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Teacher Education & Leadership

Education Specialist (Ed.S.)

The Ed.S. program challenges students with an existing AA licensure in another area of professional education who desire to enhance their abilities as teachers and administrators.

Earn An Education Specialist, Ed.S. from MC

Upgrade your licensure while enhancing your ability as teacher or administrator to meet the needs of students in the modern classroom.

Affordable Education Specialist Degree AwardThe Department of Teacher Education and Leadership offers Specialist degree programs in Elementary Education (K-12) and Educational Leadership. The Specialist degree builds on an existing AA licensure in another area of professional education.

Student

MC7 ONLINE ACCELERATED ED.S. PROGRAM OPTIONS

Both tracks of Ed.S. courses are arranged in a specific sequence and are offered in six (6), 7-week terms which correspond with the fall (fall term 1 & 2), spring (spring term 1 & 2), and summer (summer term 1 & 2) semesters. The MC7 course rotation has been constructed to allow candidates who are full time (typically 2 classes per 7-week term) to complete their coursework in 12 months. For those students choosing part time (typically 1 class per 7-week term), the coursework can be completed in 24 months.

General Requirements

  • All general requirements for admission to the Graduate School at Mississippi College must be met initially.
  • All student seeking the Ed.S. Degree in Ed. Leadership, must have a Class AA License in an area of professional education.
  • Candidates must have a 3.25 GPA on all prior graduate work.
  • Candidates must supply three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant’s character, scholarship, and potential for successful completion of the program (One must come from the candidate’s current administrator).
  • Candidates must provide proof of three years of prior teaching experience in their licensed area, in an accredited school.
  • Candidates must schedule an interview with the program advisor.
  • Candidates must successfully complete a writing assessment.
  • After 12 hours of coursework, candidates must have and maintain a 3.25 GPA on all work in the Ed.S. Program.
  • Candidates must write and defend a research-based project completed during the Ed.S. Program at MS College. Candidates must have a 3.25 GPA, in order to defend their research-based project, before graduation requirements can be considered completed.
  • All work for the degree must be worked-on and completed according to the cohort schedule.
  • Graduates of the Ed.S. Program in Educational Leadership must pass the SLLA, before they can apply for the Class AAA License in Administration.

EDUCATION SPECIALIST IN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP – K-12 ADMIN TRACK ONLINE REQUIREMENTS

Transcripts should be sent to:
Mississippi College
Graduate Admissions Office
MC Box 4067
Clinton, MS 39058

Photocopies of your educator's license can be faxed to 601-925-7368 or emailed to GPS@mc.edu.

To be prepared while enrolled in first course:

  • Prepare a portfolio showing writing sample, letter of communication and examples of leadership experience (in or out of state)
  • Entrance interview with program advisor (can be done via Skype/Zoom)

To be maintained during program:

  • After 12 hours, must have and maintain a 3.25 GPA in program until completion
  • As an exit requirement, must defend research-based project completed during the Ed.S. Program

Licensure Assessment

Candidates in the Ed.S. in Educational Leadership – K-12 Administration track must pass the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) in Mississippi or the parallel requirement in their state, before they can be approved to graduate and apply to obtain a Class AAA license in Administration.

If students cannot pass the SLLA the semester before they graduate or choose not to take it, they can switch to the Ed.S. in Educational Leadership – Curriculum & Instruction (C&I) track, and complete an additional 8 hours minimum, in order to graduate in the Ed.S. Ed Leadership – C&I track.

NOTE THESE IMPORTANT DATES FOR OUR ONLINE STUDENTS

The School of Education offers multiple start dates each year for the convenience of our Education Specialist in Educational Leadership – K-12 Administration track online students. Students should consider application date deadlines, turn in all the required documents, register for classes and pay tuition for their desired program start date.

Term Start Date App Deadline Document Deadline Registration Deadline Tuition Deadline Class End Date
Spring I 1/8/24 12/27/23 1/1/24 1/2/24 1/3/24 2/25/24
Spring II 3/4/24 2/21/24 2/26/24 2/27/24 2/28/24 4/21/24
Summer 1 5/6/24 4/24/24 4/29/24 4/30/24 5/1/24 6/23/24
Summer 2 6/24/24 6/12/24 6/17/24 6/18/24 6/19/24 8/11/24
Fall I 8/19/24 8/7/24 8/12/24 8/13/24 8/14/24 10/6/24
Fall II 10/14/24 10/2/24 10/7/24 10/8/24 10/9/24 12/1/24

Forms

200 S. Capitol Street, Clinton, MS 39056
601.925.3000

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