http://www.umflint.edu/graduateprograms/education-specialist-eds
Education Department information
The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) program is a post-master’s program designed to prepare in-service teachers and educational leaders to assume greater professional roles in their buildings and/or in administration and supervision. It is a degree for educational professionals wishing to pursue a post-Master’s experience. The emphasis is on applied learning and preparation for executive leadership assignments.
The 30-credit program is cohort-structured, offered in a dual modality of online and on-campus coursework. It features two concentrations, both emphasizing field-based learning experiences in a K-12 or post-secondary environment:
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Educational Leadership
A mentorship with a recognized school leader is required.
Candidates for the program include:
- Teachers wishing to enhance their background skills in curriculum in order to be more effective in the classroom or to undertake building-level curriculum leadership assignments.
- Teachers who aspire to be curriculum directors at the K-12 level.
- Administrators at the building level interested in a Central Office position in human relations, finance, or curriculum or a superintendency.
- Individuals with the ultimate goal of a doctoral degree.
Curriculum
The program consists of four components:
- The first is a set of core courses totaling 12 credits.
- The second consists of 9 credits of coursework in either Curriculum or Educational Leadership.
- The third component is a 6-credit field experience tailored to the needs of the individual student, ranging from an internship in an educational facility to a project study based on the needs of a building or a district priority.
- The fourth and final component is a capstone seminar bringing together both groups of students.
The program is typically completed in 18 months, consisting of two courses per semester, beginning in a Fall semester and culminating with the final practicum and capstone course Winter semester of the next academic year. The on-campus component involves full-day sessions one Saturday each month for the duration of the program; the remaining content is delivered online. An evening orientation program is required prior to the first semester.
The field-based practicum engages students with practicing professionals in experiences and projects relevant to specific areas of leadership interest.
Admission Requirements
Those wishing to enroll must apply for graduate admission. Application deadlines and other information pertinent to the application process are posted on the Office of Graduate Programs website http://www.umflint.edu/graduateprograms
Requirements are:
- A MA or MS degree in an education-related program from an accredited institution.
- A minimum overall graduate school grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or the equivalent.
- At least three years of work experience in a P-16 educational institution or in an education-related position.
Application Process
Applicants must submit the following to be considered for admission:
- A completed application for graduate admission with paid application fee.
- Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from the institutions granting bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
- A current resume identifying training, experience and professional accomplishments.
- Three letters of recommendation addressing the candidate’s potential for success in the program, including at least one from a professor of a class taken at the graduate level.
- A letter of intent of at least 1000 words describing the candidate’s reason for seeking admission.
- An Educational Leader Evaluation completed by candidate’s supervisor.
Admission is selective and is determined by the Education Department.
Application Deadlines
Program faculty review applications twice annually after each of the following dates:
- May 1 (early admission)
- August 1 (final deadline)
Transfer of Credit
Up to six (6) graduate semester credit hours earned at an accredited institution following completion of an MA or MS degree may be accepted for transfer into the Education Specialist program. All credit transfers must be approved by the Education Department faculty. Students seeking to transfer credits not designated as program requirements or electives should contact the appropriate faculty advisor.
Academic Rules and Regulations
See Education (EDU) and Graduate Study for additional rules and regulations pertaining to Education Department graduate programs.
