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

Graduates will positively influence the practice of other professionals by:

• demonstrating expertise in understanding and using content in their discipline area and sharing that understanding with others
• collaborating on instructional planning
• modeling a variety of instructional strategies to help every student succeed
• modeling strategies for creating a classroom environment that supports the learning of all students
• modeling the use of technology, curricula, and other materials to enhance student learning
• modeling a variety of effective assessment strategies and using assessment data to improve teaching and learning
• applying and adding to the body of educational research related to the teaching and learning of one’s content area and sharing research findings with others
• serving as a role model for other professionals by displaying values, commitments, dispositions, and habits associated with accomplished 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.
• Students must complete a research project.
• 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 Studies Required Hours: 11
EDCI 7359 Specialist Project
EDUF 7115 Psychology of Teaching
EDUF 7117 Quantitative Research
EDUF 7118 Qualitative Research

Area 2 Content Studies Required Hours: 15
Select concentration studies from the following as approved by advisor. At least 3 hours must be at the 7000 level.
English
EDRG 6116 Integrating Literacy Strategies in the Middle Grades
EDRG 6148 Psychology of Reading
EDRG 6245 Assessment and Classroom Instruction
EDRG 6756 Classroom Literacy Seminar
(Completion of these courses satisfies requirements for PSC Reading Endorsement.)

For other possible concentration areas (ESOL Path, Instructional Technology, Gifted Endorsement) see coordinator of program of interest.

Area 3 Electives Required Hours: 4

Total Hours Required: 30*

*If an individual does not hold a Middle Grades Certificate, EDRG 6116 and EDMG 6155 must be completed as part of the program of study and evidence presented of field experience in grades 4-8. More than 30 total program hours may be required in order to fulfill this and certain special education concentration area/endorsement requirements.