COE Graduate Programs - Grand Valley State University

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Educational Specialist Degree in Leadership

The Educational Specialist Degree in Leadership with a cognate selected from Administration or Curriculum and Instruction builds on the master's degree and develops leadership practitioners for school and/or central office administrative positions. The program provides district leaders with meaningful clinical experiences, case methods of teaching, and pragmatic curriculum geared to the specific knowledge and skills required by district leaders and superintendents at different career stages. The program also integrates research designed to build a practical knowledge base for district leaders and policy makers. The primary goal of this degree is to prepare competent and effective leaders for K-12 districts whose management and administrative understandings, skills and dispositions foster quality educational experiences for children and youth.

The 30 hours of the Educational Specialist Degree in Leadership is divided into three components: 18 hours in the degree area, 9 hours in cognates, and a 3 hour culminating experience. The courses are listed in a logical sequence for developing greater depth and breadth of understanding. The ideal sequence puts the core courses before the cognate courses. The culminating experience is designed to apply the knowledge, skills and dispositions acquired throughout the program in an internship/practicum during which candidates do action research and prepare a portfolio.

Admissions Requirements

Candidates applying for this program must already have a master's degree with at least a 3.0 GPA on transcript.

Step One:

1. Submit a GVSU Graduate Application and fee (if applicable). The online and printable application are available along with instructions for submitting. If you choose to print the application, please submit it to the following address:

Grand Valley State University
Office of Admissions
1 Campus Drive
Allendale, MI 49401-9403

2. Submit a current resume which includes the following:

Title of master's project/thesis, degree received with dates, institutions with majors and minors
Listing of employment
Description of leadership experiences, dates and locations
Presentations, publications, memberships and professional development

3. Official GRE scores. Information and instruction for the
"general" test may be accessed at: GRE - Graduate Record Exam

To check GRE prep guides:
www.ets.org/store.html

4. Official transcripts from all higher education
institutes attended.

5. A one to two page personal statement of career
goals and background experiences, including
an explanation as to how the Educational
Specialist Program at GVSU will help you achieve
your educational and professional objectives.

6. Three recommendations are required on
university recommendation forms.

Two recommendations should be from professionals, addressing your leadership skill and success. One should be from an individual who can address your academic/scholarly capabilities.

Step 2.

A required fingerprint record must be submitted to the College of Education Ed. Specialist coordinator prior to enrolling in EDL 770. To set up an appointment you may call (866)226-2952 or go to www.iisfingerprint.com. Please contact the Ed. Specialist Student Coordinator at (616)331-6676 or dunnam@gvsu.edu to obtain a "Livescan Fingerprint Request" form and agency ID number.

Step 3: Applicants successfully completing stage 1 will be invited to participate in the on-campus interview phase of admissions which will include:

An overview of the program.
Review of writing sample/personal statement (from stage 1).
Discuss mentor roles throughout the program.

Step 4: Applicants successfully completing stage 2 will be sent a letter of congratulations and acceptance into the program. All applicants accepted into the program will be asked to:

Return the Educational Specialist Acceptance Form
Identify a district level administrator to serve as a mentor
Contact an Educational Specialist Advisor in order to complete the required Planned Program.

Step 5: If an applicant is not accepted into the program, they will personally be contacted to discuss the circumstances.

If you have additional questions regarding the application process, please contact:

Amy Dunn
Administrative and Student Coordinator
718 F Eberhard Center
301 W. Fulton
Grand Rapids, MI 49504-6495
(616)331-6676
dunnam@gvsu.edu