Doctoral Degree
Admission
Requirements
The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership is a 60 credit program designed for graduate level educators who are presently teachers or administrators in a school setting or have regular weekly access to a school and classrooms.
Admission Eligibility and Requirements
- Successful completion of an undergraduate bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from an accredited university – The degree must be verified on original transcripts sent by the undergraduate institution directly to Acacia University. Transcripts that are international and/or not in English must be evaluated through an evaluation agency credentialed through National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES)
- Verifiable work experience as a teacher or administrator in an educational setting for three or more years
- Original transcripts from undergraduate degrees from accredited universities
- Two recommendation letters completed by a school administrator or supervisor.
- Applicants whose first language is not English and do not have a master’s degree from a university in which instruction is conducted in English must provide evidence of English proficiency by submitting their TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score. Doctoral applicants must demonstrate college-level proficiency with a minimum score of 550 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL PBT), or 80 on the Internet Based Test (iBT)
- Completed DocuSign Enrollment Agreement
- A 3.25 or higher GPA in your master’s degree program
- 500-word essay
- An online interview with a member of the doctoral program selection committee
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. The degree must be verified on an original official transcript duly signed and certified by the Registrar or other responsible officer of the undergraduate institution.
- Master’s degree from an accredited university. There is no minimum GPA required for admission to Doctoral study, but superior academic performance in courses related to the intended field of study is highly desirable. Demonstrated improvement in academic performance over time is also desirable. The degree must be verified on an original transcript duly signed and certified by the Registrar or other responsible officer of the Master’s institution.
- Transcripts of undergraduate and graduate degrees from accredited universities. The degrees must be verified on official transcripts duly signed and certified by the Registrar or other responsible officer of the prior institution. Mail or secure electronic delivery is accepted. Applicants submitting transcripts from non-US institutions may be required to have their transcript evaluated by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member agency.
- Applicants must currently hold or have held a professional position or be otherwise actively engaged in work that relates to the intended field of study.
- For the Doctor of Education, ongoing access to a K-12 school or educational institution.
- Essay – A personal statement, not to exceed five hundred (500) words that discusses: your reasons for pursuing the doctorate; your career goals; how the doctorate would help you meet career goals; and prior experiences which relate to your interest in, and aptitude for this program.
- Applicants whose first language is not English and who do not have a master’s degree from a university in which instruction is conducted in English must provide evidence of English proficiency. The following are accepted exams and minimum scores required for admission:
- 65 on the paper-delivered Test of English as a Foreign Language
- (TOEFL PBT), or 80 on the Internet Based Test (iBT)
- 6.5 on the International English Language Test (IELTS)
- 58 on the Pearson Test of English Academic Score Report
- 105 on the Duolingo English Test
- 55 on the 4-skill Michigan English Test (MET)
- 650/LP on the Michigan Examination for the Certificate of Competency in English (ECCE)
- 650/LP on the Michigan Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE)
- An online interview with one or more representatives of the University.
Acacia University courses are 100% online so each applicant must have access that includes e-mail and the internet to participate.
Program Learning Outcomes
| Promoting the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult | PSEL Standards | NELP Standards |
|---|---|---|
|
Lead and implement a school mission, vision, and process for continuous improvement that reflects a core set of values and priorities |
Standards 1 & 2 |
Standards 1 & 2 |
|
Develop and implement coherent systems of curriculum, instruction, support, and assessment within an inclusive school culture of family, community, and school personnel |
Standards 4 & 8 |
Standards 3 & 4 |
|
Demonstrate knowledge and skills of the program in a mentored practicum (internship) in both an administrative setting and with online students in the master’s program |
Standards 1, 3, & 10 |
Standard 5 and 8 |
|
Support the school’s professional capacity, engage staff in the development of a collaborative professional culture, and improve systems of staff supervision, evaluation, support, and professional learning |
Standards 6 & 7 |
Standards 5 and 7 |
|
Apply knowledge and skills necessary to improve school governance, data-based school resource plans, and operation systems that include fiscal management as well as implementing laws, rights, policies, and regulations |
Standards 5 & 9 |
Standard 6 |
Regular Applicants
Applicants who have earned a bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and are currently employed in public or private education at the elementary, secondary or higher education level are considered regular applicants to the program. The majority of applicants to this program are adults working in a variety of professional education settings. Consequently, prior class rank and/or grade point average are not significant factors in the admission process.
Special Applicants
An individual not qualifying as a regular applicant may apply as a special applicant. Special applicants are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, but must have an academic background equivalent to a bachelor’s degree earned in the United States.
Application for Admission to the Doctoral Degree Program
Submitting this application begins the official part of the Acacia University enrollment process. We will review your application and contact you within two business days to discuss your status. (You should also receive an email after completing this application that covers the next steps in the enrollment process.)
I am Ready to Start the Application for Admission to the Doctoral Degree Program
