Skip to main content
  • Admissions
  • Academics
  • Research
  • Illinois State University Home
  • Student Life
  • Athletics
  • About
Doctorate

Leadership, Equity, and Inquiry

Fully Online

  1. Home
  2. Academics
  3. Graduate
  4. Leadership, Equity, and Inquiry

Overview

The Leadership, Equity, and Inquiry Ph.D. is an interdisciplinary doctoral program steeped in social justice designed to develop your skills as a critical leader, researcher, and advocate. Our curriculum is built on deep-dive, content-rich courses focused on equity and inclusion issues in education and research. Your time in our program not only will prepare you to be a critical consumer of research, but a producer of research—research designed to make a difference to individuals, families, and communities. 

Armed with these tools and knowledge, you will be prepared to help move the needle on important educational and societal issues across a range of venues and in a range of roles:

  • Inside and outside educational organizations
  • Nongovernmental organizations and think-tanks
  • Work in the public sphere
  • Community advocacy
  • Social justice-committed, focused leadership

Classes meet four weekends per semester during the spring, fall, and summer semesters. A majority of candidates are part-time students with full-time jobs. Students have eight years to complete the degree.

  • Graduate Student Admissions
  • Course Requirements (Catalog)
  • Meet Our Faculty
  • Our Community

Point of Pride

The Leadership, Equity, and Inquiry (LEI) Ph.D. program reliably enrolls the highest number of Illinois Board of Higher Education’s Diversifying Faculty in Higher Education (DFI) fellows at Illinois State University. DFI offers a prestigious, competitive fellowship that provides both financial support and mentorship to underrepresented doctoral students whose aim is to become faculty members at Illinois’ higher education institutions.

Graduate Advisor

Dr. Lenford Sutton
(309) 438-5422
DeGarmo 331E

Schedule a Visit

Discover what life as an Illinois State graduate student is like.

Register for a Graduate Student Visit

How to Apply

University Admission Requirements

A student applying to this program must:

  • Have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so by the time of program matriculation.
  • Submit unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. The unofficial transcript should be easily readable and clearly indicate degree(s) awarded, courses and course grades for each term.
  • If admitted, official domestic transcripts can be emailed from the university to GraduateAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, Graduate School, 208 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 4040, Normal, IL 61790-4040.
  • If admitted, official international transcripts can be emailed directly from the international institution to InternationalAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, International Admissions, Campus Box 6180, Normal, IL 61790-6180.

International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Graduate School Admission Requirements.

Additional Program Admission Requirements

To be considered for this program, you must meet the following requirements.

GPA

You must have a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a scale in which an A is a 4.0) for the last 60 hours of undergraduate work (approximately the junior and senior years).

You must have a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a scale in which an A is a 4.0) for all graduate-level coursework.

The Grade Point Average (GPA) of all undergraduate credentials earned in the United States that are used for graduate degree admission evaluation is calculated by the last 60 hours of undergraduate work. International credentials are evaluated by using cumulative GPA (CGPA) in lieu of the GPA from the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.

Resume and Professional Experience

Submit an up-to-date résumé that lists at least two years of work and educational experience.

Essay

Review the goals of the Leadership, Equity, and Inquiry program and upload an essay that addresses the following topics.

Personal Qualities – What qualities do you possess and what experiences have you had that demonstrate your commitment to working toward a more socially just world?

Addressing Challenges - Think about a problematic situation you have faced related to one of the goals of the Leadership, Equity, and Inquiry Ph.D. program. Write a brief description of the problem and then provide a possible interpretation and/or resolution of the problem from two different perspectives.

Goals - How do your professional and academic goals relate to the stated goals, curriculum, and focus of the Leadership, Equity, and Inquiry Ph.D. program? Why have you selected our specific program?

Knowledge and Experience - In what areas would you like to gain more experience or knowledge? Tell us about how you anticipate the Leadership, Equity, and Inquiry Ph.D. program can help you gain the knowledge and experience to address those needs.

Dedication and Resolve - Tell us about what personal qualities and experiences you possess that demonstrate you have the ability, support system, and commitment to complete a program of doctoral study and required independent research.

Writing Sample

Submit a sample of academic/research writing you’ve completed. Examples might include your master’s thesis, a research or response paper you completed in your master’s program, or some piece of writing you’ve completed during your professional career that speaks to LEI program goals.

Alternatively, you are welcome to create a writing sample to submit for our consideration. 

Letters of Recommendation

Submit two letters of reference. Provide your referees with the Leadership, Equity, and Inquiry Ph.D. program goals and ask your referees to speak to your accomplishments and/or potential in these areas. When you access the online application system, you will be asked to submit referees’ contact information.

At least one letter should come from an academic source. The second letter may come from a supervisor/administrator. Additional letters may be included.

All letters should address Leadership, Equity, and Inquiry Ph.D. program goals.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Term — April 15

Apply Now

Graduate Assistantships

The University provides graduate assistantships as a means of financial support. They are intended as a way to facilitate a student's progress to degree while providing important professional development.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an assistantship a student must, generally,

  • be admitted unconditionally as a degree-seeking student into a graduate academic program, or have a minimum of 120 undergraduate hours if in an integrated degree program
  • be in good-standing
  • be enrolled full-time (typically at least 9 credit hours during the fall or spring semesters, or at least 6 hours during the summer session).

Benefits

Graduate assistants receive

  • monthly wages paid in the form of either a stipend or an hourly wage
  • a waiver for 100% of tuition during a semester of appointment
  • a waiver for up to 12 credit hours of tuition for the summer term immediately following a fall or spring appointment



Costs & Funding

See Student Accounts for information on tuition and fees. Funding for graduate students is available from several different sources. Students who have been admitted from contiguous states including Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin will receive in-state tuition.

I Want to Learn More

Request Information Form

Loading form...

Contact Information

  • Educational Administration and Foundations
  • (309) 438-5422
  • DeGarmo 331
  • College of Education

Commonly Used Links

Illinois State

  • Milner Library
  • Technology Support Center
  • Maps and Directions
  • Search/A-Z
  • Academic Calendar
  • Safety and Security
  • Download ISU Mobile Apps

Students

  • My.IllinoisState.edu
  • Student Jobs
  • Catalog
  • Canvas
  • Undocumented Students, DACA, or Dreamers
  • Veterans and Military Services

Alumni

  • Alumni Association
  • Redbird Gear
  • Events
  • Magazine
  • Traditions

Faculty and Staff

  • Work at Illinois State
  • iPeople
  • Email and Office 365
  • Center for Integrated Professional Development
  • Shared Governance and Administration

© 2025 Illinois State University, Normal, IL USA | Contact Us

Privacy Statement | Cookie Statement | Identity Standards | Appropriate Use Policy | IBHE Online Complaint System | ISU Complaint Resolution | Accessibility | CARES Act Reporting

  • I. S. U. Facebook
  • I. S. U. Twitter
  • I. S. U. Instagram
  • I. S. U. Youtube
  • I. S. U. LinkedIn
  • I. S. U. TikTok
Closing menu Closing Menu
  • Close Menu
  • My
  • Contact
  • A to Z
  • Admissions
  • Academics
  • Research
  • Student Life
  • Athletics
  • About Us
  • Apply
  • Visit

Getting Started

  • Incoming Freshman
  • Transfer Students
  • Graduate Students
  • International Students
  • Out of State Students
  • Military Veterans
  • Returning to ISU
  • Homeschooled Students

Non-traditional

  • En Español
  • Undocumented Students
  • Visiting Students
  • Second Bachelor's Degree
  • Parents and Families
  • Academics Overview
  • Academic Support
  • Majors
  • Minors
  • Graduate Programs
  • Pre-Professional
  • Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Research Overview
  • Milner Library
  • Redbird Scholar
  • Student Life Overview
  • Housing
  • Dining
  • Student Organizations
  • Athletics Overview
  • GoRedbirds.com
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Administration
  • Our Community
  • Metrics of Excellence
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Traditions
  • Facility and Space Use
  • Learn How to Apply
  • What You Need Before You Apply
  • Deadlines
  • Fee and Waiver
  • Check Your Application Status
  • Disciplinary and Criminal Activity Disclosures
  • International Application Information
  • Schedule a Visit
  • Department Meetings
  • Driving Directions
  • Open House
  • Group Visits

University Resources

  • My Illinois State
  • Map
  • News
  • Events
  • Giving
Closing menu Closing Menu