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 three weeks. Our Summer Learning
Institute for first-year students and lasts
4-5 days to ensure a quality cohesive experience.
What is the cost of the program?
The CANDEL program follows the UC
Davis Graduate Fee schedule. Please note that these are
estimated costs. For more information about
fees and financial aid, please visit our Fees and
Financial Aid page.
Do I really have to take the GRE test?
No. The GRE is no longer a requirement to apply.
What is a “cohort-based” program, and what are its
advantages?
Every August, 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.