Program Overview

100% Online | 10 Courses | 30 Credit Hours

The newly revised Ed.S. in Special Education is an online, 30-hour program offering two (2) tracks that prepare candidates for roles as educational professionals.

The first, the Special Education Track, 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, Special Education Leadership Concentration provides a path to Educational Leadership Tier 1 Certification and is fully online. Candidates for the program are expected to currently be employed in a professional role in an organization providing educational services (e.g., school, regional educational service agency, department of education). To complete the 18 hours of leadership content required for Tier I certification, candidates will apply to the Tier I Leadership program while enrolled in the Ed.S. and take two additional courses after completing the degree, EDL 7601 and EDL 7615. Candidates will be required to take the GACE Leadership Ethics Exit Exam for admission to the Tier I program and the Leadership Content Exam to be eligible for certification. Field activities and Key assessments accompany each EDL course to provide synthesis of the practical and theoretical knowledge necessary for today鈥檚 inclusive educational leader.

Program of Study - Ed.S. in Special Education - Special Education Track (30 CREDIT HOURS)

Education and Research Core (18 Credit Hours):

  • INED 8310: Education Policies: Impact on Special Education (3 Credit Hours)
  • INED 8335: Special Education from a Historical Perspective (3 Credit Hours)
  • INED 8360: Equitable Education for Diverse Learners (3 Credit Hours)
  • EDRS 8000: Applied Quantitative & Qualitative Research (3 credit hours)
  • INED 8315: Critical Analysis of Collaboration in Schools (3 Credit Hours)

Major Requirements (9 Credit Hours):

  • ITEC 7400: 21st Century Teaching and Learning (3 Credit Hours)
  • EDUC 8100: Advanced Study of Learning (3 Credit Hours)
  • INED 7800: Curriculum Theory, Development, and Practice (3 Credit Hours)

Electives (3 Credit Hours):

  • 1 Elective equivalent to 7000-level course or above

TOTAL: 30 Credit Hours

Program of Study - Tier 1 (EDL) Certification Track (30 CREDIT HOURS)

Education and Research Core (18 Credit Hours):

  • INED 8310: Education Policies: Impact on Special Education (3 Credit Hours)
  • INED 8335: Special Education from a Historical Perspective (3 Credit Hours) 
  • INED 8360: Equitable Education for Diverse Learners (3 Credit Hours)
  • EDRS 8000: Applied Quantitative & Qualitative Research (3 credit hours)
  • INED 8315: Critical Analysis of Collaboration in Schools (3 Credit Hours)

Major Requirements (12 Credit Hours)

  • EDL 7201: Leading Curriculum & Assessment (3 credit hours)
  • EDL 7315: Research & Data Analysis for School Leaders (3 credit hours)
  • EDL 7401: Instructional Leadership for Learning and Change (3 credit hours)
  • EDL 7415: Human Resources, Law, and Ethics for School Leaders

TOTAL: 30 Credit Hours

Admission Requirements

Must possess the following beyond the general KSU Graduate College Admission Requirements: 

    • Degree 鈥� Master鈥檚 degree in professional education or a related field from an accredited institution, i.e., Curriculum & Instruction, Educational Leadership.
    • Certificate 鈥� Uploaded to graduate application. Current clear, renewable Georgia Teaching Certificate, out-of-state equivalent OR Inclusive Education Department Chair/ Program Coordinator approval. To print a copy of your clear, renewable Georgia teaching certificate, you may log into your .鈥�
    • R茅sum茅 or Professional Vitae 鈥� uploaded to graduate application.  R茅sum茅 documents education, teaching experience, volunteer and service accomplishments and record of leadership activities.
    • Experience 鈥� Minimum of TWO (2) years of professional experience in teaching, administration, or related field.
    • Degree 鈥� Master鈥檚 degree in professional education or a related field.  
    • Certificate 鈥� Uploaded to graduate application. Current clear, renewable Georgia Teaching Certificate or out-of-state equivalent.  To print a copy of your clear, renewable Georgia teaching certificate, you may log into your .
    • GACE Leadership Ethics Assessment 鈥� Completion Certificate must be uploaded to graduate application.  More information may be found on the . You may print a copy of your completion certification from the GACE Ethics test taker . 
    • Employment 鈥� Employed in role within an organization providing educational services.
    • R茅sum茅 or Professional Vitae 鈥� Uploaded to graduate application.
    • Experience 鈥� Minimum of TWO (2) years of teaching experience required. 
      Recommendation/Evaluation Form (1) 鈥� Forms and their directions are in the online graduate application. May submit letter of recommendation or utilize evaluation form to be completed via the graduate application. The KSU Graduate College will send electronic evaluation forms to these sources. This recommendation should come from an educational professional who has taught or supervised your work and who can write with authority about your abilities as an educator.
    • Mentor Form 鈥� Completed by a mentor holding a GaPSC clear, renewable Tier I or Tier II Leadership certificate. The Leadership Mentor Form provides instructions and requirements.  Completed form must be uploaded to graduate application. Individuals employed in a private school setting will need to reach out to the Bagwell Certification Officer for further guidance.
    • Partnership Agreement 鈥� PSC rule 505-3-.77 requires 鈥渁 partnership agreement鈥or the purpose of collaborative work鈥uch partnership shall permit self-selection for Tier I programs provided the partner district has the capacity to mentor the candidate.鈥�  黑料网 must hold a Performance-Based partnership with the Candidate鈥檚 School District or Charter/Independent School.  Reach out to the, for Tier I Leadership, to confirm that one exists with your school system.

    ***GPA will be utilized with other admission criteria to determine program eligibility. 

Tuition & Fees

Expenses include in-state tuition, out of state tuition, mandatory student fees and other special fees.

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Deadline

Enrollment for Summer - Deadline May 1

Enrollment for Fall - Deadline July 1

ALL documents must be submitted by deadline date.

Contact Us

For more information on graduate admissions, please email DegreeUp@kennesaw.edu.

For questions regarding the program, please contact Dr. Joya Hicks at ined-info@kennesaw.edu.