University Admission Requirements

A student applying to a doctoral program must:

• have earned a master's degree or equivalent in a discipline appropriate to the specific doctoral program
• have a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a scale in which an A is a 4.0) for the last 60 hours of undergraduate work (approximately the junior and senior years)
• have a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a scale in which an A is a 4.0) for all graduate-level coursework
• present unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. The unofficial transcript should be easily readable and clearly indicate degree(s) awarded, courses and course grades for each term. If accepted, official transcripts can be emailed from the university to GraduateAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, Graduate School, 209 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 4040, Normal, IL 61790-4040.

International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Office of Admissions.

Additional Program Admission Requirements

To be considered for this program, you must meet the following requirements.

Resume and Professional Experience

Submit an updated resume that shows at least two years of experience in higher education or in a related agency/organization.

Essay

Review the goals of the higher education program and upload an essay that addresses the following topics.

Your Qualities – What qualities do you possess and what experiences have you had that demonstrate you have the potential to become an educational leader?

Addressing Challenges - Think about a problematic situation you have faced related to one of the goals of the EAF Department. Write a brief description of the problem and then provide a possible interpretation and/or resolution of the problem from at least two different perspectives.

Goals - How do your professional and academic goals relate to the stated goals, curriculum, and focus of the Illinois State University educational administration program? Why have you selected this program?

Knowledge and Experience - In what areas above do you need more experiences or knowledge? Describe how you anticipate the Illinois State University program can help you gain the knowledge and experiences to address those needs.

Dedication to the Program - What qualities do you possess that demonstrate you have the ability, support system, and commitment to complete the rigors of doctoral study and independent research?

Writing Sample

Submit an academic/research writing sample.

Letters of Recommendation

Submit two professional letters of reference. You will also be asked to submit their contact information when applying on the on-line system.

At least one letter should come from an academic source. The second letter may come from a supervisor/administrator. Additional letters may be included.

Letters must address the following with examples or details:

• Leadership experiences
• Ability to make a difference as a higher education leader
• Ability to work with colleagues and staff as a team
• Communication skills
• Demonstrated academic writing ability that displays analytical and critical thinking strengths
• Potential to conduct academic research independently

Admission Dates and Deadlines

Graduate Coordinator