Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, EdS

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Hybrid

Educational Specialist (EdS) in Educational Studies

Explore:

Overview
Courses
Careers
Admissions
Cost
Licensure
Faculty
FAQ

OVERVIEW

The EdS is unique to the field of education, a postgraduate degree somewhere between a master’s and a doctorate. Students pursue a doctorate to obtain the highest level in their area. The EdS is not a doctorate and requires about half the credits. EdS students are those that want to gain skills for a particular type of job (e.g., principal, superintendent, director of educational technology).

Purdue quality. Flexible schedule.

The Educational Specialist (EdS) degree is a hybrid program featuring a combination of virtual class meetings, online content, and internship experiences in your own school or local area. This program has rolling admissions. You may start the program any fall, spring, or summer.

Completed applications should be submitted by the deadlines listed below:

Please visit the Office of Teacher Education and Licensure webpage for information about the Transcript Evaluation and Credential Review (TECR) requirement.

Term	TECR Deadline	Graduate Application Deadline
Fall Start	July 15	August 1
Spring Start	November 15	December 1
Summer Start	April 1	April 15

credit program

years to completion

week course length

$450

Cost per Credit Hour (Indiana Resident)

$563

Cost Per Credit Hour (Non-Indiana Resident)

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Courses

Students spend an average of 15 hours a week on homework. All courses are 100% online and have a synchronous time for meetings. Six one-credit internships are designed to enhance the course experience and are 16 weeks long.

The EdS program with licensure involves 30 credit hours of graduate coursework. Applicants are expected to have earned a master’s degree in educational leadership and/or hold a principal’s license. Students are expected to attend all courses and internships in sequence throughout the program.

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Career Outlook

An EdS is designed in many areas of concentration but are mostly designed for K-12 educators. Positions are available in public, charter, and private schools.

Educational specialists evaluate and provide recommendations to improve curriculum planning, individual lessons, and teaching methods at one or more grade levels. They also help coordinate and communicate expectations and progress among students’ parents/guardians, guidance counselors and teachers.

Job Titles

Superintendent
District Administrator
Curriculum Coordinator
Education Consultant
Principal
Assistant Principal
Academic Advisor

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Admissions

This program reviews applications for three start terms a year: fall, spring, or summer. Please review the application deadlines in the Overview tab at the top of this page.

For more information about how to apply for a licensure program, view the Application Roadmap.

Please see our webpage on Graduate Application Helpful Tips. If you have any questions after reviewing this information, please reach out to the Office of Graduate Studies.

Transcript Evaluation and Credential Review (TECR) Steps:

Carefully read the Application Roadmap to learn more about how to submit your TECR request.
- In the Area of Interest, Under the Administrative License Programs (Online or Hybrid) select the following: District Level Administrator – (Superintendent)
There is a $35.00 TECR fee for this program, and processing takes about two weeks for your TECR letter to be uploaded with your graduate application and emailed to you.
If you do not have a license in the state of Indiana, please contact the Office of Teacher Education and Licensure (OTEL) before continuing with the TECR and graduate application.

Graduate Application Steps

Create an application account and log in to start your graduate application.
Select the following options for the EdS in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies with District Level Licensure program:
- Campus and Program Tab:
  1. Select a Campus: Purdue West Lafayette (PWL)
  2. Select your proposed graduate major: Educational Studies
- First Choice Program Details Tab:
  1. Please select an Area of Interest: Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
  2. Please select a degree objective: Educational Specialist
  3. Primary Course Delivery: Hybrid
Some sections of the application that are NOT required include the following:
- Test Scores
- In the Additional Information section, faculty selections may be made, but are not required. Faculty advisors are assigned by the program area.
Submit 3 Recommendations
Upload the required materials, listed below. Visit the Office of Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars (OGSPS) website for more information about these requirements.
- Resume
- Personal History Statement
- Academic Statement of Purpose
International applicants who are eligible for an Indiana licensure program must meet English Proficiency Requirements set by the Purdue Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars. For information about Indiana licensure program requirements, international applicants may visit the Office of Teacher Education and Licensure webpage.
Follow the instructions in the Application Roadmap for submitting your official transcripts.
Once you are ready to submit your graduate application, please complete all sections, submit the application, and pay the nonrefundable application fee by credit card.
- The application must be fully submitted (and the application fee paid) in order for your application to be reviewed and considered for admission.
Check the status of your submitted application by logging into the application portal.
Once your application is complete, you will receive an email from edgrad@purdue.edu indicating that your application is complete and will be submitted for review.

This program is subject to our Licensure Disclosure

The U.S. Department of Education requires institutions to publicly disclose to prospective and currently enrolled students whether certain programs meet the education requirements for licensure or certification in the state or territory in which they reside. “Programs Leading to Professional Licensure” is defined as programs represented to prepare students for an occupation for which, at completion of the program, a local, state or federal license, or nongovernmental certification is required (i) as a precondition for employment, (ii) to perform certain functions, or (iii) to meet additional conditions that are generally needed to secure employment.

The Purdue University Teacher Education Program is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the State of Indiana. However, not all undergraduate and graduate programs lead to an educator licensure in the State of Indiana. If your Teacher Education program includes field experience(s) and a student teaching or internship component, it may lead to an educator license in the State of Indiana, if you meet the licensure requirements. Contact your academic/faculty advisor and/or the Office of Teacher and Licensure to verify your program enrollment and whether or not it leads to a license in the State of Indiana.

The State of Indiana has reciprocity agreements with other states, the District of Columbia, and territories. For licensing information contact information for individual state departments of education or visit the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) or email a Purdue University licensing officer/advisor.

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Program Costs

The Educational Specialist in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies program is affordable and competitive in cost.

Tuition*	Indiana Resident	Non-Indiana Resident
Cost Per Credit Hour	$450	$563
Credit Hours	30	30
Estimated Tuition Costs**	$13,500	$16,890

Additional Information

_{*The program is billed per credit hour; depending on the number of credit hours will determine your per semester cost. Total Estimated Tuition Cost is based on the total required credit hours. Tuition costs are subject to increase based on approval by the Purdue University Trustees. 
*Textbooks and course materials are not included
*Faculty and staff fee remissions are not valid with this program.
^International Student Fee is assessed each term. Current rates are available on the Bursar website.}

_{**The cost of attending Purdue varies depending on where you choose to live, enrollment in a specific program or college, food and travel expenses, and other variables. The Office of the Bursar website shows estimated costs for the current aid year for students by semester and academic year. These amounts are used in determining a student’s estimated eligibility for financial aid. You can also use our tuition calculator to estimate tuition costs.}

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Licensure Information

This program leads to an Indiana District Level Administrator Superintendent License which requires applicants to first possess a valid Indiana Instructional License for program admission. Non-Indiana applicants are not guaranteed licensure in Indiana or any other state. Contact the College of Education Office of Teacher Education and Licensure (OTEL) before continuing with the program application if you have questions about licensure.

program FACULTY

Learn From the Experts

Explore how Purdue’s faculty for the hybrid EdS in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies can prepare you to help all students learn.

Bryan J. Duarte

Assistant Professor

Alice Johnson

Associate Clinical Professor

Faculty Advisory Board

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Advisory Board was formed to contribute to the currency and quality of the academic program, facilitate the placement of graduates and enhance the reputation of the program.

Frequently asked questions

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Educational Leadership and Policy Studies