The Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) in General Education Administration is an advanced degree program that prepares professional educators with instructional and leadership skills beyond the master’s level of competence. The purpose of this degree is to extend the academic foundation, skills, and abilities of educational leaders and to build leadership capacity in a variety of educational settings. The Ed.S. degree is based upon the satisfactory completion of 33 semester hours of graduate-level coursework. Applicants may choose one of four concentration areas (Administrative Leadership K-12; Instructional Leadership K-12; Higher Education Administration; and Educational Technology). The program is aligned to state standards and is approved by the state of Michigan. Applicants who complete the Administrative Leadership K-12 concentration may apply to the Michigan Department of Education for administrative certification which is now required by the state for building and district leadership positions.
Admission Requirements; Retention & Termination Standards
Applicants for the Educational Specialist degree must have three years of experience in an education or other human service organization.
Admission Requirements for Specialist in Education Candidates- Applicants must meet the requirements for admission to the College of Graduate Studies.
- Applicants must have completed a master’s degree in education or equivalent field.
- Applicants must provide evidence of promise as an administrator by preparing and submitting an admission portfolio directly to the Department of Educational Leadership. The following items must be included in the contents of the portfolio:
- a department application form (/academics/educ_humanservices/edu_leadership/Documents/Department%20Application%205-2-12.pdfClick Here)
- a current resume identifying training, experience, and professional accomplishments;
- a minimum of two letters of reference (dated and submitted on organizational letterhead) from individuals who can appropriately address the applicant's potential as an administrator and attest to the applicant's potential for success in the program;
- a one-page reflective statement addressing the applicant's beliefs about educational leadership;
- a one-page reflective statement of professional goals and actions the applicant intends to take to achieve the identified goals;
- identification of a minimum of two significant activities that indicate experiences, abilities, and potential for educational leadership. For each activity identified, applicants should clearly describe the activity and the role and responsibilities they assumed, include the number of people involved or impacted by the activity, describe the budget (if applicable) or resources used, and summarized with a self-reflective statement addressing the insight and learning that occurred.
- Regular admission will be granted only after the admission portfolio has been reviewed and deemed acceptable by a committee of Educational Leadership faculty. Acceptability will be judged on the appropriateness of the contents of the admission portfolio relative to the degree program to which application is being made. The applicant's statements about beliefs, professional goals, and activities must show evidence of thoughtfulness, thoroughness, and congruence with the degree program to which the application is directed.
It is advantageous for the applicant to submit the admission portfolio as early as possible. Applicants must submit a complete admission's packet, and it must be approved before a student is granted regular admission.Required Courses (15 hours)EDL 651 - Program Review and Evaluation 3(3-0)
EDL 700 - Advanced Administrative Research 3(3-0)
EDL 760 - Leadership Theory and Practice 3(3-0)
EDL 765 - Organizational Change in Educational Institutions 3(3-0)
EDL 775 - Educational Policy Analysis 3(3-0)
ConcentrationsConcentration is selected based upon students' needs assessment. The specific courses will be determined in consultation between the student and academic advisor. (Note: in Concentration I: Administrative Leadership K-12, the courses are all required.)
Concentration I: Administrative Leadership K-12 (12 hours)EDL 661 - School and Community Relations 3(3-0)
EDL 745 - Administration of the School District 3(3-0)
EDL 766 - Advanced Educational Law 3(3-0)
EDL 773 - Instructional Supervision for Educational Leaders 3(3-0)
Concentration II: Instructional Leadership K-12 (12 hours)EDL 773 - Instructional Supervision for Educational Leaders 3(3-0)
Plus 9 hours of electives to be chosen in consultation with program advisor.
Concentration III: Higher Education Administration (12 hours)EDL 626 - The Adult Learner 3(3-0)
Plus 9 hours of electives to be chosen in consultation with program advisor.
Concentration IV: Educational Technology (12 hours)EDU 590/SPE 510 - Advanced Technology in Education 3(2-3)
Plus 9 hours of electives to be chosen in consultation with program advisor.
Capstone Project (6 hours)Select either Plan A or Plan B. (Note: Global Campus students will complete Plan B.)
Plan A: ThesisEDL 798 - Thesis 1-6(Spec)
Plan B: Field Based ProjectEDL 699 - Leadership Internship 1-15(Spec)
EDL 797 - Field Study 1-6(Spec)
Total: 33 semester hours