DOCTORAL PROGRAM APPLICATION INFORMATION
Thank you for your interest in the doctoral programs at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Below you will find information
concerning the different programs, a list of documents required for admissions consideration into the doctoral programs, and
prospective student advisors for each program.
We offer the following program:
EdD in Educational Administration PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision
EdD in Higher Education PhD in Experimental Psychology
EdD in Supervision, Curriculum, & Instruction PhD in English
The first stage of being considered for admission to a doctoral program will require one of the following grade point averages:
(1) an overall undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.75,
(2) a 3.00 GPA on the last 60 hours of undergraduate degree, or
(3) a 3.40 GPA on the master's degree and work beyond the master's level.
If an applicant meets one of the GPA requirements, upon receipt of all required documents, the application file will be forwarded to
the major department for consideration to the doctoral program.
Please submit the following documents for your application file and admissions consideration (including the
additional application requirements per department):
i) An application to the doctoral program of your choice. Apply online at Apply Texas.
ii) Application fee - $50.00 domestic/ $75 international.
iii) Official transcripts from all institutions attended or currently attending, including all undergraduate and graduate
courses. Copies of transcripts will not be accepted. International students must provide an official original
transcript with diploma and if the transcript is not in English, a translation by the transcript university into English is
required.
iv) Reference forms: letters of recommendation are required. See below for details. Attached in this packet is a blank
reference form or you can use this one:
http://www.tamuc.edu/academics/graduateSchool/documents/doctoralreferenceform.doc
The EdD in Educational Administration, the EdD in Higher Education, and the PhD in English require 2
letters of recommendation; one or both of the references should hold a doctoral degree.
The EdD in Supervision, Curriculum, & Instruction, PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision, and PhD
in Experimental Psychology require 3 letters of recommendation; at least one of the references should hold
a doctoral degree.
v) Statement of Goals Form
vi) Resume/vita
vii) Writing sample/essay
viii) PhD English with emphasis in Applied Linguistics applicants ONLY: video interview. See page 4 for details.
ix) An official general Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score report. The GRE scores are ONLY required for
the PhD in Experimental Psychology and the PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision. This score must
be sent from ETS to A&M-Commerce. ETS only keeps them for 5 years. A&M-Commerce’s institution code is
6188. If you have trouble obtaining your old GRE scores, please contact Dayla Burgin for more details.
x) International students must also provide:
an official TOEFL score of 79 IBT or higher, an IELTS score of 6.0 overall band or higher, or a PTE of 53
or higher.
An evaluation of all transcripts except those from a US university. We recommend WES I-CAP.
Additional application requirements per department:
* Some programs may hold interviews. If the department wishes to interview you, they will contact you
directly and schedule it with you.
*English applicants (all): A writing sample: a modest portfolio of your writing. The writing sample should
contain one or two pieces of your academic prose (no more than 10 pages total), plus a two-page statement of
your background, interests, and goals as they connect to doing graduate work in English.
* English with an emphasis in Applied Linguistics: must submit a video interview. Please see instructions
*Educational Administration applicants: You must meet one of the following requirements in addition to the
documents listed above: 18 hours of successfully completed Educational Administration coursework or a copy of
State Principal Certificate. Applicants need administrative experience. This program is fully online and not
available to international applicants.
Educational Administration Writing Sample: Problem of Practice: select one of the 3 questions and write a 2-3
page, double spaced, 12-point font response.
a. Disagreement exists on the type of teacher evaluation system that is ideal for teachers. Describe three or
more essential components of an effective teacher evaluation system.
b. What are some ways in which school leaders can attract and retain highly qualified teachers?
c. What role do school leaders play in creating equitable access to post-secondary education for all student
groups – particularly among historically marginalized students?
*Higher Education applicants: A writing sample: The writing sample should be a solo-authored (not
collaborative) paper on any topic of your interest in the field or profession of Higher Education using APA
Style Manual (6th or 7th ed.). The minimum length of the sample is four double-spaced pages and should not
exceed 30 pages. The writing sample can be a scholarly essay addressing a problem of practice that you want to
investigate and can include related work and academic experiences. The sample must contain a
reference/bibliographic list at the end with corresponding in-text citations. The Admissions Committee will use it
to evaluate your writing ability and potential success in the doctoral program. This program is fully online and
not available to international applicants.
*Supervision, Curriculum, and Instruction applicants: Applicants should have at least 3 years of teaching
experience.
A writing sample is required. A minimum of 5 pages, double spaced and following APA standards.
You can choose from one of the two options below:
2. A course paper from a master’s program written within the past five years. This paper must
show evidence of the applicant’s ability to cite references.
3. A writing sample on the following prompt: Select a current hot topic in education. Briefly
present an argument for both sides of the debate. In your arguments, include citations to
support your work.
*Counseling applicants: You must submit an additional counseling information packet, which is attached below
or available at: http://www.tamuc.edu/academics/graduateSchool/graduateForms.aspx
*Experimental Psychology applicants: You must submit an additional statement of goals, which is attached
below or available at: http://www.tamuc.edu/academics/graduateSchool/graduateForms.aspx
You will be assigned a student id number (CWID) after your application is processed; we will email you your CWID
and password for the university student portal: myLeo. You will be able to use your CWID to log into your myLeo
account (student portal) and view your application and document checklist. You will also be able to submit many
documents electronically by uploading them to your checklist in myLeo but transcripts and test scores must be sent
directly from the university attended or from ETS.
Upon receipt of the all the required documents, the admission’s file will be forwarded to the major department where
all materials will be evaluated and a recommendation made to the Dean of Graduate Studies. The decision process
will take up to 30 days from the program complete application file deadline, after interviews, or after the program’s
stated deadline (see chart below). We will notify you of your admission decision by an email to your myLeo email
address. If your file is incomplete by the below deadline, you can request us to move your application to a future
term.
TRANSCRIPTS AND TEST SCORES can be sent two ways:
BY MAIL:
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY- COMMERCE,
ATTN: GRADUATE SCHOOL/ DAYLA BURGIN,
PO BOX 3011, COMMERCE, TX 75429-3011
ELECTRONICALLY: have them electronically sent by your past university or testing agency (ETS/ our university code is
6188).
All other documents can be uploaded through your myLeo, emailed to
[email protected] , or sent by regular mail.
HOW TO UPLOAD DOCUMENTS (reference letters, essay, statement of goals with resume, etc.)
Before you upload your documents, please ensure that your CWID number is on all documents and that each document is in the PDF
format. Only PDF documents will upload; any other format will be denied by the system. Below is the process to upload admission
documents.
Access the student upload system by logging into your myLeo, select APPS on the top of the page, and select Check application status
then
Select Document Upload from the list across the top of the screen
Login again using your CWID and your password (same as myLeo login).
Select your application. You will see your application status and a list of outstanding documents (items needed to complete your
application packet).
Select the browse button next to the document you wish to upload. Locate and select the document
USEFUL WEBPAGES and DOCUMENTS:
Graduate School Homepage: www.tamuc.edu/GraduateSchool
Graduate Forms and Guidelines page: http://www.tamuc.edu/academics/graduateSchool/graduateForms.aspx
Blank Reference Letter: http://www.tamuc.edu/academics/graduateSchool/documents/doctoralreferenceform.doc
How to Navigate your myLeo:
http://www.tamuc.edu/academics/graduateSchool/documents/How%20to%20Navigate%20the%20New%20myLEO.pdf
Application submission deadline Complete application document file
Program (application will close in Apply deadline (all required documents
Texas the day after this date) received by Graduate School by this
date)
PhD Counselor Education and Fall admission not available
Supervision Spring: October 1 Spring: October 15
Summer: February 15 Summer regular: March 1
PhD English Fall admission: May 1 Fall: May 15
Spring admission: November 15 Spring: December 1
Summer admission: April 1 Summer: April 15
EdD Educational Administration Fall admission: July 1 Fall: July 15
*not available to international applicants Spring admission: November 1 Spring : November 15
Summer admission not available
PhD Experimental Fall early admission: January 15 Fall early: Jan. 31/ interviews 3rd Fri. in Jan.
Psychology
Fall admission: May 15 Fall: June 1/ interviews 3rd Fri. in June
Spring admission: October 1 Spring: Oct. 15/ interviews 3rd Fri. in Oct.
Summer admission: March 1 Summer: Mar. 15/ interviews 4th Fri. in Mar.
EdD Supervision, Curriculum, Fall admission: May 15 Fall: July 1
and Instruction No spring or summer admission
EdD Higher Education Submit application at least 60 days prior At least 45 days before first class day of
*not available to international applicants to first class day of applied semester. applied semester.
Instructions for PhD English with an emphasis in Applied Linguistics applicants’ video
interviews
Thank you very much for your interest in the Ph.D. in English with emphasis in Applied Linguistics at Texas
A&M University-Commerce. Please record a video of yourself answering each of the prompts below, upload it
to the platform of your choice, and share the link to your video with us via an email to
[email protected].
Please do not send the video file directly (e.g., as an attachment to an email). Be sure to use a platform, such
as YouTube, which does not require registration or payment to upload the video and remember to check the
accessibility of your link before submitting it to us (e.g., If using YouTube, the visibility setting of your video
should either be public or unlisted, but not private). Visual aids (e.g., PPT slides) are encouraged but not
required. If using visual aids, we would still like to see your face in the video (i.e., no voiceover presentations).
Your video should not exceed 30 minutes in length.
1. Begin with a brief self-introduction.
2. What motivates you to pursue a Ph.D. degree in linguistics/applied linguistics?
3. Do you think you are the right candidate for our Ph.D. program? Why?
4. Have you conducted a research project before? If yes, please describe it briefly.
5. What research areas would you explore and what research projects would you conduct if you were
admitted to our Ph.D. program? Is there a particular faculty member that you would like to work with?
6. What teaching experiences do you have?
7. Are you interested in the online or face-to-face option?
8. How much time/effort do you envisage the Ph.D. to require every week? Have you taken any online
courses before?
9. Do you have anything else you want us to know?
STATEMENT OF GOALS
Please fill out below and submit it with a resume/vita.
Name_________________________________________________ Student ID no._______________________________
WORK EXPERIENCE (start with present position)
Position Employer and Location Dates
Please answer the following questions and attach additional sheets if necessary.
1. What do you hope to accomplish during your tenure as a doctoral student at TAMU-Commerce?
2. What area of study interests you the most in the doctoral program you are applying?
3. What makes you a good candidate for this doctoral program?
4. What do you hope to accomplish professionally in the next five years? After you complete the doctorate?
Reference for Admission to Doctoral Program
TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT ID no.___________________________________
Name of Applicant
I agree that the recommendation I am requesting shall be held in confidence by officials of Texas A&M University-Commerce, and I
hereby waive any rights to examine it. Yes No
Applicant's Signature Date
TO BE COMPLETED BY THE RECOMMENDER
The above named person has applied to a doctoral program at Texas A&M University-Commerce and has asked that you supply the
information requested below.
I have known the applicant for yrs. Capacity
Please indicate the applicant's ability and professional competence in the following.
QUALIFICATIONS Excellent Good Average Poor No basis for judgment
General competence
Intellectual capacity
Initiative
Dependability
Perseverance
Oral expression
Written expression
Potential as a research scholar
Potential as a teacher
Knowledge in subject of
proposed study
Personality
Emotional Stability
Adaptability
Self-confidence
Ability to work with others
Enthusiasm
Independence
Overall potential
Additional comments or information:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Signature_________________________________________________/ Printed Name___________________________________
Date___________________________Position_______________________________________
Do you hold a doctoral degree? Yes_____ No _____ Email:________________________________________________________
Please return this form by email to [email protected] or return document to student for electronic document uploading.
PROGRAM
CONTACT
INFORMATION
DEGREES STUDENT ADVISOR CONTACT
COUNSELOR
EDUCATION &
SUPERVISION Dr. LaVelle Hendricks [email protected]
ADMINISTRATION Dr. Teresa Farler
[email protected]EXPERIMENTAL
PSYCHOLOGY Dr. Curt Carlson [email protected]
SUPERVISION,
CURRICULUM, & Dr. Gilbert Naizer [email protected]
INSTRUCTION Dr. Karyn Miller [email protected]
HIGHER
EDUCATION Dr. Anissa Guerin [email protected]
ADMISSION DOCUMENTS FOR THE PHD IN COUNSELING
The Counseling Program's Doctoral Admissions Review Committee reviews all doctoral applications after
they have been received by the Graduate School. Several criteria are factored into the overall score to
determine admission into the program. These criteria include:
• GRE score (Verbal, Quantitative, and Writing sections)
• Entry-level course requirements (in comparison to CACREP master's program)
• Recommendations – 3 references are required (at least one reference should come from a graduate
faculty who has taught the applicant)
• Professional goals
• Work experience (document all professional work experience in counseling profession)
• Interview
• Written performance/ essay (see information below)
Each of these criteria is considered by members of the Doctoral Admission Committee in their
recommendation to admit or to deny admission.
ESSAY INFORMATION
Instructions:
You are requested to write a one-page essay, which closely addresses the assigned topic. The typed essay will
be read independently by the five members of the Doctoral Admissions Committee within the Department of
Counseling, and their ratings will be a part of the admission's decision process. It will be read for organization,
content, and evidence of professional understanding. Return this in your completed application to the Graduate
School.
Topic:
Counselors assist others in their process of change. Some think that it is what counselors do (technique) that
assists in this change; others think that the relationship between the counselor and client is the most important
catalyst for change; while still others would support that the motivation and readiness for change on the part of
the client is most import to effect change.
Describe your personal philosophy of the principles, which guide therapeutic change. Identify aspects of this
philosophy that derive from counseling theorists and those which are your own.
This form needs to be completed by all PhD COUNSELING applicants.
Doctoral Applicant: Please have the information below completed by the appropriate person at the college
or university from which you received your master’s practicum/internship if other
than the master’s program from Texas A&M University - Commerce.
______________________________________________ completed a total of ___________
(name of student) (hours)
clock hours of supervised field placement experience in a school counseling, student affairs, or community
counseling-related setting while a graduate student at:
____________________________________________.
(university)
(If other settings were allowed, please explain in some detail about the work performed. Use a separate sheet if
necessary.)
These hours were completed while enrolled in_________________________________________
(name of course(s) and course number(s))
for which semester hours of academic credit were awarded. The campus supervisor’s name was:
______________________________________.
I attest to the correctness of the information above.
______________________________________
Signature This should be emailed to:
______________________________________ Dayla Burgin
Title
[email protected]______________________________________
Phone number
______________________________________
Email
Statement of Goals for PhD in Experimental Psychology
Student Name: ID number:
1) What psychological research goals do you intend to accomplish during your tenure as a student in this program? Please be as
specific as possible.
2) Please list 1-3 faculty members in our psychology department with whom you would like to conduct research. Be as specific as
possible with how your research interests align with theirs.
3) What career do you plan to pursue upon graduation from our program? What are your goals within this career?
