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Application Information

Requirements | Credential Options | Process | Financial Aid | Costs


Students are typically admitted to the Leadership for Learning Program every second year. Note that the application deadline is specific to this program. Please contact Brieanne Hull, k12admin@u.washington.edu, with questions and to be put on an e-mail list of interested applicants.

Admission Requirements

  1. A master's degree or higher from an accredited institution.
  2. A photocopy of your Teacher, ESA, Principal, or Program Administrator certificate will be required if you seek the Superintendent Certificate.
  3. 3.0 grade point average (GPA) in the last 90 quarter (60 semester) graded credits and 3.5 GPA in graduate-level work.
  4. Transcripts: One transcript from all degree granting institutions attended. Effective Autumn 2011, electronic transcripts are permissible and should be uploaded to the online application. If you are admitted to the program, you will be required to submit a complete set of official (printed and sealed) transcripts to the Graduate School.
  5. Goal Statement: The College of Education online application will prompt you to include your goal statement. Admissions committees use the goal statement, along with other evidence, to determine whether applicants' needs and our programs are well-matched. Goal statements range from 3-5 pages for the Ed.D. You can compose your statement in textbox provided on the online application, or upload a document.
  6. Letters of Recommendation: The College of Education online application provides instructions for submitting letters of recommendation electronically. Three (3) letters are required from persons who are able to provide evidence of support for your leadership and academic abilities and your potential for success in a graduate degree program. If your recommender cannot submit his/her letter online, a recommendation form may be downloaded for their use.
  7. Resume/Vita: The College of Education online application will prompt you to include your current academic and professional resume. Your resume should provide evidence of demonstrated leadership ability (projects, positions, accomplishments). In addition to educational degrees and professional experience, the vita should include a listing of all relevant awards, publications, presentations, or other achievements that will help us evaluate your application.
  8. GRE scores (General Test; no recency requirement). Your scores may be on file if you have previously applied to the UW. For information about scheduling a test, or to request copies of your scores from the past 5 years, please visit the GRE web site.

    Update: To date, the GRE has been required for all L4L applicants, regardless of the number and type of degrees already held. We are pleased to announce that we have now received approval to offer exemption to the GRE in the following scenarios. Effective immediately, the GRE will be waived for:
    • Candidates who already hold a Doctorate degree
    • Candidates who hold two or more completed Master's degrees
    • Candidates who hold a Master's degree plus official scores from two other admissions tests (e.g., Miller's Analogy, GMAT, LSAT)

    Please contact us with questions or concerns surrounding your eligibility for GRE exemption.
  9. Writing samples (2 or more): Submit one sample of scholarly writing (e.g., Master's thesis, course papers, articles, essays), and one work-related report or project. The samples should demonstrate how well you can analyze or synthesize and critically reflect on information. At least one writing sample must have been written by you alone. If you have no appropriate examples of scholarly writing, we urge you to consider preparing a medium-length (10-12 page) critical essay review of a book that you feel is central to your interests in education. You will be asked to do an on-site writing sample as part of your interview.

    Please note that only one document may be uploaded into the online application. Applicants are encouraged to either merge both samples (clearly labeled) into a single document; use the "Other documents" section of the online application; or email an electronic version to our office at k12admin@uw.edu. Printed copies are also accepted.
  10. UW Requirements: The UW requires your immunization record upon admission. For details, call 206-685-1018;
  11. Time Sensitive Application Items: Please note that the following components of the application may require extra time: GRE, Transcripts, Recommendations, Valid Certificate (with a current date);
  12. Interview & On-Site Writing Sample: Once the applications have been screened by faculty, eligible applicants will be invited to an interview and on-site writing sample.
  13. Ready to apply? Go to the Graduate School Web site to complete the online application


    14. Printed copies are required only for materials that cannot be included in the online application.
    Note that both writing samples do NOT need to be uploaded to the online application. Additional materials may also be emailed to Brieanne Hull at bmc83@uw.edu.