Educational Leadership, Ed.D.

Requirements for the Major

Completion of 60 hours including 12 hours of core classes and 48 hours of content courses as prescribed by the program faculty. Content courses are listed below but may change as appropriate.

Admission Requirements

• Complete and submit the online application: Complete and submit the online application: https://gradadmission.smu.edu/apply/.
• Possess a master’s or post-baccalaureate degree before you begin the program.
• Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts with a GPA of 3.000 or higher preferred for all degrees.
  1. Electronic transcripts should be sent directly by the institution to: gradappmaterials@smu.edu

  2. Paper transcripts should be sent directly by the institution to: 

     Graduate Application Processing
     PO Box 518
     Dallas, TX 75275-0518

• Applicants must be able to communicate, listen, read, write, and comprehend the English language sufficiently to use it easily and readily in daily communication. English language proficiency will be evidenced by one of the following:

  1) completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or one of its territories; or

  2) verification of a minimum scaled score that falls within the High-Intermediate level in each section on the Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL-iBT); or

  3) an undergraduate or graduate degree that was earned at an institution of higher education in a country outside of the United States from the following list: American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grand Cayman, Grenada, Guyana, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Singapore, Trinidad/Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom, U.S. Pacific Trust, Cameroon, Kenya, Philippines, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

  4) a standard certificate issued by the department of education in another state where examinations for the certificate were taken and passed.

• Three Essays. Your response for each part should be no longer than two pages in length (double-spaced, 12-point font, one-inch margins).
• Three letters of recommendation. Letters should be from individuals who can speak to the candidate’s academic and professional skills and potential. One letter should be from a direct supervisor in the candidate’s organization; the supervisor will also be asked to indicate agreement for the student to miss work in order to attend classes (for time on Fridays and summer terms). 
• A resume/curriculum vita.

Promising applicants may be invited to engage in an interview and additional selection processes.

If applying for the Superintendent certificate, please provide the following as well:

• A letter of agreement from the superintendent or other system-level administrator indicating that the school district will provide internship activities and a district mentor for the candidate
• A copy of a Principal certificate or the equivalent issued by the TEA, another state or country.