EdD in Leadership, Administration, and Policy FAQs

Yes. All applicants must have a master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. We do not require that EdD applicants have a master's degree in a specific field; we take a holistic approach to application review.

We ask that candidates for our EdD in Educational Leadership program have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA from both their master's and baccalaureate programs; however, we review all applications holistically for individuals who show potential for success in our program. If you are concerned about your GPA, you are welcome to include a brief "GPA Statement of Explanation" with your application.

No GRE or standardized tests are required. 

Please see our Application Deadline webpage for current information.

This program has a Fall start with a required workshop/orientation in August each year.

We begin reviewing applications at the start of each calendar year. Once an application is complete, it typically takes four to five weeks to receive an admissions decision. If an application is received after the deadline, it will be reviewed on a space-available basis. If the program is full, the applicant will be considered for the following year.

Please refer to our Admission Requirements webpage.

The first two years of the EdD program are dedicated to completing coursework. Following coursework, all students are required to complete their dissertation to graduate. On average, students complete the program in 3 years, but students have up to 8 years to complete their entire program.

Please visit our Financial Aid page for current information on program costs, financial aid, scholarships, and grants. Our financial aid award packages can consist of Colleagues grants, federal direct loans, and departmental scholarship.

To be eligible for the most amount of aid, we encourage all applicants to submit their FAFSA applications.

Students in our EdD in Educational Leadership Pre-K to 12 program are required to participate in 2 trips, one domestic and one global.

Please contact our Recruitment and Admissions Team at gsep-recruitment@pepperdine.edu for the most up-to-date information.

This is a 60/40 blended program: 60% of your coursework will be face-to-face and 40% will be online through synchronous and asynchronous interactions. Students meet face-to-face in four-day intense sessions five times over the academic year. Online sessions meet in between the face-to-face sessions.

The PhD is research focused oriented and the EdD is oriented toward educational practice and the application of theory and research.

Graduates of this program are prepared to become leaders in the field of education. Opportunities include, but are not limited to, positions at school sites, district offices, county offices, higher education, and educational businesses in the public and private sectors.

You are welcome to attend one of our formal in-person or online information sessions. To see the upcoming schedule and to RSVP, please visit our information meetings page.

If you are unable to attend an information session, you are welcome to contact the Admissions and Recruitment Team at gsep-recruitment@pepperdine.edu to schedule a personal consultation.

Please visit our Admissions Requirements page for a full list.