Application Process
Overview | Requirements | Process,Timeline | Costs | Funding
- Download application checklist (Word)
- Complete the online application. When you are ready to apply please go to: https://www.grad.washington.edu/applForAdmiss/
- Fill in the Resume section in the College of Ed online application. Include educational degrees and professional experiences as well as all relevant awards, publications, presentations or other achievements.
- Fill in the Goal Statement section in the College of Ed online application. The statement should be 4 -7 pages, double-spaced, explaining (1) your philosophy of education, (2) qualities or characteristics of exemplary leaders, (3) how you demonstrate or embody these qualities or characteristics in your professional experience, (4) why you are applying to the Danforth Program and want to be an educational leader in the 21st century, and (5) how you will arrange half-time release for the internship.
- Submit Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores - general exam only; no recency requirement (http://www.gre.org). If you have a copy of your scores, mail them with your application packet to the College of Education. If you need to take the test, instruct the testing facility to send your scores to the UW College of Education.
- Submit One (1) set of official transcripts from ALL degree-granting institutions and any institution where you have received graded credits. NOTE: if admitted, you will be required to submit a second set of transcripts to the Graduate School. If you have original sealed transcripts from the institution(s) in a sealed envelope, you can mail the transcripts with your application packet.
- Submit three (3) Danforth Program professional reference forms completed by (1) your principal, (2) a teacher the principal chooses, and (3) a teacher of your choice. Download reference forms (Word). If you are not teaching currently, choose a supervisor who can tell us about your work.
Students seeking a Master's Degree must submit three (3) letters of recommendation in addition to the professional reference forms. (Please see below for complete Master's requirements.) - Submit a photocopy of your valid (current) Teaching or Educational Staff Associates (ESA) certificate. If your certificate has expired, you will be required to submit your renewed certificate before applying for the Residency Principal certificate.
- Submit a 10-15 minute videotape of your teaching.**
**A new requirement for applicants to the Danforth program in 2008 is a 10-15 minute videotape of an instructional lesson and related student engagement. The video or DVD should clearly show you providing the setup for the lesson (5-7 minutes) and student engagement and learning, for example: discussion, small group work, presentations (5-7 minutes). If you are National Board Certified you may submit a videotape from that process.
Since a strong and important focus of the Danforth Educational Leadership Program is instructional leadership, we will use the videotape as a sample from which to judge your instructional skills and ability to demonstrate student learning.
Combination of a Master’s Degree in Education (M.Ed.) and the Danforth Program
The M.Ed. degree program for students seeking Initial Principal or Initial Program Administrator certification is specifically designed to include the 36-credit Danforth Program as the major part of a Master’s program.
In addition to the items above, please provide the following:
- Three additional letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your academic and/or professional work. (For a total of 3 letters of recommendation and 3 reference forms). These can be the same 3 references.
- In your goal statement, include research and/or scholarly interests and state how the area of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies can help you achieve your goals.
- Sample of scholarly writing (e.g., course paper, article, essay) that demonstrates how well you can analyze and critically reflect on information. If you have no appropriate example of scholarly writing, please prepare a critical essay or review (10-12 pages, double-spaced) of a book that you feel is central to your interests in education. You are demonstrating analytical thinking, research and writing skills.
Danforth 21 Application Timeline (2008-2009 program)
- GRE SCORES: If you do not have a copy of your GRE scores, please schedule a test ASAP. Old scores or photocopies are acceptable; GRE scores printed on an official transcript are also acceptable. If your scores are not in by the time you fill in the online applications, bypass that part of the application and the scores will be added to your file when they are received at the College of Education.
- November 2007 : Application materials available
- February 1, 2008: All application materials due. Only complete applications will be reviewed.
- February, 2008: Candidate interviews begin approximately 1 week after the application deadline (includes 1-hour writing exercise)
- March 2008: Candidates are notified regarding admissions
- May 2008: Program Orientation Session with Danforth 20 on the UW Seattle campus. Click here to see map
- July 20-25, 2008: Danforth Residential Summer Institute, Mt. River Lodge
Click here for directions and contact numbers - August 4 - 8, 2008: On Campus: All Day Summer Institute, continued. Miller Hall, Room 104
- September '08 - May '09: Academic Year: Thursdays, 1:00 - 7:00 p.m., Miller Hall, Room 104
- May 2009: Final Residential Summer Institute
- June 2009: Danforth Graduation