Admission
- Application Deadline
- Admission Requirements – Domestic Applicants
- Admission Requirements – International Applicants
Application Deadline
Applications for the new doctoral cohort that begins each July are reviewed as received.
Priority Deadline: March 1
Admission Requirements – Domestic Applicants
The university graduate and program admission requirements below must be met before an application is considered complete. Each Ed.D. program application is evaluated as a whole.
International students have a separate application procedure that precedes the standard admission process. View international requirements below or contact the International Center at +1-626-812-3055 or by email.
Applicants must possess:
- A bachelor’s degree
A bachelor’s degree in higher education or a related field from a regionally accredited institution - A master’s degree
A master’s degree in higher education or a related field from a regionally accredited institution - A minimum 3.0 GPA
A 3.0 gradaute grade-point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale is required. (Provisional admittance may be granted to individuals who do not meet this criteria if competency can be shown.)
Applicants must submit:
- A Graduate Application (Apply Online | Download PDF)
- $45 nonrefundable application fee
- Official transcripts (Download PDF)
Request that official transcripts be sent to APU's Graduate Center for all degrees, certificates, and credentials earned prior to application to APU. Learn more about APU's domestic applicant transcript policy. - A letter of intent
Submit a written statement double-spaced, describing educational goals, short- and long-term professional goals, professional activities, and areas of research interest. Typically, the letter of intent is five to seven pages in length. - A scholarly writing sample
Submit a writing sample that demonstrates the student's ability to write cogently and use research and professional literature effectively in developing ideas and arguments (e.g., a master's thesis, a scholarly article published in a journal, or a comprehensive course paper) - A professional vitae (Download PDF)
- Three letters of recommendation (Download PDF)
Request letters of recommendation on doctoral program forms, one completed by the applicant's supervisor, at least one from a professor, and all from persons who can attest to the applicant's potential for doctoral study and leadership. - GRE scores
Request the results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within the last five years be sent directly from the testing agency to APU's Graduate Center. - Additional materials (if desired Applicants may submit other evidence of potential for leadership as desired.
All materials should be sent to:
Graduate Center: Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
Fax: (626) 815-4545
graduatecenter@apu.edu
Interview
Upon invitation, doctoral applicants complete an interview with at least one member of the doctoral faculty. The purpose of the interview is to meet the candidate, discuss career goals, evaluate the compatability of the program to the student, and ascertain, at least initially, the applicant's potential for success in educational leadership.
Computer Access Required
Students must own a laptop computer during their tenure in the program and are expected to bring it to class with them. The APU Computer Store makes arrangements to enable students to purchase computers and software at economical rates on convenient terms. Often, the required purchase of the laptop and software can be budgeted into student loans. For further information, please contact the Office of Graduate Student Financial Services in the Graduate Center at (626) 815-4570.
What to Expect
Once all admission materials have been received by the appropriate office, the Graduate Admissions and department faculty review the applicant's file. The applicant is then notified of the committee's decision.
*The downloadable version of this document is provided in a Portable Document Format (PDF). To learn more about PDFs or to install Adobe Acrobat Reader, visit Internet Utilities.
Admission Requirements – International Applicants
Azusa Pacific University is authorized under federal law by the U.S. CIS and the U.S. Department of State to enroll nonimmigrant, alien undergraduate and graduate students. APU issues and administers both the I-20 and DS 2019 (F-1 and J-1 status documents respectively).
To apply to be a graduate student at APU, the following requirements must be fulfilled in addition to meeting the domestic applicant and program=specific admission requirements specified by the program.
International applicants must:
- Meet all standard admission requirements above
International applicants must fulfill the domestic applicant and program-specific admission requirements specified above in addition to meeting the following criteria. - Demonstrate proficiency in English
Proficiency is evidenced by a TOEFL/IELTS score meeting program-specific requirements. Applicants should refer to APU's English Proficiency Requirements to learn more. Applicants who do not meet this requirement may seek contditional admission to the university by enrolling in the APU American Language and Cultural Institute [ALCI] to gain English proficiency. (Some programs allow for other ways to demonstrate proficiency while others do not accept conditional admission through ALCI; please check with an international enrollment advisor for further details.
International applicants must also submit:
- An International Graduate Application
(Apply Online | Download PDF)
Note: This application should be used instead of the domestic graduate application. - A $65 (U.S.) nonrefundable application fee
Note: This fee is submitted in place of the $45 nonrefundable application fee for domestic applicants. - Official transcripts
Request that official transcripts be sent to APU's International Center for all degrees, certificates, and credentials earned prior to application to APU. Read more about APU's international applicant transcript policy. - Official TOEFL/IELTS score report (if applicable)
Request that official TOEFL/IELTS test scores be sent directly from the academic institution to APU. Applicants applying for conditional admission through ALCI must submit an ALCI application (PDF). For more information, read our English Proficiency Requirements for Graduate and Doctoral Programs. - An affidavit of financial support and a bank statement
International applicants must provide an affidavit of support and a bank statement proving financial ability to pay for educational costs through personal, family, or sponsor resources. - A recent photo
International applicants must submit one recent photo of themselves. - A résumé showing work experience
International applicants must submit a current résumé or curriculum vitae (CV) that demonstrates recent work experience. - Three recommendation forms (Download PDF)
International applicants must submit recommendations completed by professors or employers (non-family members) who have knowledge of the applicant's academic ability and potential. Some programs require specific information in their recommendations. Please review the admission requirements for your program to learn more. - Essays (international master's degree applicants only)
International applicants must submit a typewritten essay addressing the following questions:
- How do you hope to benefit from an academic experience in America?
- Describe your current religious or philosophical beliefs.
- Explain why you would be a good candidate to study at APU, including any leadership roles you have experienced.
Submit all materials to:
International Center
Azusa Pacific University
901 E. Alosta Ave.
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
USA
+1-626-815-3055
Fax: +1-626-815-3801
Email IC
What to Expect
After all admission materials have been received by the International Center, the department reviews the applicant’s file. The student is notified of the committee’s decision within approximately two weeks.
