Program Overview

The Ed.S. program in Special Education at Columbus State University provides advanced professional and pedagogical studies that develop expertise in the knowledge, skills, and habits of accomplished teachers. Candidates will address a range of advanced issues in special education related to research on developmental disabilities, sociological perspectives of disability, and the law. In addition, students completing this program will be eligible for the Autism Endorsement from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. 

The Ed.S. candidate develops expertise in studies of content, pedagogy, research, reading, and psychological foundations. Programs develop the knowledge and skills reflected in the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) propositions.

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

Career Opportunities

The Ed.S. program is designed for teachers and other leaders who want to influence practice outside of the immediate classroom or school system. The degree leads to certification at the sixth year level.

Program of Study

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Professional Core
EDCI 7111	Specialist Portfolio Orientation	1
EDCI 7112	Specialist Portfolio Midpoint Review	1
EDCI 7013	Specialist Portfolio Exit	0
EDUF 7115	Psychology of Teaching	3
EDUF 7117	Quantitative Research	3
EDUF 7118	Qualitative Research Methods	3
EDCI 7121	Integrating Multicultural Approaches into Project-based Instruction	2
SPED 7155	Advanced Classroom Collaboration in Education	2
Professional Core Total		15
Special Education Concentration
SPED 7115	Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports in School Settings	3
SPED 7166	History and Characteristics of Individuals with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities	3
SPED 7235	Assessment and Diagnosis of Individuals with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities	3
SPED 7125	Special Education Law	3
SPED 7725	Sociology of Special Education	3
Special Education Concentration Total		15
Total Credit Hours		30

Admission Requirements

• A graduate degree from an accredited college or university in a major related to the planned field of study;
• Possess or be eligible for a Georgia Professional Level Five Teaching Certificate (or equivalent) in Special Education;
• Present a 3.00 GPA or higher on all prior graduate work attempted;
• Have acquired at least three years of acceptable teaching experience in a K-12 school environment;
• Provide two letters of reference attesting to a high level of professional skills;
• Satisfactory scores on the verbal subtest and either the quantitative or analytical subtest of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), or a valid renewable teaching license at the T-5 level;
• Additional admission criteria may be applied at the department level. Admission decisions are appealable to the College of Education Graduate Appeals Committee.

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.