Application Instructions

The following items are required for all students applying for the MU Doctoral Programs in Education. All application materials including official transcripts, the writing sample, test scores and recommendations must be on file in the ODPE (Office of Doctoral Programs in Education) well in advance of the semester the student desires admission to allow for time for processing and consideration by the faculty. The individual program area may require additional materials.

1. Application
The Marshall University Graduate Application for Admission must be completed and submitted with the appropriate application fee to the Graduate Admissions Office, 100 Angus E. Peyton Drive, South Charleston, WV 25303-1600. This application may be completed on-line at the following website: http://www.marshall.edu/graduate/. The applicant will indicate on the application that he/she desires to be accepted in the Doctor of Education (EdD) program and specifically whether the major is to be in higher education administration (Major code GEJ1), public school administration (Major code GEJ2), or Curriculum and Instruction (Major code GEK0). The program major should be selected based upon past experience, career aspirations, and personal aptitudes of the applicant.

2. Transcripts
The applicant must request official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work to be sent by the institution to the MU Graduate Office of Admissions and Records.

3. Admissions Test Score
The applicant must also request an official record of test scores, sent directly from the testing agency to MU, from either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) to be sent directly to the MU Graduate Admissions Office. Copies from applicants are not acceptable. Test scores may be no more than five (5) years old at the time of admissions consideration. The applicant must have a minimum score to be considered. (see additional information on webpage for minimum scores)

4. Writing Sample
The applicant must complete a writing sample. An appointment to complete an on-site or on-line writing sample can be scheduled by contacting the ODPE at (304) 746-8949 or 1-800-642-9842 extension 68949. For an on-site sample, the applicant will be given access to a computer, a writing prompt, and 90 minutes to provide a response (Approximately 500 words). The sample will be subjected to a blind review by three (3) doctoral faculty members using a rubric to evaluate graduate level writing skills – grammar, spelling, sentence construction, etc. The evaluation of the writing sample will be reported as Exceptional, Acceptable, or Unacceptable. The applicant must have a writing evaluation of “Acceptable” to be considered for the program.

The following materials are to be mailed directly to the Graduate Admissions Office, 100 Angus E. Peyton Drive, South Charleston, WV 25303-1600.

5. Goal Statement
The applicant will provide a two to three page typed narrative (500 – 750 words), expressing the desire to be in the program and commitment to the field of education, outlining career goals, and explaining how the program will assist in meeting those goals. This statement will be used by the admissions committee in consideration for admission.

6. Vita
The applicant will provide a current professional vita or resume, including the applicant's educational and work experience and current address, phone number(s), email address, and Marshall University Student Identification Number (if the applicant already has one).

7. Recommendations
The applicant for the program must provide recommendations from three references. The Recommendation Form to be filed by these references is available to be printed out by the applicant from the “Forms” page of the website. The applicant will print out three copies, complete Part I, and provide these to the references along with a stamped envelope, addressed to the Graduate Admissions Office. These Recommendation Forms must be mailed directly to the Admissions Office and will not be accepted directly from the student. At least one of the references should be a member of the academic community, and at least one of the references should be an individual with a comparable terminal degree. The Recommendation Forms must be on file before the application can be processed.

8. Interview
Only applicants who meet the aforementioned test score criteria and have all materials on file will be interviewed. Applicants will be asked to prepare to discuss their qualifications and interests, and to answer questions from the faculty. Doctoral program faculty will use an established rubric to evaluate the applicant. This rubric score will be used along with the previous items to determine admission. Being invited to interview does not guarantee admission to the program. The interview provides the faculty with the opportunity to closely examine the applicants’ qualifications and goals beyond the printed materials submitted in the application process.

A letter will be sent after the initial admissions screening advising each applicant of the action taken. Applicants who do not meet the minimum criteria for admission will not be invited to interview. Those who wish to be reconsidered should submit a written request prior to the next application period. Records of applicants who are not admitted will be maintained on file in the ODPE for a period of one year.

 Following the interview of qualified applicants and consideration of the admissions materials, program faculty will make admissions decisions. A letter will be sent after this admissions meeting advising each interviewed applicant of the action taken.

This page last updated on: 08/06/2009