Admission
Prerequisites
In order to apply for this program, you must:
- Have a master’s degree, or equivalent, from a college or university that is regionally accredited or recognized by a ministry of education. The institution must have been accredited at the time your degree was conferred
- Have a minimum of three years of relevant, full-time work experience relevant to the concentration of interest
- Have leadership experience that demonstrates increasing responsibility
Deadlines
Program applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, but we encourage you to apply early.
| Deadline | Date |
|---|---|
| Priority Deadline* | December 1, 2024 |
| Rossier Scholarship Deadline* | February 15, 2025 |
| Regular Deadline | April 15, 2025 |
| Final Deadline | June 27, 2025 |
*scholarship consideration deadlines
Application Instructions
Review the detailed instructions in the dropdowns for each section of the online application. If you need accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact the Office of Admission and Scholarships at rsoeadm@rossier.usc.edu. We encourage you to submit your request for accommodation at least two weeks before the accommodation is needed so our team can make the necessary arrangements.
Tips
- Submit all application materials by the deadline. Incomplete applications may be delayed to the next application review.
- Skip ahead to the “Recommendations” section and use the application platform to send requests for letters of recommendation first. We recommend you complete this step right away to provide each recommender with the maximum amount of time to complete their letter.
- Follow the transcript submission instructions carefully. Please upload your registrar-issued transcripts from each institution attended to the USC application portal. Upon acceptance and submission of intent to enroll, you will need to submit official transcripts to the USC Office of Graduate Admissions separately.
Review Process
Your application to USC Rossier will be evaluated using a holistic review process. Academic preparation, professional work experience, personal achievement and commitment to the USC Rossier mission are each considered. No single attribute or characteristic guarantees admission to USC Rossier.
We seek applicants who will add to our vibrant learning community and whose goals, values and experiences align with the USC Rossier mission and program goals. We adhere to the university’s non-discrimination policy, and are committed to providing equal opportunity for all students.
As an applicant for this program, you will be automatically considered for limited USC Rossier scholarships, with priority consideration given to applicants who apply by the priority and regular deadlines. There is no need to submit a separate application. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, demonstrated dedication to the USC Rossier mission and other distinguishing characteristics. All USC Rossier scholarships are awarded at the time of admission.
Document Submission Policy
Transcripts and all other application materials become the property of USC. The university does not return or duplicate materials for any reason whatsoever. The information and materials in your submitted application are made available only to the central Office of Admission and the admission committee of the academic department or professional school to which you have applied.
Frequently Asked Questions
The admission committee looks for leadership experiences that demonstrate increasing levels of responsibility. Exceptional applicants demonstrate long-term commitment to historically marginalized student populations.
No. Your diploma will read “Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership” only.
No. The program has one start date per academic year.
There is no minimum GPA required to apply to USC Rossier programs, but competitive applicants typically have a GPA of 3.0 or above. However, GPA is one of many elements evaluated in the admission committee’s comprehensive evaluation of candidates. In the application, you may use the optional essay to discuss anything in your academic and/or professional history that may require additional explanation.
If you would like to be considered for a program other than the program for which you have been admitted, you will need to re-apply for the new program. Please read the program requirements thoroughly, as they may be different from those specified for the program to which you were admitted. Your application will not be considered complete until all documents required for your new program are received.
Before applying for any program, it is recommended that you speak with an admission team member for assistance and direction in determining which program is the best fit for you.
Applicants are permitted to apply to up to three USC programs within the same academic year. When completing your online application, select all programs to which you would like to apply. Please read each program’s guidelines carefully, as each program may require different documents or methods of assessment. You will only need to complete program-specific questions for each additional program; you will not have to fill out the entire application multiple times.
If you decide you would like to apply to an additional program after submitting your initial application, you can log back into your application and add another program.
Application fees are required for each program to which you apply, but you will only need to submit transcripts and test scores (optional for most programs) once.
You can request to transfer up to six units of doctoral coursework completed at another institution that meet the requirements of the EDL program. Contact your academic advisor in the EdD program office to learn more.
GRE scores are neither required nor accepted for admission at USC Rossier.