The Specialist in Education program offers additional study beyond the master’s degree for persons preparing for positions in educational leadership. Three areas of specialization are offered: superintendency, secondary school principalship and elementary school principalship.
Upon initial registration the student will seek advisement and course approval as stated on the Degree Audit Form from the coordinator of advisement for the Specialist in Education program.
Degree requirements for the Specialist in Education program include the following:
A student may transfer up to nine semester hours in no more than four courses from regionally-accredited institutions offering the specialist degree if the courses are appropriate, are approved by the candidate’s advisor, and are graded at a “B” or higher.
All requirements submitted in fulfillment of the degree must be completed within a period of eight years.
The initial enrollment is the first enrollment term in which a student seeking the Specialist in Education degree is registered.
During the initial enrollment, students seeking admission to the Specialist in Education program must:
In cases of denial, a student may appeal to the Dean of the School of Education who will order a hearing before a faculty committee; denial of the appeal may be re-appealed to faculty of the Specialist in Education program.
In addition to fulfilling the Specialist in Education degree requirements listed, students seeking Missouri certification must:
The student has the responsibility of applying for any new certification.
Ed.S. Educational Leadership K-12
CIP: 130401
The Specialist in Education program offers additional study beyond the master’s degree for persons preparing for positions in educational leadership. Two areas of specialization are offered: Superintendency and Educational Leadership K-12.
Program Admission/Initial Enrollment Requirements Educational Specialist Elementary Principal:
Initial enrollment is the first enrollment term in which a student seeking the Specialist in Education degree is registered.
Students wishing to pursue a graduate degree in Professional Education in the program area of Educational Leadership must meet the admission requirements of the University and department as stated in this catalog. See admission requirements under specific program descriptions.
The student has the responsibility to work with the department of education within their respective state to determine individual certification requirements.
The Ed.S. applicant must supply evidence of a completed master's degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution of higher education with a minimum grade point average of 3.00/4.00.
Documentation of one of the following:
*3.75 or higher on the analytical writing measure of the GRE OR
*Successful completion of the Departmental Entrance Exam (DAE) OR
*Valid state teacher (classroom teacher) certificate OR
*National Board Certification
Transfer Credit
A student may transfer up to 9 semester hours in no more than four courses from regionally-accredited institutions offering the specialist degree if the courses are appropriate, not used to complete a previous degree, approved by the candidate's advisor, and are graded at a "B" or higher.
Any courses previously taken to complete another degree cannot count towards the minimum 30 credit hour requirement.
Time Limitations
All requirements submitted in fulfillment of the degree must be completed within a period of eight (8) years. Any courses past the eight-year requirement must be retaken for program credit.
Written Assessment of Competency Mastery
All students seeking an Educational Specialist K-12 are required to complete the Written Assessment of Competency Mastery. The assessment will include reference to artifacts/course content, their relationship to PSEL/NELP standards, and reflection on personal growth as an educational leader. This assessment will be given during 61-742 (Internship). Students seeking Ed.S. Superintendent will be required to do a program comprehensive project relating to leadership standards.
Research Component
The student will participate in a research component related to the use of data in the field of education. This data project will be completed during Writing and Interpreting Statistics (61-723).
Required Courses
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) - Generalist
CIP: 130401
The Educational Specialist - Generalist degree program offers an advanced program beyond the master’s degree for persons who want to advance their eduacation in a non content-specifc area. This allows educators to gain more knowledge and best practices by obtaining the Ed.S. Twelve hours will be required at the Ed.S. level and the remaining 18 hours can be chosen by the student from an approved list of electives to complete the program. The degree is a non-certifcation degree.
Program Admission/Initial Enrollment Requirements Educational Specialist Elementary Principal:
Initial enrollment is the first enrollment term in which a student seeking the Specialist in Education degree is registered.
Students wishing to pursue a graduate degree in Professional Education in the program area of Educational Leadership must meet the admission requirements of the University and department as stated in this catalog. See admission requirements under specific program descriptions.
This degree does not provide the coursework for certification in administration or any other area.
The Ed.S. applicant must supply evidence of a completed master's degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution of higher education with a minimum grade point average of 3.00/4.00.
Documentation of one of the following:
*3.75 or higher on the analytical writing measure of the GRE OR
*Successful completion of the Departmental Entrance Exam (DAE) OR
*Valid state teacher (classroom teacher) certificate OR
*National Board Certification
Transfer Credit
A student may transfer up to 9 semester hours in no more than four courses from regionally-accredited institutions offering the specialist degree if the courses are appropriate, not used to complete a previous degree, approved by the candidate's advisor, and are graded at a "B" or higher.
Any courses previously taken to complete another degree cannot count towards the minimum 30 credit hour requirement.
Time Limitations
All requirements submitted in fulfillment of the degree must be completed within a period of eight (8) years. Any courses past the eight-year requirement must be retaken for program credit.
Written Assessment of Competency Mastery
All students seeking an Educational Specialist K-12 are required to complete the Written Assessment of Competency Mastery. The assessment will include references to artifacts/course content.
Research Component
The student will participate in a research component related to the use of data in the field of education. This data project will be completed during Writing and Interpreting Statistics (61-723).
Required and Elective Courses
Required Courses
List of Electives
Students may choose 18 hours (6 courses) of electives. Any courses they have previously taken cannot be counted towards the minimum 30-hour degree requirement.
Specialist in Education Superintendent
CIP: 130411
Degree Policies and Requirements
The Specialist in Education program offers additional study beyond the master’s degree for persons preparing for positions in educational leadership. Three areas of specialization are offered: superintendency, secondary school principalship and elementary school principalship.
Advisement
Upon initial registration the student will seek advisement and course approval as stated on the Degree Audit Form from the coordinator of advisement for the Specialist in Education program.
Degree Requirements
Degree requirements for the Specialist in Education program include the following:
- Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 32 approved graduate semester hours beyond the master’s degree (at least 11 of which must be at the 700 level) with a minimum grade point average of 3.25 overall and at Northwest.
- Two years of teaching/supervisory or administrative experience in elementary and/or secondary schools.
Transfer Credit
A student may transfer up to nine semester hours in no more than four courses from regionally-accredited institutions offering the specialist degree if the courses are appropriate, are approved by the candidate’s advisor, and are graded at a “B” or higher.
Time Limitations
All requirements submitted in fulfillment of the degree must be completed within a period of eight years.
Initial Enrollment
The initial enrollment is the first enrollment term in which a student seeking the Specialist in Education degree is registered.
During the initial enrollment, students seeking admission to the Specialist in Education program must:
- Meet all general requirements for admission to the Graduate School set forth by this catalog with the exception of undergraduate transcripts. These are not required.
- Supply evidence of a completed master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with a minimum grade point average of 3.25. Conditional enrollment is allowed if the student has a cumulative graduate GPA between 3.00 and 3.24. The student must achieve a 3.25 GPA in his or her first eight semester hours of graduate study or be subject to suspension for one year. Re-admission is possible after one year by petition to be approved by the Specialist in Education faculty, the Dean of the School of Education, and the Associate Provost of Graduate Studies.
- Submit a GRE score with a combined minimum score for the verbal and quantitative sections of 285 and at least a 4.0 on the writing sample section of the GRE. A student who has completed two or more years of satisfactory teaching may substitute the Departmental Admissions Exam (DAE) in place of the GRE.
- Submit an application for admission to the Specialist in Education program.
- Have three letters of recommendation on file. One letter must refer to the student’s academic qualifications, one letter must refer to employment experience, and one may be a general character reference.
- Supply evidence of holding a valid teaching certificate.
Screening Committee
In cases of denial, a student may appeal to the Dean of the School of Education who will order a hearing before a faculty committee; denial of the appeal may be re-appealed to faculty of the Specialist in Education program.
Admission to the Specialist in Education Program
Admission to the program is granted when a student:
- Has completed all requirements as listed under “Initial Enrollment.”
- Has been approved by the program advisor and graduate dean for entry into the program.
Admission to Candidacy
Admission to candidacy is granted when a student:
- Has been admitted to the Specialist in Education program.
- Has completed at least 20 semester hours of graduate work in education courses focused upon leadership including:
- Elementary or Secondary School Administration, 2 semester hours
- School Supervision, 2 semester hours
- Elementary or Secondary School Curriculum, 2 semester hours
If taken at the master’s level, none of these hours will count toward the 32 semester hour Ed.S. degree requirements. Other courses taken as a part of another graduate degree will not be counted toward the 32 semester hour requirement.
- Has GRE scores on file in the Graduate Office meeting the minimum admissions score, or if applicable, the DAE.
- Has earned a minimum of eight semester hours of graduate credit beyond the master’s degree at Northwest approved by the coordinator of advisement for the Specialist in Education degree with a grade point average of 3.25.
- Has an approved program of study filed on which admission to candidacy is indicated.
Certification Requirements
In addition to fulfilling the Specialist in Education degree requirements listed, students seeking Missouri certification must:
- Successfully complete the course EDCI 62641, Educating the Exceptional Child (if the requirement has not previously been met).
- Submit a signed, notarized morality statement if not previously certified in the State of Missouri.
The student has the responsibility of applying for any new certification.
Required courses:
Educational Specialist Elementary School Principal
CIP: 130411
The Specialist in Education program offers additional study beyond the master’s degree for persons preparing for positions in educational leadership. Three areas of specialization are offered: superintendency, secondary school principalship, and elementary school principalship.
Program Admission/Initial Enrollment Requirements Educational Specialist Elementary Principal:
Initial enrollment is the first enrollment term in which a student seeking the Specialist in Education degree is registered.
Students wishing to pursue a graduate degree in Professional Education in the program area of Educational Leadership must meet the admission requirements of the University and department as stated in this catalog. See admission requirements under specific program descriptions.
The student has the responsibility to work with the department of education within their respective state to determine individual certification requirements.
The Ed.S. applicant must supply evidence of a completed master's degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution of higher education with a minimum grade point average of 3.00/4.00.
Documentation of one of the following:
*3.75 or higher on the analytical writing measure of the GRE OR
*Successful completion of the Departmental Entrance Exam (DAE) OR
*Valid state teacher (classroom teacher) certificate OR
*National Board Certification
Transfer Credit
A student may transfer up to 9 semester hours in no more than four courses from regionally-accredited institutions offering the specialist degree if the courses are appropriate, not used to complete a previous degree, approved by the candidate's advisor, and are graded at a "B" or higher.
Any courses previously taken to complete another degree cannot count towards the minimum 30 credit hour requirement.
Time Limitations
All requirements submitted in fulfillment of the degree must be completed within a period of eight (8) years. Any courses past the eight-year requirement must be retaken for program credit.
Written Assessment of Competency Mastery
All students seeking an Educational Specialist - Elementary Principal are required to complete the Written Assessment of Competency Mastery. The assessment will include reference to artifacts/course content, their relationship to PSEL/NELP standards, and reflection on personal growth as an educational leader. This assessment will be given during 61739 (Internship).
Research Component
The student will participate in a research component related to the use of data in the field of education. This data project will be completed during the field study (61723).
Required Courses
All courses are required for this program; there are no electives. If a student has previously successfully taken a required course, the student must replace credit hours to obtain a minimum of 30 credit hours with electives provided by the advisor (graduate level courses only).
Specialist in Education Secondary Principal
CIP: 130411
The Specialist in Education program offers additional study beyond the master’s degree for persons preparing for positions in educational leadership. Three areas of specialization are offered: superintendency, secondary school principalship and elementary school principalship.
Program Admission/Initial Enrollment Requirements Educational Specialist Secondary Principal:
Initial enrollment is the first enrollment term in which a student seeking the Specialist in Education degree is registered.
Students wishing to pursue a graduate degree in Professional Education in the program area of Educational Leadership must meet the admission requirements of the University and department as stated in this catalog. See admission requirements under specific program descriptions.
The student has the responsibility to work with the department of education within their respective state to determine individual certification requirements.
The Ed.S. applicant must supply evidence of a completed master's degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution of higher education with a minimum grade point average of 3.00/4.00.
Documentation of one of the following:
*3.75 or higher on the analytical writing measure of the GRE OR
*Successful completion of the Departmental Entrance Exam (DAE) OR
*Valid state teacher (classroom teacher) certificate OR
*National Board Certification
Transfer Credit
A student may transfer up to 9 semester hours in no more than four courses from regionally-accredited institutions offering the specialist degree if the courses are appropriate, not used to complete a previous degree, approved by the candidate's advisor, and are graded at a "B" or higher.
Any courses previously taken to complete another degree cannot count towards the minimum 30 credit hour requirement.
Time Limitations
All requirements submitted in fulfillment of the degree must be completed within a period of eight (8) years. Any courses past the eight-year requirement must be retaken for program credit.
Written Assessment of Competency Mastery
All students seeking an Educational Specialist – Secondary Principal are required to complete the Written Assessment of Competency Mastery. The assessment will include reference to artifacts/course content, their relationship to PSEL/NELP standards, and reflection on personal growth as an educational leader. This assessment will be given during 61741 (Internship).
Research Component
The student will participate in a research component related to the use of data in the field of education. This data project will be completed during the field study (61723).
All courses are required for this program; there are no electives. If a student has previously successfully taken a required course, the student must replace credit hours to obtain a minimum of 30 credit hours with electives provided by the advisor (graduate level courses only).
Required courses
Educating the Exceptional Child if the equivalent was not met in the undergraduate coursework or through ABCTE. Certification is determined by requirements in the various states. Completion of the program in Specialist in Education does not guarantee certification.