Admission to the Ph.D. Program in Leadership Studies

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Applicants must hold a master's degree or its equivalent and have two years of professional experience. Admission is based on a review of a total profile with careful attention to the fit between the needs of the student and what the program has to offer. Factors considered in admission include motivation, character, commitment to social justice, writing ability, academic skills demonstrated by completion of the master's degree with a 3.5 GPA or better, and general verbal, quantitative, and analytical skills demonstrated by a score of 50 percentile or better on either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT).

Applications are reviewed by the doctoral faculty throughout the year and students are notified of decisions within 45 days of the submission of a completed application. Prior to filing one's application materials, it is advisable to secure an appointment for an interview with the Program Director. This interview can be done by phone for students who are not in the geographical area. During this interview, applicants will be counseled on factors they need to carefully consider before embarking on a Ph.D., issues they need to consider in deciding whether the Gonzaga program is their best choice, the relationship between their career goals and the Doctoral Program, and their possibilities for acceptance. In some instances, applicants may be requested to submit additional information or participate in a personal interview.

Each applicant must submit the following materials to the Graduate School:

  1. The official doctoral application form and non-refundable fee;
  2. A written statement of purpose that includes the reasons why the applicant is seeking a doctorate in leadership as well as a description of critical issues of concern to the applicant. The statement must be typed and is limited to 500 words;
  3. A minimum of 3 recommendations using the official doctoral confidential recommendation form. References must be selected from among supervisors, instructors, and colleagues who have worked with the applicant during the past five years. Two recommendations should come from the area of work experience and at least one from academic experience;
  4. A resume that includes: formal education, professional experience, academic achievements and honors, scholarly activity, and relevant non-professional experience;
  5. Two official transcripts from each college or university attended (international applicants must submit foreign transcripts in the original language and an English copy);
  6. The official score from either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (must be less than five years old);
  7. Submission of an official TOEFL score of at least 550 by each international applicant who graduated from a foreign college or university and whose native language is not English; and
  8. Submission of a financial declaration and supporting documentation by each international applicant.

Forms

Provisional Admission

If a careful review of a student's application package suggests there is a strong possibility of success in the program despite weaknesses in one or more areas, the Graduate School in close cooperation with the Doctoral Studies Department may grant provisional admission to the program. A student admitted provisionally is not eligible for financial assistance. A letter offering provisional admission will state the conditions that must be satisfied before the admission status will be changed to regular admission. Students who are admitted provisionally will not be allowed to enroll in courses beyond one semester unless their admission status is changed to regular admission. The decision to convert a provisional admission to a regular admission is made by the Graduate School based on the written recommendation of the Department. The student initiates this process with a letter to the Program Director that responds to the reason for the provisional admission. In some cases the provisionally admitted students may be required to attach to this letter a paper from a course that demonstrates writing ability along with the comments of the faculty member. Enrollment in specific courses for provisionally admitted students may require the consent of their advisor.

Non-Matriculated Status

Prospective students can take up to 12 elective credits as a non-matriculated student before they are formally admitted to the Program. Students should, however, apply for regular admission before beginning their second semester in the Program. Prospective students are cautioned that performance while enrolled as a non-matriculated student is not considered when students are considered for admission, but that students can use instructors from these courses as references.

Three forms are necessary to take courses as a non-matriculated student.

(These forms are .pdf files. Acrobat Reader is needed to download them and print them. For a Free copy of ACROBAT Reader).