Education Specialist, Ed.S.
The Department of Teacher Education and Leadership offers the Specialist degree program in Educational Leadership to prepare educators with prior educational knowledge and experiences to be competent, educational leaders in today's K-12 school and districts.
This 41-hour degree program features coursework combined with internship experiences in the educational setting to scaffold candidates as they engage in authentic administrative tasks alongside mentors who are practicing school leaders. Reflection is embedded throughout the program to enable candidates to reflect upon and improve practice.
Two program tracks are available in the Ed.S. in Educational Leadership program. Canidates can choose either track: (1) K-12 Administration or (2) Curriculum and Instruction. Courses are also available to candidates in two delivery methods: traditional or online (MC7).
Traditional Program Option
Coursework and internship experiences for both tracks of the Ed.S. are offered during a traditional semester: Fall, Spring, and Summer. Courses are offered on a rotating basis and advisors work closely with candidates to maximize time spent in completion of the program of study.
MC7 Online Program Option
With the launch of the MC7 online delivery system in Summer 2018, both tracks of Ed.S. courses are arranged in a specific sequence and are offered in six (6), 7-week terms which correspond with the fall (fall term 1 & 2), spring (spring term 1 & 2), and summer (summer term 1 & 2) semesters. The MC7 course rotation has been constructed to allow candidates who are full time (typically 2 classes per 7-week term) to complete their coursework in 12 months. For those students choosing part time (typically 1 class per 7-week term), the coursework can be completed in 24 months.
For additional information regarding the MC7 online program option including the course descriptions and rotation, please use the link provided below.
Ed.S. in Elementary Education
The Educational Specialist Degree in Elementary Education is a 36-42 semester hour program designed to meet the needs of educational professionals seeking a higher level of licensure and a more in-depth knowledge about best practices, research, teaching/learning, and curriculum & instructional improvement in elementary education. This degree builds on an existing Class AA License in elementary education. Problem-solving, research, and writing are integrated with the coursework, in order to foster technology integration, constant reflection, and data-driven assessment. There is an option for the candidate with a 4-8 alternate route license to add-on the K-6 license.
Contact
Dr. Jennifer Stafford
Graduate Program Coordinator
Lowrey 306
jfstafford@mc.edu
601.925.7389
General Requirements
- All general requirements for admission to the Graduate School at Mississippi College must be met initially.
- All student seeking the Ed.S. Degree in Ed. Leadership, must have a Class AA License in an area of professional education.
- Candidates must have a 3.25 GPA on all prior graduate work.
- Candidates must supply three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant’s character, scholarship, and potential for successful completion of the program (One must come from the candidate’s current administrator).
- Candidates must provide proof of three years of prior teaching experience in their licensed area, in an accredited school.
- Candidates must schedule an interview with the program advisor.
- Candidates must successfully complete a writing assessment.
- After 12 hours of coursework, candidates must have and maintain a 3.25 GPA on all work in the Ed.S. Program.
- Candidates must write and defend a research-based project completed during the Ed.S. Program at MS College. Candidates must have a 3.25 GPA, in order to defend their research-based project, before graduation requirements can be considered completed.
- All work for the degree must be worked-on and completed according to the cohort schedule.
- Graduates of the Ed.S. Program in Educational Leadership must pass the SLLA, before they can apply for the Class AAA License in Administration.
Educational Leadership
The Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership is a 40 semester hour program designed to meet the needs of educational professionals seeking a higher level of licensure in school administration or a more in-depth knowledge of curriculum and instruction that builds on an existing Class AA License in another area of professional education. Furthermore, there are two tracks in Educational Leadership:
- Administration
- Curriculum & Instruction (C&I)
Graduates of the Ed.S. in Educational Leadership must pass the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA), before they can apply for the Class AAA License in Administration.
The two tracks offer an in-depth review of teaching/learning, technology integration, assessment, statistics, educational diversity, law, public policy, curriculum development, and leadership development. Clinical/practicum-based experiences are integrated with course work, in order to foster problem solving and theoretical application. Students benefit from applied and focused classroom and practicum experiences in the educational arena with all stakeholders. Similarly, reflective seminars are facilitated by university professors to provide for purposeful collaboration with cohort members.
- Administration Track Sample Course Six-Semester Cohort Calendar
- Curriculum & Instruction Cohort Calendar
Elementary Education
The Educational Specialist Degree in Elementary Education is a 36-42 semester hour program designed to meet the needs of educational professionals seeking a higher level of licensure and a more in-depth knowledge about best practices, research, teaching/learning, and curriculum & instructional improvement in elementary education. This degree builds on an existing Class AA License in elementary education. Problem-solving, research, and writing are integrated with the coursework, in order to foster technology integration, constant reflection, and data-driven assessment.
There is an option for the candidate with a 4-8 alternate route license to add-on the K-6 license.
