Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis

The program offers a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis with emphasis areas in Educational Administration, Educational Policy Studies, and Higher Education.

Admission Criteria

Fall deadline: January 15

• Minimum GPA: 3.0 (A=4.0)

Minimum Language Requirements

Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores

Admissions screening and decisions for all graduate programs are not made until all required materials have been submitted. Admissions recommendations are based on a profile developed from data that include undergraduate (last 60 hours) and graduate grade point averages, recommendations, evidence of successful professional experiences and samples of scholarly writing.

Required Application Materials

For the Graduate School

• Completed Graduate School online application
• Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
• Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)

For the ELPA Program

• 3 recommendations, two of which are from faculty who have taught/advised the applicant
• Departmental application (built into the Graduate School online application)
• Statement of purpose
• Current resume
• Samples of scholarly writing
• Assistantship application, if interested

Admission Criteria

Fall deadline: March 1*

*Note: Applications will be due March 1, with coursework beginning in the Fall semester of that same year.

• A master’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Relevant organizational or educational leadership experience.
  • We recommend candidates have a minimum of 3 years of full-time professional experience prior to the start of the cohort for which they are applying.
  • Also, we define leadership experience broadly so please be sure to share any and all such experiences in your application (e.g., building administrator, team leader, program director, chairing a committee, creating a new program/initiative).
• Evidence of consistency between candidate’s goals and the mission and goals of the EdD program and the ELPA department.
• Evidence of strong communication skills (verbal, written).
• Potential for success in a doctoral program.
• GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) in graduate studies (master’s degree) from an accredited institution.
• For non-native English speakers, minimum scores accepted by the MU Graduate School for TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Cambridge C1 Advanced exams, or Duolingo English Test.

Minimum Language Requirements

Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores

Required Application Materials

For the Graduate School

• Completed Graduate School online application
• Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
• Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)

For the Educational Leadership Program

• Unofficial transcripts (see the Graduate School’s discussion of the Application Process for more information; you will be asked to submit official transcripts if admitted)
• Résumé or CV (be sure to account for all relevant organizational and educational leadership experiences)
• Personal statement that addresses your reasons for seeking entrance into the educational leadership EdD program and identifies your professional goals. In other words, why do you want to do this program and how will this degree help move you toward your personal or professional goals in the future?
• Short video answer: Please video and upload your answers to the questions below.
  • Describe your leadership philosophy. In other words, what principles, values and beliefs do you use to lead in your current organization?
  • Tell us about your primary leadership experiences, and how these have influenced your definition of leadership over time.
• Essay response: For the educational leadership doctor of education program, please upload an essay addressing the following:
  • In your work as an educational leader, you are likely faced with issues that need further attention or investigation. These issues may be ideal topics for your dissertation in practice*. For this essay, begin by describing an idea for a dissertation in practice* that you would be interested in studying (limit to one paragraph). Then, in 500 words or less, respond to the following questions:
    • How is your dissertation in practice* idea responsive to creating more equitable and inclusive educational spaces and support systems for all stakeholders?
    • How might the results of your study be beneficial to you as a leader and to your organization (or current context)?

*A dissertation in practice refers to a specialized form of academic research and scholarly work that is typically associated with professional doctoral programs, such as a doctor of education (Ed.D.). Unlike traditional dissertations that primarily contribute to theoretical knowledge, a dissertation in practice emphasizes applying scholarly research to address real-world challenges and issues within a specific professional field or context.

• Three recommendations from individuals who can comment on your potential for success in a doctoral program.
  • At least two letters should be from faculty who have taught or advised you. (If this is not possible, there will be a place on the application form for you to explain.)
  • At least one letter should address your leadership experience/potential.

The program offers an Education Specialist degree with emphasis in PK-12 Educational Leadership and Administration (Superintendent, and Principal Certification).

Admission Criteria

• Minimum GPA: 3.0 (A=4.0)

Application Deadline

Applications will be reviewed three times each year. Students will be informed of the results in enough time to enroll for the following semester. All materials must be submitted by these deadlines, when application review will begin.

• To start summer semester, the application deadline is: March 1
• To start fall semester, the application deadline is: July 1
• To start spring semester, the application deadline is: October 1

Minimum Language Requirements

Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores

Admissions screening and decisions for all graduate programs are not made until all required materials have been submitted. Admissions recommendations are based on a profile developed from data that include undergraduate (last 60 hours) and graduate grade point averages, recommendations and evidence of successful professional experiences.

Required Application Materials

For the Graduate School

• Completed Graduate School online application
• Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
• Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)

For the ELPA Program

• 3 recommendations, at least one of which is from faculty who have taught/advised the applicant
• Departmental application (built into the Graduate School online application)
• Statement of purpose
• Current resume
• Departmental assistantship application, if interested

Admission Criteria

MEd in PK-12 Educational Leadership and Administration:

• Summer priority deadline: February 1 (application review begins)
• Summer final deadline: May 1  (all materials must be uploaded)
  
• Minimum GPA: 3.0 (A=4.0)

MEd in Higher Education:

• Fall deadline
  • Priority deadline: January 15
  • Second priority deadline: May 15
  • Final deadline: August 1
• Spring deadline
  • Priority deadline: September 15
  • Final deadline: December 1
• Summer deadline: May 1
• Minimum GPA: 3.0 (A=4.0)

Minimum Language Requirements

Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores

Admissions screening and decisions for all graduate programs are not made until all required materials have been submitted. Admissions recommendations are based on a profile developed from data that include undergraduate (last 60 hours) and graduate grade point averages, recommendations, and evidence of successful related experiences.

Required Application Materials

For the Graduate School

• Completed Graduate School online application
• Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
• Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)

For the PK-12 Educational Leadership and Administration Program

• 3 recommendations, one of which is from faculty and one of which is from a school leader
• Departmental application (built into the Graduate School online application)
• Statement of purpose (guidance provided in the application)
• Resume/CV
• Departmental assistantship application, if interested (student affairs assistantship application processes are separate; contact the department for more information).

A minimum of 30 credit hours is required for the M Ed in PK-12 Educational Leadership and Administration, Elementary and Secondary Principal, Certification.

For the Higher Education Program

• 3 recommendations, two of which are from faculty who have taught/advised the applicant
• Departmental application (built into the Graduate School online application)
• Statement of purpose (guidance provided in the application)
• Resume/CV
• Essay (prompt provided in the application)

A minimum of 33 credit hours and a capstone project are required for the M Ed in Higher Education.

Officially approved as:

Stand Alone: Yes

Total Credit Hours: 12

Certificate description:

This Graduate Certificate in Global Education and Leadership prepares and positions educators to develop, sustain, and lead globally-minded schools (preschool to high school). Regardless of geographic location, educators and students are growing and learning in a transnational world. Examining global and local contexts, this certificate will provide the theories, tools, and resources for aspiring principals, curriculum leaders and other educators to successfully lead colleagues and students to be critical, reflective, and inquiring global stewards with refined intercultural skills. Students who complete the required courses are eligible to apply for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Certificate in Leadership in Practice.

The required four courses for this certificate each take an inquiry approach that allows educators to question and examine locally-relevant and globally-minded leadership principles and practices. The program as a whole expands upon ELPA’s commitment to developing equitable and inclusive leadership by bridging best practices in school leader development with the underpinning values of the International Baccalaureate (IB) organization (ibo.org) and the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations (sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg4). In turn, the core value underlying the certificate is to foment intercultural understanding and global-mindedness in each of these critical aspects of educational leadership:

• Effective curriculum and instruction
• Collaborative teamwork
• Risk-taking and innovation
• Reflective practice
• Leadership development
• Systems of continuous improvement

Certificate web site: https://education.missouri.edu/degrees-programs/certificates-minors/global-education-and-leadership/

Admission Criteria

Application Deadlines

• Summer semester: Rolling – preferred date April 1
• Fall semester: Rolling – preferred date July 1
• Spring semester: Rolling – preferred date November 1

Required Application Materials

For the Graduate School

• Completed Graduate School online application
• Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
• Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)

For the Graduate Certificate Program

• Statement of purpose
• Resume or CV

Officially approved as:

Stand Alone:  Yes  

Total Credit Hours:  12

Certificate description: The Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Administration is designed to address the need for enhanced understanding of the higher education institutional context and for improved skills in areas required for effective administration of the higher education administration and governance and some technical knowledge about various aspects of administration (i.e., budget and finance, higher education law).  Students also enhance understanding and skills in a relevant area of administrative practice (e.g., program planning for continuing educators, student affairs administration for student affairs professionals, the community college for community college administrators).

Certificate web site:
https://education.missouri.edu/degrees-programs/certificates-minors/higher-education-administration/

Admission Criteria

Application Deadlines

• Summer semester: Rolling
• Fall semester: Rolling
• Spring semester: Rolling

Required Application Materials

For the Graduate School

• Completed Graduate School online application
• Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
• Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)

For the Graduate Certificate Program

• Statement of purpose

Officially approved as:

Stand Alone:  Yes  

Total Credit Hours:  12

Certificate description: The objectives of the Education Policy Graduate Certificate Program will be to provide students with (a) knowledge they can apply to the study of education policy within their major discipline or to their work in policy settings; (b) skills in analyzing education policy issues, i.e., understanding differing values, political and economic arguments, costs/benefits, and policy processes and (c) conceptual tools to use in understanding and resolving policy implementation problems.

Certificate web site:
https://education.missouri.edu/degrees-programs/certificates-minors/education-policy/

Admission Criteria

Application Deadlines

Required Application Materials

For the Graduate School

• Completed Graduate School online application
• Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
• Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)

For the Graduate Certificate Program

• Statement of purpose
• Education Policy graduate certificate initial plan of study

Officially approved as:

Stand Alone: Yes

Total Credit Hours: 12

Certificate description: The purpose of the online graduate certificate in College Teaching is to enhance the teaching skills and career preparation of graduate students interested in obtaining academic positions in 2- and 4-year settings. This certificate will:

1. Increase knowledge about teaching pedagogy to increase learning of college-level students;
2. Increase knowledge about higher education institutions and students; and
3. Encourage reflection into teaching philosophy and pedagogy to improve teaching effectiveness.

Certificate web site:
https://online.missouri.edu/degrees-programs/mu/education/college-teaching/grad-cert

Admission Criteria

Application Deadlines

• Summer semester: Rolling
• Fall semester: Rolling
• Spring semester: Rolling

Required Application Materials

For the Graduate School

• Completed Graduate School online application
• Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
• Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)

For the Graduate Certificate Program

• Statement of purpose
• Resume or CV