Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long does it take to complete the Ed.D. program?
On average, students complete the program in 4.5 years. It is a 60-credit hour program.
2. Do any classes from my master’s degree transfer over?
Courses completed in fulfillment of master’s degree requirements cannot be transferred for credit toward the Ed.D. However, doctoral-level coursework completed beyond master’s degree requirements may be considered for transfer credit, pending approval of Ed.D. program administrators and the UTEP Graduate School.
3. Do I need a master’s degree in order to apply to the doctoral program?
Yes, you must provide evidence of master’s degree completion in your application to the Ed.D. Program.
4. Can I apply to the Ed.D. program if my master’s degree is not in education?
Students entering the doctoral program should have completed a master’s degree in Educational Administration or Leadership, or an equivalent field. However, you may apply to the program if you do not hold a degree in education, with the expectation that in your application to the program, your aims and experiences related to education are clear. For cases in which the degree was not in the field of educational administration or leadership, students can be required to enroll in master’s-level courses and other learning experiences as determined by the faculty advisor.
5. What is the method of delivery for classes and when do classes meet? Are classes available online?
The doctoral courses are offered in face-to-face and hybrid (alternating weeks online and face-to-face) formats. Our face-to-face and hybrid courses are tailored for working professionals, as they are offered in the evenings and meet once per week during regular academic terms. While we may add some online courses to the program, a strength of our program is the focus on dynamic and motivating in-person interactions with faculty and classmates.
6. What is the cost of the program?
Please refer to information on the UTEP Graduate School’s website on the cost of attendance (/student-affairs/financialaid/overview/cost-of-attendance.html) and on Paying for Grad School (/graduate/funding/Paying.html).
7. Is the GRE required for program admission? Can I provide other standardized test scores in place of the GRE?
No GRE required.
8. From whom should I obtain letters of recommendation for my application?
Your application must include 3 letters of reference. At least one letter should be an academic reference, such as a current or former professor, advisor, or instructor. At least one letter should be a professional reference, such as a current or former supervisor, or professional with whom you collaborated. The third letter can be an academic, professional, or character reference.
9. What is asked in the essay prompts in the application?
You will be asked to discuss your experiences and skills relevant to a doctoral degree in educational leadership and administration. You will also be asked to identify your goals for the future and describe how the program will advance these goals.
10. Do you require a writing sample?
A writing sample is not required, but you are welcome to provide that or other materials to support a competitive application.
11. What is an Ed.D. as opposed to a Ph.D.?
Broadly, an Ed.D. program provides greater emphasis on practice in conjunction with theory and research, relative to a Ph.D. program. Most of our Ed.D. students are working professionals seeking to advance their knowledge and skills in order to improve their practice as educational leaders and administrators.
12. What types of careers do graduates of the Ed.D. program pursue?
Typically, graduates of the doctoral program prepare for positions in three general career areas: (1) central-office and school-site leadership, (2) leadership in higher education and other educational settings, and (3) leadership in policy analysis and evaluation. More specifically, these positions include school/central office administrator, superintendent, university/community college professor, university/college administrator, government/non-profit organization director, researcher/evaluator, and policy analyst.
13. Where can I find additional information on the program?
Please refer to the following links for information about the Department of Educational Leadership & Foundations (EDLF) in the College of Education at UTEP and its faculty:
/education/elf/index.html
/education/elf/people/faculty.html
Also, please review information about applying to the UTEP Ed.D. Program and degree requirements:
/education/elf/academic-programs/doctoral-program2.html
/education/elf/academic-programs/doctoral-program/how-to-apply.html
14. When is the application to the Ed.D. program due?
Applications are due April 15th for Fall enrollment. Please see our website for further information: /education/elf/academic-programs/doctoral-program/how-to-apply.html.