Online EdD Application Requirements
To apply for the Doctor of Education (EdD) in Organizational Leadership program at Pepperdine University, you must hold a bachelor’s degree, along with a master’s or a doctoral degree, from a regionally accredited institution. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is preferred, but not required.
The EdD program starts in September annually. The following materials are required to apply:
- Online application
- Résumé or curriculum vitae (CV)
- Transcripts: Ask your institution(s) that awarded the bachelor’s and master’s or doctoral degree to send official transcripts electronically to eduappsvcs@onlinegrad.pepperdine.edu.
- Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for initial admissions review; however, official transcripts must be received to complete an applicant’s file and enable an accepted candidate to enroll in the subsequent term (30 days after start of term 1).
- Two letters of recommendation
- Letters of recommendation should be submitted from individuals that attest to the applicant’s academic and/or professional character and leadership experience and/or potential.
- Academic recommendations: professors, instructors, or academic advisors
- Professional recommendations: supervisors for employment, volunteer work, internships, or related activities
- If you are a recent college graduate, you should have at least one academic recommendation.
- If you graduated from college more than five years ago, you should use professional recommendations.
- Letters of recommendation should be submitted from individuals that attest to the applicant’s academic and/or professional character and leadership experience and/or potential.
- Statement of interest: Write a 1,000–2,000-word statement addressing the following prompts:
- Reflect on your personal and professional journey and how it has impacted your decision to pursue an EdD.
- Highlight insights such as your view of leadership and cultural upbringing, evidence of a purposeful research agenda, perseverance, future career, and the connection between the mission of GSEP and scholar-practitioner objectives.
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Applicants whose native language is not English are required to provide evidence of English proficiency. Applicants must submit one of the following:
- A test score for the Internet-Based Test (IBT) of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination taken in the last two years with a minimum score of 85 for the 1-120 score scale exam or 4.5 on the new 1-6 score scale effective January 2026,
- A test score for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination, sponsored by Cambridge Examinations, with a minimum score of 7, or
- An eligible alternative/waiver to fulfill the English proficiency requirement.
- Applicants whose native language is not English are required to provide evidence of English proficiency. Applicants must submit one of the following:
- Interview: A personal and/or group interview is required for qualified applicants.
- Writing sample: A writing sample and/or critical thinking assessment may be assigned to a candidate before potential admission at the discretion of the program director.
To ensure your transcripts and associated materials are received for review, please make sure to send them directly to eduappsvcs@onlinegrad.pepperdine.edu.