Admissions Timeline
The Program in Educational Leadership has adopted an alternate-year admissions process. Candidates will be admitted every other year on the following timeline:
Entrance in Fall 2026: no cohort
Entrance in Fall 2027: December 1, 2026 application deadline
Candidates will begin their studies in the Fall of odd-numbered years, with the deadline for application being the previous December 1 (even-numbered year).
How to Apply
These instructions and requirements are for all applicants. If you are not a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States, please read the special instructions for international applicants.
Your application will require the following items. The following are acceptable document types for uploads: .pdf, .jpeg, .jpg, .gif, .tiff, .png, .doc, .docx, and bitmap.
1. Prepare Your Application Materials
Résumé/CV
You are required to upload a copy of your most recent résumé or curriculum vitae as part of your application.
Essays
Essay Prompt #1: Personal History and Motivation
You are required to type a 500 - 1500 word statement describing your personal and professional history, highlighting the experiences, values, and influences that have led you to pursue a doctoral degree in this field. Share how your background has shaped your academic interests, career goals, and commitment to education or related areas. This is an opportunity to provide insight into your personal journey and what drives your passion for continuing your studies at the doctoral level.
Essay Prompt #2: Research Interests and Goals
You are required to type a 500 - 1500 word statement outlining your specific research interests or the problems of practice you wish to explore during your doctoral study. Describe the issues or challenges in educational leadership or policy that you are most passionate about and how you envision contributing to the field. Explain why these areas are important to you and how you plan to address them through your research and academic pursuits in the program.
Writing Sample
Applicants are required to submit a solo-authored academic writing sample. This writing sample is intended to demonstrate your ability to engage in critical academic writing. This may be a course paper from your previous studies, a research report related to your work, or an excerpt from a longer piece (e.g., master's thesis). If there is no suitable paper, you can submit a new paper. The writing sample should be about 15 pages in length excluding references (double space, 12-point font, 1-inch margins).
Letters of Recommendation
Submit three letters of recommendation. Be sure to request them well in advance of the deadline. Read detailed instructions.
Transcripts
List and upload a copy of an official transcript from every postsecondary institution (college/university) you have attended or are attending. Please note: This includes transcripts from institutions where you received transfer credits or did not complete a degree. Make sure to request an official transcript(s) in advance of the deadline.
- Transfer Credits: We understand accepted transfer credits may be clearly listed on your degree awarding institution’s transcript. The Office of Graduate Admissions still requires a transcript from the initial credit-granting institution where you took the course(s). Delay in listing and uploading these transcripts can significantly delay the application review process.
Institutions Outside the US or Canada
If you completed or are completing a degree at an institution outside of the US or Canada, you are required to provide a WES, ECE or TEC/SpanTran international credentials evaluation. Please review our requirements for translation and a course-by-course evaluation of your transcripts.
GRE
Not required.
Proficiency in English
See testing requirements.
2. Apply
Application
After you fill in and upload the required information, you can submit your completed application. Your application must be completed, dated, electronically signed, and submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST of the stated deadline.
Application Fee
You will be prompted to pay a $75 application fee, payable by major credit card only. After submitting your payment, you will see your application status change from “saved” to “submitted.” Please print this screen for your records, as it confirms that your application has been successfully sent to our school. If you have problems submitting your payment, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions. Learn more about our fee waiver policy.
Sending Materials
Most application materials can be successfully submitted via the online application.
If you plan to send application materials, transcript(s) or international credentials evaluation(s) to NYU Steinhardt Office of Graduate Admissions, please review these instructions. Materials sent to other divisions of NYU may not be obtainable by our office and will significantly delay processing.
Application Policies
Application deadlines are "in-office" deadlines, not postmark deadlines. It is your responsibility to ensure that all materials are in the Office of Graduate Admissions by the appropriate deadline, and we reserve the right to return any application that arrives after the deadline. Only completed applications will be considered. Should a deadline fall on a weekend, the in-office deadline will be the next business day. We advise you to apply early.
Please check the online system to confirm that you have successfully submitted your application. Due to the volume of applications and related materials received, the Office of Graduate Admissions will only contact you if your application was successfully submitted and is deemed incomplete because of missing required materials. Otherwise, you will hear from us when the admissions committee has made its decision.
Deferral policy: NYU Steinhardt does not allow deferrals. Applicants who wish to be considered for a future semester must reapply by submitting a new application with all supporting materials, including letters of recommendations, by the application deadline.
3. Receive Your Admission Decision
Decision
You will be notified about your decision by email. Typically, decisions will start going out in late March or early April for fall enrollment. You may learn of your decision before or after this timeline.
Financial Aid
Financial Aid and Cost of Attendance
- Learn more about what financial aid may be available to you.
- Learn more about cost of attendance and tuition and fees.