PhD in Education & Leadership Program Admissions

Admissions Events

Join us at an upcoming virtual open house.  Learn about the program’s curriculum, format, and opportunities for professional and leadership growth, get an overview of the admissions requirements and application process, and hear directly from Pacific representatives. 

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Admission Requirements

Applicants to the program will be required to have, at a minimum:

• A master's degree or a terminal or doctoral degree in a related professional field (i.e.; EdD, DHEd, PhD, JD, MD, DO, etc.) from a regionally-accredited college or university is preferred. Applicants who do not have a master's degree may be considered for Graduate College Education Equivalency. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered with a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution and greater than five years of experience. This will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the admissions committee.
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) with 3.5 preferred at the master’s level or beyond;
• Three references
• A personal essay – specific questions are provided on the application
• All applicants are required to attend a virtual panel interview via web-conferencing.

How to Apply

1. Create a GradCAS account. Please create an account and view the PhDEL application available by clicking on the Fall 2025 term. You may have to search for "Pacific University".

2. Fill out GradCAS application. All information will need to go to GradCAS. If you have any questions, please start with the GradCAS Help Center. Application materials include an updated resume, essay, official college transcripts from every institution attended, and three references. Find instructions on how to send official transcripts.

3. Submit application. When the GradCAS is completed, submit and pay the fee of $38 to GradCAS. Once Pacific University receives your completed GradCAS we will contact you for the next steps. We will begin reviewing applications and starting the interview process in February.

The program is competitive and applicants will be reviewed and admitted on a rolling basis. Applications are processed rapidly once they are received by the Faculty Admissions Committee. For this reason, it is strongly recommended that applicants apply early. Once the cohort is full for the year, the application process will close immediately.

International Admissions

The Education and Leadership PhD program at Pacific University is a virtual program that is not able to support onsite learners and cannot assist students in relocation to the United States. 

English Proficiency Policy

A satisfactory command of the English language is required for admission to Pacific University. Please note that this requirement applies to all applicants if English is not their native language, including permanent residents and citizens. International students are required to submit scores from a recent TOEFL exam.

Valid Proof of English Language Proficiency

The following criteria represent different ways to prove English proficiency for this program.

• Achieving the minimum required official score on the International Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam. Test scores are valid for two years after the test date, but will still be considered valid if the score exceeded the minimum requirement and you have maintained continuous residency in the United States since the exam date.
• Completion of a bachelor's, master’s, doctorate, or professional degree at an accredited college or university where English is the only language of instruction. Individuals who are in the process of earning a master’s degree from an accredited institution may be admitted.

Minimum Test Score Requirements

Dedicated Support for International Students

In addition to providing international student support services, Pacific University also has a dedicated international student advisor, Katelyn Eisenhooth, who can answer any of your questions related to international travel to the U.S. and study abroad opportunities at Pacific University. She can also serve as a resource for getting your Social Security Number and for any general immigration questions as an international student.