Leadership and Professional Practice Admission

We are currently accepting applications to the Summer 2026 cohort of the Leadership and Professional Practice doctoral program (EdD). Applications must be completed (including official transcripts from all previously attended institutions) by February 27, 2026. New cohorts are admitted in Summer only. Applications are typically accepted December through February for incoming cohorts. 

To schedule an appointment with the Program Advisor to discuss how our program aligns with your academic/professional goals, please contact the LEAD Program Office at [email protected]. For questions regarding admission requirements, please contact Mr. Mark Fairchild, Graduate School Program Liaison, at [email protected]. We look forward to receiving your application! 

To register for an upcoming Virtual Information Session with our Program Advisor/Director, please select the Info Session Registration Form button/link below: 

Info Session Registration Form 

To request to add your name to our list of prospective applicants to future cohorts, please select the Inquiry Form button/link below: 

Inquiry Form

Minimum Admission Requirements
 

• Master's degree (or equivalent) from a regionally accredited institution
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on all prior graduate work
• Minimum of two years of professional experience in an organizational/institutional setting, preferably in a leadership role

Required Application Materials (Submission Deadline: February 27, 2026) 
 

• Step-by-Step Application Instructions - please review prior to starting the application
• Graduate School Application - Summer 2026
  • Essay Questions
  • Three (3) General Recommendations (using the online form provided)
  • Resume/CV (Word format - including all employment dates)
  • Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions, even if a degree was not awarded
  • Non-refundable application fee (first time UTC graduate students only)

Admission Process & Induction Foundational Course (Summer 2026 cohort) 

Please refer to the Admission Timeline below. Following the review of complete applications in March, the Program Office may contact select applicants via email to schedule a Zoom interview (if needed) in April. Applicants will be notified of admission status no later than May 1. New cohort members will enroll in a required foundational course, LEAD 7000 Learning and Leadership: Induction and Integration (1 credit hour), during the Summer 2026 semester. The foundational course includes one required class meeting on the UT-Chattanooga campus on June 13 (8:00 am - 5:00 pm ET) and one required synchronous class meeting via Zoom video conference on August 1 (8:00 am - 5:00 pm ET). In addition to the two synchronous meetings, the Induction course includes material work in the Virtual Classroom (UTC Learn/Canvas) through discussions and readings. Should an admitted participant be unable to fully participate in the LEAD 7000 foundational course, the participant may request to defer admission for one academic year.

Admission Timeline (Summer 2026 cohort) 

December 1, 2025: Application cycle opens 

December 1, 2025 - February 27, 2026: Applications are processed by the UTC Graduate School

February 27, 2026: Application deadline (all application materials must be received by this date - including official transcripts from every institution previously attended) 

March 2026: Complete applications are routed to the academic department for review by the Admission Committee

April 2026: The admission evaluation process continues; select applicants may be contacted via email to schedule an interview via Zoom video conference (if needed) 

May 2026: Applicants are notified of admission status no later than May 1 and specific Summer enrollment information is distributed to accepted participants

Summer 2026 (May - August): Enrollment in required foundational course, LEAD 7000 Learning and Leadership: Induction and Integration (1 credit hour). The foundational course includes one required class meeting on the UT-Chattanooga campus on June 13 (8:00 am - 5:00 pm ET) and one required synchronous class meeting via Zoom video conference on August 1 (8:00 am - 5:00 pm ET). In addition to the two synchronous meetings, the induction course includes material work in the Virtual Classroom (UTC Learn/Canvas) through discussions and readings. Should an admitted participant be unable to fully participate in the LEAD 7000 foundational course, the participant may request to defer admission for one academic year.

Fall 2026 (August - December): Core course enrollment begins (6 credit hours – online delivery) and continues year round (Fall, Spring and Summer) through successful completion of the core program of study