What is the general profile of the CANDEL applicant?
Most of our applicants are administrators, educational
leaders and student service professionals in educational
settings such as P-12, community college, higher
education institutions and advocacy organizations.
They have visionary leadership abilities and have a
strong desire to create changes in educational policy from within
their school, district, department, etc.
How often do classes meet? Where do classes meet?
Classes meet on the UC Davis campus all-day Friday and
Saturday every 2-3 weeks.
Can my application fee be waived?
For the 2023-24 admission cycle, California residents may
request a Fee Fellowship to cover the $135 graduate application
fee. Please contact candeledd@ucdavis.edu for
information. If you are requesting an Application Fee
Fellowship, do not pay the application fee, as we are unable to
make reimbursements.
How much does the program cost?
The CANDEL program follows the UC Davis Graduate Fee schedule.
Visit our application page for
information on fees and the application process.
Do I need to take the GRE test?
No. The GRE is no longer a requirement to apply.
How do I answer the Statement of Purpose and the Diversity
Statement?
The Graduate Studies Admissions Essays webpage provides
guidelines, instructions and prompts for both essays.
What is a “cohort-based” program, and what are its advantages?
Every September, a new group of students begins the program and
continues through the whole program together. Each quarter, your
group, or “cohort,” will all register for the same courses.
Overwhelming feedback from our students indicates the cohort
structure is one of the strongest features of the program.
Students are able to support one another, study and work together
on projects and research, visit each other’s sites, and generally
find a more enriching experience in this collegial and personal
setting.
How many units do I take per quarter?
CANDEL students enroll in 12 units per quarter for the first
two years of coursework (72 units). After the
completion of coursework, students must enroll in 12 units per
quarter of dissertation seminars until they complete their
dissertations.
I would like to teach at a four-year university. Is CANDEL the
right choice for me?
Our goal is to cultivate leaders who want to work within their
P-12/community college districts or higher education
administrations to implement and develop real change. Yes, you
can teach at the university level with an Ed.D.—however, if this
is your primary goal, then we suggest seeking out a program that
is more suited to your professional needs. Please review the UC Davis Ph.D. Program in
Education.
How beneficial is having all the educational settings work
together?
The results have been very successful—we think it’s a great
match! The feedback we consistently receive from our students is
that the program provides a unique opportunity for professionals
to interact with each other, learn about the “other side,” and
recognize and appreciate the challenges and hurdles within those
environments.
Still have questions? E-mail us at candeledd@ucdavis.edu.