Education Specialist - Certification of Advanced Studies
Education Specialist (Ed. S.) program is a specialized professional degree that requires students to engage in a rigorous process of research, inquiry, application, and site-based practice. The degree also requires the successful completion of leadership coursework, an extensive internship, involving an action research project, a cultural diversity project, and a capstone paper/project.
The Ed. S. program offers two options: 1) Superintendency and 2) Curriculum and Instruction.
Education Specialist (Ed. S.) Superintendency (Non-degree, Licensure)
The Education Specialist (Ed. S.) Superintendency is a minimum of 36 credit hours, excluding a required 30 credit hour Master’s degree. The program is designed to be completed in twelve calendar months if all coursework is successfully finished.
The Inquiry Studies phase introduces students to the foundations research. The required courses are:
LDR 640 Methods of Inquiry I (Quantitative Research) (Only needed if Master's degree did not include a Thesis)
LDR 645 Methods of Inquiry II (Qualitative Research) (Only needed if Master's degree did not include a Thesis)
The Specialization phase was designed after careful consideration of the needs of leaders across areas of study. It requires students to have a thorough understanding of leadership and its various aspects within the community. This is a 36 credit hour intensive concentration. These courses are:
LDR 705 Foundations of Leadership
LDR 720 Superintendency
LDR 730 Personnel Evaluation & Administration
LDR 740 Policies & Procedures in Administration
LDR 750 Internship & Seminar I*
LDR 751 Internship & Seminar II* †
LDR 752 Internship & Seminar III* †
LDR 760 Financial Strategies
LDR 770 Facility Planning & Usage
LDR 780 Instructional Leadership*
LDR 790 Leadership Ethics
CES 726 Counselor-Based School Leadership
* Key Assessment Course † Disposition Audit Course
Education Specialist (Ed. S.) Curriculum and Instruction
The Education Specialist (Ed. S.) Curriculum and Instruction is a minimum of 36 credit hours, excluding a required 30 credit hour Master’s degree. The program is designed to be completed in twelve calendar months if all coursework is successfully finished.
The Inquiry Studies phase introduces students to the foundations research. The required courses are:
LDR 640 Methods of Inquiry I (Quantitative Research) (Only needed if Master's degree did not include a Thesis)
LDR 645 Methods of Inquiry II (Qualitative Research) (Only needed if Master's degree did not include a Thesis)
The Specialization phase was designed after careful consideration of the needs of leaders across areas of study. It requires students to have a thorough understanding of leadership and its various aspects within the community. This is a 36 credit hour intensive concentration. These courses are:
LDR 700 Curriculum Theory
LDR 705 Foundations of Leadership
LDR 715 Critical Issues in Curriculum and Instruction
LDR 725 Curriculum and Instruction Leadership
LDR 730 Personnel Evaluation & Administration
LDR 750 Internship & Seminar I*
LDR 751 Internship & Seminar II* †
LDR 752 Internship & Seminar III* †
LDR 770 Facility Planning & Usage
LDR 790 Leadership Ethics
CES 726 Counselor-Based School Leadership
* Key Assessment Course
† Disposition Audit Course
Admissions Requirements
The admission process for the Educational Specialist (E.D. S.) 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 specialist programs must produce a comprehensive Admissions Portfolio, including both qualitative and quantitative measures, which is used to assess personal characteristics, academic skills, communication skills, and leadership ability.
The admission portfolio must contain the following items:
- Completed Graduate Application
- Completed Concentration Declaration
- Documentation and description of a record of a minimum of two (2) years of successful leadership experience
- Provide two (2) character references
- 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);
- A current 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
- A thesis or major research paper, minimum at master’s level, for review that demonstrates the applicant’s professional writing ability at the graduate level
- Official transcripts from all graduate institutions of study
Admission Checklist
- Completed Application
- Completed Concentration Declaration
- Thesis or major paper written at the Master’s Level
- Current Resume
- Copy of Teaching/Administrative License OR documentation of two years managerial experience
- All Graduate level Official Transcripts
- Two (2) Character References
- Supervisor letter of Recommendation
Return the completed portfolio to:
Dr. Nancy Miller, Director, School of Education Graduate Studies, Oakland City University, 138 N Lucretia, Oakland City, IN 47660 or email to nmiller@oak.edu
