Application Timeline
The Ed.D program will enroll a cohort every other year. The upcoming cohort is scheduled to begin in the Summer 2025 term, with applications opening in September 2024. While candidates can apply for admission at any time throughout the year, submitting applications by the following priority dates will enhance the applicant’s potential for admission.
Priority Dates for Summer 2025:
- December 1, 2024
- February 1, 2025
- March 15, 2025
After the priority deadlines, applications are accepted on a rolling basis depending on space availability.
Application Process
Click on each item in the list below to view the instructions in an expanded section, and then follow the steps to submit your application. If you have questions, contact a member of our Graduate Admission Team.
- Create your PLU application account at choose.plu.edu/apply.
- Select ‘Pacific Lutheran University Application 2025’, then ‘Graduate Application 2025’ & ‘Create Application’
- You’ll select your program on Page 2 of the application.
Transcripts from ALL colleges/universities you’ve attended
- You may upload official OR unofficial transcripts to the application, or send them to gradadmission@plu.edu.
- If you are a PLU student or alum, you do not need to submit your PLU transcripts.
- Note: While we will accept unofficial transcripts at the application stage for domestic students, you must submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities before you enroll in a PLU graduate program.
Personal Statement of Professional Goals
- Write about your reasons for pursing education leadership, your future goals in this field, and how your leadership will impact students, the school, or the community. (500 words, double spaced, 12 point font).
Professional Resume
- Upload resume to the application that includes your:
- Academic history (institutions attended, degrees earned)
- Employment history (paid or unpaid)
- Significant academic, professional and community achievements
- Honors and awards
Recommendation Form/Letter
- We encourage selecting an academic reference.
- The application system will send an email to your recommender, after which they must submit the PLU Graduate Recommendation Form. They will have the option to also include a letter of recommendation.
Supplemental Documents (only for applicants who seek for an Ed.D with superintendent certification)
- Upload the completed School District Superintendent Internship Agreement Form which is signed by your district to the application portal.
- Upload the completed OSPI Form 4201 (Institutional/Organizational Application for an Administrator’s Certificate) to the application portal.
Application Fee
- Pay the nonrefundable $80 application fee.
- Note: The application fee is waived for all PLU students and alumni.
If you need to submit additional documents after submitting the online application, you can email them to gradadmission@plu.edu.