Graduate College

Educational Leadership (Ed.S.)

Educational Leadership (Ed.S.)

An image of a calendar icon that is brown with light tan page markers on a gold background with a red border.

Application deadlines

A decorative photo of three graduate students in class looking towards the front of the room attentively.

Students may be admitted for each entry term, including the Fall semester, Spring semester, Summer I term, and Summer II term.

Fall semester: August 15

Spring semester: January 1

Summer 1 semester: April 1

Summer 2 semester: April 1

We recommend you submit your application as early as possible or at the very least two weeks prior to the start of the entry term. This will help to ensure all application materials are received and processed by the deadline. Please note: there is a separate deadline for international applicants to allow time to process travel documents (learn more at wmich.edu/international/apply).

 

An image of a brown page with the gold letters C V on it for curriculum vitae on a gold background with a blue border.

Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)

A current resume or curriculum vitae (CV) is required. Please upload this document within the online application system. If you experience any difficulties uploading the resume or curriculum vitae (CV), please contact the Graduate College at (269) 387-8212 or @email for further assistance.

 

An image of a brown page with the gold letters Test on it and three checkbox options on a gold background with a purple border.

Graduate test

This program does not require the General GRE.

Note: International applicants may have to provide evidence of English language proficiency. More information can be found within the online application. You may also view the International Student and Scholar Services website at wmich.edu/international/apply/english-proficiency for more details.

 

An image of a tan letter in a brown envelope on a gold background with a green border.

Recommendations

This program does not require recommendations. 

 

An image of a brown pencil on a gold background with a purple border.

Written statement

Please prepare a typed statement which covers the following information, and upload it within the online application system: 
 
In no less than four (4), and no more than five (5) typed, double-spaced pages, create a written narrative that draws upon your personal and professional experiences, and attach it within the online application. Please address the following four areas, and be aware that your submitted paper will be reviewed as a writing sample.
 
  • Summarize your prior professional work and graduate degree experiences to date, explain your interest in pursuing another graduate degree, and your future career plans.
  • Describe a specific educational challenge or problem that has shaped your understanding of leadership, and how you anticipate this Ed.S. program preparing you to address this challenge. 
  • Offer your plan for integrating advanced graduate work into your professional and personal life, including access to a mentor for your required administrative internship.
  • Describe any challenges you anticipate if admitted to the program, and how you plan to address them.
     
Please contact the academic department if you have additional questions. 

 
An image of a brown typewriter with a light tan page in it on a gold background with a teal border.

Previous written work

This program does not require any previous written work be submitted.

 

An image of a plus sign in a circle on a brown outline of a page on a gold background with an orange border.

Other program materials

This program does not require any other program materials to be submitted.

 

An image of a brown page outline with many lines of text with the word Transcript at the top and also a university seal at the upper left-hand corner of the page to show it is an official document.

Transcript requirement

An official transcript from the institution from which you received your bachelor degree is required, as well as a transcript from the institution(s) where any additional graduate level courses or degrees have been taken/completed. Applicants are not required to submit an official transcript of courses taken/completed at WMU.

All applicants, including WMU students, are highly encouraged to submit copies of unofficial transcripts/credit evaluations into the application system as well. Western Michigan University requires official transcripts sent directly from the issuing institution, through a third-party service, or credit evaluation company (learn more at wmich.edu/grad/apply/faq). 

 

An image of a brown I in a brown circle on a gold background with a green border.

Additional information

To monitor the status of your application, including transcripts, you will need to log into your Graduate Application Portal, select your current application(s), and review your application checklist. If you are unable to locate the application checklist, please contact the Graduate College at (269) 387-8212 or @email for assistance.

You can also view the application FAQs website for additional tips at wmich.edu/grad/apply/faq. Questions regarding application processing timelines, admission decisions, academic program details including transfer credits, and the status of your graduate application should be directed to your department’s graduate advisor or graduate director.

If you have any questions, please review the website below for program and contact information at the Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Technology — College of Education and Human Development. If you need assistance identifying the appropriate contact, please reach out to the Graduate College at @email. 

 

This is the new logo for Western Michigan University, it is a gold w inside a circle with a gold border and a brown background.

Start my application now

Return to All Program Summaries