The department offers a Specialist in Education degree with a major in teacher education. This degree is designed for those students who already possess a master’s degree in education. Exceptions may be made only by the faculty of the program to which the student is applying. The Specialist in Education with a major in teacher education encompasses concentrations in educational technology; elementary education; English education; literacy education; mathematics education; science education; social science education; special education; teaching and learning; and World Language/ESL education.
These concentrations require completion of a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework beyond the master’s, including 6 credit hours in core courses, 18 credit hours in specialized courses, and 6 credit hours to be determined by the student’s committee. Both thesis and non-thesis options are available.
Admission
Candidates must complete both university and departmental applications, which includes the online application submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions and the EdS teacher education application from the department. A graduate GPA of 3.20 or higher, documentation of teaching or related experience, and three rating forms with recommendations that assess a candidate’s strengths, weaknesses, leadership, and scholarly potential are required. Some concentrations have specific application deadlines while others have a rolling admissions policy. Some concentrations require a minimum of three years of teaching or related experience.
In addition, some concentrations have additional requirements such as writing samples, work samples, or interviews. The departmental EdS application, rating forms, specific program deadlines, and other requirements are available from the department.
Requirements
The total EdS program involves a minimum of four semesters of study with no fewer than 60 credit hours of graduate credit beyond the baccalaureate, including research/thesis hours. Education courses at the 400-level required for licensure are not eligible. At least 2/3 of the semester hours accumulated in the master’s and all of the last 30hours of coursework must be in 500- or 600-level courses. The EdS thesis must be approved by the student’s committee prior to submission to the Graduate School for final approval and acceptance. The student must register for thesis hours during this time.
| |
Credit Hours |
| 1 Core Area |
6 |
| 2 Concentration Specialty Area |
12 |
| 3 Research |
6 |
| 4 Related Studies |
6 |
| Total (Thesis and Non-Thesis) |
30 |
1 Must include one course from two of the following areas: adult learning, assessment, cultural studies, educational technology, ESL, instructional pedagogy; or Special Education.
2 Faculty approved courses in curriculum, educational issues, instructional pedagogy, leadership.
3 TPTE 503 , TPTE 518 or other faculty approved research courses.
4 Must be related to focus of degree and approved by faculty committee.
