“Applicants to Peabody’s Leadership and Learning in Organizations Ed.D. should know that the program is rigorous, as are all professional degree programs at Vanderbilt,” Susan Freeman Burns, director of digital education at Vanderbilt Peabody College, tells Fortune. “Although it is an online program, it has the same expectations and workload of a traditional, campus-based degree program.”

Vanderbilt’s Ed.D. program in leadership and learning (LLO) is hosted through the school’s Peabody College, which is home to the university’s education and human development studies. The program has a 34% acceptance rate, and incoming students, on average, have a 3.4 undergraduate GPA. While the school declined to offer admissions data, including average test scores and average number of years of work experience, admissions are “highly selective,” according to a statement from Vanderbilt’s spokesperson. The school takes a “holistic approach,” looking at years and varieties of work experience and academic backgrounds.

The three-year program is offered online and includes both live and recorded weekly classes, so most students are working professionals. The curriculum focuses on leadership and organizational development, data and analytics, and learning and design. The program’s flexibility, along with its reputation, is a draw for students.

“Because of my professional position, I couldn’t take multiple years of a leave of absence to complete an on-campus degree program, but I also wanted a doctorate that would be as rigorous as any residential program in the nation,” Michael Hill, a current Vanderbilt Ed.D. student and president of the Chautauqua Institution, tells Fortune. “I found that at Vanderbilt.”

Overall, Vanderbilt is looking for students with a strong professional and academic background, as well as those who have clear goals and passion. But what exactly does it take to be admitted? Here’s what you need to know.

Learn more: Is an Ed.D. degree worth it?

Verbal and analytical competency

While Vanderbilt isn’t currently requiring that candidates submit GRE scores, they’re strongly recommended. Plus, admitted students usually have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. Applicants who have an undergraduate GPA of less than 2.75 must submit test scores.

“A good balance of verbal and analytical abilities is important, as is a well-written statement of purpose that outlines professional goals and highlights prior professional or academic experiences that show one is prepared for the challenge of doctoral study,” Burns says. 

Vanderbilt requires applicants to submit a statement of purpose (a written essay) so that candidates can outline their professional goals and the school can evaluate their written and analytical skills. 

More important than academic records and depth of professional experience, Burns says, is the passion to use their knowledge to solve systemic problems in education.

Professional experience and drive

Vanderbilt Ed.D. students come from a variety of backgrounds, including the military, business, health care, education, and the nonprofit sector. The school is also looking for candidates who show a “demonstrated capacity for leadership,” Burns says. 

Applicants who may not have as many years of professional work experience often show their potential for leadership by describing in their personal statement an initiative they’ve taken that has led to systemic improvement, Burns says. The applicant needs to be able to explain why a doctorate specifically from Vanderbilt will help them take the next step in their career, she adds.

“Prior to applying, applicants should reflect on why they want to pursue this degree and what they hope to change or improve upon in their careers or their fields,” Burns says. “Students willing to disrupt their mental models, develop new habits of thought, and build new skills often describe the program as transformational.”

Before pursuing his Ed.D. at Vanderbilt, Hill worked for nonprofit and educational organizations for about two decades. 

“If my cohort is any evidence, Vanderbilt seeks students who delight in rigor, who lean into diverse perspectives, and who look at being challenged as a value add,” Hill says. “This isn’t a program for people who simply want to put ‘Ed.D.’ after their name.”

Two questions remain: What can you do besides teaching with an Ed.D.? How much can you make? We plotted your educational journey.