Education Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership (Ed.S./SLA)

The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) Degree is an advanced degree of 33 credit hours beyond a Master’s Degree. The Education Specialist degree is designed for professional educators involved in education and schooling who already hold leadership roles in education or who aspire to either non-licensure or certification leadership positions.* Successful candidates may desire to continue to complete a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.).

* Applicants are encouraged to confirm state requirements for teacher educator/administrator certification and/or endorsements with the State Department of Education from the state in which they are employed or desire to be employed. Belhaven University does not guarantee that all individual state licensing or certification requirements as defined in this degree program will meet individual State Department of Education requirements for certification or endorsements within all states other than Mississippi.

Admission Information

Applicants will be evaluated to determine those who possess the personal qualities and dispositions, academic acumen, and professional experiences to suggest a compelling potential for success as doctoral candidates and to advance as educational leaders. The following information will be required:

Submit an application for admission.
Must hold a Master’s Degree in Education or related field with a minimum 3.0 GPA:
- Official Bachelor’s Degree Transcript from a regionally accredited college and/or university
- All official Graduate-Level Academic Transcripts from a regionally accredited colleges and/or university.
Must submit documentation of a minimum of three (3) years’ teaching experience in a PK-12 educational context as a licensed teacher. If applying for non-licensure, submit documentation of a minimum of three (3) years’ experience in an educational context.
- Belhaven University School of Education Verification of Teaching Experience Form
Submit an academic research paper to include citations, references, and completed in APA format. This can be a paper written during your Master’s level course work.
Must submit one (1) Professional Letter of Recommendation from current supervisor
Additional items requested for Ed.S. Licensure applicants:
- A completed and signed copy of the Candidate Request Form for Intern Mentoring Supervisor: Belhaven University School of Education Memorandum of Understanding for Principal Internship Agreement Form
- A copy of current Standard-Teaching License.
- Must submit a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Ed.S. Licensure program.
  - MOU ED.S./SLA – Education Specialist School Leadership & Administration
  - MOU ED.S./NL – Non-Licensure Education Specialist School Leadership & Administration