Doctoral Program Application Process Checklist
For Educational Leadership Department Programs
Candidates for the doctoral programs (Ph.D., Educational Leadership Track and Ed.D. in Leadership) must
submit a completed application packet. All application materials must be packaged in a large, sealed envelope.

Applicants for the Ed.D. in Leadership must have at least three (3) years of leadership experience. Visit
http://www.old.soe.vcu.edu/academics-programs/departments/educationalleadership/programs/ed-d-in-leadership/for further details

Applicants for the Ph.D. program should visit the School of Education Office of Doctoral Studies web
site for further guidance: http://www.old.soe.vcu.edu/academics-programs/doctoral-studies/ph-d-
in-education/prospective-students/program-overview-tracks/
Please check off the following items as you place them in the envelope. Include this checklist with your
signature and send your complete application packet to VCU.
_____ VCU Graduate School Application: You must apply and submit the application online. Once you submit
the online application, print 2 copies of the confirmation page that pops up. Keep a copy for your files,
and include the second copy of the confirmation page (verifying that you have used the on-line
application to Virginia Commonwealth University’s Graduate School) in your packet.
https://ssb.vcu.edu/proddad/twbkwbis.P_GenMenu?name=homepage
_____ $50.00 to VCU for the application fee. If you pay via credit card online, print 2 copies of the confirmation
page. Keep a copy for your files, and include a copy in your packet.
_____ Virginia In-state Tuition form. Print 2 copies. Complete and submit one with packet, and keep one for
your files. http://www.graduate.vcu.edu/pdfs/vatuition.pdf
_____ Statement of Purpose (Ph.D.) OR Statement of Leadership and Career Goals (Ed.D.): Please create
the relevant document as specified on page 3.
_____ Leadership artifacts (for Ed.D. applicants).Please see the description on page 3.
_____ Professional Vita or Resume that includes the following:
a. Colleges or universities attended,
b. Educational degrees held, including major/minor (Master’s Degree is required),
c.
Work history in chronological order, beginning with your current position,
d. Leadership experiences (Ed.D. applicants must have at least 3 years of leadership experience),
e. Professional involvement, and
f.
Awards and honors
_____ Three (3) references, one of which must come from your current supervisor. Please refer to the
requirements for references on page3.
_____ Official copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts from previous study, sealed in the sending
institution’s original envelope. This includes original transcripts from institutions from which you may
have transferred credits. For example, if you received a master’s degree from Virginia Tech and
transferred in courses from George Mason to meet Virginia Tech’s degree requirements, you must
supply two (2) original transcripts from Virginia Tech AND from George Mason. Note: GPA’s required
for admission: Undergraduate GPA 3.0; Graduate GPA 3.5.
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_____ PhD applicants must take the GRE. EdD applicants must take the MAT. Provide the date on which you
took or plan to take the GRE or MAT.
Date:________________ Location:_______________________________________
Note: All candidates must have official scores mailed to VCU. Request this mailing at the time you
take the exam.
GRE score should be 1000 or better.
MAT score should be at the 50th percentile or better.
Scores are valid for five (5) years. If you have taken the GRE or MAT within the last five years, contact
ETS (for GRE) or Pearson (for MAT), and request that an official copy be mailed to VCU.
*******************************************************************************************************************************
Questions regarding the application can be directed to the program directors:
 Ph.D. in Education, Educational Leadership Track: Dr. Whitney S. Newcomb, whsherman@vcu.edu
 Ed.D. in Leadership: Dr. Cheri Magill, ccmagill@vcu.edu
As soon as possible after you have mailed your Application Packet:
 Those applying for the Ph.D. should send an email to Dr. Newcomb at the above email address.
 Those applying for the Ed.D. should send an email to Dr. Magill at the above email address.
Include in your email
 your name,
 contact information,
 the date the Application Packet was mailed,
 the link to your leadership artifacts (if compiled online), and
 attach this completed checklist to your email.
Application packets (and any outstanding letters of reference or transcripts) should be mailed to:
VCU Graduate School
Moseley House
1001 Grove Avenue
PO Box 843051
Richmond, VA 23284-3051
(Applicant’s Signature)
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Ph.D. Program Applicants
Statement of Purpose
A two to three page personal statement should accompany your application for graduate study. This statement
should describe your goals for doctoral study including your research interests, how these interests emerged,
and how they align with faculty research agenda. Applicants are encouraged to be as specific as possible about
their long-term goals and how a doctoral education will prepare them to meet these goals. While research
interests and professional goals may change, this information will help faculty determine whether an applicant’s
interests are a match with the expertise of faculty in the School of Education and/or the University at large.
Reference Requirements
Do not obtain references from friends, family members, or others who cannot attest to your scholarly potential.
Each reference should be in a sealed envelope, with the writer’s signature across the seal.
To access the Graduate School Reference Form for the Ph.D., use the following link:
http://www.graduate.vcu.edu/pdfs/reference.pdf
Ed. D. Program Applicants
Statement of Leadership and Career Goals
Statement of Leadership: Address your leadership beliefs, philosophy, accomplishments and capabilities in
each of three areas: (a) leadership for learning, (b) leadership for equity, and (c) leadership for accountability.
Each area is to be addressed under a separate heading.
Career Goals: Description of career goals.
Leadership Artifacts
Leadership artifacts are submitted as a separate product in the manner prescribed below. Provide
evidence of your leadership and describe the context of the evidence you provide. This evidence might be a
combination of documents, artifacts, testimonials, reports, newspaper clippings, or other evidence that provides
validation of your ability to lead for learning, equity, and accountability. Evidence can be in hard copy format or
on a website specifically created for this purpose. We are seeking applicants who have effectively addressed
the issues of student and/or organizational learning, equitable treatment and outcomes, and accountability to
constituents (e.g., students, families, citizens).
If your artifacts are online, please include the url. If they are in hard copy, they should be mailed or delivered to
Dr. Cheri Magill at:
Department of Educational Leadership
VCU School of Education
Oliver Hall
1015 West Main Street
Richmond, VA 23284-2020
Reference Requirements
Do not obtain references from friends, family members, or others who cannot attest to your academic/leadership
potential. Each reference should be in a sealed envelope, with the writer’s signature across the seal.
Obtain at least one reference from someone who can attest to your academic abilities. Use the reference form
attached to this packet.
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Ed.D. in Leadership Recommendation
I have applied for acceptance into VCU’s School of Education Ed.D. in Leadership program. My application
requires a recommendation from three people who can evaluate my leadership experience and activities and/or
my academic performance. Please complete this form on my behalf, and see the directions at the end of this
document for return instructions.
□ I waive my right to review this recommendation.
Name of Applicant
Signature of Applicant
Date
Please rate the applicant on the following criteria:
Superior
Above
Average
Satisfactory
Less than
Satisfactory
No
Opportunity
to Observe
Attitude/Enthusiasm
Judgment
Character
Intellectual capacity
Positive impact on those who are led
Commitment to the disadvantaged
among those who are led
Creativity
Willingness to take risks
Flexibility of thought
Collaboration with colleagues
Leadership skills
Oral communication skills
Written communication skills
Organizational skills
Potential for advancement
Commitment to professional growth
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In the space below or on a separate page, please comment on the potential of this applicant as a leader
OR as a student in a doctoral program (attach a separate document, if preferred):
Overall Recommendation:
□
Highly recommend
□
Recommend with reservation
□
Recommend
□
Do not recommend
□
Please contact me for additional information
Name
Position
Signature
Date
Please submit this recommendation on behalf of the applicant using one of the following three methods:
1. place the recommendation in a sealed envelope with your signature over the seal and return it to
the applicant for inclusion in his or her Application Packet,
2. email a scanned copy of this recommendation to GRADIMAG@vcu.edu with a subject line that
contains the applicant’s full name and “Ed.D. in Leadership program,”or
3. fax this recommendation to (804) 828-6949 with a cover page that includes the applicant’s full
name and “Ed.D. in Leadership program.”
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