• Completed Graduate Application (form is available from the Graduate School or the Educational  Studies Department.)
• Names and addresses of five references. (department will contact by mail )
• Two official College/University transcripts from all institutions attended.
• Graduate Record Examination Scores.
  

Upon acceptance by the Graduate School, the applicant's materials are sent to the Educational Studies Department where the Doctoral program is housed.

The following application materials should be sent to the Director of the Doctoral Program in Adult, Higher, and Community Education:   

• A brief autobiography. (500-1000 words).
• A statement of your philosophy of learning and education. (500-1000 words)
• A three to five page description of the following:
  • purposes you intend to accomplish by earning a doctoral degree,
  • examples of the contributions you will make to the doctoral program.  
• Current educational and employment vitae.
• Evidence of high levels of competence in written and oral expression in English.
• Usually the essays written in completion of the application materials are adequate evidence.
  

When all admission materials are received, program faculty members evaluate them.  As part of the evaluation the applicant may be invited for a departmental interview.  Following the evaluation, the director of the doctoral program makes a recommendation to the Chairperson of the Advanced Graduate Studies Committee in Educational Studies. The Chairperson makes a recommendation to Dean of the Teachers College.  The Dean of the Teachers College forwards the department's and college's recommendation to the Dean of the Graduate School who makes the final decision and notifies the applicant.

Criteria for Selection  The Advanced Graduate Studies Committee for Adult and Community Education considers the following criteria in reaching its recommendation: Graduate Record Examination Scores (Verbal +Quantitative  1000 or more); the grade point average in previous graduate work (3.2 or above on a 4.0 scale); the content of reference letters; the applicant's professional and personal goals; relevant career or life experiences and accomplishments; evidence of advanced graduate study skills including writing, speaking, and completing research.

Assistantships  A limited number of doctoral assistantships requiring 20 hours of work per week are awarded on a competitive basis.  Assistantships are available to full-time students.  Assistants are paid a stipend, tuition is waived, and students pay only the student service fees.   Click here for the Grad Assistantships Policy.

For Additional Information or an Appointment contact:

Director of the Doctoral Program in Adult, Higher and Community Education: Dr. Thalia Mulvihill
Department of Educational Studies, TC 810
Ball State University
Muncie, IN 47306-0590
Phone: (765) 285-5463
Fax:     (765) 285-5489
E-Mail: TMULVIHI@bsu.edu