Education Specialist in Educational Administration

The department offers three programs leading to the education specialist (Ed.S.) degree.

• The first program is designed for persons who have a master’s degree in educational administration from St. Thomas and are looking to fulfill the remaining required competencies from their initial assessment for K-12 principal or superintendent licensure and at the same time need to complete 31 semester hours beyond the master’s degree as required for these licenses
• The second program is designed for persons who have masters’ degrees but need to assess previous education and develop courses of study that will permit them to meet the state competencies for licensure. Additionally, this plan will include the courses students will need to take in order to meet the 31 semester hours beyond the master’s degree (see Page 31 for a summary of the other options for principal licensure and Page 41 for a listing of the requirements for director of special education licensure).
• The third program, a general educational administration track, is available for students wishing to plan individualized programs beyond the master's degree but not seeking licensure. It will prepare individuals for specialized administration and management roles in other learning settings.

Students seeking K-12 principal or superintendent licensure will have their experiences and preparation evaluated at the start of the program and develop plans describing how they will complete the knowledge, skills and abilities areas required by state law.

Outcomes

In the Ed.S. in Educational Leadership program the students will:

• Meet the criteria for licensure as K-12 principals or superintendents as specified by the State of Minnesota.
• Gain knowledge and understanding of the foundations of leadership;
• Gain knowledge of content related to administrative practice in education;
• Gain knowledge and understanding of organizational theory related to administrative practice;
• Develop skills to analyze, and implement administrative policy;
• Gain knowledge and understanding of leadership theory;
• Develop and implement leadership skills;
• Use research skills for program planning, policy analysis and evaluation.

Admission to the Education Specialist in Educational Administration Program

Applicants to the education specialist degree program will be considered for admission when the following materials have been submitted:

1. Completed application forms and fee ($50)
2. One official copy of an undergraduate transcript showing receipt of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, one official copy of a graduate transcript showing receipt of a master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, and one official copy of all other undergraduate and graduate transcripts from all other colleges and universities the student attended. Transcripts must show a minimum graduate and undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.25.
3. Miller Analogies Test (minimum score of 35 for acceptance, 45 preferred); or GRE score (1450 minimum); or GMAT score (510 and 50th percentile)
4. Applicant’s statement of purpose describing how past achievements, talents and professional goals relate to the decision to apply for admission to the program
5. Two work-related letters of recommendation: one from a supervisor, speaking to the applicant’s commitment to education and his or her leadership potential, particularly in the areas of communication and decision making
6. Copy of the teaching license and documentation of three or more years of successful teaching experience if the applicant is seeking Minnesota licensure as a principal or superintendent. (This does not apply if the person is seeking this degree as part of the K-12 principal licensure program, which does not require a teacher’s license. In these cases, the student must provide a statement indicating participation in this program in lieu of the teacher’s license).

Transfer of Credit

Three semester hours or credits earned in an approved accredited graduate program for which letter grades of “A” or “B” have been given, within seven years of the completion date of the Ed.S. program and which meet the other transfer requirements of the School of Education may be submitted for transfer into the program. In addition, the department chair will accept or deny the request for transfer credits on the basis of their relevance to the particular degree program.

Course Waivers

If a student can demonstrate that the competencies addressed in a required course have been met, the course will be waived and the student, with the approval of an adviser and the department chair, will choose another course. Before approval will be given, competency must be verified by transcripts, examination and/or an assessment process.

Prerequisites

• A completed master of arts (M.A.) degree in an appropriate field. If the M.A. degree is not in administration, additional credits may be needed to meet program and licensure requirements.
• A course in curriculum recommended by the student’s adviser

Course of Study

The education specialist degree in educational administration requires five areas of work: Pre-assessment, Core Courses, Concentration, Electives, and Portfolio and Reassessment.

Pre-assessment

EDLD 770, Professional Assessment and Planning (two credits), is required if seeking licensure and not previously taken at St. Thomas. Not required if not seeking license.

Core Courses (9 credits)

Foundation Courses (3 credits)

Select one:
EDLD 800 Purposes and Contexts of Education--3 cr.
EDLD 801 Leadership and Organizational Theory--3 cr.
EDLD 802 Communication Skills for Leaders--3 cr.
EDLD 803 Organizational Change--3 cr.
EDLD 807 Foundations of Leadership: an Intellectual and Ethical Practice-- 3 cr.
EDLD 813 Leadership as Critical Reflection--3 cr.
EDLD 845 Communication, Conflict and Decision Making--3 cr.

Research Courses (3 credits)

Select one:
EDLD 621 Research Design, Analysis and Critique I--3 cr.
EDLD 622 Research Design, Analysis and Critique II--3 cr.
EDLD 851 Community Assessment and Evaluation--3 cr.

Internship (3 credits)

Select one:
EDLD 885 Internship--3 cr.
EDLD 886 Advanced Internship--3 cr.

Total: 9 credits

Concentration (12-21 credits)

Working with the faculty the student will outline a program of concentrated study. This area will address areas critical to educational administration and/or required for licensure or educational leadership.

Electives (0-9 credits)

The student working with the faculty will design a program of elective study that enhances personal and professional growth.

Portfolio and Reassessment (1 credit)

Additional professional development workshops and/or experiences designed to extend an individual's skill development will be available and incorporated into a student's program planning as appropriate.

EDLD 877 Portfolio and Reassessment--1 cr.
(Required only if seeking licensure.)

Total: 31 credits