Each fall, several Program Information meetings are held at schools and/or district offices to inform potential students about the School Leadership Program. Dates and additional information are sent to districts.

Application Deadlines

The application deadline is February 1st each year and cohorts start Spring term (end of April). The BYU Graduate Studies application must be completed online before you can be considered for the School Leadership Program. When this application is complete, BYU Graduate Studies forwards it to the EDLF Department to be considered with your School Leadership Program application materials.

The BYU Graduate Studies Application Includes:

• Completed Graduate School Application & application fee ($50).
• Official transcript from every college/university attended. Minimum GPA of 3.0 required for your most recent 60 credit hours.
• Ecclesiastical endorsement
• 3 letters of recommendation
• TOEFL score of at least 580 for students for whom English is a second language.

Ecclesiastical Endorsement

School applications require an Ecclesiastical Endorsement. LDS students must be endorsed by the bishop of the ward in which they live and which holds their current Church membership records. Non-LDS students may be endorsed by the local leader of their preferred religious denomination, the bishop of the LDS ward in which they live, or the nondenominational BYU chaplain. Continuing student ecclesiastical endorsements are due March 15 of each year.

BYU Honor Coe

Each applicant must agree to live in harmony with the BYU Honor Code. Specific policies embodied in the Honor Code include (1) the Academic Honesty Policy, (2) the Dress and Grooming Standards, (3) the Residential Living Standards, and (4) the Continuing Student Ecclesiastical Endorsement.

Letter of Intent & Resume

In the letter of intent, applicants should clearly explain their purposes for seeking the BYU MEd degree in Educational Leadership. Given that this program is designed to prepare students for Administrative Licensure in the State of Utah, admission criteria include an applicant’s preparation and desire to become a school leader. Letters of intent should address applicants’ philosophy of education, academic preparation, and future career plans.

State of Utah Professional Education License

Applicants must upload a PDF copy of their current professional educator license for the state of Utah (or its recognized equivalent: https://www.schools.utah.gov/licensing). If applicants have been working in a different state, they may provide a copy of their current teaching license and evidence of three years of teaching experience in lieu of a Utah State professional educator license. Admissions Decisions The BYU School Leadership Program (MEd) evaluates candidates in several key areas through an initial paper screening of the submitted application. The primary areas evaluated are:

• Leadership experience (team leader, committee member, etc.)
• Teaching experience
• Professional recommendations from references
• Scholarship (GPA)

Competitive applicants will be invited to participate in the Campus Screening process which provides additional information for the program application. The screening provides the Program the opportunity to meet applicants in person, and applicants have the opportunity to meet with faculty. The screening is held approximately during the month after the application deadline, and consists of a brief orientation, interviews with faculty and practicing school leaders, and a group interaction discussion. Given that this screening provides information for the admission decision, if applicants are out of state and unable to attend the screening, they should negotiate an alternative opportunity to meet with faculty via telephone, conference call or video chat. Applicants will be notified of the admissions decision within a few weeks after the screening. Applicants must notify the program of their admission acceptance in a timely manner. Applicants may be placed on a waiting list pending an open slot.

Program Orientation

A Program orientation meeting will be held prior to starting the program. Dates for program orientation will be included in the admission notification letter.

Academic Advisement

Upon admission, students will be assigned a Faculty Academic Chair. Students should consult with this advisor regarding the successful completion of academic curriculum and administrative internship. All program paperwork will need to be approved and signed by the faculty academic advisor. Students also have an Internship Supervisor that will help to facilitate the coordination and supervision of their administrative internships.