Executive Leadership, Ed.D.

• For the Executive Doctor of Education in Leadership, a minimum of 5 years of professional leadership experience is required.
• Ed. D. program applicants may apply for admission to doctorate degree programs at any time during the year.
• A master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, for which the applicant maintained at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale, is required for admission.
  • Executive doctorate program applicants must demonstrate the language proficiency necessary for successful graduate coursework. Applicants must complete an interview with the program administrators as part of the admission process.

Students with transcripts from universities located outside of the United States, unless from a waiver country listed here, are required to take and pass English Proficiency testing.

Saint Mary’s accepts:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 4 (formerly 72)
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.0
• Michigan Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) with a minimum score of 74%
• International Test of English Proficiency (ITEP) with a minimum score of 4.0 or Pearson Test of English with a score of 51
• Duolingo with a minimum score of 105.

Applicants must submit the following:

1. Completed application form.
2. An official transcript(s) issued to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota from the institution posting the applicant’s completed bachelor’s, master’s degrees and other relevant transcripts documenting program prerequisites and potential transfer credits. (An official transcript is one that is sent to the university by the credit-granting institution.) 
   • Transcripts from countries other than the U.S. must be evaluated on a course by course basis by a university accepted evaluation service, such as World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators, Educational Perspectives, One Earth International Credential Evaluators or any approved member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES.org) and be deemed equivalent to accredited U.S. university standards.  
   • Official Transcripts should be sent to Office of Admission
     • Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
       2500 Park Avenue
       Minneapolis, MN 55404
     • Or electronically: tcadmission@smumn.edu
3. Applicants will need to submit a statement of purpose that explains:
   a) how their career trajectory through this program will make a difference in their organization and the community; in other words how this work will have a broader impact, and
   b) give an example (outline) of a significant proposal for change; one they have done or could do that shows their capacity to develop significant change projects and have the necessary support and resources accessible to implement such plans.
4. One letter of recommendation that verify professional and/or volunteer experience and academic ability. The recommendations must come directly from the recommender. 
5. A current résumé listing educational background and work experience.

• Fall Semester – August 1
• Summer Semester – April 1

The priority application deadlines are listed but these are general as not all of our programs have a start every semester.

You can expect to be notified about your acceptance in our executive doctorate program approximately two weeks following your completed application process.

The Ed.D. degree is a practitioner-focused program designed to allow you to transition into a leadership position within your professional area of expertise, or expand your professional profile and opportunities to work in teaching or leadership roles in education, business, healthcare, or training. Traditionally, the Ph.D. degree is primarily research-focused for those planning to teach and research full time

Upon graduation from the
Executive Ed.D. in Leadership program, you’ll receive the credential of doctorate or doctoral degree. You’ll be referred to as a Doctor of Education, and your signature line can include Ed.D. after your name.

Yes. This variety lends to the uniqueness of our program. You’ll learn from the experiences of your peers at the same time you are learning from our faculty and the discoveries you make through your own research. Your perspective will be broadened as you examine leadership and organizational development through the lens of not only education but healthcare, government, business, non-profits, and more.

Yes! Wisconsin teachers can apply credits from select WiscAd courses toward elective requirements in both the Traditional and Executive Ed.D. programs.