Admissions Overview

Education Policy and Leadership: Your Statement of Purpose is a very important part of your application. It should be a well-written and carefully crafted paper of approximately 1,000 words in length. You should describe in detail your personal and career goals; relevant employment experience; reason for wanting to study at American University in the Education Policy and Leadership program; and ability and commitment to undertake graduate education at this time. Be sure to include your name on every page of your Statement of Purpose.

• Describe how your previous professional, educational, and personal experience inform your decision to apply to this program
• Describe what you think you will gain from your participation in this program and your goals after completion
• Identify any specific elements of the program that attract you

All applications require the unofficial transcripts from degree-seeking college institutions. Official transcripts are required only after the applicant has accepted admission to American University. AU standards ask for a minimum 3.0 GPA for undergraduate work in all degree-seeking coursework. Departments use unofficial transcripts during their review period to ensure applicants meet the minimum 3.0 GPA requirement for undergraduate work. Students who have below a 3.0 GPA in degree-seeking coursework will be required to submit a GPA supplemental statement that provides faculty reviewers a view into students’ academics.

Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded on the Supplemental Items Listing page in your application portal. Official transcripts must be sent and received by a university representative and should confirm the earned degree when applicable. International transcripts will need to be evaluated and show equivalency of the U.S. four-year degree. Please include a WES evaluation with your transcript. Electronic transcripts may be sent via email to soeadmissions@american.edu. Hard copy transcripts may be mailed to:

School of Education
Attn: SOE Online Admissions
4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016-8081

Note – students will enter the names and emails of their recommenders. If your recommender does not receive the email to submit their letter of recommendation, they can email their letter directly to the School of Education, education@american.edu.

Recommenders will evaluate a candidate based on academic performance, motivation for the program of study, intellectual capacity, and/or research and writing ability.

• EPL: 2 Letters of Recommendation Required

The résumé should list a candidate’s relevant work experience, internships, research, awards, and/or publications, as well as educational history. A curriculum vitae (CV) is also accepted. Your résumé can be uploaded on the Supplemental Items Listing page.

• Prior teaching experience is not required but is strongly recommended.
• TOEFL (non-native English speakers)
• International Students: International applicants are eligible to apply, provided they have successfully completed the equivalent of a US Bachelor’s degree, have the appropriate diplomas and/or satisfactory results on transcripts.

An essay of up to three single-spaced pages (12-point font, one-inch margins) that addresses the following questions or issues:

• What is your professional experience and how has it led you to pursue an EdD? Additionally, please reflect on a time you brought change or implemented an initiative within your professional context.
• What is an educational leadership or policy issue connected to your work that you feel especially positioned to address through your doctoral research? Please reflect on any racial implications of this issue and how antiracism could factor into addressing this problem.
• How do you anticipate that your EdD studies will help you advance your professional goals?
• Why is American University’s EdD the right program for you? Please mention professors with whom you might like to study during the program.

An academic writing sample (e.g., a published or unpublished paper) that demonstrates clear, logical, conceptual, and analytical thinking, as well as the proper use of citations and references.

All applications require the unofficial transcripts from degree-seeking college institutions. Official transcripts are required only after the applicant has accepted admission to American University. AU standards ask for a minimum 3.0 GPA for undergraduate work in all degree-seeking coursework. Departments use unofficial transcripts during their review period to ensure applicants meet the minimum 3.0 GPA requirement for undergraduate work. Students who have below a 3.0 GPA in degree-seeking coursework will be required to submit a GPA supplemental statement that provides faculty reviewers a view into students’ academics.

Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded on the Supplemental Items Listing page in your application portal. Official transcripts must be sent and received by a university representative and should confirm the earned degree when applicable. International transcripts will need to be evaluated and show equivalency of the U.S. four-year degree. Please include a WES evaluation with your transcript. Electronic transcripts may be sent via email to soeadmissions@american.edu. Hard copy transcripts may be mailed to:

School of Education
Attn: SOE Online Admissions
4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016-8081

Note – students will enter the names and emails of their recommenders. If your recommender does not receive the email to submit their letter of recommendation, they can email their letter directly to the School of Education, education@american.edu.

3 Letters of Recommendation Required. Recommenders will evaluate a candidate based on academic performance, motivation for the program of study, intellectual capacity, and/or research and writing ability.

The résumé should list a candidate’s relevant work experience, internships, research, awards, and/or publications, as well as educational history. A curriculum vitae (CV) is also accepted. Your résumé can be uploaded on the Supplemental Items Listing page.

• Prior teaching experience is not required, but is strongly recommended. The Admissions Committee carefully reviews each applicant’s personal and professional experience to assess readiness for graduate study at American University. In order to ensure your success, candidates must provide the following to be considered for the program:
• A Master’s degree; if no Master’s degree, candidates will need to complete 24 graduate level credits prior to enrollment in the EdD
• TOEFL (non-native English speakers)
• International Students: International applicants are eligible to apply, provided they have successfully completed the equivalent of a US Master’s degree, have the appropriate diplomas and/or satisfactory results on transcripts and meet additional ELP requirements.
• EdD applicants may be invited to attend an interview with EdD program faculty as part of the application process.