Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership

The Ph.D. program is the most flexible course program because it does not require a fixed total number of credit hours for completion. A candidate's specific program is determined in consultation with your academic adviser but students do have to complete at least 18 credits in Education Leadership courses. Other courses outside of Education Leadership is strongly encouraged those courses enhance and support the your research interests. All of our students must also complete a three-credit course referred to as Pro-seminar which typically meets during the fall semester and serves as an orientation to the program and an introduction to program faculty, their different research, teaching, and service activities. Another core course is Review of Research in Educational Leadership offered spring semester each academic year.

To be considered for admission admission to the Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Penn State alumni do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State, but must list Penn State as part of your academic history. If you are admitted, you will be asked to send an additional official transcript. You will receive instructions at that time.

GPA - Applicants must present evidence of at least a 3.0 grade-point average in the last two years of undergraduate work. A grade-point average of 3.50 in prior graduate work is required of those desiring admission to a doctoral program.

Test Scores - Official scores from the GRE, the Miller Analogy Test, or the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) from within the last 5 years are required for admission to doctoral programs.

Three references - You will need to initiate the process through the online application by entering names and email addresses of three references. Upon submission of your application, an email will be sent to each reference requesting they complete a brief online recommendation regarding your commitment for success in an online program.
Ask for recommendations (completion of an online form and an attached recommendation letter) well in advance of the application deadline. Notify all recommenders that they must submit their recommendation in order for your application to be complete.
List the names and contact information of academic and professional recommenders who can make a strong case for your commitment to success in a program of graduate study, including your intellectual ability, communication, problem-solving skills, creativity, sensitivity to others, and educational leadership potential.

Current R'sum or Curriculum Vitae - Upload your r'sum to the online application.

Statement of purpose - Write a brief statement of about 1000 words explaining your interest in the Penn State University Educational Leadership program, why you are interested in pursuing the Doctor of Philosophy, and your academic and professional goals. Be sure to list any EDLDR faculty whose research interests align with your own.

Writing Sample - Select an article from a current academic article related to educational leadership or education policy that affects education leaders. Briefly summarize the main points of the article and then critique the content from the vantage point of your experiences as an educator. Your critique can include agreement as well as disagreement with author's perspective. Include a complete citation for the article in your writing sample.


International applicants must take and submit scores for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), with the exceptions noted below. The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 550 for the paper-based test, 213 for the computer-based test, or a total score of 80 with a 19 on the speaking section for the Internet-based test (iBT). Applicants with iBT speaking scores between 15 and 18 may be considered for provisaaional admission, enrollment, and, if necessary, remedial course work. The minimum composite score for the IELTS is 6.5. Revised TOEFL PBT July 2017 and later 60