How to Apply

A Successful Application Requires:

• Master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. (Ministry students do not require an M.Div. or its equivalent.)
• 3.00 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale.
• Completed online application
• Three references including one academic reference
• Official (sealed) transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• No GRE test score is required for Ph.D. applicants with a 3.0 GPA in their M.A. program. Applicants to the Ed.D. are not required to take the GRE. Ph.D. applicants with a GPA below 3.0 may submit GRE scores to be considered for admission.
• Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• Writing sample answering the essay prompts available on the CFLS online application.
• Application Deadline: May 15th for the July Cohort start. November 15th for January admission.

International Students

International students (F-1) need to submit the following additional documents:

• Students for whom English is a non-native language must provide proof of English proficiency. This can be demonstrated by one of the following 5 options:
  1. TOEFL internet-based (iBT) score of 100 
  2. IELTS score of 7.5.
  3. If you have completed a baccalaureate or post baccalaureate degree from a U.S. (or another country where English is the primary language) regionally or nationally accredited college / university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). 
  4. CELE program completion
     1. If you have competed Level 6 Bridge of the ESL program at the Center of English Language Education (CELE) at Northwest University with a grade of 85% or higher and a GPA of 3.0 in NU Bridge Classes 
  5. Duolingo English Test score of 125
• Passport Copy - a copy of the biographical/photo page of passport
• Official Bank Statement (must reflect a fund availability of equivalent to $23,782.00 USD).
• Any college or university transcript submitted from a school located outside of the US and Canada must be supplemented by an official evaluation of the transcript for US degree equivalency and GPA, performed by an institution approved by NACES. We recommend that students use FIS (Course-by-course evaluations are not required unless transfer credit is requested).
• International students should contact our International Student Advisor, in the NU International Student Services office at international@northwestu.edu.

Once potential students have submitted their completed application along with all the application materials, each applicant will have an individual interview with the CFLS Admissions Committee.

Applicants must also exhibit qualities consistent with the ethos of the Center for Leadership Studies. The cohort model places great responsibility on faculty and students to work together to create a positive, supportive, and collaborative learning environment. Students must be committed to personal responsibility, time management, professional ethics, and interpersonal integrity to be successful in the program.

The CFLS Admissions Committee seeks to ascertain each student’s degree of readiness for this type of learning environment. It is the responsibility and authority of the Admissions Committee to determine an applicant’s degree of compatibility with the ethos of this program.

Credit Transfer

Students may be allowed to transfer a maximum of 12 graduate credits from other regionally accredited colleges and universities provided the CFLS can determine the credit equivalency of the coursework, and the transfer credits are awarded prior to registering for NU courses. There is no charge for transferred courses and transferred credits do not apply towards financial aid awards. Students must initiate credit transfer by contacting the CFLS office.

Program Transfer

A limited number of Ed.D. students may qualify for transfer to the Ph.D. program each academic year. Transfer applicants must have demonstrated academic excellence, a positive contribution to their cohort, and overall program fit. Transfers will be approved by the CFLS Admissions Committee.