Educational Leadership, EdD

EdD Admission Requirements

Your journey starts at Azusa Pacific. As you prepare to begin graduate school, our dedicated admissions team is here to help you navigate the application process.

When applying to APU’s EdD program, you must submit:

• Graduate application for admission
• $45 nonrefundable application fee
• Official transcripts from all institutions leading to and awarding your bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and all postbaccalaureate study
• An official transcript is one that Azusa Pacific University receives unopened in an envelope sealed by the former institution and that bears the official seal of the college or university.
• A minimum cumulative 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average (GPA) on the posted degree (provisional admittance may be granted to individuals with a lower GPA if competency can be shown through multiple measures)
• Master’s degree in education or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution and a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Two letters of recommendation, completed by individuals who have supervised you and can attest to your potential for doctoral study and leadership
• Evidence of five years of relevant professional experience 
• If you lack appropriate experience but meet the other admissions criteria, you may still be considered for admission and, subsequently, complete activities that broaden your base of practical experience
• Current professional résumé
• Statement of Intent: Submit a double-spaced paper (5-7 pages) that clearly outlines
• your educational goals and what you hope to achieve through doctoral study
• your short- and long-term professional goals within educational leadership
• your professional experience and activities that have prepared you for this program
• your research interests and the topics you plan to explore during your EdD
• your reasons for choosing APU’s EdD in Educational Leadership and how the program aligns with your calling
• Academic writing sample that demonstrates your ability to write cogently and use research and professional literature effectively in developing ideas and arguments (e.g., a master’s thesis, a scholarly article published in a journal, a comprehensive course paper, or a major district report)
• Successful admissions interview
• Other evidence of potential for leadership, as the applicant desires

When making an admission decision, APU’s faculty review your application portfolio holistically. This includes your academic performance (transcripts), statement of intent, references, academic writing sample, and professional experience (résumé).

You may also choose to submit a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score (less than five years old) to strengthen your application. This option can be especially helpful if you’re early in your career or if your recent professional growth reflects stronger performance than your earlier academic record.

Send official transcripts to:

Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
gpadmissions@apu.edu

International Admission Requirements

Azusa Pacific University is authorized under federal law by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the U.S. Department of State to enroll nonimmigrant, alien undergraduate and graduate students. APU issues and administers the I-20 and DS 2019 (F-1 and J-1 status documents, respectively).

Along with meeting the standard admission requirements, if you are an international applicant, you must also:

• Demonstrate proficiency in English through a placement test with the Academic Success Center, or through a TOEFL/IELTS score that meets program-specific requirements. Review APU’s English proficiency requirements to learn more. Request that official test scores be sent to APU. All other forms of proof indicated in the English proficiency requirements must be submitted to International Services.
• Provide a Graduate Affidavit of Financial Support (PDF) and a bank statement from within the last six months proving financial ability to pay for education costs through personal, family, or sponsor resources.
• Submit a copy of a valid passport showing biographical data, including your name, country of citizenship, date of birth, and other legal information.

Get foreign transcripts evaluated. International credentials (transcripts, certificates, diplomas, and degrees) must be evaluated by a foreign transcript evaluation agency. Review our policy and a list of approved foreign transcript evaluation agencies.

Send official transcripts to:

Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
gpadmissions@apu.edu

Interview

Upon invitation, you’ll be interviewed by at least two members of the doctoral faculty. The purpose of the interview is to meet you, discuss your educational and career goals, evaluate your fit with the program, and determine your potential for success in the program.

Computer Requirement

You’ll need consistent access to a computer throughout the educational leadership program, especially since much of your coursework requires SPSS statistical software for research and data analysis.

APU’s Campus Store offers options to purchase computers and software at competitive rates, often with flexible payment plans that can be included in student loans. For more information, contact the Student Services Center at (626) 815-2020.

Educational Leadership Program Tuition

Note: This information is current for the 2025-26 academic year, but all stated academic information is subject to change. Refer to the current academic catalog for more information.

Review APU’s graduate cost of attendance information to estimate the total amount of the EdD in Educational Leadership degree.

Financial Aid

Discover affordable Christian education at Azusa Pacific University. To lower the cost of the EdD degree, you have access to a range of financial aid opportunities, including federal loans, state grants, fellowships, and scholarships. 

Availability varies by program, and a dedicated admissions advisor can help you understand your options and plan with confidence.

APU also provides information on numerous financial aid resources for prospective students in the School of Education. Discover more available scholarship opportunities.

For more information, contact the Student Services Center at (626) 815-2020. 

Military Benefits

If you serve in the military—or qualify as a spouse or dependent—you may access financial assistance that helps cover tuition, housing, and books. As a Yellow Ribbon University and Military Friendly School, APU offers the support and flexibility needed to help you complete your doctoral degree in educational leadership.

School of Education Scholarships

To support our larger mission of increasing access to education, APU’s School of Education offers graduate scholarships to help make your doctoral journey more affordable.

Explore available scholarships for graduate students in the School of Education.

EdD Program Scholarship

Azusa Pacific University offers competitive scholarships for doctoral candidates who demonstrate strong leadership or clear leadership potential in K–12 education, especially those committed to serving underresourced schools and districts. Priority consideration goes to current practitioners actively leading efforts to improve school and district performance.

You are automatically considered for scholarships at the time of admission—no separate application is required. To maintain your award for up to two additional years, you must remain continuously enrolled, maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA, and continue working in a K–12 educational setting.

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• At APU, we’re committed to delivering the highest quality education, backed by respected accreditation and academic excellence.

  • Azusa Pacific University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
  • In addition, the School of Education receives accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), making APU one of only three universities in California with this distinction. 
  Our credential programs are accredited by California’s Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).

We designed our EdD in Educational Leadership program for professionals with experience in K–12 settings who want to deepen their understanding of educational policy, strategic decision making, and research-based leadership.

Students in this doctoral program come from a range of backgrounds and serve in roles such as principals, school administrators, teachers, district personnel, superintendents, and counselors. While their backgrounds vary, they’re dedicated to increasing their capacity to lead, inspire, and educate—all from a Christian worldview. 

Have more questions? Connect with APU’s academic advisors.

No, APU does not offer a PhD in Educational Leadership, as the EdD better supports working professionals pursuing leadership roles in education.

While the PhD has traditionally prepared scholars for research-focused academic careers, the EdD emphasizes applied research and real-world leadership practice. This approach allows you to further your professional development while continuing to lead and serve in your current role.

With an EdD in Educational Leadership, you can also pursue opportunities in research and higher education, particularly in programs that prepare future practitioners.

The EdD program combines face-to-face learning with online components to support your experience. You’ll attend 16 in-person Saturday sessions each year at the Azusa campus—six sessions during the fall term, six during the spring term, and four during the summer term.

Saturday classes typically run from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Each semester’s schedule varies based on your course load and enrolled units. Below is a sample schedule for the first semester.

Your dissertation journey begins in your first semester as you craft your research question and form your dissertation committee with APU faculty. As you progress through the EdD program, you continue developing each chapter in a dedicated “dissertation milestone” course each semester, culminating in completion within three years.