Post-master’s Ed Specialist degree requirements updated, helps school administrators
Educators who want to earn an Indiana school superintendent license must hold a degree beyond a master’s degree – either an Educational Specialist (EdS) or PhD, and take state approved courses in school district administration. Recently, Purdue University reduced the additional research and related area credit hours for the Educational Specialist with a Concentration in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (EdS) degree in the Superintendent Licensure program, saving time and money for becoming licensed as a superintendent.
The College of Education reorganized the online degree program Educational Specialist (EdS) with a concentration in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. This program’s core educational leadership and policy studies courses are just as rigorous as before, but the previously required additional research and related area credit hours were reduced. This saves students – many of whom are working professionals – significant time and money on their career pathway. And with rolling admissions now offered every semester, students may start when they are ready rather than just in the fall semester.
“Purdue’s program has been refined to help fit the needs of the working administrator,” said Alice Johnson, clinical associate professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. “The work and projects that students engage in are intentionally designed, relevant and meaningful for the advancement of their school corporation and their own professional careers.”
This updated version of the EdS degree program features:
- Rolling admissions (accepting applications in the fall, spring and summer)
- 100% online (some virtual synchronous class meetings required)
- 2 years to completion
- 30 credit hours
- Updated Curriculum
Students who begin in the Purdue’s West Lafayette EdS degree program may continue on to pursue their doctorate, applying the 30 EdS credits earned toward their PhD.
“The Educational Specialist program is primarily aimed at licensed building-level administrators, generally meaning principals and assistant principals who have master’s degrees and some experience and are interested in becoming licensed to serve as a school superintendent in Indiana.” said Marilyn Hirth, associate professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.
While the program is designed to satisfy Indiana school superintendent licensure requirements, other states may accept the degree on a reciprocal basis. Non-Indiana students should check with their states before enrolling.
The Educational Specialist degree is offered online by Purdue University’s College of Education, Department of Educational Studies, and by the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies program through the Purdue Graduate School and Purdue University Online. Purdue’s educational administration programs are ranked in the top seven percent of universities around the country by U.S. News & World Report.
Source: Alice Johnson, alicejohnson@purdue.edu