Specialist in Educational Leadership (Ed.S.)

(This program is no longer accepting new students)

The Specialist in Educational Leadership degree program in Educational Leadership is designed to provide advanced professional studies in graduate-level coursework for applicants who are interested in becoming school district level leaders or in further development of their professional skills and dispositions. They build knowledge of the functions of high achieving school districts in areas such as curriculum, instruction, management, personnel, finance, school law, public relations, and how these interact at the district level of administration and contribute to student achievement. Numerous learning opportunities are provided as students work with professors and experienced district administrators to gain skills and knowledge to meet the demands of leadership as a district level administrator. The program emphasizes a commitment to continuous professional growth as students learn to lead school districts and their component schools through the change process. Graduates of this program are effective leaders who can create and maintain high quality schools and school districts.

Applicants must have a minimum of three years of teaching experience and be certified as a school principal to enroll in the program. The Ed.S. in Educational Leadership requires completion of 33 semester hours of graduate work. Students become part of a cohort that takes courses together in a prescribed sequence. The program uses a hybrid approach of face-to-face and online courses and is designed to be completed in two and one-half years of ongoing coursework. At the completion of the degree, passing the Praxis II exam in Educational Leadership and Supervision, and by meeting experience requirements set by the State of South Carolina, graduates are eligible for certification as a school superintendent in South Carolina.

Admission Requirements

1. A completed application for graduate study at the University.
2. Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework from previously attended schools.
3. An earned Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership or related field with an overall cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
4. A minimum of three years teaching experience.
5. A statement of interest in the program. This statement addresses the candidates’ reasons for pursuing a career in educational leadership. It also explains why the Coastal Carolina University Specialist in Educational Leadership program is the right fit to help reach the candidates’ goals.
6. Three (3) letters of reference. The letters will address the candidates’ ability to balance the demands of high level graduate coursework and their personal and professional lives.
7. A successful interview with the Portal I Faculty Committee.
8. Approval of the Portal I Faculty Committee.

Degree Expectations

The Specialist in Educational Leadership at the Spadoni College of Education & Social Sciences includes the following requirements:

1. Successful completion of 33 hours in the approved program of study.
2. Maintain a minimum overall average of B (3.0) for all courses taken. If at any time students fail to satisfy this requirement; they are placed on probation for one semester. Students are permitted only one probationary semester during the entire course of their graduate study. Failure to meet this requirement or receiving a failing grade (D or F) in a course in the program may be cause for dismissal regardless of students’ overall average.
3. Successful completion of the written comprehensive exam.
4. Successful defense of the comprehensive Exit Portfolio.
5. Pass the Praxis II Educational Administration: Supervision and Administration Exam.

Student Learning Outcomes

Related to the goals for candidate proficiency derived from the College’s Conceptual Framework successful program completers will be able to:

1. Apply content and pedagogical knowledge as educational leaders to student achievement teaching, learning, school and community processes in PK-12 schools at the highest administrative levels.
2. Integrate district-level leadership in the use of technology leading to the improvement of teaching, learning, and school operations for students and other stakeholders in PK-12 schools.
3. Demonstrate their ability to work effectively as educational leaders from district-level administrative positions with diverse populations comprising a school’s learning community.
4. Demonstrate ongoing professional behavior and dispositions as leaders in the highest administrative positions in PK-12 schools.

Portal I: Admission to Program

• Completion of Graduate Admission Application
• Official transcript from each school or college previously attended (all prior undergraduate academic study should be represented as well as other graduate study if such study has been completed).
• An earned Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership or related field with an overall cumulative GPA of 3.00
• Minimum of three years full-time teaching experience
• A written statement of interest in the program
• Three letters of reference
• Copy of current teaching and administrative credentials (license, certification, etc.)
• All candidates are school personnel and program defers to their background check
• Criminal Background Disclosure Statement
• A successful interview with the Portal I Educational Leadership Faculty Committee
• Approval of the Portal I Educational Leadership Faculty Committee

Portal II: Admission to Internship

• Completion of all coursework with minimum 3.00 GPA, with no grade below “B”
• Minimum of 21 semester hours of required program coursework
• Completion 75 clock hours of field experiences
• Satisfactory rating on the Assessment of Professional Dispositions at the Advanced Level
• SLED and FBI fingerprint clearance 
• Approval of Portal II Educational Leadership Faculty Committee

Portal III: Program Completion

• Completion of all coursework with minimum 3.00 GPA, with no grade below “B”
• Satisfactory completion of all required specialized professional association (SPA) aligned key assessments
• Passing score on Comprehensive Examination
• Passing score on Program Exit Portfolio
• Successful rating on the District-Level Intern Evaluation
• Satisfactory rating on the Assessment of Professional Dispositions at the Advanced Level
• Approval of Portal III Educational Leadership Faculty Committee