Program Overview

Education Specialist in Educational Administration

Program Overview

The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Administration program is designed to empower students to lead at the district level, shaping the future of education through visionary and strategic leadership. This fully online program allows students to refine their expertise through 24-30 credit hours across 8-10 focused courses.

Why Choose Our Education Specialist Program?

Our expert faculty, with diverse experiences as school administrators in Missouri school districts, offers hands-on learning directly connected to real-world scenarios. They are committed to your success, providing regular Enrichment Evenings for virtual connections with instructors to clarify coursework and gain deeper insights.

What You'll Learn

The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Administration program elevates the foundational skills gained in an M.Ed. degree, equipping students to obtain Career Administrator Certification or Superintendent Certification. Our curriculum, assignments, and projects are designed to be immediately applicable, providing students with practical knowledge and skills that can be directly implemented in both classroom and administrative roles.

Program Details

Program Requirements

Our program is designed as a cohort-model with 18-24 months of coursework. Students complete 300 practicum hours throughout the program:

• 15-20 hours are integrated into each course;
• Three one-hour practicum courses are completed (during the summer, fall, and spring of the student's final nine months of the program); and
• Additional hours are completed during the summer while students are enrolled in the program.

Admission Requirements

Ed.S. admission criteria:

• Master's degree in Educational Leadership from an accredited college/university with a minimum 3.0 GPA
• Minimum of two years of teaching experience and preferred building level leadership experience for those seeking superintendent certification
• Official transcripts
• Copy of teacher certifications
• Professional resume
• Professional goal statement

Areas of Study

• School Law
• Foundations of Educational Leadership
• School District Finance
• Human Resources and Personnel Management
• Planning, Safety, and Security of School Facilities
• Organizational Management and Strategic Policy Planning
• School and Community Engagement
• Performance Improvement through School and Program Supervision
• Federal Funding, Special Programs, and Accountability
• Field Research on areas of interest to the student

Additional Program Features

Delivered online, the program offers weekly opportunities for personalized guidance from our expert faculty, ensuring students receive tailored support and clarification. Meeting both Missouri state and national standards, this program provides a comprehensive and flexible pathway to advance leadership skills in education.

Careers & Outcomes

This program opens doors to a wide range of leadership opportunities within the education sector. Specifically, this degree is tailored to prepare students for the superintendent certification exam and to meet the educational requirements for a career as a school administrator.

Where You Can Take Classes

At Columbia College, our flexible options make it easy to adapt to changing circumstances and pursue your education wherever life takes you. Many of our degrees are offered 100% online. If you prefer a traditional classroom experience, you can attend selected classes at our nationwide locations or at our main campus in Columbia, Missouri. Students at all locations will engage with multiple learning methods, including online and virtual while completing their degree.