Admissions Information | Doctor of Educational Leadership

The following requirements must be met in order for an applicant to be considered for admittance into the program:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) from an accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
• 2 professional recommendations
• Personal essay and writing samples
• Resume or CV
• 1-3 years of professional work experience is preferred

Note: Meeting minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee admission

Please order the following official transcripts:

• Bachelor's degree transcript showing degree conferred
• Master’s degree transcript showing degree conferred
• Any additional college transcripts
• International transcripts: Please see the International Admissions page for additional requirements

Transcripts must be received on or before the application deadline. Order early in the application process!

Email official transcripts to transcripts@css.edu. Electronic transcripts must be from a certified electronic official transcript provider such as Parchment, Docufide, Scrip Safe, National Clearinghouse or other certified, online transcript services.

Mailed transcripts must be in the original sealed envelope from the school. Mail to:

The College of St. Scholastica
Transcript Processing
1200 Kenwood Avenue
Duluth, MN 55811

1. Complete the Online Application
2. In addition to the application, you must submit the following:
   • Master’s degree (or equivalent) from an accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
     • Official transcript from Master’s degree
   • Two recommendation forms from professional references
   • Personal essay and additional writing samples
   • Resume or CV
   • 1-3 years of professional work experience is preferred
3. In the online application, enter contact information for two educational or professional references (no family members). These individuals will receive an email request to complete an online recommendation form, with an optional letter upload. The subject of the email will include "First Name" "Last Name" has requested a recommendation from you.
4. Upload resume or CV as part of the application.
5. A personal interview with a faculty member in the School of Education may be requested. 
6. Upon receipt of all application materials, the application packet will be forwarded to the Admissions Committee for review and the admissions decision.

The Doctorate in Educational Leadership at The College of St. Scholastica is a program grounded in social justice and equity. We welcome and invite students from diverse backgrounds and professional experiences.

The purpose of the essay is to provide information for the admissions committee that will help determine your acceptance into the program. Each section of the essay should be 250-500 words. The essay should be carefully written, have scholarly citations as appropriate and contain the following:

1. Personal statement:
   • Describe your reasons for pursuing a professional doctorate.
   • How does the program fit with your professional and personal goals?
2.  Describe a "problem of practice" in your organization you would like to solve.
   • Definition: "A problem of practice is a persistent, contextualized and specific issue embedded in the work of a professional practitioner, the addressing of which has the potential to result in improved understanding, experience and outcomes" (Perry, 2015, p. 59).
     
     Citation: Perry, J. (2015). The carnegie project on the education doctorate.
     Change: The  Magazine of Higher Learning, 47:3, 56-61, DOI:
     10.1080/00091383.2015.1040712
3. The Ed.D. at The College of St. Scholastica is grounded in the tenets of social justice and equity. Please speak to the equity and social justice concerns in your setting. What issues and/or practices are contributing to these inequities? What ideas do you have on how these might be addressed?
4. Please share an author, scholar or framework that you have found helpful to solving a problem in your setting. Provide a brief description of this piece and how it has contributed to your professional practice.
5. The Ed.D. at St. Scholastica has been created to bring people from different professions and backgrounds together. For example, this learning community may include people from healthcare, education and a nonprofit organization. We call this "intentional intersection." Comment on the benefits and challenges of working collaboratively with people from different professional backgrounds.

There are many financial aid options available to help you pay for your education. Contact the OneStop Student Services office early in the application process at (877) 287-8716 or onestop@css.edu.

After you are notified a decision has been made regarding your application, log into your application portal, view your decision letter, and click "Reply to Offer".

As a college student at St. Scholastica, you get to take the lead in your own education and assume responsibility for your success. Please use our accepted students information page to help you along the way, and remember, your advisors and instructors are here to guide and support you as you proceed through your journey toward a degree.

You may be eligible to receive transfer credits for coursework you've completed. Complete a Credit Transfer Application form and provided to your program advisor and/or program department contact.