Specialist in Education

Program Description

Teachers holding a clear renewable T-5 teaching certificate with at least three years of teaching experience may apply for admission to the Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) program. Education Specialist candidates develop content and pedagogical expertise as well as seek to influence educational decisions outside their own classrooms. They become increasingly accomplished teachers who display leadership.

Educator Preparation at Columbus State University is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), formerly the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

All educator preparation programs are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

Career Opportunities

Successful completion of the Ed.S. allows the candidate to apply to upgrade teacher certification to the T-6 level.

Admission Requirements

• GPA of at least 3.0 on all graduate course work at an accredited United States institution in fulfillment of the requirements for a graduate degree
• A clear renewable teaching license or documentation of eligibility for certification (approved program completion and applicable licensure exam scores)
• The successful applicant must not have a criminal record or discharge from the armed services that would prevent recommendation for related teacher certifications
• Minimum of three years of teaching experience

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program of study, students completing the EdS program in Early Childhood Education will have advanced knowledge, skills, and dispositions of:

1. curriculum theory, models, and design appropriate for implementation in settings for  children (scholarship);
2. developmentally appropriate instructional strategies for diverse  learners, their learning styles, and their environments (teaching);
3. a self-selected area of professional interest conducive to assuming leadership roles within a school setting (scholarship & professionalism);
4. methods, techniques, and instruments appropriate for assessment of  children and their programs, facilitators, and environments (teaching);
5. problem solving resources, skills, and techniques necessary for ethical decision making in early childhood environments (scholarship & professionalism);
6. contemporary theory and research in cognition, social-emotional development, and physical growth as applied to diverse  children in multicultural societies (scholarship); and
7. technological resources for instruction, management, media development, and problem solving (to include online teaching and learning) (teaching).

Additional Program Requirements

• Students must earn a 3.0 GPA calculated on all graduate work attempted. "Academic Forgiveness" policy does not apply to graduate studies.
• Students cannot graduate with a grade of "C" or below in more than two (2) graduate courses without an appeal to the College of Education Graduate Council.
• A minimum of 24 semester hours required for the degree must be earned in residence (75%). Asynchronous (online) and distance learning courses administered through Columbus State University constitute courses taken in residence.
• A maximum of six (6) semester hours of transfer credit or courses taken at CSU prior to full admission to a specialist degree program may be applied toward the degree. Courses with earned grades of "C" or below are not accepted. Courses must be approved by the major advisor and department chair.
• An active LiveText account is a required resource for this program because selected assignments must be submitted electronically using this online platform. LiveText (www.livetext.com) is used by the university to maintain our accreditation, to demonstrate the quality of our academic programs, and to improve teaching and learning.

Program of Study

Area 1 Professional Core Required Hours: 6
EDUF 7116 Applied Educational Research
EDEC 7147 Investigating Problems in Early Childhood Education

Area 2 Concentration Required Hours: 12
EDEC 7127 Perspectives in Early Childhood Education
EDEC 7137 Advocacy & Public Policy in ECE
EDEC 7155 Cognitive Development in Young Children
EDEC 7899 Research in Early Childhood
Select two semester hours (7000 level or above) of advisor-approved courses in related area.

Area 3 Electives Required Hours: 12
EDEC 7126 Issues in Mathematics Education in Early Childhood
EDEC 7157 Advanced Assessment in Teaching
EDEC 7167 Childhood and Society
Select six semester hours (6000 level or above) in early childhood courses or approved related field studies.
A minimum of 18 hours must be completed at the 7000 level.
Professional Activities Requirement
All candidates must complete and provide verification of a minimum of three professional activities prior to
completion of the program (see Advisor for Professional Activities Form).

The following course or course equivalent is required if not taken at the M.Ed. Level:
EDEC 6156 Theories, Concepts, & Applications of Child Development

Note: See advisor for information about all endorsements.