Higher Education Studies & Leadership Admissions
Ready to Apply?
We’re glad you’re ready to take the next step towards joining the School of Education Graduate Programs at Baylor University! Applications for the PhD in Higher Education Studies & Leadership begin with completing an application through the Baylor Graduate School.
Dates to Remember
Applications for Fall Admission are due by February 1st.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to fill out the initial application(statement of purpose) immediately and then work toward filling in the remaining required materials.
Application Requirements
In the Graduate School Application Portal, you will need to upload the following documents:
- A Letter of Application stating applicant’s vocational interests, professional background, goals leading to such vocational aspirations, and your rationale for pursuing a PhD in Higher Education Studies & Leadership at Baylor University. Applicants should also have some idea of a research agenda they wish to pursue within higher education.
- GRE Scores.
- Transcripts showing both prior undergraduate and graduate work. A master’s degree is required for admission to the HESL program. If you do not have a master’s degree, we recommend considering the MSEd in Higher Education and Student Affairs.
- Three Letters of Personal Reference with at least one of whom is familiar with the applicant’s vocational goals and at least one of whom is familiar with the applicant’s academic potential (e.g., a former university professor).
- Submission of a writing sample from previous academic work.
- Any other evidentiary documents that the applicant believes might support his/her application.
After we have received your information, you will be asked to participate in a structured interview with the appropriate Educational Leadership faculty. In addition to other factors, the purpose of the interview is to assess the ability of the candidate to communicate effectively and to match the applicant’s area of interest with faculty expertise and possible apprenticeship placement.
International Applicants
Important information for our international applicants to the Baylor University HESL PhD program:
- GRE and Application Fee: We do not waive the GRE requirement or the application fee for international applicants.
- Understanding U.S. Higher Education: Our program focuses heavily on American higher education. As a result, applicants should be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of this context. Applicants’ statement of interest is a great place to highlight any relevant experience they have had with U.S. higher education.
Learn more about additional requirements, student resources, and language support for international applicants on the Baylor University Graduate School website.