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PhD Application Process

Applications to the Ph.D program in K-12 Educational Administration are considered December 1st through April 1st. Applicants who wish to be considered for College and University Fellowship competitions must have all materials submitted by December 1st.  Note that Fellowship applicants require a 3rd letter of recommendation. All other applicants must have all materials submitted no later than April 1st.

Required Application Materials

NOTE for Prospective Students: We are pleased to announce a new Online Supplemental Application System. As you submit your application materials, please follow the new PhD Application process.

All PhD applicants must have a Master's degree from an accredited institution.

Follow these steps to ensure a complete application:

  1.  Complete the online MSU Graduate School application, including the following:
    1. On-line graduate study application for admission (EAD K-12 PhD Program Code: 1646)
    2. Pay $50 application fee
    3. Personal statement / statement of professional goals. It should describe: how the applicant's professional and educational experiences have influenced the desire to pursue doctoral study, the broader, long-term career interests of the applicant and how the K-12 program relates to those interests, and the applicant's goals and objectives for doctoral study. This statement is used to determine if the applicant's goals are consistent with those of the program and to assess the clarity and coherence of the applicant's writing.
      Please Note: The Graduate School application will ask you to complete a personal statement and academic statement.  You may use the same personal statement / statement of purpose for the Educational Administration application and the online Graduate School application. Please copy and paste your entire personal statement / statement of purpose into the personal statement section of the online Graduate School application form and you may leave the academic statement section blank.
  2. Complete the Online Supplemental Application System (OSAS), including:
    1. Provide information for three recommenders. The applicant should choose persons who are familiar with his or her academic and/or professional abilities and those individuals writing reference letters should be encouraged to be as specific as possible in their comments.
    2. Upload a PDF version of your resume
    3. A writing sample that best represents analytic and integrative thinking of the applicant. Examples of material might include research papers completed for a graduate class, grant proposals, research reports, or published articles.
    3.  
  3. Supply scores from Graduate Record Examination taken within the last five years (MSU's ETS Institution Code is R1465).

Send official transcripts to:

    Cecelia Highstreet, Admissions Secretary

    K-12 Educational Administration

    Michigan State University

    402 Erickson Hall

    East Lansing, MI 48824

    Phone:  (517) 353-8480 / Fax:  (517) 884-1392

    Email:  k12adm@msu.edu

We encourage you to keep copies of all application materials for your records.

The review committee of K-12 Administration faculty members considers the following in assessing doctoral program applications:

  • Experience with and potential for educational leadership, outreach, research and scholarship
  • Strength of professional background and academic record
  • Skills in analysis and written expression
  • Alignment of professional goals with the purposes and objectives of the doctoral program
  • Consistency with Graduate School and College admission requirements

U. S. Residents

U. S. applicants who are not already admitted to graduate study at MSU must submit the Graduate Application for Admission. An application fee and college transcripts of all previous academic work must be submitted with this form.

International Students:

International students who have not been admitted to graduate study at MSU are required to submit: 1) the International Graduate Application for Admission, 2) proof of financial support, and 3) proof of proficiency in English. For additional information about these requirements, please see http://grad.msu.edu/apply/ or contact:

Office of International Students and Scholars
103 International Center,
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824,               
Phone: (517) 353-1720         or
email: oiex@pilot.msu.edu

Transferring from other Michigan State Graduate Programs

Applicants who wish to transfer into the K-12 program from another MSU graduate program not in the Department of Educational Administration must complete a new application, including the Graduate Application for Admission and all supplemental materials to the K-12 unit. Current students in the Department of Educational Administration looking to transfer to another program within the Department of Educational Administration should consult their faculty advisor and the coordinator of the program.

If you would like additional information or have any questions, please contact:

Cecelia Highstreet, Admissions Secretary

K-12 Educational Administration
Michigan State University
402 Erickson Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone:  (517) 353-8480 / Fax:  (517) 884-1392
Email:  k12adm@msu.edu