Educational Specialist in Leadership

• Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)

The educational specialist in leadership program provides district leaders with clinical experiences, case methods of teaching, and pragmatic curriculum geared to the specific knowledge required by district leaders and superintendents at different career stages.

Program Offerings at Grand Valley

The program is offered through the College of Education and offers candidates the opportunity to expand their knowledge skills, networking, and career opportunities. In addition, it makes for an excellent transition to an Ed.D. program. The Ed.S., with a cognate selected from administration or curriculum and instruction, builds on the master's degree and develops leadership practitioners for school and/or central office administrative positions.

Coursework

The degree is 30 credit hours, divided into three components: 18 hours in the degree area, nine hours in cognates, and a three hour culminating experience which is designed to apply the knowledge, skills, and dispositions acquired throughout the program in an internship/practicum.

Career Options

The degree prepares competent and effective leaders for K-12 districts whose management and administrative understandings, skills, and dispositions foster quality education for children and youth. A significant number of Ed.S. candidates have received jobs during and/or upon completion of their program as school administrators, central office directors, assistant superintendents and superintendents.

Why Study Educational Specialist in Leadership at Grand Valley?

The program:

• Uses faculty who have demonstrated successful practice in their K-12 backgrounds.
• Provides instruction grounded in theory but delivered in a context of authentic work.
• Is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association (NCA).
• Considers your existing commitments to your family and career.
• Offers convenient locations. Some classes are online; others are at sites in southwestern and northern Michigan.
• Helps you develop a network of peers in school administration.
• Is flexible, offering evening, weekend, and summer classes to make it easier for teachers and administrators to plan their schedules.

For More Information

College of Education
www.gvsu.edu/coe_grad
(616) 331-6650
Admissions Office
www.gvsu.edu/admissions

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