Doctorate in Community College Leadership | Ferris State University

Application and Admissions Process

The goal of the DCCL admission process is to bring together a diverse and highly-qualified cohort of learners. The admission process is designed to select applicants who demonstrate the greatest potential for both successful graduate work and, upon program completion, substantive contribution to leadership of community colleges.

An applicant's admissions packet will be considered holistically along with the overall composition of the admissions packets of the cohort group, with a goal of creating balance and diversity within the group. Whenever possible the composition of the cohort will represent geographically and demographically diverse institutions and individuals so that student input in the courses will reflect a variety of experiences.

Timeline

There is still space in the 2013 cohort!

The admissions committee will review applications as they are received. Orientation begins Friday, May 17, 2013.

Minimum Admissions Requirements
Minimum requirements for admission to the program include:

  • An earned masters' degree from a regionally accredited university with an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 or better on a 4-point scale
  • Admission materials and interview that demonstrate:
    • A likelihood of success in the doctoral program, and
    • An aspiration for a community college leadership career.


Note: GRE scores are not required.

Various measures of demonstration will be used in combination to arrive at a final admissions decision.

As you prepare your application, there are two documents that you will need.


All application materials should be emailed to: ccleadership@ferris.edu

Official transcripts may be mailed to:

Coordinator, Community College Leadership Program
Ferris State University
410 Oak Street, Alumni 113
Big Rapids, MI 49307

Submission of the admission materials is the initial step in the admission process and may be followed by a personal interview.

Application Materials
For consideration, the following admissions materials must be received on or before the application deadline:

  • Completed application document.
  • Official college transcripts from your most recent and/or highest degree. (Original documents become property of Ferris State University and cannot be returned.)
  • Current resume or curriculum vitae.
  • Submission of essay questions and writing samples (see below)

 


Essay Questions
Please provide complete answers (between 250 and 300 words or 1 page maximum for each question) to the following five questions.

  1. Explain your interest in pursuing a doctoral degree in community college leadership. What experience have you had in working in or with community college populations? How would a DCCL degree add to your professional development and career plans?
  2. What evidence can you provide that demonstrates your potential for significant leadership in a community college? Please include specific examples.
  3. The DCCL program was intentionally designed around a cohort model in order to enhance shared learning. Describe your ability to work within a cohort structure. What will you bring to the cohort model of shared learning?
  4. Describe and discuss two examples of your ability to think critically in professional situations. The examples should reflect complex situations that required creativity, entrepreneurial thinking, problem solving, negotiation, and/or decision-making skills.
  5. Describe and discuss specific examples of your ability to communicate effectively in professional situations to a variety of professional audiences. These could include written reports, large group presentations, and/or coordinating and facilitating long-term discussions and decision-making projects.

Writing Samples
Two of the key skills required by DCCL students and community college leaders are the ability to think critically and communicate effectively in both written and oral communications. Please provide samples of your writing within the following guidelines. Your application will not be considered complete until all of the attachments have been received.

  • Submit at least two and not more than three samples.
  • Attachments should be no more than 10-15 pages total. (Do not submit your entire Master's thesis. If you would like to use your Master's thesis, please select an appropriate excerpt.)
  • Your samples should reflect different professional writing audiences and document types.
  • Do not submit one large document for all of your samples. Each sample should be a separate attachment with a separate name (see example below).
  • Submit your samples as PDFs with this application. Please name them with your last name, first initial, and number of the sample. Examples: Smith, A. sample one of two; Teahen, R. sample two of three; Johnson, B. sample three of three.