Program: Educational Leadership, Ed.S. - Georgia State University

Apr 07, 2025

2020-2021 Graduate Catalog

Return to: Department of Educational Policy Studies

Academic Regulations

The Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) degree for Educator Preparation Programs is a terminal degree 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 and a career in higher education are encouraged to consider a doctoral degree offered by the College of Education and Human Development.

Educator preparation Ed.S. programs address the following objectives:

To develop advanced theoretical and practical knowledge in the areas of human growth and development, foundations of education, curriculum development, classroom practice, and educational measurement.
To develop and apply knowledge of theory and research in the areas of supervision and school organization to the development and assessment of staff in-service and supervision.
To develop and apply knowledge of research methodology to the assessment of curriculum content and organization and classroom practice.

Minimum Requirements for All Specialist Degrees

Only courses taken after admission to the Specialist in Education degree program may be used to fulfill program requirements for the Ed.S. degree.
Students must earn a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 calculated on all graduate coursework attempted while admitted to the Ed.S. program. The formal coursework requirement is satisfied through successful completion of each course in the program of study with a grade of “C” or higher.
Coursework in which a grade below “C” is earned may not be applied to the specialist programs.
Some departments require a grade of “B” or higher in specific courses and program areas. Students are responsible for contacting their departments regarding specific academic requirements that exceed college-wide minimums.
Students must complete a minimum of 27 semester hours of program coursework at Georgia State University.
Students seeking specialist-level teacher certification must have completed three years of appropriate school experience prior to completion of the Specialist in Education degree.
No coursework may be more than six calendar years old at the time of graduation.

Degree Requirements

The Ed.S. program in Educational Leadership fulfills the requirements of the Tier II Performance-Based Educational Leadership certification for the State of Georgia. The purpose of the Performance-Based Specialist (Ed.S. Degree) certification program in Educational Leadership at Georgia State University is to prepare graduates to be effective school and system leaders who positively impact student achievement. Throughout the program, students work on meaningful projects in a focused manner that is designed to help them develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that are required to lead school and district improvement efforts. Georgia State University collaborates closely with its partner districts to help assure that students are being properly prepared to successfully address the school and district needs.

Program Admission

Applicants for the Ed.S. degree must be full-time, practicing educators and be employed in a leadership role in a partnering school system. Because Tier II certification is not a self-select program in the state of Georgia, applicants must receive written permission from their employers to participate.

Program Academic Regulations

To graduate with an Ed.S. major in Educational Leadership, students must earn a “B” or higher in all courses in the Ed.S. degree program. If students earn a grade below a grade of “B” in a required course, the students with the advice and consent of his or her advisor may substitute another course for that requirement.

Comprehensive Examination

The skill development phase of the Ed.S. degree in Educational Leadership culminates with EPEL 8690, in which the students implement a project of their own design in the field. The project is developed, refined, and approved while the students are enrolled in the program. A final written report of the implemented project is required.

EPEL 8690 - Research-Based Decision Making for School Leaders 3 Hours

Professional Studies (6 Hours)

Required (3 Hours)

EPSF 8440 - Curriculum Design and Analysis 3 Hours

Select One (3 Hours)

EPY 8050 - The Psychology of Instruction 3 Hours
EPY 8080 - Memory and Cognition 3 Hours
EPY 8180 - Learning and the School-Age Child (5 to 18 Years) 3 Hours
EPY 8250 - Psychology of Inner-City Children 3 Hours

Major (24 Hours)

Program advisors may approve substitute courses as necessary.

Following the completion of coursework, persons wishing to obtain the Tier II certification in the State of Georgia must receive a passing score on the GACE Educational Leadership Tests.

Required (24):

EPEL 8000 - Research in Educational Leadership and Organizational Culture 3 Hours
EPEL 8020 - Leadership for Change in a Diverse Society 3 Hours
EPEL 8420 - Advanced Instructional Leadership 3 Hours
EPEL 8650 - The Principal 3 Hours
EPEL 8690 - Research-Based Decision Making for School Leaders 3 Hours
EPEL 8970 - Seminar in Educational Leadership 1 to 3 Hours

Educational Leadership, Ed.S.