and perseverance related to social justice and/or equity. Define what made this a source of accomplishment and describe what challenges you had to overcome to achieve the goal(s). What values, interests, and issues represented in this accomplishment motivate you to pursue advanced study in educational leadership?

• Three letters of recommendation, which should be written by:
  • A faculty member from whom you have previously taken a class. The letter should address your skills and abilities to navigate the academic rigor of doctoral education.
  • Current/prior direct supervisor who will address your future potential for leadership in higher education.
  • A third person who can speak to your academic or professional potential to lead social change in higher education.
  • Letters will be submitted through the Slate application website

Priority submission by February 1, 5pm MT.

Designed as a 48-credit, 3-year cohort program, our EdD curriculum offers students the opportunity to engage a wide range of topics related to equity-minded leadership and social change. Each course in the sequence also builds toward our innovative Capstone design that provides opportunity for students to spend intentional time and energy focused on addressing a problem of practice in higher education as it relates to equity and inclusion.

The capstone is NOT a modified dissertation – instead, the capstone consists of two parts: 1) a research paper examining the problem, theory, literature, and context in which the problem exists and 2) a formal proposal addressed to an administrative body who makes decisions about funding and supporting new programs or projects (similar to an extensive grant proposal).

Required Courses in the First Two Years:

• History and Foundations of Higher Education Leadership
• College Students and Campus Environments
• Governance, Policy and Political Contexts for Equity-Minded Leadership
• Addressing Inequality in Higher Education
• Theory-to-Practice in Higher Education
• Reflexive Practice for Higher Education Leaders
• Evidence-Based Systems Change
• Budgeting and Finance for Equity-Minded Leadership
• Strategic Planning, Evaluation & Assessment for Equity
• Managing Crisis in Higher Education
• Equity-Centered Mindfulness and Wellness for Leadership
• Literature Review for Capstone

Elements of the Capstone are folded into coursework throughout the program. In addition, all credits in the third academic year (fall and spring semesters) are fully dedicated to mentored drafting and revision of the capstone project.

University Information

• ELP Higher Education Seminar Series
• Graduate School
• University of Utah Catalog
• University of Utah Academic Calendar

Department Information

• ELP Department Student Handbook

We will be hosting four Virtual Information Sessions on our EdD program on the following dates:

• Monday, October 21st, 5:00pm-6:00pm MT
• Thursday, November 14th, 5:00pm-6:00pm MT
• Thursday, December 5th , 4:30pm-5:30pm MT
• Thursday, January 9th, 5:00pm-6:00pm MT

Please register here.

While sessions will not be recorded, you are welcome to contact the Program Director after each session to request a copy of the slides and ask any outstanding questions.