Special Education, Ed.S.

Contact Information

Program Description

The Ed.S. with a Major in Special Education is an online, 27-hour program that prepares candidates to be leaders in the field of special education. The program prepares candidates to be knowledgeable of critical issues within the field of special education, to engage in critical reflection of their positionalities and epistemologies as practitioners, to understand how historical legacies, legislation, and litigation have served to both include and segregate students with disabilities, and to engage in inquiry based learning as both consumer and producer of research.

The Ed.S. with a major in Special Education offers two (2) tracks that prepare candidates for roles as inclusive, educational professionals. The first, the Special Education Track, which is fully online, provides candidates with the skills necessary to synthesize theory and practice through further examination of theoretically-based curriculum development, understanding of global education issues, and inquiry into making education equitable, democratic, humane, and socially just. Candidates who choose this track may seek to advance their knowledge in special education as practitioners and teacher leaders.

The second track, which provides 12 of the 18 hours required for Tier 1 Educational Leadership Certification and is fully online, is highly professionally-oriented. Candidates for the program are expected to currently be employed in a professional role in an organization providing professional educational services (e.g., school, regional educational service agency, department of education). In order to complete the required 18 hours, candidates will transfer to the Tier I Leadership program after they finish the Ed.S. to complete 6 additional hours, ie., EDL 7601 and EDL 7615, both of which are offered every semester. Additionally, before applying to Tier I, candidates will take the GACE Leadership Ethics Exam (CODE 380). When candidates complete the “add-on” semester, they’ll take the GACE Leadership Content Exam (CODE 301).  Field activities and Key assessments accompany each EDL course to provide synthesis of the practical and theoretical knowledge necessary for today’s inclusive educational leader.

Admission Requirements

The following are requirements beyond the general Graduate Admissions  requirements:

For the Special Education Track: 

• An earned Master’s degree in professional education or a related field from an accredited institution, i.e., Curriculum & Instruction, Educational Leadership;
• Clear Renewable Georgia Teaching Certificate (not necessary for applicants not seeking certification) or departmentally-approved equivalent;
• At least two (2) years of professional experience in teaching, administration, or related field;
• A minimum Graduate GPA of 2.75;
• Online Graduate Application. There is a non-refundable $60 application fee
• Submit official transcripts from EACH college attended, including those institutions where degrees were NOT earned. Official transcripts are those in a university sealed envelope.
• Teaching Certificate or a departmentally-approved equivalent.
• Professional Resume documenting education, teaching experience, volunteer and service accomplishments and record of leadership activities.
• Professional Reflection Statement a) addressing your professional teaching and academic goals, and (b) identifying areas of educational interests.
• Two Letters of Recommendation from individuals that reference your academic and professional background.

International applicants only: Please contact 470-578-3002 for all international admission requirements related to your citizenship or visa status OR visit the Graduate International Admissions page.

Tier 1 Educational Leadership Certification Track: 

• An earned Master’s degree or higher in professional education or a related field from an accredited institution, i.e., Curriculum & Instruction, Educational Leadership,.
• Employment in a professional role in an organization providing educational services in an organization or district who has a documented partnership agreement in place with the Department of Educational Leadership;
• Minimum GPA of 2.75;
• Educational Leadership Mentor (Mentor must meet the criteria specified on the Educational Leadership Mentor form available on the graduate admissions website);
• Transcripts from each college attended;
• 2 years of professional teaching or administrative experience prior to admission consideration;
• Professional Resume;
• Online Recommendation Form;
• Georgia Ethics for Educational Leadership Exam;
• Graduate GPA. GPA will be utilized with other admission criteria to determine program eligibility.

Application Deadline is April 1 for Summer enrollment.

Admission Criteria for Unique Cases

Currently there are no exceptions to the admission requirements.

Transfer Credit

No credit from outside insitutions is accepted for this degree program.

Petition to Graduate

Each candidate must petition to graduate online. For more information, please view the corresponding section of Academic Policies .

Program of Study