Doctoral Students

Applying to a Doctoral Degree Program

If you have earned a baccalaureate and graduate degree, you are eligible to apply to one of our doctoral degree cohort programs in Health Sciences, D.H.Sc. or Educational Leadership and Administration, Ed.D.

Admissions Term

Both doctoral programs will enroll a new cohort every other Fall term. The current cohort began coursework in Fall 2025. The average cohort for either program is 20 students.

Doctoral Application Deadline

For consideration by the respective department, the online application and all supplemental items should be submitted by June 1^st. Any applications submitted after June 1^st will only be considered if a seat in the cohort is available.

A complete application file includes the following items

• Online Application, including $50 application fee
• Transcripts
  • Official copy of undergraduate and graduate degree transcripts
    • Copy (even unofficial) for any undergraduate or graduate transfer coursework **if applicable
  • 2 Professional Letters of Recommendation
    • Electronic recommendation requests are available through the online application portal, however, if your recommender has forwarded the letter to you, please send to grads@esu.edu.
  • Goals Statement
    • The one-page letter should discuss, but not limited to, where your interest in the field stems from, how this program will help you professionally, how your educational and professional experiences have prepared you to be successful in a doctoral program, where you see the degree taking you within the next five years.
  • Resume/CV

Application Review and Interview

When all required supplemental items are received and the application is complete, the doctoral admissions committee will review your file. The respective program coordinator will invite applicants to interview with the doctoral admissions committee. As part of the interview:

• DHSc candidates will conduct a 5 minute presentation on a health-related topic related
• EdD candidates will be provided an article and asked to write a reflection essay

Following the interview, the doctoral admissions committee will forward their decision recommendation and the Office of Admissions will send the official outcome notification.