School Leadership (30 credits)
Students seeking an Ed.S. in this concentration area 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 II 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 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
- 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
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
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/Praxis scores, if applicable
- Acceptance/official conference with Graduate Studies
- Complete EDSL 879D or EDSL 879B (Advanced Seminar)
- Passing score on appropriate Praxis II exam, if applicable
- Graduation
Requirements