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

• Online Graduate Application. There is a non-refundable $60 application fee
• Transcripts - Official Transcripts from EACH college attended, including those institutions where degrees were NOT earned. Official transcripts are those in a university sealed envelope. Your transcripts should reflect at least a Master's degree with a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) minimum. 
  Teaching Certificate or a departmentally-approved equivalent.
• Professional Resume documenting education, teaching experience, volunteer and service accomplishments and record of leadership activities. Your resume MUST reflect at least three years of professional experience.
• Professional Reflection Statement a) addressing your professional teaching and academic goals, and (b) identifying areas of educational interests.
• Two Letters of Recommendation from individuals that reference your academic and professional background.
• International applicants only: Please contact 470-578-3002 for all international admission requirements related to your citizenship or visa status OR visit the Graduate International Admissions page. 

Deadline

April 1 for summer 2023 enrollment.

Contact Us

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