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Jun 04, 2026
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2026 - 2027 Graduate Academic Catalog
Educational Specialist, School Leadership Track, Ed.S.
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The Educational Specialist degree is a post-master’s degree designed for scholars and leaders in the education field.
The Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in School Leadership is designed for experienced educators who have a master’s degree in another area but who now wish to gain certification as school administrators. Admission into this program requires a master’s degree from an accredited institution and a minimum of two years’ experience as a full-time teacher, as well as a current professional teaching certificate.
All students will enroll in EDSL 971 in their final Fall term and EDSL 972 in their final Spring term. These courses comprise a year-long internship in Educational Leadership. The internship will incorporate experiences in all grade spans and upon completion of the internship you will meet one of several requirements for PK-12 certification as a South Carolina principal. Monthly seminars provide candidates with opportunities to apply their knowledge and continue to improve their abilities to function as effective, caring school leaders.
To complete this program, students must show evidence of a passing score on the appropriate Praxis II exam. This program is offered in an online/hybrid/blended format.
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School Leadership (30 credits)
Admission Criteria Students seeking admission to an Ed.S. School Leadership program must have the following: - A master’s degree from an accredited college or university
- A graduate minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher minimum; 2.75 for all other coursework
- A valid South Carolina professional-level certificate at the elementary, middle, or secondary level
and, must submit the following: - a graduate admissions application, accompanied by a one-time, non-refundable application fee
- two professional recommendations
- a copy of their current teaching certification
- Essay
- official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
To be recommended for School Administration certification requires completion of all program requirements, including all courses and the internship, along with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the program. International Degree Candidates Initial Admission Graduate Studies in Education is not available to international applicants/students because we cannot guarantee full-time enrollment or face-to-face courses in those programs. Program Continuation Admitted graduate degree candidates must meet with an advisor in Graduate Studies to plan a preliminary program and will be assigned a faculty contact person. Continuation in a program leading to the awarding of the Educational Specialist degree requires successful completion of 9 graduate credits with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater. - Students earning a grade of C+, C, or C- in one of the first three courses in a program prior to Admission to Candidacy or a student with a cumulative GPA less than 3.00 must meet with the program coordinator and the Associate Director of Graduate Studies.
After Admission to Candidacy, all students in a program are required to: - maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater and meet final grade requirements
- demonstrate satisfactory content knowledge, pedagogical skills, and dispositions related to national standards established by the Specialty Professional Association (SPA) and Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- resolve any event or concern where an instructor, program coordinator, and/or the Office of Graduate Studies has reason to believe a degree candidate has acted in violation of department mission
Program Completion/Degree Audit The Office of Graduate Studies will audit the student’s record to ensure that required courses have been completed and that the candidate has maintained a 3.00 GPA for the sequence of courses. Program Completion/Graduation The Office of Graduate Studies will confirm all degree requirements have been successfully completed by each candidate. Candidates for graduation must also show a passing score on appropriate Praxis content exam. Quick Step Guide to the Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) - Preliminary conference with Graduate Studies advisor
- Application/fee/transcript(s)/recommendations/teaching certificate/Essay
- Acceptance
- Complete EDSL 879B (Advanced Seminar: Building Level)
- Passing score on appropriate Praxis II exam
- Graduation
Requirements7 courses in the concentration area (21 credits)
A year-long internship (6 credits)
and a capstone experience (3 credits)
- EDSL 879B Advanced Seminar in Educational Leadership and Research: Topics in Finance, Law, and Policy *
*Must be the final course completed in the degree program; may be taken concurrently with EDSL 972
Note: All courses in the School Leadership concentration sequence must be completed prior to the end of the internship, which is a year-long experience. Passing score on PRAXIS area exam is required to be recommended for both the degree and certification.
Additionally, in order to gain SC certification in school administration, candidates must have a valid SC teacher’s professional level certificate; show evidence of a passing score on the PRAXIS Education Leadership: Administration and Supervision subtest; and have a minimum of three years teaching experience.
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