Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership & Policy

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies.
• An appropriate master's degree, from a recognized university in a relevant discipline or professional program, with a minimum standing equivalent to a University of Toronto A-.

• Applicants to the flex-time program should be active professionals who demonstrate connections between their professional work and their proposed course program, and/or between their professional work and their proposed research. Capacity to secure blocks of time to enable concentrated study is required. 

All applicants must submit: 

• Transcript(s) from each post-secondary institution attended.
• Full-time: Two letters of reference (one academic, the other either academic or professional).
• Flex time: Two letters of reference (one academic, one professional).
• A resumé. For flex PhD applicants only, the resumé must include confirmation that the applicant is an active professional in a field related to their proposed studies.
• Answers to faculty admissions questions (applicants are to answer each question in an essay format). Please see the questions in the next accordion.
• Sample of written work (In addition to the answers to the faculty admissions questions, a supplementary writing sample is required, which will help the admissions committee to assess an applicant's readiness to succeed in rigorous coursework and to conduct systematic research for the PhD. Applicants typically submit a master's-level Major Research Paper or thesis as their writing sample. Applicants who do not have a Major Research Paper or thesis must provide a writing sample that showcases their ability to write clearly and analytically about educational issues. The admissions committee will look for evidence that applicants understand how to, or have the potential to, craft an academic document, display an ability to define a research problem, devise an appropriate focus for an inquiry, assemble and analyze evidence, and develop conclusions in a rigorous manner. Examples include a master’s-level course paper, a policy document, and a professional publication.

Applicants are to answer each question in an essay format. 

• Please address the following (2000 words max): 
  • Describe your academic background, professional experiences, community service and other relevant experiences and accomplishments and how they relate to PK-12 Educational Leadership and Policy. If your academic background is not in education or a related social science field, you are encouraged to describe how your experiences have prepared you for the program. 
  • Discuss your prior research experience, as well as any other related skills or experiences that make you a strong candidate for a research-stream program. This may include a master’s thesis, major research paper or other capstone project, and/or experience conducting research in professional, practitioner, or policy contexts. Discuss any prior experience with academic presentations, conferences and/or publications. 
  • Describe your research interests and/or state the research question you wish to investigate and how. You may want to cite core scholars or readings that orient you in this field. You should highlight the synergy between the ELP program and your proposed research. You may also want to mention ELP courses that interest you. Review ELP courses. 
  • (optional) You are encouraged to speak to your academic and professional goals (after graduation) and how pursuing the PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy would advance these goals. 
  • (optional) The Educational Leadership and Policy program seeks to maintain a diverse, inclusive, and engaged learning community. You are encouraged to identify any ways that your identity (including--but not limited to--ancestry, culture, gender, race, religion, socio-economic status or other social identities) or life experience will contribute to this community. 
  • (optional) Is there any additional information you want to share with the Admissions Committee that will inform their review of your application? 
• Indicate the faculty member(s) you would like to work within the program and why. How will the expertise of the faculty member(s) support your proposed research? Note you do not need to secure a supervisor prior to applying. Please take time to review descriptions of the Educational Leadership & Policy faculty members here (200 words max) 
• This program is delivered in person, which means that while the program may offer some courses online, a student will take less than one-third of their courses online. Are you available for in-person study? (select one)
  • Yes, I am available for in-person study.
  • No, I am not available for in-person study. Please consider applying to the EdD in Educational Leadership and Policy. 
• (PhD flex time applicants only) Applicants to the flexible-time program should be active professionals who demonstrate connections between their professional work and their proposed research. Professional activities may include consulting, community organizing, self-employment, contractual work, or equivalent. Please briefly describe how your professional work meets this requirement. If your professional work is not located in the Toronto area, please explain how you will meet the in-person study requirement while remaining an active professional (for example, working remotely). (100 words max) 
• (PhD full time applicants only) If you will have funding from your home government, international organization or funding agencies, please provide details (Name of funding agency, value and duration).  If this does not apply to you, please leave blank