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Admissions

ELPHD welcomes graduate students ready to broaden their understanding of how to solve current issues in education. Our students gain real-world experience in a supportive atmosphere and vibrant research culture devoted to learning.

Future ELPHD Students

Our dedicated faculty and staff recognize the importance of diverse perspectives and learning styles. The intellectual input and unique cultural background of both our current and incoming students contribute to the richness of our intellectual environment and to the diversity of our student body.

Please note that the ELPHD department requires a minimum TOEFL score of 100, which is higher than what is set by the Graduate School at NC State University (85). As our courses require considerable reading, writing and verbal interaction, we have adopted this minimum score to improve the probability of successful completion of our degrees. For applicants who have already earned a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution of higher education, you may be exempted from submitting the TOEFL score according to the Graduate School’s waiver policy. Questions about your application or any of our graduate programs should be directed to the respective program coordinator.

Program Application Requirements
Note that all materials must be submitted through our online application process only. No hard copies will be accepted.

  • Personal Statement

Master’s Students:

  • Personal statement (1-2 pages) that describes your career experiences, future personal goals, and how a degree in the desired discipline will affect your career goals (uploaded in Apply Yourself)

Doctoral Students:

  • Members of the Doctoral Admissions Committee in each area will review all applications to the Ph.D. program. Many factors are taken into consideration in the decision process, including the personal statement that all applicants submit.
  • Your statement should be typed, single-spaced, and should be between two to three pages and address the following:1) Identify your current career goals and aspirations to improve education and society and indicate how the program to which you are applying could help you fulfill those goals and aspirations.2) A successful dissertation is an important contribution to knowledge to help solve problems facing education and advance equity.
  • One role of the Ph.D. program is to guide students as they work to become scholar leaders able to make such contributions. Please describe your research interest or focus that you would like to pursue as a doctoral student (be as specific as possible).3) Identify your experiences that could help you succeed and also benefit others in a PhD program.
  • Your professional résumé (uploaded in ApplyYourself)
  • Transcripts from all institutions attended except NC State University. Unofficial transcripts are to be uploaded into ApplyYourself. If admitted, official transcripts must be sent to the Graduate School before admission is confirmed. Please DO NOT send any transcripts to the department. The Graduate School receives all application materials.
  • Three recommendations from persons who can attest to your scholarly aptitude and motivation. (All must be submitted through “ApplyYourself”).
  • Proof of English proficiency for International applicants
  • North Carolina Residency application
  • $75 Non-refundable application fee paid online or sent to the Graduate School. 
  • Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related health, economic, and social challenges, GRE test scores are waived for applicants applying for all graduate programs in the College of Education for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle. Read more about this decision.

Additional Program Requirements: (only MSA and Ed.D. in EAS)

MSA

  • 3 years teaching experience in a K-12 environment
  • One recommendation must be from current supervisor

Ed.D.-Educational Administration & Supervision

  • North Carolina Principal’s license or be eligible to receive one
  • One recommendation must be from current supervisor

Application Deadlines by Program

Deadlines for receipt of ALL application materials

On-Campus or DE
Application Deadline
Program Coordinator

Ed.D.-Educational Administration & Supervision
On-Campus
December 1st
Dr. Bonnie Fusarelli: bonnie_fusarelli@ncsu.edu

Ph.D. Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development – Counseling and Counselor Education Specialization
** On-Campus
December 1st
Dr. Marc Grimmett: marc_grimmett@ncsu.edu

Ph.D. Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development – Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis specialization
** On-Campus
December 1st
Dr. Bonnie Fusarelli: bonnie_fusarelli@ncsu.edu

Ph.D. Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development – HED specialization
** On-Campus
December 1st
Stephen Porter, Ph.D.: srporter@ncsu.edu

Ph.D. Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development – HEOEJ specialization
** On-Campus
December 1st
Dr. Alyssa Rockenbach, Ph.D.: higheredoej@ncsu.edu

Ph.D. Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development – Adult and Lifelong Education specialization
** On-Campus
December 1st
Dr. Paul Umbach: pdumbach@ncsu.edu

Ph.D. Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development – Community College and Career Education specialization
** On-Campus
December 1st
Dr. Audrey Jaeger: ajjaeger@ncsu.edu

Ed.D.-Adult & Community College Education – Community College Leadership
Next Cohort – Summer 2024 (Charlotte); Summer 2025 (Raleigh)
Dr. Audrey Jaeger: ajjaeger@ncsu.edu

MSA-Master of School Administration
On-Campus/Distance Ed sites
October 30
Dr. Lesley Wirt: lfgrieco@ncsu.edu

M.Ed.-Counselor Education
On-Campus and Online
December 15
Dr. Raymond Ting: ting@ncsu.edu

M.Ed.-Higher Education Administration
On-Campus
December 1st
Dr. Alyssa Rockenbach, Ph.D.: higher_ed@ncsu.edu

M.Ed., M.S.-Adult & Community College Education
Online
Rolling Application/Apply Anytime
Dr. Paul Umbach: pdumbach@ncsu.edu

M.Ed.-Training & Development Distance Education
(Online)
Rolling Application/Apply Anytime
Dr. Pooneh Lari: plari@ncsu.edu

Certificate in Counselor Education
(Online)
Apply by August 11 for Fall Admission

and November 23 for Spring Admission
Dr. Nicole Childs: nmchilds@ncsu.edu

Certificate in Teaching, Training, and Educational Technology Distance Education
(Online)
N/A * Rolling
Dr. Paul Umbach: pdumbach@ncsu.edu

* Certificate students are not required to submit test scores or recommendations.

** These areas of study are simply “options.” They will not show up on their transcript/diploma in any way. The transcript will show PhD in ELPHD, not the program area.