Ed.S. in Special Education

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Program Overview

The newly revised Ed.S. in Special Education is an online, 27-hour program offering two (2) tracks that prepare candidates for roles as educational professionals.

The first, the Special Education Track, provides candidates with the skills necessary to synthesize theory and practice through further examination of theoretically-based curriculum development, understanding of global education issues, and inquiry into making education equitable, democratic, humane, and socially just. Candidates who choose this track may seek to advance their knowledge in special education as practitioners and teacher leaders.

The second, the Tier 1 (EDL) Certification Track, provides a path to Tier 1 Certification (18 hours) and is fully online. It is highly professionally oriented and candidates for the program are expected to currently be employed in a professional role in an organization providing professional educational services (e.g., school, regional educational service agency, department of education). In order to complete the required 18 hours, candidates will transfer to the Tier I Leadership program after they finish the Ed.S. to complete EDL 7601 and EDL 7615, both of which are offered every semester. No additional application fees will be incurred as long as these 2 courses are completed within 3 semesters following the awarding of the Ed.S.

Additionally, candidates will be required to take the GACE Leadership Ethics Exit Exam as well as the current Leadership Content Exam. Field activities and Key assessments accompany each EDL course to provide synthesis of the practical and theoretical knowledge necessary for today’s inclusive educational leader.

Program of Study - Ed.S. in Special Education - Special Education Track (27 CREDIT HOURS)

Education and Research Core (15 Credit Hours):

INED 8310: Education Policies: Impact on Special Education (3 Credit Hours)
INED 8335: Special Education from a Historical Perspective (3 Credit Hours)
INED 8360: Equitable Education for Diverse Learners (3 Credit Hours)
EDRS 8000: Applied Quantitative & Qualitative Research (3 credit hours)
INED 8315: Critical Analysis of Collaboration in Schools (3 Credit Hours)

Major Requirements (9 Credit Hours):

ITEC 7400: 21st Century Teaching and Learning (3 Credit Hours)
EDUC 8100: Advanced Study of Learning (3 Credit Hours)
INED 7800: Curriculum Theory, Development, and Practice (3 Credit Hours)

Electives (3 Credit Hours):

1 Elective equivalent to 7000-level course or above

TOTAL: 27 Credit Hours

PROGRAM OF STUDY - Tier 1 (EDL) Certification Track (27 CREDIT HOURS)

Education and Research Core (15 Credit Hours):

INED 8310: Education Policies: Impact on Special Education (3 Credit Hours)
INED 8335: Special Education from a Historical Perspective (3 Credit Hours)
INED 8360: Equitable Education for Diverse Learners (3 Credit Hours)
EDRS 8000: Applied Quantitative & Qualitative Research (3 credit hours)
INED 8315: Critical Analysis of Collaboration in Schools (3 Credit Hours)

Major Requirements (12 Credit Hours)

EDL 7201: Leading Curriculum & Assessment (3 credit hours)
EDL 7315: Research & Data Analysis for School Leaders (3 credit hours)
EDL 7401: Instructional Leadership for Learning and Change (3 credit hours)
EDL 7415: Human Resources, Law, and Ethics for School Leaders

TOTAL: 27 Credit Hours

Admission Requirements

Must possess the following beyond the general KSU Graduate College Admission Requirements:

For the Special Education Track:

Degree – Master’s degree in professional education or a related field from an accredited institution, i.e., Curriculum & Instruction, Educational Leadership.
Certificate – Uploaded to graduate application. Current clear, renewable Georgia Teaching Certificate, out-of-state equivalent OR Inclusive Education Department Chair/ Program Coordinator approval. To print a copy of your clear, renewable Georgia teaching certificate, you may log into your MyPSC account. 
Résumé or Professional Vitae – uploaded to graduate application. Résumé documents education, teaching experience, volunteer and service accomplishments and record of leadership activities.
Experience – Minimum of TWO (2) years of professional experience in teaching, administration, or related field.
Recommendation Forms (2) – forms and their directions are in the online graduate application. May submit letters of recommendation or utilize evaluation form to be completed via the graduate application. The KSU Graduate College will send electronic evaluation forms to these sources. Two evaluations must be submitted for this admission requirement to be noted as complete. These recommendations must come from an educational professional who has taught or supervised your work and who can write with authority about your abilities as an educator.
Professional Reflection Statement – uploaded to graduate application. Statement should a) address professional teaching and academic goals, and (b) identify areas of educational interests.

For the Tier 1 Educational Leadership Certification Track:

Degree – Master’s degree in professional education or a related field.
Certificate – Uploaded to graduate application. Current clear, renewable Georgia Teaching Certificate or out-of-state equivalent. To print a copy of your clear, renewable Georgia teaching certificate, you may log into your MyPSC account.
GACE Leadership Ethics Assessment – Completion Certificate must be uploaded to graduate application. More information may be found on the GACE Leadership Ethics website. You may print a copy of your completion certification from the GACE Ethics test taker website.
Employment – Employed in role within an organization providing educational services.
Résumé or Professional Vitae – Uploaded to graduate application.
Experience – Minimum of TWO (2) years of teaching experience required.
Recommendation/Evaluation Form (1) – Forms and their directions are in the online graduate application. May submit letter of recommendation or utilize evaluation form to be completed via the graduate application. The KSU Graduate College will send electronic evaluation forms to these sources. This recommendation should come from an educational professional who has taught or supervised your work and who can write with authority about your abilities as an educator.
Mentor Form – Completed by a mentor holding a GaPSC clear, renewable Tier I or Tier II Leadership certificate. The Leadership Mentor Form provides instructions and requirements. Completed form must be uploaded to graduate application. Individuals employed in a private school setting will need to reach out to the Bagwell Certification Officer for further guidance.
Partnership Agreement – PSC rule 505-3-.77 requires “a partnership agreement…for the purpose of collaborative work…Such partnership shall permit self-selection for Tier I programs provided the partner district has the capacity to mentor the candidate.” Kennesaw State University must hold a Performance-Based partnership with the Candidate’s School District or Charter/Independent School. Reach out to the Program Coordinator, for Tier I Leadership, to confirm that one exists with your school system.

***GPA will be utilized with other admission criteria to determine program eligibility.

Deadline

April 1 for summer enrollment.

Contact Us

For questions regarding the program, please contact Dr. Harriet Bessette at ined-info@kennesaw.edu.