Applications and Admissions
The Deadline for Applications to Cohort 10 (to Begin Fall 2025) Is May 30, 2025.
Applying to DPEL Is A Two-Step Process:
- First, you must submit an application to the California State University, Bakersfield through the Cal State Apply system.
- Second, all DPEL applicants must submit a program application, including supporting documents such as letters of recommendation, directly to DPEL's Admissions and Support Coordinator.
-
Cal State Apply Application
- Complete Cal State Apply Graduate/Post-Baccalaureate application for admission at: https://www.calstate.edu/apply
- Please use the major/program objective:
- Educational Leadership Pre-K-12 (Ed.D.)
- Educational Leadership Post Secondary (Ed.D)
- Official transcripts are required for the Cal State Apply application. Official transcripts should be submitted directly to California State University, Bakersfield according to the directions within the Cal State Apply application system. For transcripts from undergraduate and/or graduate coursework from California State University, Bakersfield, please contact the DPEL Administrative Support Coordinator (rsoriano@csub.edu) for further guidance.
-
Application for Program Admission Form
- Admission to the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership requires the following
of all applicants:
- An earned Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education with a grade point average in upper division coursework of 3.0 or above;
- An earned Master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education with a grade point average of 3.0 or above;
- Sufficient preparation, graduate training and experience pertinent to educational leadership in order to benefit from the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership;
- Demonstrated academic excellence, problem-solving ability, and an interest in critically assessing and bringing about improvements in current educational policies and practices; and
- Demonstrated educational leadership potential and skills including successful experience in PK-12 school/district, postsecondary, community, and/or policy leadership contexts.
- Other California State University admissions standards for graduate students also apply to all Ed.D. applicants.
- A candidate documents their ability to meet DPEL’s minimum admissions requirements
by submitting the following items:
- Please complete and send the Application for Program Admission Form and supporting documents to the DPEL’s Administrative Support Coordinator, Ms. Rosie Soriano (rsoriano@csub.edu).
- A Statement of Purpose (no more than four pages) outlining your reasons for pursuing
a doctoral degree in the field of educational leadership. The Statement of Purpose
might include:
- A biographical sketch of your experiences in the field of education
- Your career plans
- Your scholarly interests
- Your views on current and future educational reform efforts, along with your role(s) in these efforts
- A résumé or curriculum vitae including demonstrated experience and leadership roles in a work environment where education is the primary professional emphasis, earned post-secondary degrees, and other aspects of the applicant’s professional background salient to leadership in education.
- A sample of the candidate’s professional or academic writing (e.g., a report or some other communication to colleagues or other professionals in the field, an article, a paper from your master’s degree program, etc.).
- To facilitate timely review of the application, copies of unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary coursework at any institution of higher education should be included in the program application. For applicants with transcripts at CSUB, the DPEL Administrative Support Coordinator (rsoriano@csub.edu) can help you procure these. Other institutions of higher education may allow access to unofficial transcripts to the applicant. Applicants should check with their previous institutions regarding official and unofficial transcripts.
- Three (3) signed and sealed letters of recommendation from professionals attesting to the leadership capacity, ability, and/or scholarly potential of the applicant. Note that the three signed letters of support should come directly from your recommenders. Please instruct your recommenders to send their letters directly to the DPEL Administrative Support Coordinator (rsoriano@csub.edu).
- Candidates deemed most qualified for the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership will be invited to sit for an interview with the Admissions Committee. You will be contacted by the DPEL’s Administrative Support Coordinator to schedule an interview (which typically occur in June).
- Admission to the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership requires the following
of all applicants:
Have A Question? Feel Free to Contact Us or Join an Upcoming Information Session
DPEL Administrative Support Coordinator
Rosie SorianoEmail: rsoriano@csub.edu
Phone: (661) 654-3140
Office: Education (EDUC) 249
Upcoming Information Session Dates, Times, and Zoom Link
To schedule an information session, please contact:
Dr. Mahmoud Suleiman
DPEL Acting Director
Email: msuleiman@csub.edu
Phone: (661) 654-3140
March 11 & 25, April 8 & 22, May 6, 2025
On each of these dates, the first Information Session will take place from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, followed by the second session from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. We hope to see you in one of these sessions!