FAQs

· Online Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership for Social Justice (100% Online): September 9, 2025 (begin classes January 2026)

Yes. You must hold a Master’s degree from an accredited institution before classes start.

A cumulative GPA of 3.5 in your graduate coursework and 3.0 in your undergraduate coursework is preferred.

The Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership for Social Justice will continue to waive the GRE requirement for all 2025 applicants. The Doctoral Program Admission Committee will not be extending special admission consideration to those applicants who have already submitted their test scores, or to those who choose to submit their test scores as part of their application.

Yes. The School of Education requires 2 Letters of Recommendation from professionals who can attest to your academic skill, professionalism, and potential to succeed in our program and as a leader in education. One recommendation should be from a recent supervisor. The recommendation procedure is handled as part of the Graduate Division’s online application process. When you complete your application online, register the names and contact information of your 2 recommenders.

Your application must include 1 official transcript (sealed original, not copy) from every college and/or university you have attended.

Yes. You must upload a Statement of Purpose (2 to 4 pages typed, double spaced) to your online application. Your Statement should address the following:

1) Why you want to pursue the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership for Social Justice.

2) How the doctor of education degree fits your career plans.

3) Why you want to study at LMU.

4) Areas or topics of research interest.

· Online Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership for Social Justice (100% Online): Spring (January)

Yes, after being admitted to the Ed.D. program, you must submit a commitment form and $500 deposit to the Graduate Division to secure your place in the cohort. The $500 non-refundable deposit is applied to your tuition at LMU.

The program is designed so that candidates complete all requirements, including the dissertation, in three years.

The program consists of 46 credits. 

You will begin dissertation work in your first semester. This enables you to maximize your research and preparation time for this important endeavor. One-to-one support with accessible faculty and advisors makes this process a positive, collaborative experience.

For the Online Ed.D. Program, classes will consist of a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, which will vary for each course.

Approximately 18-24 students are in each cohort. This provides for small, engaging class discussions, project experiences and one-to-one faculty input.

We recognize diversity as a strength and are committed to cultivating a diverse cohort each year—across race, ethnicity, gender, religion, professional context and more. We encourage you to review the profiles of our doctoral candidates and recent graduates to learn more about how they are making a difference in their schools and communities.

All faculty within the School of Education are available to work with students in the Doctoral Program. Faculty across the School of Education teach in the program and serve on dissertation committees, giving our students access to a diverse group of faculty from a wide variety of research interests and expertise. We invite you to learn more about our esteemed faculty by reviewing their profiles.

Using a “scaffolded” model, the Ed.D. program is designed so working professionals can complete all degree requirements, including the dissertation, in three years. At LMU, doctoral students drive their own dissertation research and you have the opportunity to select a topic that you are passionate about, as well as a dissertation chair and committee who will work with you one-on-one. In addition, the program organizes colloquia workshops for students to cultivate career and professional skills, such as working with LMU’s Office of Career and Professional Development. LMU School of Education faculty provide workshops on how to get published and present at conferences and work with students on grant-funded research initiatives. The Doctoral Program also has dedicated administrative staff to provide students with advisement and assistance in troubleshooting any issues that may arise.

While 97% of our students have completed their degrees once admitted to the program, 69% of graduates from the past five years have completed their degrees in three years (August conferral).

For the 2024-25 academic year, tuition is $2,034.00 per credit. Tuition adjusts every academic year. To see the Cost of Attendance (COA) by program, please visit the Financial Aid website here.

All admitted and enrolled students in the Doctoral Program receive a generous Doctoral Scholarship. Work-based aid (such as research assistantships) and student loans (private, state, and federal) are also available. Visit the Financial Aid website for more information, http://financialaid.lmu.edu/graduate.

The School of Education is committed to supporting you in achieving your professional goals. If you have further questions, contact the Doctoral Center at doctoral@lmu.edu. We look forward to speaking with you!