We are very pleased that you have decided to apply to our program. This page is designed to help you understand the application process and to compile your application materials for submission. For a printer-friendly application and information packet, please click on the HIED 2012-13 Information and Application materials.

Make sure to also print out reference forms. In addition, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for common concerns and issues that prospective doctoral students often ask about the program.

International students may seek application assistance through the Center for International Programs, and will send application materials to this center rather than the Graduate Admissions offices.

Application Process
Admission to the BGSU HIED program is selective and restricted to the number of doctoral students to whom the program faculty believe they can provide quality instruction, advising, and dissertation direction. To be considered for admission, candidates must complete an application file with the following components:

1. Graduate Admissions Application

2. Two original transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate work taken at any college or university

3. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (Plan early to take this exam; see www.ets.org for details) from no more than 5 years ago

4. Current résumé or curriculum vitae detailing academic and professional background; at least 3-5 years successful work experience (preferably post-master’s) is desired

5. Personal Statement – A 3-5 page typed statement (double-spaced) which addresses:

• Present goals, professional aspirations, interests, and reasons for seeking admission to the program
• Areas of higher education administration in which you are most interested and why (e.g., student affairs, leadership, academic administration)
• Current research interests
• What you wish to achieve in the profession

6. Three letters of recommendation with HIED program reference form attached. Be sure to sign each reference form indicating whether or not you waive your right to review the reference forms. At least one letter of recommendation must be from a faculty member and you are also encouraged to include a reference from a higher education or student affairs professional. Your application is not complete without 3 references so follow up with your references to be certain these are submitted by the deadline.

Submitting the Application

Admission Sequence of Events
The HIED Admission Committee, comprised of faculty and current students, reviews completed applications to determine whether to invite the applicant for a personal interview. The purpose of the interview is for the faculty and applicant to determine whether a good “fit” (academically and professionally) between the program’s emphasis and the candidate’s personal and professional goals. If invited to campus, candidates also interview for graduate assistantships. The HESA chair makes a final recommendation on admission to the Graduate College.

Review of applications will begin December 15, 2011. Applications completed after that date will be considered on a space-available basis. On-campus interviews will be held February 10-11, 2012.

Transfer Credit
Since the Ph.D. requires 63 hours of study at BGSU beyond any master's degree credits previously earned at another institution, those credits can not be applied toward the Ph.D. However, students who have already earned credit for courses required in the Ph.D. program may, in consultation with their advisor and with the permission of the HESA Chair, substitute those courses for required Ph.D. courses. Where students substitute courses they must still earn a total of 63 hours of post-master's credit at BGSU in courses approved by the Chair.

Financial Aid
For information about financial aid beyond the internship, please visit the Graduate College Financial Aid web site. Prospective students who are alumni of the NASPA NUFP program will be considered for the BGSU-NUFP Graduate School Fellowship Award automatically upon admission to the CSP program.

Questions?
If you have questions about the program, consult the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page. If you have further questions about the application process, or the status of your application, please contact one person listed below: