Admission

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Application process

Candidates must apply and be accepted by Miami University's Graduate School and the Department of Educational Leadership. The Graduate School requires an applicant to have a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 2.75 (or 3.0 in the last 60 hours).

Submit an electronic Graduate School application, including

  • Transcripts from the school you obtained your undergraduate degree from and any other college or university at which you have done graduate work
  • An autobiographical statement and professional vita
  • A score from the Miller Analogies Test (preferred) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test
  • Name and email address for three letters of reference, one from current supervisor
  • A $50 non-refundable application fee

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More Information About Our Requirements

1. The autobiographical statement, submitted electronically with the Graduate School application, is intended to provide the admissions committee with information about your professional background and aspirations.

Your statement should include the following:

  • Briefly describe your professional experience since receiving your baccalaureate degree
  • Describe your interest in leaderships roles in education and give some examples of your leadership accomplishments
  • Describe your professional goals and explain how our doctoral program can help you achieve them
  • Describe one or two areas of interest for a dissertation study involving a problem of practice in your building, community, district, region or state
  • Explain how you satisfy your intellectual curiosity

2. In addition to the information provided in your autobiographical statement, the admissions committee requires a professional vita. It should include:

  • Educational background
  • Professional experience in education and other professional experiences
  • Leadership roles
  • Presentations and publications

3. The Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General

Test score is required for admission to the Ed.D. program. The Miller Analogies Test is preferred by the department. Scores must be less than six years old. The Miller Analogies Test may be taken at a college or university testing center or through Miami University's Student Affairs Office. Call 513-529-4634 to schedule a test date.

The GRE or Miller Analogies Test requirement for the EdD may be waived if the applicant has earned 2 Masters Degrees or 1 Masters Degree and an EdS.

For additional information about the Miller Analogies Test visit the MillerAnalogiesTest/Psych Corp website.

For additional information about the GRE visit the ETS/GRE website. 

4. Submit three references from colleagues, teachers, or peers who can attest to your professional work, potential for successful graduate study, and potential for making a positive contribution as leader in an educational context.

What happens after the application is submitted?

The Graduate School will evaluate your application to determine whether you meet the minimum university requirements. If you meet these standards, your application will be forwarded to the Department of Educational Leadership (EDL) for further consideration.

The Ed.D. Admissions Committee in EDL reviews the application, grades, letters of reference, test score, and autobiographical statement. Students who do not meet department standards are denied admission at this stage. Applicants who exhibit potential for academic success and who appear to have a good "fit'' between their goals and the department's program are invited to an interview with the Ed.D. Admissions Committee in February.

Applicants will be notified as soon as possible after the interview process about an admission decision.

Contact our Ed.D. Coordinator Lucian Szlizewski for more information. Dr. Szlizewski is a former Elementary and Middle School teacher, a Middle and High School Principal, and a former Superintendent. He has been in Higher Education for the past 12 years as professor, program director, advisor and chair.

Ed.D. Current Cohorts

Currently, Miami University has four active Ed.D. Cohorts:

  1. Central Ohio - located in Central Ohio central to the members of the cohort

  2. West Chester - Voice of America Learning Center (VOALC)

  3. In the Columbus region in partnership with the Upper Arlington City Schools.

More Information