Program Overview 

Teachers holding a clear renewable T-5 teaching certificate with at least two years of teaching experience may apply for admission to the Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) program. Education Specialist candidates develop content and pedagogical expertise as well as seek to influence educational decisions outside their own classrooms. They become increasingly accomplished teachers who display leadership. The program admits students for Summer and Fall terms only.

All educator preparation programs are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

Career Opportunities

Successful completion of the Ed.S. allows the candidate to apply to upgrade teacher certification to the T-6 level.

Program of Study 

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Area 1 Professional Core (15 hours)		15
EDCI 7111	Specialist Portfolio Orientation
EDCI 7112	Specialist Portfolio Midpoint Review
EDCI 7013	Specialist Portfolio Exit
EDUF 7115	Psychology of Teaching
EDTL 6156	Developing Teacher Leaders
EDSE 7154	Understanding and Applying Research in Middle and Secondary Education
EDCI 7121	Integrating Multicultural Approaches into Project-based Instruction
SPED 7155	Advanced Classroom Collaboration in Education
Area 2 Content Studies (6-9 hours or 12 hours for the Reading concentration) 1		6-9; 12
Select a concentration of studies from the following list as approved by your advisor. At least 3 credits must be at the 7000 level: 2
English --- Select 2-3 courses from the following:
EDCI 7115	K-12 Curriculum Studies: English Language Arts
EDSE 7155	Reading Research in the Discipline
ENGL course as approved by the advisor or EDCI 6118 Teaching composition in Grades 4-12
Mathematics -- Select 2-3 courses from the following:
EDCI 7125	Curriculum Studies: Mathematics Education
EDSE 7155	Reading Research in the Discipline
A Math Education course (EDSE, EDMG, EDCI) or a MATH course as approved by the advisor.
Science--Select 2-3 courses from the following:
EDSE 7135	Curriculum Studies in Secondary Science Education
EDSE 7155	Reading Research in the Discipline
An EDMG science course or a ATSC, BIOL, CHEM, GEOL, or ENVS course as approved by the advisor.
Social Studies -- Select 2-3 courses from the following:
EDSE 7145	Curriculum Studies in Social Science Education
EDSE 7155	Reading Research in the Discipline
A HIST, POLS, ECON, SOCI, or PSYC course as approved by the advisor.
Reading– Take all of the following: 3
EDCI 7115	K-12 Curriculum Studies: English Language Arts
EDRG 6244	Literacy Curriculum and Instruction in Today’s P-12 Schools
EDRG 6148	Psychology of Reading: Understanding Readers and the Reading Process
EDRG 6245	Literacy Assessment and Effective Curriculum and Instruction
Area 3 Electives (6-12 hours or 3 hours for Reading concentration) 1		6-12; 3
All electives must be approved by advisor prior to registration.
EDUL 6129	Supervision of the Learning Environment
EDTL 6157	Assessment to Improve Teaching and Learning
EDTL 6158	Reading and Writing in the Content Areas
EDTL 6685	Teacher Leadership Internship I
EDTL 6686	Teacher Leadership Internship II
EDUL 6128	Instructional Strategies for Student Success
EDTL 6159	Differentiating Instruction in the Content Areas
Courses in the concentration area as approved by the advisor: ENGL courses (for English), MATH courses (for math); ATSC, BIOL, CHEM, GEOL, or ENVS courses (for science); HIST, POLS, ECON, PSYC, or SOCI courses (for Social Science).
SPED 7115	Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports in School Settings
EDCI 6118	Teaching Composition in Grades 4-12 (If not taken in Area 2)
Additional courses for Mathematics and Science Education concentration areas:
EDUC 6231	Integrated Curricular Design and Equity-Focused P-12 STEM Education
EDUC 6232	Technology & Application with Problem Based Learning in P-12 STEM Classrooms
EDUC 6233	Community-Based P-12 STEM Education
CPSC 6103	Computer Science Principles for Teachers
CPSC 6105	Fundamental Principles of Computer Science
CPSC 6106	Fundamentals of Computer Programming and Data Structures
EDUT 6245	Methods of Teaching Computer Science with Lab
Candidates completing EDUF 6117, EDUL 6129, EDTL 6156, EDTL 6157, EDTL 6601, EDTL 6602, and EDTL 6603; and passing the GACE examination in Teacher Leadership will be eligible for the Teacher Leadership Endorsement.
Candidates completing EDUC 6231, EDUC 6232, and EDUC 6233 will be eligible for P-12 STEM Teaching Endorsement.
Candidates completing CPSC 6103, CPSC 6105, CPSC 6106, and EDUT 6245, will be eligible for P-12 Computer Science Endorsement.
Note for Total Hours: 30-33 for English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Concentrations or 30 hours for the Reading Concentration
Total Credit Hours		30-33

¹

The total hours completed in Areas 2 and 3 should be 15-18 hours for the English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies concentrations. The total hours in Areas 2 and 3 for the Reading Concentration should be 15 hours.

²

For other possible concentration areas (ESOL Path, Instructional Technology, Gifted Endorsement) see coordinator of program of interest.

³

Completion of these courses satisfies requirements for GaPSC Reading Endorsement.

Note: If an individual does not hold a Middle Grades Certificate, EDRG 6244 Literacy Curriculum and Instruction in Today’s P-12 Schools and EDMG 6155 Psychology of the Early Adolescent Learner must be completed as part of the program of study and evidence presented of field experience in grades 4-8.

Note: If an individual does not hold a Middle Grades Certificate, EDRG 6116 Integrating Literacy Strategies in Middle Grades and Secondary and EDMG 6155 Psychology of the Early Adolescent Learner must be completed as part of the program of study and evidence presented of field experience in grades 4-8. More than 30 total program hours may be required in order to fulfill this and certain special education concentration area/endorsement requirements.

Admission Requirements

• GPA of at least 3.0 on all graduate course work at an accredited United States institution in fulfillment of the requirements for a graduate degree
• A Level Five (5) or a master's level teaching certificate or eligibility for such certificate in middle grades education
• The successful applicant must not have a criminal record or discharge from the armed services that would prevent recommendation for related teacher certifications
• Minimum two years of teaching experience while holding a valid teaching certificate

Additional Program Requirements

• Students must earn a 3.0 GPA calculated on all graduate work attempted. "Academic Forgiveness" policy does not apply to graduate studies.
• Students cannot graduate with a grade of "C" or below in more than two (2) graduate courses without an appeal to the College of Education Graduate Council.
• A minimum of 24 semester hours required for the degree must be earned in residence (75%). Asynchronous (online) and distance learning courses administered through Columbus State University constitute courses taken in residence.
• A maximum of six (6) semester hours of transfer credit or courses taken at CSU prior to full admission to a specialist degree program may be applied toward the degree. Courses with earned grades of "C" or below are not accepted. Courses must be approved by the major advisor and department chair.
• Students must complete a research project.
• An active LiveText account is a required resource for this program because selected assignments must be submitted electronically using this online platform. LiveText (www.livetext.com) is used by the university to maintain our accreditation, to demonstrate the quality of our academic programs, and to improve teaching and learning.