THE DOCTORAL PROGRAM

The Higher Educational Leadership program seeks students who: (1) are experienced with administrative or other organizational leadership responsibilities in an advanced learning setting, (2) demonstrate promise for greater leadership responsibilities, (3) are committed to making a positive difference in the settings in which they function, (4) demonstrate academic strength to succeed in advanced graduate study and independent research including writing and analytic skills, and (5) demonstrate motivation to succeed in the rigorous interpersonal and academic demands necessary to complete doctoral study. 

Individuals seeking the Doctor of Education in Higher Educational Leadership apply for admission through the University of Maine Graduate School.  The application includes a written statement of purpose, important in assessing the fit between individual and programmatic goals. The applicant will be contacted for an interview with the Higher Educational Leadership doctoral program faculty after review of the application. The Graduate School and the program requires transcripts of undergraduate and graduate coursework including a completed Master's degree from an accredited institution (except for transcripts for coursework completed at the University of Maine, Orono which the University provides as a service to its graduates), scores on the quantitative, verbal, and analytic writing subtests of the Graduate Record Examination, and three letters of reference addressing promise for the academic requirements of graduate work (at least one from a faculty member who can speak to the applicant's classroom performance).  In addition, doctoral applicants are to submit a professional resume to the faculty in Higher Education at the time of application.

Information and an online or downloadable application to the Graduate School can be found at http://www2.umaine.edu/graduate/article.php?id=63.

Application Deadlines: November 15th and March 1st

Applicants often ask about expectation of prior coursework and GRE scores. We stress that we consider the overall application with each component adding to a full picture of an applicant’s promise.  For general reference, however, the grade point average for prior graduate study should generally equal or exceed 3.5.  Combined scores on the quantitative and verbal subtests should generally equal or exceed 1,000 with a 5.0 for doctoral applicants on the analytic writing component of the GRE.  Evidence that GRE scores lower than 1,000 are inconsistent with an applicant’s record of strong academic and professional achievement will be considered in assessing the application.