Admissions

Admissions for Fall 2024 is now complete. Please consider applying for Fall 2025. Join an upcoming information sessions to assist you in thinking about graduate education and preparing an application for Fall 2025 admission.

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester Admission
The Ed.D. program only admits for the fall semester. The program is competitive and applicants are encouraged to apply early. Carefully review the following information so that all the requested application materials are received by the posted deadlines.

Completed applications (including all transcripts, recommendations, and [optional] test scores) submitted by the priority deadline receive highest departmental consideration for available funding such as assistantships and fellowships. Applications are reviewed beyond these dates based on space availability.

  • January 15 – Priority deadline
  • March 1 – Secondary deadline

Application Submission

All application materials are submitted electronically through the UNC Charlotte Graduate School application system. Applications cannot be forwarded to the Ed.D. program until all supporting documentation has been received by the Graduate School. Contact gradcounselor@uncc.edu regarding application questions.

Graduate School requirements:

  1. Bachelor’s degree or its U.S. equivalent.
  2. GPA 3.0 in the bachelor’s degree program. 3.5 in the master’s degree program. (Both on a 4.0 scale.)
  3. A statement of purpose (essay).
  4. At least three recommendations.
  5. Unofficial transcripts of all academic work.
  6. TOEFL or IELTS for non-native English language holders.

Ed.D. requirements:

  1. GRE & MAT test scores are optional.
  2. Writing Sample: inclusion of a writing sample such as thesis, paper, research publication, or other best evidence of academic writing.
  3. Requires master’s degree from a college or university accredited by an accepted accrediting body.
  4. All concentrations will require at least three years of relevant work experience.
    • PK-12: At least three years of relevant work experience in formal school leadership.
    • Higher Education: At least three years of relevant work experience in higher education.
    • Learning, Design and Technology: At least three years of relevant work experiences in learning, design and technology.
  5. Applicants are required to submit a current CV or resume.
  6. Top applicants are invited for an interview with faculty prior to a final decision being made regarding recommendation for admission.

P12 (School and District Leadership): (In addition to all the above requirements)

  1. Writing Sample: inclusion of a writing sample such as thesis, paper, research publication, or other best evidence of academic writing.

OR respond to the following writing prompt: How should a school district leader go about leading change initiatives? Responses limited to 2 pages (single-spaced) or 4 pages (double-spaced).

  1. Three recommendations: one should be from a current or former supervisor.
  2. “M” level licensure is required for admission.

Interview: (selected applicants)

Selected applicants are invited to a 30 minute interview with faculty. This is an opportunity to learn more about an applicant’s doctoral research interests, career plans, and to ask programmatic questions. The interview is followed by a brief writing prompt that is submitted to the faculty.