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Admissions | Policies | Costs

ADMISSIONS
Because doctoral programs require considerable faculty time and resources, a limited number of students will be admitted to the program each year.

Degree Requirement: It is expected that all applicants will have at least a bachelor's degree (the 135-credit doctorate track) or a master's degree (the 90-credit doctorate track) from a regionally accredited college or university.

Admission decisions will be based on the following

• Submission* of the doctoral degree application with the application processing fee
• Official transcripts documenting excellent undergraduate and graduate GPAs
• Academic degree(s) in education or related field from an accredited university
• Minimum of three years successful experience as an educator
• Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score taken within five years of application (combined score of 1200 on the verbal and quantitative sections is preferred for Ph.D. programs, and a score of 1000 is preferred for Ed.D); The Miller Analogies Test may be accepted for the Ed.D. program
• Four letters of recommendation (two academic and two professional)
• Personal statement — including goals and proposed area of study (no more than 500 words)
• Personal interview with at least two SPU core doctoral faculty members

*Check SOE’s application deadlines

Screening and On-going Admission: Cohort classes begin each summer. The screening of applicants for admission is an ongoing process. Students may be admitted to the program throughout the year so they can begin needed prerequisites, foundations, and elective courses.

PROGRAM AND ENROLLMENT POLICIES

Transfer Credits

Modifications to the following transfer policies may be made at the discretion of the director of doctoral studies in consultation with the Doctoral Admissions Committee.

• Number. At the time of admission, a student may transfer up to 15 post-master's degree credits into the doctoral program with the approval of the director of doctoral studies.
• Type. Courses transferred must be graduate-level, from a regionally accredited institution, and relevant to the student's course of doctoral study.
• Timeline. Transfer credits must have been taken within the three years prior to admission and must have been part of a planned program leading to a graduate degree or a professional certificate.
• Grades. Courses with grades below a 3.0 ("B"), or those receiving "pass" or "satisfactory" grades cannot transfer into the program.
• Substitutions. Transferred classes may be substituted for degree requirements if the student can document in writing that they are comparable to required courses offered through SPU.

Residency Requirement

Students are expected to complete the required cohort courses (7000-level) in sequence during the first two years of the program. Once students begin their classes, continuous enrollment must be maintained throughout the program. Students who interrupt the residency requirement may be dropped from the program.

Grade Point Average

A 3.2 overall GPA is required for graduation.

Degree Completion

All requirements for the doctoral degree must be completed within five years from the quarter the first post-admission course was taken. Students who need more than five years to complete the degree must file a time-extension petition with the director of doctoral studies.

COSTS AND FINANCIAL AID

Tuition

The tuition rate for 2009–10 is $625 per credit hour for doctoral level courses. Amounts are subject to change. Check costs and fees for more information.

Assistantships

The School of Education typically offers several graduate assistant positions each year. The moderate stipend varies depending on the time commitment and level of appointment (e.g., master’s versus doctoral degrees).

Graduate assistantships are not considered part of a student's financial aid award. Contact the program coordinator to inquire about graduate assistantships only after you’ve been admitted to the program.

Financial Aid

Financial aid in the form of student loans and work-study is administered by Student Financial Services (SFS). Financial aid is available to students who are admitted as degree-seeking students, and who demonstrate financial need. Specific questions should be directed to SFS at 206-281-2061 or sasinfo@spu.edu.

Student Employment

In addition to graduate assistantships and other financial aid, students may choose part-time employment on or off campus. For student employment opportunities, visit the Student Employment website.