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.

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.