Applicants for the Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership in the Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Technology at Western Michigan University are strongly encouraged to contact a faculty member in their concentration area to discuss the program before applying. Applicants must be available on the interview dates below.
The priority deadline for fall semester (currently, the only semester to start the EDLD PhD program) is January 15; this is the only deadline for applicants who wish to be considered for a graduate assistantship (DGA), in which you work up to 20 hours per week in exchange for tuition and a stipend. Other funding opportunities also tend to be limited to this admissions deadline.
A second deadline for fall semester is March 1; *typically, no graduate assistantship funding is available for any applications completed between January 16 and March 1 (usually, all funding decisions have been made by March 1).
Your application must be fully completed by January 15 or March 1 (not just submitted). We recommend you submit your application at least two weeks prior to the deadline to ensure recommenders have time to complete their recommendations by the deadline.
Transcript requirements
An official transcript from the institution from which you received your bachelor degree is required to be sent to WMU, 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 for courses taken/completed at WMU.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to upload an unofficial copy of any graduate transcripts to their application in order to expedite the review process.
Official transcripts must be sent to graduate-transcript@wmich.edu from the issuing institution or via postal mail to: Office of Admissions, 1903 W Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5211.
For more information, contact Dr. Donna Talbot.
EDLD admission deadlines:
Procedure for students applying for start date Fall 2023
| Admissions Cycle 1 | Admissions Cycle 2* |
Applicants must submit all required materials within the online application on or before:
| Jan. 15, 2024
| March 1, 2024 |
Individuals chosen to be in the candidate pool will be interviewed by faculty members on:
| Feb. 16, 2024, Feb. 19, 2024
| March 15, 2024 March 18, 2024
|
Applicants will be notified about the status of their application (accepted, waiting list, or not accepted) by:
| March 11, 2024
| April 11, 2024
|
Accepted applicants will need to notify the department of their intent to enroll in the educational leadership doctoral program by:
| April 15, 2024
|
|
Doctoral orientation (ALL Doctoral students are expected to attend this orientation-either virtual or in-person)
| TBD | TBD |