Application Requirements

The Educational Leadership Department accepts applications throughout the entire year. Complete applications will be reviewed on the second Wednesday of each month.

The doctoral program admissions deadlines are as follows:

  • November for a spring semester start.
  • April for a summer semester start.
  • July for an autumn semester start.

We encourage you to submit your completed application no later than two months before the semester you wish to start. 

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Please see below for specific application steps:

  • Complete the Online Application to the Graduate School
    • Please note: When choosing a degree on the Graduate School website, licensure students will choose either the Graduate Certificate in Principal Leadership or the Graduate Certificate in Superintendent Leadership, not Educational Leadership
  • Upload all Application Requirements onto your Online Application to the Graduate School
    • See below for the Application Requirements specific to your program
  • Order Official Transcripts to be sent electronically to grad.school@umontana, or physically to the following address:
    • Please note: If you graduate from the University of Montana - Missoula, you do not need to have official transcripts sent to the Educational Leadership Office

    32 Campus Drive
    PJW College of Education - Educational Leadership
    Missoula, MT 59812

  1. Online Application to the Graduate School
  2. Cover Letter to include:
    1. The program in which you are applying
    2. The semester you wish to begin
    3. If you are licensed, please note your current licensure and endorsement
  3. Two Letters of Reference
    1. If you have taken courses from professors in the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education, you can request that they complete an internal student evaluation in place of a letter of recommendation.
  4. Current Professional Resume
  5. Official Transcripts from your completed Bachelor's Degree (and Master's Degree for Ed.S. applicants).
    1. Students whose Bachelor's Degree is from a non-English speaking university should have their official transcripts translated by a credential evaluation service such as Educational Perspectives or World Education Services.
  6. Essay
    1. Please address the following issues in a well-developed, double-spaced, 200-word essay using 12-point font and Times New Roman:
      1. Your area of interest (K-12, Higher Ed., or International).
      2. Your career goals (Why are you interested in pursuing a degree in educational leadership?)
      3. Your professional objectives and how the University of Montana will contribute toward your role as a school/institutional leader.
      4. Please identify your essay by titling the uploaded document "Application Essay."
  7. International students are required to provide official TOEFL scores to the University of Montana

**The GRE is not required for admittance to the M.Ed. program as of Fall 2015**

  1. Online Application to the Graduate School
    • Do not use the supplied letter of recommendation from the online application. Please use the letter linked below (#3).
  2. Cover Letter, to include:
    • The program in which you are applying
    • The semester you wish to begin
    • If you are licensed, please note your current licensure and endorsement
  3. Two Letters of Reference
    • If you have taken courses from professors in the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education, you can request that they complete an internal student evaluation in place of a letter of recommendation.
  4. Current Professional Resume
  5. Official Transcripts from your completed Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree
  6. Essay
    • Please address the following questions in an essay that does not exceed three pages (12 point font, Times New Roman, double spaced):
      • What are your primary career goals and professional gaps you have identified as important for your intellectual and professional advancement over the next five to ten years?
      • What ways will your professional gaps be addressed through a doctoral program at the University of Montana?
      • Describe at least one research topic and/or project you plan to work on during your doctoral program.
      • The Department of Educational Leadership is interested in developing and maintaining a diverse and engaged learning community. What unique or special contributions will you bring to our community?
      • Please identify your essay by titling the uploaded document "Application Essay."
  7. The GRE is only required if an applicant's Masters GPA falls below a 3.5 on a 4.0 Scale
    • The GRE may be substituted with the Miller's Analogy, LSAT, MCAT, or any other nationally recognized graduate level exam
  8. International students are required to provide official TOEFL or IELTS scores to the University of Montana

All students seeking licensure or endorsements must submit an application to the Graduate School as a Graduate Degree-seeking student.

  1. Online Application to the Graduate School as a degree-seeking student
    • Do not use the supplied letter of recommendation from the online application. Please use the letter linked below (#3).
    • Choose one of the following as your program when prompted to on the Graduate School Online Application:
      • Educational Leadership - Graduate Certificate in Principal Leadership
      • Educational Leadership - Graduate Certificate in Superintendent Leadership
  2. Cover Letter, to include:
    • The program in which you are applying
    • The semester you wish to begin
    • If you are licensed, please note your current licensure and endorsement
  3. Two Letters of Reference
    • If you have taken courses from professors in the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education, you can request that they complete an internal student evaluation in place of a letter of recommendation.
  4. Current Professional Resume
  5. Essay
    • 200-word essay in which you describe your leadership philosophy.
    • Please identify your essay by titling the uploaded document "Application Essay."
  6. Official Transcripts from your completed Bachelor's Degree Master's Degree
International students are required to provide official TOEFL scores to the University of Montana.

All applicants accepted into The University of Montana's Department of Educational Leadership Administrative Licensure/Endorsement Program must have received their qualifying graduate coursework from programs of higher education that are accredited through NCATE, TEAC, or institutions that possess the Carnegie Classification Level of RU/VH: Research Universities.

If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact the Department of Educational Leadership at edld@mso.umt.edu or 406-243-4850.

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