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. You can contact an admissions officer before submitting your priority application in order to receive an application fee waiver. 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).

  • International applicants
    • For international applicants, transcripts are needed in order to be reviewed for admission.
    • All applicants who received or will receive their degree from a university outside of the US (unless the degree is from a university that is already regionally accredited within the US) are required to submit a detailed foreign transcript evaluation report from any National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member, such as the International Education Research Foundation or World Education Services.
    • A detailed foreign transcript evaluation report will contain the following:
      • Foreign transcripts translated into English
      • A detailed course-by-course report with the grade point average calculated on a US 4.0 scale
      • A determination of US degree equivalency (regional accreditation equivalency is required)
    • If you are attending school outside of the US and have not completed your bachelor’s degree at the time of application, we would need your current NACES member international transcript evaluation (please see above for requirements). Upon degree completion, you are required to provide an updated NACES member evaluation reflecting your final courses, final cumulative GPA equivalency, and US degree equivalency.

  • 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.

  • 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 
    • If your first language is not English, you must meet one of the following test scores:
      • A minimum score of 85 if you take the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
      • A minimum score of 7.0 if you take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination
      • Test scores must be within the last two years 

  • 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.
  • Application fee: A $55 application fee is required upon submission of your application.

To ensure your transcripts and associated materials are received for review, please make sure to send them directly to eduappsvcs@onlinegrad.pepperdine.edu.