Doctoral Students

Applying to a Doctoral Degree Program

Ready to take the next step in your career? If you hold a bachelor’s degree and graduate degree, you’re eligible to apply to one of ESU’s doctoral programs:

• Health Sciences, D.H.Sc.
  • Program Coordinator: Dr. Shala E. Davis
• Educational Leadership and Administration, Ed.D. 
  
  • Program Coordinator: Dr. Diane Holben

Fall 2027 Cohort

Both programs welcome a new cohort every other fall, with cohorts typically limited to approximately 20 students. The next cohort will begin coursework in Fall 2027.

Priority Application Deadline: March 1, 2027

Ready to take the next step? Submit your online application and all required supplemental materials by March 1, 2027, for full consideration.
Applications received after the priority deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

Your doctoral journey begins Fall 2027, explore the steps below to learn how to apply!

Application Requirements

A complete application includes the following: 

• Online Application
  • Complete the online application and submit the $50 application fee
• Transcripts
  • Submit official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended. If applicable, include copies of undergraduate or graduate transfer coursework; unofficial transcripts may only be submitted for transfer coursework.
• Two Professional Letters of Recommendation
  
  • At least 1 recommendation should be from a current/former supervisor.
  • Electronic recommendation requests are available through the online application portal. Recommenders should be asked to provide input on your professional skills, work ethic, and collaborative and interpersonal skills, along with any additional information they feel would help the program understand your qualifications and potential for success in a doctoral program.
  • If a recommender provides the letter directly to you, please send it to grads@esu.edu.
• Goals Statement
  
  • Submit a one-page statement describing your goals for pursuing a doctoral degree. You may wish to address topics such as:
    
    • Your professional goals and reasons for pursuing doctoral study at this stage of your ca-reer
    • Your research, scholarly, or professional interests within the field
    • How your educational and professional experiences have prepared you for doctoral-level study
    • How you hope to apply your doctoral education to your professional practice or contrib-ute to your field
    • Any additional experiences, perspectives, or goals you would like the program to con-sider
• Resume/CV
  
  • Submit a current resume or CV highlighting your educational and professional experiences.

Application Review and Interview

Once your application is complete, the doctoral admissions committee will review your application materials. The program coordinator will contact applicants selected for an interview and provide details about the interview process.

As part of the interview process:

• D.H.Sc. applicants will deliver a five-minute presentation on a health-related topic of their choice.
• Ed.D. applicants will respond to a short writing prompt and participate in a brief, 20–30-minute interview. The interview may be conducted in person or virtually.

Following the interview, the doctoral admissions committee will forward its recommendation to the Graduate Studies Office. The Graduate Studies Office will send applicants their official admission decision.

Bring your experience. Expand your expertise. Make an impact in your field. Complete your doctoral application for Fall 2027.