Application deadline for Ph.D. in Policy, Leadership and School Improvement
Fall 2025 admission deadline is Dec. 10, 2024.
Application deadline for financial support
Most financial support available to graduate students is based within individual programs. In addition, a limited amount of financial support is available from The Graduate School and is based upon nominations from individual programs. To allow sufficient time for your program to nominate you for Graduate School fellowships, your application (including all uploads and attached test scores) must be complete by Dec. 10, 2024.
Application Process
The application process for the doctoral programs are administered through the Graduate School through an online admission application through which all application materials are submitted.
Applicants are responsible for monitoring their application status and ensuring that their application — including the application fee, letters of recommendation, transcripts — is complete by the application deadline.
Your application will be reviewed after the complete application is submitted and the application fee is received. By applying to UNC-Chapel Hill, consent is granted to university staff to obtain any additional or missing information as needed, including campus safety information.
Because Ph.D. admission decisions depend on the match between applicants’ interests and those of program faculty, potential applicants are encouraged to email to faculty with whom they are interested in studying in order to schedule a brief conversation. These meetings can help identify areas of shared research interests and strengthen applicants’ understanding of opportunities for study in the Ph.D. in Education.
Each offer of admission is specific for the term stated in the admission letter. If you do not register for classes, you must apply again in a subsequent semester. Contact the admissions office for questions about deferrals of admission offers.
Required materials for Ph.D. applicants:
- School of Education online application
- Application fee (non-refundable $95)
- Bachelor’s degree
- Transcripts from all universities and colleges attended
- Three letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose (2 pages single spaced)
- Resume/CV
- Official TOEFL/IELTS scores (International students only, must be valid within last 2 years)
- Suggested but not required: Writing sample of 10 pages and 2 years of professional experience in educational setting