EdD Admissions Guidelines

Applicants must complete the School of Education online admissions application. Please select the application for the summer term.

There is a non-refundable application fee of $50 (USD) by credit card with the application, unless you apply for and receive a need-based fee waiver.

Your online application will include your:

• Current resume or curriculum vitae
• Goal statement
• Letters of recommendation
• Transcript

In the online application, applicants are required to complete a 750-word goal statement.

Below is a summary of the writing prompt:

The Doctor of Education (EdD) program at the University of Pittsburgh is designed to support the development of high-level scholar practitioners that synthesize educational research and address problems of practice in their work contexts. The academic major is an integral part of the program with students deepening their learning and scholarly practice within their chosen major. Considering this framing, please write a 750-word personal statement that addresses the following:

• What has been your educational and professional journey that led you to pursue an EdD?
• What long-term professional goals do you have and how might an EdD in your proposed major help you achieve those goals
• What questions do you grapple with in your current place of practice? Why are these questions important? How could addressing these questions change or improve your place of practice?
• How are your professional and educational goals related to equity and justice?
• How do you think or hope the Pitt EdD program in your major will support your professional and academic development and learning? (e.g. people you’d like to be in conversation with, methods you’d like to explore, etc.
• Additionally, please identify 1-3 faculty in your major area you’re interested in working with and why. Faculty information can be found by clicking on our EdD major pages, selecting a link for details on a major, and scrolling to the bottom of the page.

Three letters of recommendation are required to be submitted during your online application.

We recommend including professional references (i.e. from a supervisor or a colleague) and an academic reference (i.e. from someone with knowledge of your performance in an academic setting such as a master’s program). However, it is acceptable for all three references to be professional.

For transcripts from U.S. institutions:

In the Academic History section of the online application, please request that official transcripts from all U.S. institutions attended are sent to GRADCAS. If your previous institution is unable to send transcripts electronically, please contact an Admissions & Recruitment Manager at 412-648-2230 or soeinfo@pitt.edu. Grade point averages of 3.0 in undergraduate study and 3.5 in graduate study are recommended.

For transcripts from institutions from outside the United States:

Official, third-party evaluation of all international transcripts for applicants who have not received a master’s degree within the United States; we strongly recommend using World Education Services (WES) to complete this service.

The EdD degree at Pitt Education consists of 84 academic credits. Of that total, students must take 60 new credits and 24 credits will be transferred from the student’s previous graduate program coursework. In order for credits to transfer, the applicant must have earned a grade of B or better in each course.

If you have any questions, please contact our admissions team at soeinfo@pitt.edu. We are happy to assist you!

Applicants may be eligible for a need-based application fee waiver due to:

• Pell eligibility within the last three years
• Recent participation in federal, state, or local programs that aid students from low-income families
• Qualification for public assistance
• Otherwise demonstrable financial hardship, including emergency expenses or unexpected medical bills

Request Need-Based Fee Waiver

Our admissions staff will review your request, and reach back out to assist you in completing your application. The School of Education reserves the right to request any necessary documentation.

GRE scores are not required. Admission is based on your past educational achievement and accomplishments, and your visions for the future.