Education Specialist
Education Specialist (Certificate)
Superintendency and Curriculum/Instruction (Certification of Advanced Studies) (EdS)
The Educational Specialist (Ed. S.) is a specialized professional certificate that requires candidates to engage in a rigorous process of research, inquiry, application, and site-based practice. The program requires the successful completion of leadership coursework, an extensive internship, involving an action research project, a cultural diversity project, technology project, and a capstone paper/project. The Education Specialist (Ed. S.) is a minimum of thirty-six (36) credit hours. There are two (2) option within the certificate program, with the candidate selecting one specific area in which to specialize. These areas are:
- Option I – Superintendency
- Option II – Curriculum & Instruction
Superintendency Courses
- Foundations of Leadership (LDR 705)
- The Superintendency (LDR 720)
- Personnel Evaluation & Administration (LDR 730)
- Policies & Procedures in Administration (LDR 740)
- Internship and Seminar (LDR 750, LDR 751*, LDR 752*)
- Financial Strategies (LDR 760)
- Facility Planning & Usage (LDR 770)
- Instructional Leadership (LDR 780*)
- Leadership Ethics (LDR 790)
- Counselor Based School Leadership (CES 726)
Curriculum & Instruction Courses
- Curriculum Theory (LDR 700)
- Foundations of Leadership (LDR 705)
- Critical Issues in Curriculum & Instruction (LDR 715)
- Curriculum & Instruction Leadership (LDR 725)
- Personnel Evaluation & Administration (LDR 730)
- Internship and Seminar (LDR 750, LDR 751*, LDR 752*)
- Facility Planning & Usage (LDR 770)
- Leadership Ethics (LDR 790)
- Leader’s Role in Organizational Dynamics (LDR 800)
- Counselor Based School Leadership (CES 726)
Admissions Requirements
The admission process for the Education Specialist degree is designed to admit the highest quality professional educators and business leaders who desire to contribute to their respective fields of work. Applicants to the Education Specialist program must submit a comprehensive admission portfolio, including both qualitative and quantitative measures, which is used to assess personal characteristics, academic skills, communication skills, and leadership ability. Acceptance into the program is by cohort with one cohort group admitted each year.
The comprehensive admission portfolio must contain the following items:
- Completed Graduate Application Form
- Documentation and description of a record of a minimum of two (2) years of successful administrative experience in education, or management.
- A letter of reference from a supervisor or other person familiar with the applicant’s academic ability and professional performance (specific examples of leadership ability and problem- solving skills should be cited).
- An essay that reconciles personal goals with the objectives of the Ed. S. program as reflected in the OCU Mission Statement and School of Education Conceptual Framework.
- A complete resume that includes work experience, educational background, professional experience, professional activities, honors received, professional publications or presentations, community service, and other relevant information relating to the applicant’s leadership background.
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions of study.
