Thank you for your interest in applying to the Department of Educational Leadership at the University of North Dakota.

All prospective students must apply using our online application available through the University's Graduate School.  Go to . http://www.und.edu/dept/grad/

Please read below to determine the admissions requirements for this degree program:

The following criteria will be used to assess a student's application for admission into the doctoral programs in the Department of Educational Leadership. No single criterion can adequately predict a student's probable success in graduate work; as such, candidates for admission to the masters programs are evaluated on the following criteria:

• Completion of a master's degree (see graduate school guidelines for acceptable degrees)
• Undergraduate & junior-senior grade-point averages
• Grade point average from all previous graduate work (minimum of 3.0 required)
• Professional resume
• Educational leadership essay
• Statement of professional goals
• Writing sample
• Three (3) letters of recommendation
• TOEFL score (if applicable)
• Interview (when determined appropriate by admission committee)

Professional Resume

Submit a professional curriculum vitae (c.v.) or resume (no more than 5 pages) that includes the following information: educational background, work-related experience, conference presentations (if applicable), publications (if applicable), professional honors and awards, and any other experiences you believe may aid the admission committee in evaluating your application.

Educational Leadership Essay

Please type a response to the following essay. The response should not exceed 800 words.

Question: Identify a current state, national, or international problem, dilemma, or controversial situation affecting educational leaders in either the K-12 or higher education context. Describe the nature of the issue, effective strategies for addressing the issue, and the role of an effective leader in implementing those strategies.

Statement of Professional Goals

Submit a typed essay discussing your professional goals and aspirations, including how your current skills along with advanced study of educational leadership will aid you in the attainment of those goals.

Letters of Recommendation

Submit a minimum of three letters of recommendation that collectively can attest to the your academic and professional aptitude. The successful applicant's references will speak to the prospective student's potential success in graduate-level work as well as his/her ability to complete the program requirements. Potential recommenders may include a faculty member, academic advisor, or current supervisor.  

Writing Sample

Include with your application an individually-authored sample of your writing that the admission committee can use to evaluate your ability as a writer and potential success in the doctoral program. The minimum length of the sample is five pages and should not exceed 30 pages. Examples of possible writing samples include, but are not limited to, journal articles, paper from a course, or some written work product such as a manual or technical report.