Specialist in Education in General Educational Administration (Ed.S.)

Minimum Totals for Graduation: 30 hours

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. Applicants selecting this program are educators who would like to acquire a school or district-level administration position by choosing one of two concentration areas:

Instructional Leadership K-12: Preparation for Elementary and Secondary (ES) administrator certification

Administrative Leadership K-12: Preparation for Central Office (CO) administrator certification

Students completing this program can apply to the Michigan Department of Education and receive administrative certification. This certification is a state requirement for school and district administrators (including principals and superintendents) who oversee academic programs.

The Specialist in Education is a nationally accredited program through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Admission Requirements: Retention & Termination Standards

Admission Requirement Snapshot

GPA: 3.0

Entrance Exam: N/A

Application Deadline: Rolling Application

See Admission Requirement Details Below

Important Message for Prospective Students: It is highly recommended that students contact the appropriate licensing agency in their state of residence if they are considering an academic program that leads to a professional license. CMU offers state-by-state information at https://www.cmich.edu/global/compliance/Pages/professionalLicensure.aspx with web links to the appropriate licensing agencies. It is the responsibility of students to contact the appropriate licensing agency and to understand the requirements in their state of residence as applied to their specific situation.

Applicants must meet the requirements for admission to Graduate Studies.
Applicants must have completed a master’s degree in education or related field.
Regular admission in the program requires a graduate grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4-point scale).
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:
1. Current resume identifying training, experience, and professional accomplishments.
2. 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.
3. Two-page statement incorporating how the applicant's program goals and beliefs about leadership connect to the Educational Leadership program and these principles:
  - Vision for student success and achievement,
  - Involvement for all stakeholders,
  - Leadership for a diverse and complex society
  - Demonstration of ethical behavior.
4. 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, including the number of people involved or impacted by the activity; describe the budget (if applicable) or resources used; and summarize 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 Educational Specialist degree. The applicant's statements about beliefs, professional goals, and activities must show evidence of thoughtfulness, thoroughness, and congruence with the Educational Specialist degree.

Additional Admission Requirements - Must have three years of experience in an educational setting.

It is advantageous for the applicant to submit the admission portfolio as early as possible. Applicants must submit a complete admission packet and it must be approved before a student is granted regular admission. This is an open enrollment program with a rolling application review.

Program Requirements

Required Courses (9 hours)

EDL 765	Organizational Change in Educational Institutions	3(3-0)
EDL 773	Instructional Supervision and Leadership	3(3-0)
EDL 775	PK-12 Educational Policy	3(3-0)

Research Core (3 hours)

Students electing the thesis option (Plan A) take EDL 700.

Students electing the capstone option (Plan B) take EDL 710.

EDL 700	Educational Research Design	3(3-0)
EDL 710	Action Research	3(3-0)

Concentrations

Select one of the following:

Concentration I: Instructional Leadership K-12 (15 hours)

Building Level Certification

EDL 656	Public School Law	3(3-0)
EDL 661	School and Community Relations	3(3-0)
EDL 662	School Business Administration	3(3-0)
EDL 670	The Principalship	3(3-0)
EDL 690	Administration of School Curriculum	3(3-0)

Concentration II: Administrative Leadership K-12 (15 hours)

Central Office Certification

EDL 745	Administration of the School District	3(3-0)
EDL 751	Program Evaluation and Review	3(3-0)
EDL 760	Leadership Theory and Practice	3(3-0)
EDL 766	Advanced Educational Law	3(3-0)
EDL 767	Public School Finance	3(3-0)

Additional Requirement (3 hours)

Select either Plan A (Thesis) or Plan B (Capstone Project, for administrator certification):

Plan A: Thesis (3 hours)

EDL 798

Thesis

1-6(Spec)

Plan B Capstone Project (3 hours)

Select one of the following:

EDL 699	Leadership Internship	1-15(Spec)
EDL 780	District Level Leader Internship	1-15(Spec)

Exit Examination

Students seeking Michigan Administrator Certification (Concentrations I-II) are required to pass an exit examination to qualify for their endorsement. See the program director for more information regarding this requirement and to schedule their exam.

Professional Portfolio

Students seeking administrator certification are required to complete a Professional Portfolio that consists of evidence of significant scholarship and ability relating to competence in administration and leadership. The portfolio is developed and maintained by the student during the graduate educational experience.

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