Admission

Application Deadlines

Completed applications with all supporting documentation must be received by one of the following deadlines for fall admission into the Doctor of Education program.

• Priority deadline: May 1 (apply by this date to receive full consideration for scholarships)
• Regular deadline: June 1

Admission Requirements—Domestic Applicants

The university graduate and program admission requirements below must be met before an application is considered complete.

• Graduate application for admission
• $45 nonrefundable application fee

• Official transcripts from all institutions leading to and awarding the applicant’s bachelor’s and master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and all post-baccalaureate study

  An official transcript is one that Azusa Pacific University receives unopened in an envelope sealed by the former institution and that bears the official seal of the college or university. A cumulative minimum 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average on the posted degree is required for regular admission status. Provisional admittance may be granted to individuals with a lower GPA if competency can be shown through multiple measures.

• Master’s degree in education or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution and a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Two letters of recommendation, completed by individuals who have supervised the applicant and who can attest to the applicant’s potential for doctoral study and leadership
• Evidence of five years of relevant professional experience. Applicants who lack appropriate experience but meet the other admissions criteria may still be considered for admission and, subsequently, complete experiences to broaden their base of practical experience.
• Current professional résumé
• Statement of intent. This should be a double-spaced paper, five to seven pages in length, that details the applicant's (a) educational goals, (b) short- and long-term professional goals, (c) professional activities, (d) research interests to be pursued in the program, and (e) reasons for choosing APU’s EdD in Educational Leadership.
• Academic writing sample that demonstrates the applicant’s ability to write cogently and use research and professional literature effectively in developing ideas and arguments (e.g., a master’s thesis, a scholarly article published in a journal, a comprehensive course paper, or a major district report)
• Valid California Certificate of Clearance (COC) or other appropriate California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) document
• Successful admissions interview
• Other evidence of potential for leadership as the applicant desires
• In making an admission decision, the program faculty looks holistically at an applicant’s portfolio, including past academic performance (transcripts), statement of intent, references, academic writing sample, and professional experiences (résumé). In addition to required elements for the application portfolio, students may choose to submit an optional Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score (less than 5 years old) to strengthen evidence of academic potential. The GRE submission is typically useful for those who are early in their career and/or who have made significant strides after an undergraduate and/or graduate academic record that was not as strong as their current professional performance.

Send official transcripts to:

Graduate and Professional Center
Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
gpadmissions@apu.edu

What to Expect

After all admission materials have been received by the Graduate and Professional Center, the faculty or department chair reviews the applicant’s file. The applicant is notified in writing of the admission decision.

Admission Requirements—International Applicants

Azusa Pacific University is authorized under federal law by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services and the U.S. Department of State to enroll nonimmigrant, alien undergraduate and graduate students. APU issues and administers both the I-20 and DS 2019 (F-1 and J-1 status documents respectively).

To apply for a graduate program at APU, the following requirements must be fulfilled in addition to meeting the domestic applicant and program-specific admission requirements specified above.

International applicants must also:

• Demonstrate proficiency in English through a placement test with the Academic Success Center, or through a TOEFL/IELTS score that meets program-specific requirements. Refer to APU’s English proficiency requirements to learn more. Request that official test scores be sent to APU. All other forms of proof indicated in the English proficiency requirements must be submitted directly to International Services.
• Provide a Graduate Affidavit of Financial Support (PDF) and a bank statement from within the last six months proving financial ability to pay for education costs through personal, family, or sponsor resources.
• Submit a copy of a valid passport showing biographical data, including your name, country of citizenship, date of birth, and other legal information.
• Get foreign transcripts evaluated. International credentials (transcripts, certificates, diplomas, and degrees) must be evaluated by a foreign transcript evaluation agency. View our policy and a list of approved Foreign Transcript Evaluation Agencies.

Send official transcripts to:

Graduate and Professional Center
Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
gpadmissions@apu.edu

What to Expect

After all admission materials have been received by the Graduate and Professional Center, the faculty or department chair reviews the applicant’s file. The applicant is notified in writing of the admission decision.

Interview

Upon invitation, doctoral applicants interview with at least two members of the doctoral faculty. The purpose of the interview is to meet the applicant, discuss educational and career goals, evaluate the match of the program to the applicant, and determine the applicant’s potential for success in the program.

Computer Requirement

Students must own or have ready access to a computer during their tenure in the program. The SPSS statistical software package is required of students in their research courses throughout the program. The Campus Store makes arrangements to enable students to purchase computers and software at economical rates on convenient terms. Often, the required purchase of the laptop and software can be budgeted into student loans. For further information, please contact the Office of Graduate and Professional Student Financial Services in the Student Services Center (SSC) at (626) 815-2020.