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Teacher Education & Leadership

Education Specialist (Ed.S.)

The Ed.S. program challenges students with an existing AA licensure in another area of professional education who desire to enhance their abilities as teachers and administrators.

Earn An Education Specialist, Ed.S. from MC

Upgrade your licensure while enhancing your ability as teacher or administrator to meet the needs of students in the modern classroom.

Affordable Education Specialist Degree AwardThe Specialist degree program in Educational Leadership program offers an in-depth review of teaching/learning, technology integration, assessment, statistics, educational diversity, law, public policy, curriculum development, and leadership development. Coursework is combined with internship experiences in the educational setting in order to foster problem solving and theoretical application alongside mentors who are practicing school leaders. Reflective seminars are facilitated by university professors to provide for purposeful collaboration with cohort members. This program builds on an existing AA licensure in another area of professional education.

Student

Two program tracks are available in the Ed.S. in Educational Leadership program. Candidates can choose either track:

  • K-12 Administration
  • Curriculum and Instruction

The K-12 Administration Ed.S. track

This track prepares you with competences for meeting the SLLA standards, such as:

  • Setting a widely shared vision for learning
  • Developing a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth
  • Ensuring effective management of the organization, operation and resources for a safe, efficient and effective learning environment
  • Collaborating with faculty and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources
  • Acting with integrity and fairness in an ethical manner
  • Understanding, responding to and influencing the political, social, legal and cultural contexts

CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION ED.S. TRACK

Upon completion of the Curriculum and Instruction Ed.S. program, students will be able to:

  • Support learning for a diverse student population through the use of technology
  • Demonstrate knowledge of trends and issues in education to promote social change and make a positive impact in the school and the community
  • Evaluate, measure and assess effective instructional practices and curriculum development strategies
  • Utilize data-driven assessments to promote continuous improvement in learning and teaching

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.

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 ACCELERATED ED.S. PROGRAM OPTIONS

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.

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.

EDUCATION SPECIALIST IN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP – K-12 ADMIN TRACK ONLINE REQUIREMENTS

Transcripts should be sent to:
Mississippi College
Graduate Admissions Office
MC Box 4067
Clinton, MS 39058

Photocopies of your educator's license can be faxed to 601-925-7368 or emailed to GPS@mc.edu.

To be prepared while enrolled in first course:

  • Prepare a portfolio showing writing sample, letter of communication and examples of leadership experience (in or out of state)
  • Entrance interview with program advisor (can be done via Skype/Zoom)

To be maintained during program:

  • After 12 hours, must have and maintain a 3.25 GPA in program until completion
  • As an exit requirement, must defend research-based project completed during the Ed.S. Program

Licensure Assessment

Candidates in the Ed.S. in Educational Leadership – K-12 Administration track must pass the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) in Mississippi or the parallel requirement in their state, before they can be approved to graduate and apply to obtain a Class AAA license in Administration.

If students cannot pass the SLLA the semester before they graduate or choose not to take it, they can switch to the Ed.S. in Educational Leadership – Curriculum & Instruction (C&I) track, and complete an additional 8 hours minimum, in order to graduate in the Ed.S. Ed Leadership – C&I track.

NOTE THESE IMPORTANT DATES FOR OUR ONLINE STUDENTS

The School of Education offers multiple start dates each year for the convenience of our Education Specialist in Educational Leadership – K-12 Administration track online students. Students should consider application date deadlines, turn in all the required documents, register for classes and pay tuition for their desired program start date.

View Academic Calendars

Forms

200 S. Capitol Street, Clinton, MS 39056
601.925.3000

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