Become a leader.

1.   Complete an application to the Graduate College.

2.   Send official scores for the Graduate Record Examination

The GRE is not required as part of the application to the program.

3.   Send official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework.

-A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all previous graduate work is required.

-A Master’s Degree in a field related to education or the functional equivalent (e.g., work experience and a minimum of 33 graduate credits) is also required.

Apply to the Graduate College. 

In addition to applying for the Graduate College, applicants must submit the following materials to the program:

1. Letter of application which includes: a) description of professional experiences and the relevance of those experiences to doctoral study in education b) statement of career goals c) statement of interest in a particular area of specialization (i.e., educational leadership, mathematics education, counselor education, special education, bilingual education, kinesiology, or literacy)
2. Professional resume or vitae
3. Recent sample of scholarly and/or professional writing (e.g., Master’s thesis or project, scholarly papers or publications, project reports, grant proposals, etc.)
4. Three letters of reference attesting to the applicant’s aptitude for and commitment to doctoral study in education, professional effectiveness, potential for influencing education, scholarly abilities and dispositions, personal and professional integrity, and any other relevant information.

Materials should be uploaded to the same admission account used when applying to the Graduate College.

Upload materials to your Graduate College admission account.

An interview is required (may be arranged via skype/video chat if appropriate).  The interview will be arranged once a student’s application file is complete.

The Doctoral Management Committee reviews complete applications for admission to summer, fall, or spring terms, according to the schedule below.

1. Program Tracking

Students enrolled in the doctoral program are responsible to track their own course of study, fill out the appropriate forms at the right time, and create their own supervisory and evaluative committees.

2. Program Review Form

Doctoral students must submit a Program Review Form to the DMC at the end of each semester.  Program Review Forms must be signed by both the student and the advisor.

3.  Field of Study

A major goal for doctoral students is the selection of a field of study and research.  Within the first year each student should consider a cognate or devise their own with approval and support from their advisors.

4.  Program Accountability

Though students have up to 7 years to complete their doctorate, they are required to take a minimum of 23 semester credits within the first 15 months of the program.  During this time they may request one Leave of Absence which will not be counted as part of the 7 year period of study.

5.  Original Contributions to the Field

Generating new knowledge in a field is a distinctive part of doctoral work.  Through study and research, students strive to add to and build on scholarship within any given field.  Within the culminating activities of dissertation and defense, a community of peer-review and “organized skepticism” are necessary hurdles every student will deem valuable in their efforts to make unique contributions.

Scholarships for graduate students only

• Pat and Eloise Bieter Fellowship
• Angus McDonald Memorial Scholarship
• Purple Heart Spec Ed Scholarship
• Robert and Beryl Barr Fellowship

Scholarships for any level of study in education

• John & Bertha Case Education Scholarship
• Ethel Chatburn Memorial Scholarship
• Barbara and Robert Dargatz Education Scholarship
• Robert F. Jones Memorial Scholarship
• Leach Family Scholarship
• Robert and Barbara Michener Scholarship
• Nelnet/IFA Scholarship
• Trustee Education Scholarship
• Jerry Tucker Endowment Fund
• Gerald and Eunice Wallace Scholarship
• Floribel Williams Memorial Scholarship
• Bilingual Education Dept. Scholarship
• Bilingual Scholarship
• CIFS Study Dept. Scholarship
• Early Childhood Studies Dept. Scholarship
• Kinesiology Dept. Scholarship
• Literacy Dept. Scholarship
• Education Technology Dept. Scholarship
• Counseling Education Dept. Scholarship

Graduate assistantships

Any student qualifying for admission may apply for one of a limited number of graduate assistantships offered annually. Awards consist of a stipend and fee waiver, for which the graduate assistant will be expected to work 20 hours per week. Typical assignments involve supervising pre-service teacher interns, teaching undergraduate Teacher Education courses, serving as research assistants for graduate faculty or a combination of tasks. To be considered, applications must be submitted by March 1st.

Apply for a College of Education Graduate Assistantship. 

Applications will be reviewed by the Doctoral Management Committee, and notifications will be sent to students.  Six Doctoral Graduate Assistantships are offered each academic year through the College of Education Dean’s Office.  Students must reapply each academic year for a Graduate Assistantship award.