School Administration Ed.S.

(66 credits minimum)

The educational specialist degree (Ed.S.) is regarded as an intermediate practitioner’s degree and as such, is a continuation of work completed in pursuit of the master of education. The degree may serve as an avenue to professionalize the Elementary or Secondary School Administration License and/or it may qualify the student for the Indiana Standard Superintendent’s License and/or leadership positions in education. A student admitted to a program leading to this degree must write an advanced thesis or otherwise demonstrate the competency to carry on individual research. The objective of the degree is to develop those skills and competencies which will make the student a more effective teacher, administrator, or professional service leader in school situations.

Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission must meet all requirements for admission to the College  of Graduate and Professional Studies plus the following:

1. Hold a master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
2. Have graduate work and experience commensurate with the student’s objectives as evaluated by a committee appointed by the associate dean of the Bayh College of Education. 
3. Have an undergraduate grade point average of 2.5 or above.
4. Have a graduate grade point average of 3.25 or above with no deficiencies in the area chosen for advanced graduate study.
5. Complete the General Tests of the Graduate Record Examinations*, Graduate Management Admission Test* (See GRE or GMAT section of this Catalog concerning admission.), or Miller Analogies.
   * NOTE: Students may substitute three years of successful experience as a school administrator for the Graduate Record Examinations, Graduate Management Admission Test, or Miller Analogies score requirement for admission. 
6. Submit three letters of recommendation supporting the applicant’s admission to the educational specialist degree program.
7. Hold or be eligible for the Standard License for either Elementary School Administration and Supervision or Secondary School Administration and Supervision.

Students with strong credentials generally may be considered for admission even if one of 3, 4, or 5 is slightly below the standard. Admission requires the approval of the admissions committee, the departmental chairperson, and the dean of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies.

*Tests must have been taken within the last five years unless original scores were submitted and are on file at ISU.

Progress Toward the Degree

During the period of study leading to the educational specialist degree, a graduate student must show evidence of sound scholarship and ability to carry out a research project. He or she must meet the following standards to retain good standing as a graduate student:

1. Maintain an average of 3.25 or above in all graduate work.
2. Complete a program of 66 hours of graduate study (including all work taken beyond the baccalaureate degree) according to the specific requirements of the major field to which he or she has been admitted.
3. Earn a minimum of 27 hours of graduate credit beyond the master’s degree, at Indiana State University. 
4. Complete a minimum of 15 credit hours of work after admission to the program.
5. Spend at least one semester or two consecutive five-week summer terms in full-time study (nine credit hours during the regular academic year, four credit hours during each five week summer session) at Indiana State University after admission to the educational specialist degree program.
6. Have no encumbrances on his/her record.

Transfer Credit

A student working toward the educational specialist degree may transfer up to 39 hours of graduate credit either applied to a completed master’s degree or to an administrative license or certificate issued by a state department of education. Courses must be approved in advance by the department’s admission committee or the advisor in light of guidelines established by the committee.

Time Limitation

A student must complete all educational specialist degree requirements within eight years following admission to the program. Of the 27 hours of required graduate credit, no graduate credit will be counted toward the educational specialist degree if the student enrolled for the work more than five years  before enrollment in the program. The Graduate Student Appeals Committee of the Graduate Council must approve exceptions to this policy.