Ed.S. in Educational Leadership
The Specialist in Education (EdS) in Educational Leadership is a 33 semester hour program of advanced study beyond the master’s degree designed to prepare students for leadership and administration at the district office level of a K-12 school system. The EdS typically leads to North Carolina Advanced Principal and Advanced Superintendent licensure. Potential students who do not have North Carolina Principal licensure must first obtain such licensure by completing the Post-Masters Certificate (PMC) program.
The EdS is the first step students take toward the EdD Up to 18 credits of the EdS can be applied to the EdD. Note that the EdD has a separate admissions process. More information on the EdD can be found here.
Example careers
Principal, Executive Director, Assistant Superintendent, Superintendent, University Professor
Designed for
Typically, EdS students are K-12 school administrators and practitioners who are seeking to increase their knowledge and abilities as leaders who pursue educational equity and excellence.
Connection to Ed.D.
Students who complete their EdS at UNCG can apply up to 18 credits from that program to the EdD. Note that UNCG Ed.S. students must apply for admission to the EdD near the conclusion of their EdS studies at UNCG.
Research interests
In the EdS, students gain initial insight into research issues related to leading and managing K-12 schools as well as educational reform efforts.
Program of study
The program consists of coursework in four areas: Administration and Leadership (21 hours), Curricular and Instructional Leadership (3-6 hours), Social and Cultural Foundations (3-6 hours), and Research (3 hours).
Courses include:
- ELC 700 Critical Perspectives in Education, Leadership, and Culture
- ELC 701 The School Superintendency
- ELC 750 Advanced Seminar in School Law Research
- ELC 751 Cases and Concepts in Educational Administration
- ELC 752 Theories in Educational Administration
- ELC 790 Internship in Educational Leadership
Program and course delivery
Our EdS program is a blended delivery program that mixes online and face-to-face learning opportunities. Courses are offered this way: in Fall and Spring semesters, students will take one online class and take one face-to-face class that meets biweekly on campus on a weeknight or monthly on Saturdays. In summer, students will choose from mostly online courses. We have structured the program this way to afford some conveniences at the same time we ensure students develop meaningful relationships with professors and one another, engage authentically with content, and develop as scholarly engaged advanced educators.
For more information
For more in depth information about the EdS program, its linkage to the EdD, time to degree completion, and course delivery, click here.