Educational Leadership, Ed.S.

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College of Education (EU)
Department: Leadership, Policy and Lifelong Learning

Major Contacts, Deadlines, and Delivery Information

The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Leadership is designed for students with master’s degrees in Education who wish to earn eligibility for State of Florida Level 1 Educational Leadership certification. Coursework is specifically designed in consultation with leadership development personnel and the Florida Department of Education. The Ed.S. in Educational Leadership offers the Florida Educational Leadership Level 1 Certification upon successful completion of the degree. For those interested in a research-focused degree, please see the Educational Leadership, Ph.D.

Accreditation
Accredited by Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). More info: https://www.usf.edu/education/about-us/accreditation.aspx

Admission Information

Applicants should contact the Program Advisor prior to applying for the major. Admission to the major occurs one time per year for the spring semester. Admission is based on a comprehensive evaluation of each applicant’s demonstrated academic potential to successfully complete all of the degree requirements. The process for admission is often coordinated with partnering school districts. Interested applicants should contact the Program Coordinator for further information.

Must meet University Admission and English Proficiency requirements as well as requirements for admission to the major, listed below.

Preferred applicants should have:

An earned master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
An earned grade point average of 3.50 in the master’s degree and an earned undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 in the last half of the undergraduate degree program.

Applicants will also submit:

A statement of purpose for pursuing the Ed.S. degree program).
Three letters of recommendation from people knowledgeable about the applicant’s academic and professional competence.
Current vita/resume.
A valid Florida Professional Educator’s Certificate
Documentation of two years of full-time teaching experience
Documentation of successful demonstration of the core standards for effective educators outlined in the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs) and a documented track record of achieving student gains. Candidates who are not employed by a Florida public school district may provide equivalent documentation of two years of effective instruction with a record of learning gains.
Proof of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) training (e.g. ESOL endorsement; completion of ESOL certification exam plus 120 hours of ESOL district in‐service training; or, completion TSL 5085 ESOL 1 or equivalent.) Note: in consultation with the program coordinator, students without this training may meet the training while in program by enrolling in a USF ESOL Course.

Curriculum Requirements

Total Minimum Hours – 36 hours

Core - 6 Credit Hours
Additional Required Courses - 27 Credit Hours
Capstone - 3 Credit Hours

Core (6 Credit Hours)

EDA 7281 Policy Analysis and Implementation Strategies for Educational Leaders Credit Hours: 3
EDA 7193 Organizational Leadership and Systems Theory Credit Hours: 3

Additional Required Courses (27 Credit Hours)

EDA 6213 Community Engaged Leadership Credit Hours: 3
EDA 6106 Administrative Analysis and Change Credit Hours: 3
EDA 6931 Case Studies in School Administration Credit Hours: 3
EDG 6627 Foundations of Curriculum and Instruction Credit Hours: 3
EDA 6192 Educational Leadership I Credit Hours: 3
EDA 6194 Educational Leadership II: Building Capacity Credit Hours: 3
EDA 6232 School Law Credit Hours: 3
EDA 6061 Principles of Educational Administration Credit Hours: 3
EDA 6945 Practicum I & Practicum II Credit Hours: 3-8 (3 Credits for this program)

Capstone Project (3 Credit Hours)

Students will complete a capstone project, in which they identify and analyze educational problems and opportunities in their school system environment and apply concepts developed in the program in order to provide solutions to problems of practice. Students will take EDA 6945 Practicum I & Practicum II and will continue their practicum activities in the Capstone Seminar, EDG 6975 Project: Master’s/Specialist

EDG 6975 Project: Master’s/Specialist Credit Hours: 1-9 (3 credits for this program)

Comprehensive Exam

Students will be required to develop and defend a capstone research project proposal.

Graduation Requirement

The Florida Educational Leadership Exam (FELE) is required for students enrolled in the K-12 Public School Leadership Concentration and must be passed prior to graduation. Official FELE score report submission required.

Please be advised that program and/or course requirements are subject to change, per state legislative mandates, Florida State Department of Education program approval standards, and accreditation criteria.

University of South Florida

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