Procedure for Admission

Procedure for Admission (Degree Seeking)

  1. Complete the application at: www.bellarmine.edu/applynow
  2. A minimum grade point average of 3.5 in all graduate coursework completed at the time of application.
  3. Candidates must have an earned baccalaureate and master's degree in any discipline. Advanced degrees in fields other than education will be considered to meet this requirement (e.g., JD, MBA, etc.). A minimum grade point average of 3.5 in all graduate coursework completed at the time of application.
  4. Provide email addresses in the online form for two references. Recommendations should be from individuals who are former professors or who have supervised the applicant in a school setting. One recommendation must come from the applicant’s current immediate supervisor. All recommendations must be related to the professional environment.
  5. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are an optional item. In lieu of GRE scores for review, applicants will be reviewed for completion of a graduate-level research course within the past five years with an earned grade of “A.” Other significant academic papers or artifacts may be requested for review.
  6. A current résumé 
  7. Submission of two essays, no more than 1000 words each addressing the following questions:
    • What new knowledge and skills do you expect to acquire from the Ph.D. in Education and Social Change program?
    • In what ways might you serve as a change agent in your career as a graduate of this program?
  8. Final official transcript(s) from each college or university attended should be mailed to the Office of Graduate Admission and should not be marked “Issued to Student.” If any transcript(s) or undergraduate degree(s) is from an international institution, you must provide an official copy to be evaluated by the Bellarmine International Programs Office. The Office of Graduate Admission reserves the right to request a certified copy of the original transcript(s).
  9. Each student selected for an interview will be asked to complete and submit electronically the following:
  10. Documentation of an approved research and sponsorship contract with a school district leader who serves in a position that requires the school superintendent endorsement;
  11. Completion of Level I preparation and certification for the position of school principal, or supervisor of instruction. (For a candidate who completed preparation for principal prior to 1988, completion of the assessments for administration and completion of at least three (3) years of full- time teaching experience including at least 140 days per year is required.);
  12.  Submit additional application documents including writing samples, program essays, and an educational autobiography.

Procedure for Admission (Visiting/Non-Degree)

  1. Complete and submit the visiting/non-degree application.
  2. Unofficial transcripts from each college or university
  3. Visiting students will need a letter from the Registrar of the college or university in which the student is currently enrolled, granting permission to enroll at Bellarmine and indicating that the coursework will be applicable to a degree.
  4. Should a non-degree student seek to be degree seeking then all official application materials will be required.

International Applicants

Please complete the items under Procedure for Admission and submit the following:

Language Proficiency. All students are expected to have appropriate English-language proficiency to be admitted to the university. The language proficiency is required to ensure students are adequately prepared and well positioned to succeed.

Financial Affidavit. All applicants must provide credible evidence (e.g. a bank statement, letter on bank stationary attesting to the availability of funds, etc.) of the ability to fund the cost of attending Bellarmine University for one academic year. If funds are provided by another person on behalf of the student, an affidavit must accompany the financial information.

Proof of Passport. Scan of passport ID page must show validity for 6 months post completion of the program.

Additional Applicant Information

Applicants actively involved in public, private, and parochial education must have the following:
Successful Teaching Experience; 5 years or more full time experience as the teacher of record in a P-12 setting must have either been achieved, or will be achieved by Year 2 of the program.

Must hold an entry-level degree (BA, BS, MAT) in education, and a master’s degree and/or substantial advanced coursework in a field such as: Reading/Literacy, Special Education, Mathematics Education or Science Education.

Applicants holding a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree:
Students holding an MAT degree, but who have not completed substantial advanced coursework beyond the MAT, some preparatory coursework may be required before full admission into the Ph.D. program. Rank I level or second master’s degree highly recommended for admission consideration.

Professionals currently holding positions in higher education and/or pursuing leadership positions in higher education:
Should hold an earned baccalaureate and an advanced/graduate degree (e.g., M.A., M.S.N., J.D., M.B.A., etc.) from a fully accredited institution(s). Successful applicants will be able to articulate in their application essay how this particular degree program would enable them as “change agents” to assist students from disadvantaged backgrounds and/or first generation students to succeed in attaining a college degree.