School Leadership
Students seeking an Ed.S. in this concentration area (Track 2) must have a valid South Carolina teaching certificate (Professional Level, K-8 or 7-12); a minimum of two years’ teaching experience, including at least one year at the level of the certificate for which the individual is applying (Elementary grades: K-8; Secondary grades: 7-12); and a master’s degree in another area. To complete this program, students must show evidence of a passing score on the appropriate Praxis exam.
Students certified to teach at the elementary level should enroll in the elementary school leadership program, and students certified in a subject taught in high school should enroll in the secondary school leadership program. Students certified in a middle level subject area (ex: English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and/or Social Studies) may choose either route, depending upon their prior teaching experience. PK-Grade 12 certified students may also choose either route, also depending upon their prior teaching experience. Persons wishing to become certified in administration at a level different from their teaching certification area will need to add the appropriate teaching credential and consult the graduate advisor for the course(s) needed in school leadership. Persons holding valid teaching credentials in both elementary and secondary may select either elementary or secondary school leadership.
Admission Criteria
Students seeking admission to an Ed.S-School Leadership (Track 2) 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 and Dispositions Assessment Evaluations by current or former supervisors, or persons familiar with the candidate’s leadership qualifications
- a copy of their current teaching certification
- Praxis II score report for all areas of certification {Ed.S. in Educational Leadership (Track 1) ONLY}
- 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
Any applicant who is a non-U.S. citizen wishing to attend Furman University Graduate Studies programs as a degree- or non-degree seeking student is considered an international applicant. All international applicants are required to have transcripts from any non-U.S. institutions evaluated by a credentialing service. All applications, fees, documents, and requirements must be submitted online to Graduate Studies through our secure admissions site. Official GRE General Test Score(s) should be submitted to Graduate Studies directly from ETS.
Visa Information
Anyone already issued a valid U.S. visa (H-type or J-type), or a Permanent Residency Card, must submit copies of these documents as part of the application process. If an international applicant is seeking a student visa (F-1), the process for applying for this status will be addressed by the Dean of International Admission.
Application Deadlines for International Applicants
Fall: March 15
Spring: August 15
Summer: January 15
It is important to note that if a program’s deadline is prior to the international deadline, applicants should submit materials by the earlier deadline.
English Language Proficiency
All applicants whose primary language is not English must submit appropriate scores from either TOEFL or IELTS. All international graduate applicants must present one of the following as part of their online application: a TOEFL score of at least 577 on the paper-based test (pbt) or 90 on the internet-based test (ibt) or an IELTS score of at least 7.5. Applicants who take the TOEFL or IELTS must have the official score report sent to Graduate Studies directly from the testing service.
Applicants who have an undergraduate degree from an accredited U.S. institution are eligible to waive the TOEFL/IELTS requirement. Program directors may also petition Graduate Studies to waive this requirement on an individual basis.
Furman Department of Education-specific requirements:
Applicants without a state of SC-issued teaching certificate, including but not limited to international applicants, must submit documentation (i.e. letter from an administrator, official transcript, etc.) indicating previous preparation and/or experience as a classroom teacher. International students without a valid SC teaching certificate are not eligible for initial or add-on certification at program completion.
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 the following:
- successful completion of 9 graduate credits with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater.
- Admission to Candidacy Form with program coordinator’s signature
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 Executive Director of Graduate & Evening 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 Executive Director of Graduate & Evening Studies has reason to believe a degree candidate has acted in violation of department mission
Program Completion/Degree Audit
A graduate degree candidate must complete a Program Completion/Degree Audit Form and return it to the Office of Graduate Studies with his/her program coordinator’s signature. The Office of Graduate Studies will audit the form to ensure that required courses have been completed and that the candidate has maintained a 3.00 GPA for the sequence of courses. This form should be completed by the fall registration deadline for those students planning to graduate at the end of spring term. For those graduating at the end of Summer II, this form is due by the spring registration deadline.
Program Completion/Graduation
The graduate degree candidate will complete the Intent to Graduate Form and return it to the Office of Graduate Studies, along with the Program Completion/Degree Audit Form, prior to the conclusion of registration for the semester before the final term of enrollment. Graduate Studies will confirm that all degree requirements have been successfully completed by each candidate. Failure to submit these documents in a timely fashion may require a late fee and may also delay the awarding of a degree.
Candidates for graduation must also show a passing score on their appropriate Praxis II content exam.
Quick Step Guide to the Educational Specialist (Ed.S)
- Preliminary conference with Graduate Studies advisor
- Application/fee/transcript(s)/recommendations/teaching certificate/Praxis scores, if applicable (GS1)
- Acceptance/official conference with Graduate Studies (GS2) (if no preliminary conference completed)
- Admission to Candidacy (GS3)
- Program Completion/Degree Audit (GS4)
- Intent to Graduate Form (GS5)
- Passing score on appropriate Praxis II exam, if applicable
- GRADUATION