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The Southern Arkansas University Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Rural and Diverse Educational Leadership terminal degree program is designed for professionals who are effective leaders and value diversity. The program provides doctoral-level training for building- and district-level administrators; two- and four-year college teachers and administrators; and community and government leaders with professional interests in primary, secondary, and/or higher education including economic factors, public health issues, and the impact on learning of local, regional, and state government policies. The program emphasizes the challenges and opportunities facing educators and leaders serving rural and diverse populations. The program takes an integrative approach to educational leadership, recognizing educators in rural and diverse communities must possess a depth of understanding of factors shaping students in rural schools, colleges, and communities.
The Ed.D. program admits students through a competitive process based on holistic admission review criteria to help ensure students are able to excel and maximize growth as educational leaders. Holistic review considers a broad range of candidate qualities, including personal and professional experiences. Holisticreview is a growing strategy for widening the evidence base graduate schools consider when evaluating a candidate for admission at the highest scholarly level. [For more information on holistic admission, see Kent, J.D. and McCarthy, M.T. (2016). Holistic Review in Graduate Admissions: A Report from the Council of Graduate Schools. Washington, DC: Council of Graduate Schools.]
A rolling review of completed Ed.D. applications will begin each calendar cycle and continue until each annual cohort is filled. Foundational doctoral courses begin each fall semester. Those who apply and are invited into the program earlier in the calendar cycle may take program electives or focus courses until the fall term begins.
Applicants may be admitted to the School of Graduate Studies and accepted into the Doctor of Education program if the Ed.D. Admission Committee reviews and approves the following minimum requirements:
- An application must be submitted through the online admission portal at apply.saumag.edu.
- There is an application fee required to submit an application.
- There is no standardized test (GRE, MAT) required for applicants who are United States citizens.
- Applicants must be in good standing with the institution they last attended (and eligible for re-admission) in order to be eligible for admission to Southern Arkansas University.
- Official graduate transcripts from a regionally-accredited institution, which reflect a master’s degree (or student’s most recent post-graduate degree) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25, must be sent directly from the prior institution to gradstudies@saumag.edu
- Two recommendations must be received through the online admission portal. The forms gather feedback regarding the applicant’s professional and academic experiences, leadership capacity, and potential for scholarly research and writing. The portal’s recommendation form must be used.
- A current and comprehensive curriculum vitae or resume must be submitted through the online admission portal.
- A statement of purpose must be submitted through the online admission portal expressing the applicant’s professional trajectory, career goals, value of rural and diverse educational experiences in life, and reasons for pursuing a doctoral degree. The statement of purpose will be evaluated as a writing sample. Additional guidance on the statement of purpose may be found at web.saumag.edu/edd/sop.
Rolling review of completed applications will begin once the application is complete and submitted. Doctoral students will not be admitted on a conditional or part-time basis.
If admitted, additional coursework or documentation may be required for the following reasons:
- Students without a graduate degree in the field of education may require a master’s level research course.
- Other courses may be required due to academic deficiencies determined by the committee.
- Students who seek additional certification by pursuing the Superintendent Leadership or Teacher Leadership focus require evidence of a building-level administrator (SL) and/or a K-12 educator (TL) license.
- Application submission (applicant)
- Application for admission to the School of Graduate Studies
- Official transcripts reflecting a graduate degree and all recent post-graduate work
- Current curriculum vitae/resume
- Recommendations from two professional references
- Statement of Purpose writing sample
- Documentation of English proficiency for international applicants (see above)
- Application review (Ed.D. Admission Committee)
- Interview (if necessary)
- Notification of admission status
For specific questions about the requirements below, please email International Student Services at SAUInternational@saumag.edu. Emails are usually answered within 1 business day. If it is a time-sensitive matter, call 870-235-4082. Admissions status matters are not discussed over the phone.
Application Deadlines and Review Protocol:
A rolling review of completed applications will begin each year and continue until each annual cohort is filled. Core doctoral courses begin each fall semester. Those who apply and are invited into the program by May each year, may take electives for the program during the summer term. The admissions process is competitive and cohort space is limited. Even though all documents are received and qualified, the admissions committee may still reject the application.
The steps below are for both initial applicants:
- Fill out application and upload all documents
- Pay the $100 application fee
- The application fee is nonrefundable. If admission is deferred to the following semester and the I-20 has been created and processed, then the fee is required to be paid again.
- Submit English Proficiency Scores (Mandatory)
- The English requirement can be waived for applicants holding a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited school within the United States. One of the following scores is required to be submitted that is not more than 2 years old. Some English-speaking countries are exempt from this requirement.
- Minimum English requirements (must meet one of the following):
- A score of 577 or higher on the written TOEFL
- A score of 90 or higher on the internet-based TOEFL
- A score of Band 7.0 (overall) on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
- If the applicant’s English scores are below the required minimum for admissions, the English proficiency exam may be retaken. If the applicant’s undergraduate or another master’s degree is completed in the United States, then the requirement is waived.
- Provide Proof of Financial Support
- Complete and email the SAU Affidavit of Support [pdf] form showing at least $16,000.
- Upload the supporting documentation such as a bank statement or a bank letter stating the applicant has the required funds to support the educational expenses. (These need to be within a few months.)
*** If you are fully online from outside the U.S. you may skip steps 5 ***
- Submit Copies of Immigration Documents
- Upload a copy of immigration documents:
- Passport
- I-20 from current school (if you have one)
- U.S. Visa (if you have one)
- I-94 (if you have one)
- Evaluate Graduate Transcript (Mandatory)
- Courses completed at foreign (non-US) colleges or universities will be considered for doctoral admission if the applicant has a transcript evaluation done by one of the following companies
- The evaluation needs to include a “course-by-course” analysis with GPA. The requirement is a minimum of a 3.25 cumulative GPA in the applicant’s most recent graduate degree or post graduate coursework. United States transcripts and foreign (non-US) transcript evaluations are to be sent to the university officially at the address below; applicant’s are not permitted to upload them.
- SAU International Office
100 East University
MSC 9224
Magnolia, AR 71753
- Upload curriculum vitae/resume
- Provide contact information for two references
- Submit Statement of Purpose
- Submit a statement of purpose expressing the applicant’s professional trajectory, career goals, the value of rural and diverse educational experiences in life, and reasons for pursuing a doctoral degree. The statement of purpose will be evaluated as a writing sample. Statement of Purpose instructions provide additional guidance.
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