Educational Specialist Degrees

The Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) degree for educator preparation programs is a terminal degree program that advances educators in their instructional and leadership skills beyond the master's level of competence. The purpose of this applied degree is to extend the academic preparation and teaching skills of experienced classroom teachers and instructional leaders and to foster the application of these skills and abilities to a variety of educational settings. Persons interested in a research degree or a career in higher education are encouraged to consider the Doctor of Philosophy degree offered by the College of Education.

Early Childhood Education
The Specialist in Education degree (Ed.S.) offered by the Department of Early Childhood Education is designed to prepare educational leaders who can make a difference in their school communities. Coursework, extensive internship experiences, and collaboration among school and university faculty combine to develop a program that supports and extends the professional growth of each candidate. For more information go to the Early Childhood Education website.

Educational Leadership
The program for the major in educational leadership is designed to build the capacity of practicing administrators to lead their schools effectively. Applicants for the major must be full-time, practicing educational administrators. L-5 Educational Leadership certification is a prerequisite for entry into the program. The program may be designed to fulfill the requirements of L-6 Educational Leadership certification by the State of Georgia. For more information go to the Educational Policy Studies website.

Professional Counseling
The specialist degree for the major in professional counseling prepares counselors to function at higher levels of competence in their work settings. For more information go to the Counseling and Psychological Services website.

School Counseling
The program for the major in school counseling (elementary, middle childhood, or secondary) prepares counselors to function at higher levels of competence in their work settings. A master's-level certification in school counseling is a prerequisite for the program. For more information go to the Counseling and Psychological Services website.

School Psychology
The professional in school psychology is educated in the major disciplines of education and psychology. He or she is equipped to undertake and manage processes and problems related to the education and development of children within schools. A major portion of his or her training concerns the interaction of the child with the social institution of the school. Because of this special orientation, the school psychologist has to be well grounded in the philosophy and methods of education and must achieve a high level of understanding of psychological processes such as learning, personality, and social competence. For more information go to the Counseling and Psychological Services website.

Teaching and Learning
The Educational Specialist degree is a unique professional degree in the field of education, a degree that reflects a high level of knowledge and expertise. The Ed.S. program with a major in Teaching and Learning is intended for professional educators who demonstrate high levels of expertise in their areas of concentration and who wish both to develop those areas further and to develop themselves as inquirers, program leaders, and instructional specialists. For more information go to the Middle Secondary and Instructional Technology website.

For information on graduate admissions, please visit the College of Education Office of Academic Assistance Website.