We encourage all interested candidates to apply early to this competitive program.
Key Dates and Figures
- Application Deadline: September 9, 2025
- Entry Term: Spring 2026
- Application Fee: $0 (waived upon submission)
- Commitment Deposit Upon Admission: $300 (non-refundable, applied toward tuition)
Loyola Marymount University adheres to the state regulations for each state and has received authorization, exemption, or does not fall within the jurisdiction for authorization to offer online educational offerings in the following states. If your current state of residence is not listed, LMU can not accept you into the Online Ed.D. Program at this time. As LMU obtains clearance from additional states, they will be added to the State Authorization page. International candidates are exempted.
Statement of Purpose
In addition to submitting your application online, you must submit a personal statement (2-3 pages typed, 12-point font, double-spaced) that addresses the following:
- Why you want to pursue the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership for Social Justice at LMU
- How your formal and informal leadership experiences have informed your understanding of social justice
- How the doctorate of education degree fits your career plans
- Areas or topics of research interest
Applicants are encouraged to review and identify any connections between their responses to the statements above and LMU School of Education’s mission, vision, and core values and/or the doctoral program learning outcomes.
Additional Materials
The below materials are required to complete your doctoral program application:
- Resume/CV
- Two letters of recommendation: Please advise each recommender to upload their letter to the link emailed to them by LMU’s Graduate Admissions office.
- Official transcripts: You must submit transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, including all community or junior colleges. Please send all transcripts via email to graduateadmission@lmu.edu.
- Transcript evaluation: International applicants who have completed their postsecondary education from an institution outside the United States (U.S.) must hold a degree from a university recognized by the Ministry of Education as a degree-granting institution. Transcripts from an international institution must be translated and evaluated by a U.S. transcript evaluation service (e.g., Educational Credential Evaluators, International Education Research Foundation or World Education Services) before the application is considered for admission.
- Official TOEFL score (for international students)
- Statement on GRE waiver: LMU continues to waive the GRE requirement for all 2026 applicants to this program. The Doctoral Admission Committee will not extend special consideration to those applicants who have already submitted their GRE scores, or to those who choose to submit their GRE scores as part of their application.
Once your completed application has been processed, the Doctoral Admission Committee will review it to determine your leadership experience, professional goals and academic abilities, as well as your compatibility with the mission and goals of LMU School of Education and the Ed.D. program. Qualified candidates will be invited to interview with the Doctoral Admission Committee. Accepted candidates will be notified of their admittance by the Program Director.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Doctoral Center at doctoral@lmu.edu.