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The EdD in Leadership and Innovation faculty committee reviews all applications individually and comprehensively. The application process is competitive; candidates must demonstrate a strong personal interest and professional commitment to the program. The Admissions Committee uses three standard criteria to assess application materials:

  • Evidence of academic talent
  • Suitable professional experience
  • Professional goals aligned with the purposes and capabilities of the program

The Selection Process

The next cohort will begin in January 2025.

The application is currently open. We encourage you to complete the application steps as soon as possible. Give special attention to your Problem of Practice (POP) essay as this will inform much of your course of study.

Download our Problem of Practice (POP) Guide to help you get started.

Problem of Practice (POP) Guide

Application steps

1. Check the qualifications

Check the eligibility requirements and reference your graduate transcripts to ensure educational eligibility. If you are unsure of your eligibility, please contact an admissions specialist.

2. Vet your idea for the Problem of Practice (POP) within your organization

Consider what positional authority and qualifications you have to take on the POP in your organization. Work with the senior-level leader providing your letter of recommendation about ways the organization will support you in this endeavor.

3. Complete your application profile

The application process begins with you creating your application profile. This gives you access to our application portal, dashboard, and an admissions specialist. Your admissions specialist can answer questions you may have when completing and submitting your application materials.

4. Upload required documents

Once you’ve created your profile, you will receive a series of links via email from your admissions specialist to upload the following documents into your application portal.

  • Transcript request form
    For your convenience, NYU Steinhardt will attempt to request transcripts that are required for the admissions process on your behalf. Please complete and sign the digital release form within the application. Otherwise, your Enrollment Advisor will offer guidance for you to send your transcripts directly.
  • Recommendation request form
    Two of your three recommendations should be from people who can comment on your academic and professional qualifications to take on this rigorous EdD experience. The other recommendation must be from a senior-level leader in your organization who should speak about the value the POP will have to your organization and the ways the organization will support you. Be sure to reach out to your references and request letters of recommendation well in advance of the deadline.
  • Résumé/CV
    Your résumé should reflect your employment history, including 7-10 years of work experience in a leadership role.
  • Three (3) short-answer questions
    These inform the admissions committee of your purpose for applying for this EdD, your experience working in cohorts and teams in an educational and/or professional setting, and your experience with online courses. Format as double-spaced pages.
  • Two (2) essays
    One essay should describe your educational and professional journey. The other will outline your Problem of Practice (POP), the background of the problem, and how your organizational role qualifies you to embark on this program of study. Format as double-spaced pages.

5. Pay your $75 application fee.

Your admissions specialist will notify you when all required application documents are complete.

6. Explore financial aid options

To apply for student loans, you must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to determine and renew your financial aid. The institution code number for New York University is 002785. The tuition page contains more information about financial aid.

7. NYU Steinhardt faculty admissions committee review

NYU Steinhardt faculty review all completed applications individually and comprehensively. If the committee would like to proceed, you will be notified that you have been selected to interview with the EdD in Leadership and Innovation faculty committee.

8. Interview with the EdD in Leadership and Innovation faculty

After your application passes NYU Steinhardt faculty review, you will be scheduled for a 15-minute video conference interview via Zoom with an admissions committee comprised of faculty, alumni, and program staff. Please double-check the time zone for the interview meeting. When you join the meeting for your interview, you will be in a Zoom Waiting Room. The faculty will admit you to the meeting room when they are ready for the interview.

9. Receive your admission details

Our Office of Graduate Admissions will notify you about your final admission decision via email.

10. View your financial aid/review tuition and fees

Once you have been admitted and you have completed your FAFSA, you will receive an email from the Office of Financial Aid with guidance on how to review tuition fees and any financial aid package options in NYU’s student information system, Albert.

11. Accept or decline our offer of admission

To accept your offer with NYU Steinhardt, you’ll be asked to pay a $200 non-refundable deposit that will be applied directly to your tuition.

12. Mail your official transcripts

We require an official transcript from each institution from which you received a degree (undergraduate and graduate). If you have not done so already, please submit all official transcripts to this address:

Attn: Transcript Department
3116 South Mill Ave. #466
Tempe, AZ 85282

13. Prepare for the immersive residency

The residency will take place over three weekdays in January 2025 on the NYU campus in New York City. Additional information will be sent to admitted applicants to prepare for this experience. Attendance is a mandatory component of the program. Please plan accordingly.

Applicants who are denied admission are welcome to reapply in the next admissions cycle for the January 2026 cohort. All documents must be new when resubmitted.

Please note: The GRE is not required for admission.

NYU does not sponsor international students on the F1 or J1 visa in this program. If you are an international candidate, we recommend you speak with your visa sponsor or immigration lawyer to determine if you may pursue this program.