Ph.D. in Leadership in Higher Education

A $90.00 application fee is required and must be paid by credit card through the online application system. 

Fee Waiver: The Graduate School offers a limited number of application fee waivers to qualified applicants. Application fee waiver requests must be made at least seven (7) days before your program’s application deadline to allow time for review. 

A master’s degree is required for admission to the doctoral program. Your degree may be in progress at the time of application, but it must be completed before the program begins. 

You must submit unofficial transcript(s) with your application from every college or university where you earned academic credit. The UW Graduate School requires a cumulative GPA of 3.0, or a 3.0 in your most recent 90 graded quarter credits (60 semester credits). GPA is only one part of the application review.

Applications are reviewed holistically, and we encourage you to apply even if your GPA is below 3.0. You do not need to take additional coursework to raise your GPA. Instead, focus on submitting a strong goal statement that explains your interests and how the program aligns with your professional or personal goals, along with strong letters of recommendation. You are also welcome to provide context for a GPA below 3.0.

If you are currently enrolled in a college or university and have not yet graduated, please upload a transcript showing your most recently completed term. A final transcript confirming completion of your degree will be required before the program begins, if admitted. 

Doctoral applicants: Three letters of recommendation are required.

During the online application process, you will be prompted to add your recommenders. Once added, your recommenders will receive an email with instructions for submitting their letters electronically.

For all applicants, we recommend choosing individuals who know you well and can speak to your strengths, skills, and potential for success in graduate study. Letters may be submitted by professional supervisors, academic faculty, or others who can speak to your qualifications. 

A current academic and professional resume or CV is required. This document should summarize your education, professional experience, and relevant accomplishments. Include degrees earned, work experience, and any applicable awards, publications, presentations, or other achievements.

Be sure to highlight qualifications and skills that are relevant to the program to which you are applying.

Review your document carefully to ensure it is clear, well-organized, and free of errors. 

Your statement should describe your goals, relevant experiences, future plans, and how your specific program aligns with your interests and needs. 

In your statement, address the following: 

• Why you are applying to this specific program 

• Your academic and professional goals 

• Areas of interest or topics you wish to explore within the field 

• How your interest in the field developed and how you have engaged with it 

• Experiences that have prepared you for graduate study 

• Skills or strengths that will support your success (e.g., technical skills, research experience, or other relevant abilities) 

• Examples of initiative, problem-solving, collaboration, and commitment to your goals 

Format: Doctoral statements are typically 3–5 pages. Statements must be double-spaced with 1-inch margins and use a 12-point font (Times New Roman or Calibri). Citations are not required unless you reference specific evidence in your writing.  

Admissions committees review your statement alongside other application materials to assess how well your goals align with the program. 

Doctoral applicants must submit one sample of scholarly writing. This sample should represent your strongest graduate-level writing and analytical skills. 

Common examples include a research paper, article, thesis, literature review, or similar academic work from a previous program. If you do not have an existing sample, you may submit a newly developed piece such as a research paper, literature review, book review, or report. 

We recommend submitting a sample of 10–12 pages. If your document exceeds this length, the review committee may only read a portion of it. You are welcome to submit an excerpt that fits within the suggested page range. Only one sample will be reviewed by the admissions committee. 

The writing sample must be written solely by you. If the writing sample has multiple authors, clearly indicate which sections you contributed to. 

Format: While there is no strict format requirement, we recommend double-spaced text, 1-inch margins, and a 12-point font. 

While optional, submitting a personal history statement can strengthen your application by providing additional context about your background and experiences. 

This statement should describe your intellectual growth and development, including influences both within and beyond your academic experiences. You may address: 

• Your personal history, family background, or other influences on your development 

• How your life experiences have shaped your interests, career plans, and future goals 

Statements should be no more than two pages. We recommend using double-spaced text and a clear, legible 12-point font (Times New Roman or Calibri).