Admissions

Important Deadlines

As our admissions committee strives to build the strongest cohort of students each year, review of applications eligible for scholarships will begin March 1, 2025.

Review of all other applicants will begin April 15, 2025.

Application Requirements

All applicants must possess a master's or post-baccalaureate degree by August and complete the online SMU application. The application requires the following:

• Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts with a GPA of 3.0 or higher

Electronic transcripts should be sent directly by the institution to:
gradappmaterials@smu.edu

Paper transcripts should be sent directly by the institution to: 
Graduate Application Processing
PO Box 518
Dallas, TX 75275-0518

• Applicants must be able to communicate, listen, read, write, and comprehend the English language sufficiently to use it easily and readily in daily communication. English language proficiency will be evidenced by one of the following:
  
  1) Completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States; or
  
  2) Verification of minimum scaled scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) of 24 for speaking, 22 for listening, 22 for reading, and 21 for writing; or
  
  3) An undergraduate or graduate degree that was earned at an institution of higher education in a country outside of the United States from the following list: American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grand Cayman, Grenada, Guyana, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Singapore, Trinidad/Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom, U.S. Pacific Trust.

• Personal Statement: Applicants should prepare a statement of purpose, which should be between 750-1,000 words. This statement should address the factors that encouraged you to seek a degree with the SMU Higher Education Program. You should address your background, personal and professional experiences that prepared you for the study of higher education, what strengths you bring to the program, and your professional goals after the completion of the Ed.D.

• Submit an academic writing sample that demonstrates your analytic and written communication abilities. This writing sample can be 1) a 3-5 page paper that addresses specific issues in higher education of interest to you and how you wish to explore that issue further in the SMU Ed.D, or 2) a prior paper or policy report where you are the primary author, which can be from previous coursework.

• Three letters of recommendation. Letters should be from individuals who can speak to the candidate's academic and professional skills and potential

• A resume/curriculum vita

•  The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required for your admissions packet. Applicants who have taken the GRE general test or another standardized test (i.e. GMAT, LSAT) are welcome to submit scores. To ensure that we receive your GRE scores, please use the institution code 6660

• Application fee: $40

Applicants may be invited to interview with faculty members.