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Guidelines for Applicants to the Doctorate in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) Program

Applicants for admission to the Ed.D. Program in Education Leadership are evaluated on the basis of their potential for success as doctoral students and future educational leaders. A completed application consists of the following:

  • A completed graduate admission application
  • A $35.00 nonrefundable application fee
  • Official transcripts of all college/university work
  • A score on the GRE taken within the last five years
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • A personal interview
  • A portfolio of professional growth submitted directly to the Ed.D. Program

In addition to the applications for admission, applicants for the Ed.D. Program must also submit a portfolio of professional growth (see program description for further information) directly to:

Ed.D. Program
School of Education
Fayetteville State University
1200 Murchison Road
Fayetteville, NC 28301-4298
910 672-1810

Application Deadline: To be considered for admission to the Ed.D. Program, applicants must submit all required application materials by March 1 for admission for the fall semester. Applications submitted after the deadline will be considered for admission for the following fall semester. Students are admitted by cohorts in the fall semester. For specific requirements and procedures for matriculation through the program, applicants should contact the Director of the Ed.D. Program, the department chair, or the Ed.D. Student Handbook.

Guidelines for Applicants to Master’s Degree Programs

Applicants for admission to master’s degree programs are evaluated on the basis of their potential to engage successfully in graduate study as reflected in the overall academic record, letters of recommendation, and official scores on the GRE, MAT, or GMAT. Applicants should consult the program descriptions for specific requirements regarding grade point average (GPA), test scores, and other considerations. A complete application for degree-seeking applicants consists of the following:

  • A completed graduate admission application
  • A $35.00 nonrefundable application fee
  • An official baccalaureate degree transcript (and official transcripts from all other graduate study)
  • Letters of recommendation from persons qualified to evaluate the applicant’s abilities to pursue graduate study; please see desired program description for required number of letters.
  • A copy of current licensure held (applicants to teacher education programs)
  • Official scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) – See degree program for specific examinations required.
  • Written Statement – Required by some programs; see specific program for guidelines.
  • Interview - Required by some programs; see specific program for instructions.
  • International students are required to submit additional application materials; please see section below.

Priority Application Deadline: Degree-seeking applicants whose applications are completed by the priority deadline listed above will receive an admission decision from the appropriate dean or his or her designee before the beginning of the desired semester of matriculation.

Degree-seeking applicants who have submitted a baccalaureate transcript, but whose applications are incomplete by the published priority deadline, may be permitted to enroll in graduate courses under the following conditions:

  • Degree-seeking applicants will be classified as professional development (non-degree seeking) students until they receive an admission decision regarding their application for the desired degree program.
  • Permission to enroll in graduate courses as a professional development student does not assure acceptance into the program.
  • Degree-seeking applicants will be permitted to enroll as professional development students for one semester only while their applications are completed, unless the appropriate dean or designee approves the student for up to one additional semester.
  • A maximum of twelve credit hours earned as a professional development student can be applied to a graduate degree program.
  • Students enrolled as professional development students are not eligible for financial aid.
Enrollment as Professional Development (Non-degree Seeking) Students

Individuals seeking to enroll in graduate courses for the purposes of self-improvement must submit each of the following:

  • A completed graduate admission application
  • A $35.00 nonrefundable application fee
  • An official baccalaureate degree transcript and official transcripts from all other universities/colleges attended.

Enrollment in graduate courses as a professional development student is subject to the following conditions:

  • Admission as a professional development student does not ensure admission to a graduate degree or teacher licensure program.
  • Applicants admitted as professional development students who decide to seek admission to a degree program must submit another application for admission.
  • No more than twelve credits earned as a professional development student may be applied to a graduate degree program.
  • Professional development students are not eligible for any type of financial aid, including scholarships, grants, loans, or work-study.
Teacher Licensure

Individuals who have already completed a baccalaureate degree and who wish to pursue teacher licensure will be considered for admission as undergraduate professional development students. If admitted to the university, students should contact the department in which they seek licensure to apply for admission to the teacher education program.

International Students

Fayetteville State University welcomes applications from potential graduate students from other nations. An applicant is considered an international student if he or she does not hold U.S. citizenship or resident alien status.

International students must submit each of the following

  • A completed application form with a non-refundable $25.00 application fee in U.S. dollars.
  • Certified copy of all baccalaureate degrees, including grades awarded and grading scale with minimum passing grade. If records are not in English, a certified English translation must accompany the original document.
  • An official TOEFL score report (Test of English as a Foreign Language) that is not more than two years old.
  • A bank or scholarship letter, no more than six months old, addressed to Fayetteville State University verifying the availability of funds to cover tuition, fees, and other direct costs associated with enrolling at the university.
  • All other application materials required by the degree program.
  • The application deadline for international students is March 1.
Residential Status and Tuition Assessment

Fayetteville State University adheres to The University of North Carolina’s administrative policy governing residential status as outlined in the publication. A Manual to Assist the Public Higher Education Institutions of North Carolina in the Matter of Student Residence Classification for Tuition Purposes. Copies of the manual are available in the Office of Admissions, the Student Government Office, and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. Students are responsible for being familiar with the contents of the manual and for informing the Office of Admissions of any changes in residence status.

North Carolina Public Higher Education Residence and Tuition Status Application

Student wishing to register a change in their residency status to appeal a classification may file the appropriate application from (North Carolina Public Higher Education Residence and Tuition Status Application) with the Office of Admissions. Appeals will be considered on the basis of information written by the student on the application. Questions concerning residential status for purposes of tuition assessment may be discussed with the Director of

Admissions during regular office hours.

Fundamental Requirements of Law G.S. (116.143.1 (B)

To be eligible for classification as a resident for tuition purposes, the applicant for such classification must have resided in the State of North Carolina for a period of at least twelve months.

Mere physical presence within the state for the prescribed twelve-month period, however, will not entitle the student to resident classification for tuition purposes. In addition, during the twelve-month period, the student must have been a domiciliary (legal resident) of the state.

Military Personnel and Dependents

Any active duty member of the armed services qualifying for admission to Fayetteville State University but not qualifying as a resident for tuition purposes shall be charged the in-state tuition rate and applicable mandatory fees for enrollment while the member of the armed services is abiding in this State incident to active military in North Carolina.

Any dependent relative of a member of the armed forces who is abiding in North Carolina will be eligible to be charged the in-state tuition rate, if the dependent relative qualifies for admission to Fayetteville State University. In the event the member of the armed services is reassigned outside the State of North Carolina, the dependent relative shall continue to be eligible to receive in-state tuition and applicable mandatory fees so long as the dependent relative is continuously enrolled in a degree program.

To be eligible for the in-state tuition rate the applicant must submit a military residency application to the Admissions Office.