The EdD Program is moving to annual admissions, starting with our next cohort! Applications for summer 2026 are due on January 6, 2026. Applications open in April 2025 and information sessions begin in August. Check back for updates on the 2027 and 2028 cohorts.  

Admission Requirements

Online Application: Complete online Graduate School application ($90.00 non-refundable fee).

Resume or Curriculum Vitae: Resume or curriculum vitae, including leadership and supervisory experience. Note that with a few exceptions, applicants are expected to be serving in a professionally relevant leadership role at the time of application and throughout the duration of the doctoral program. 

Professional Essay: Please name and define a pressing social justice issue that you face and/or attempt to disrupt, how you are impacted by this issue, how your social and professional identities connect to this issue, and how the EdD Values and Student Learning Goals relate. 

Requirements: 

  1. Use of at least four (4) academic citations to support your argument(s);
  2. Linkage to at least two of the EdD values;
  3. Maximum of four double-spaced pages (not including title and reference pages; 12pt font with 1-inch margins);
  4. Please cite using the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA, latest addition preferred). 

Recommendations: Two (2) letters of recommendations are required. Your recommender must clarify how long and in what capacity they know you. Please also ensure your recommenders speak to your: 1) leadership; 2) capacity to collaborate with other expert educational practitioners; and, if applicable, 3) academic abilities in relation to successful completion of a doctoral degree program, including writing a dissertation. Please select only professional and/or academic references. 

You will identify the recommenders in your online application, including their full name and email address. Be sure to contact them before including their information in your application so they know to expect an email from the UW Graduate School requesting a recommendation on your behalf. Your application will be considered complete once all application materials and recommendations are submitted. 

P-12 Educators Only: To be considered for the Program Administrator or Superintendent Certificate, students must submit:

  1. Proof of current full-time employment at the required certification level; this can be included in your CV or resume. Note that applicants for the program administrator certificate must be serving in a full-time teacher or education staff associate (ESA) cerficated role; applicants for superintendent certificate must be in a full-time program administrator or principal certificated role. 
  2. A photocopy of the required certificate. For Program Administrator certificate programs, this includes Teacher or ESA certification; for the Superintendent Certificate program, this includes Principal or Program Administrator certificates.
  3. A 1-page maximum (12-point font with 1-inch margins, double-spaced) statement outlining why this next certificate relates to your leadership trajectory. 
  4. If applying for a credential option, one of the two required letters of recommendation must be from a current P-12 administrator who is in a supervisory position (e.g., not a peer or supervisee). 

Note that P-12 credential seeking applicants undergo a separate certification review and may be admitted into the EdD Program but not into a certificate program. 

Transcripts:  Submit one unofficial transcript from each degree granting institution attended. Unofficial copies are required prior to admission. NOTE: Accepted applicants must submit a complete set of official transcripts to the Graduate School. For additional transcript information, please visit the Graduate School's Official Transcript Requirements page. 

Certified Electronic Transcripts (Preferred Method)

Acceptable electronic transcripts must be:

  • Sent to gemsdocs@uw.edu from the issuing institution or its authorized agent
  • Passcode protected
  • Digitally signed 
  • Properly certified by the issuing institution 
  • If using the US Postal Service: University of Washington, Graduate Enrollment Management Services, Box 353770, Seattle, WA USA 98195-3770
  • If using FEDEX/UPS Service: University of Washington, Graduate Enrollment Management Services, G-1 Communications, 4109 Stevens Way, Seattle, WA USA 98195-3770 ​

Unacceptable electronic transcripts:

  • E-mail attachments
  • Sent by student
  • Sent by third party credential evaluations (WES, FIS, ECE)

 

Important Notes:

For admission or application questions, please contact the EdD Advisor, Ashley Walker, (aew7@uw.edu).

  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required.
  • The EdD Program does not accept Graduate Non-Matriculated (GNM) applications.