Education Ed.S. with a Concentration in Early Childhood Education
NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING STUDENTS
The Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) program offered in the Department of Teacher Education provides advanced study for qualified master educators at the T6 certification level. The focus is Architects of Authentic Learning Communities. The programs of study include a 15 hour advanced, research-oriented, professional education core and 15 hours of advanced coursework in the content field, building upon work completed at the master’s level; strengthening and extending professional, pedagogical, and content knowledge; and preparing advanced practitioners to be architects of change and dynamic leaders in the professional community.
Ed.S. Prerequisites
- Meet minimal Grade Point Average of 3.25
- Be eligible for a clear renewable, level five (5) State of Georgia Certification (except Library Media)
- Verify two years teaching experience while holding a clear and renewable certificate
Ed.S. Admission
For the admissions process applicants should complete and submit the following:
- University Admissions Form including application fee, if applicable.
- Two professional recommendations (pdf) using the College of Education form.
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (except Georgia College)
- Verification of immunization (pdf)
- Any additional specific program requirements.
Ed.S. Advisement
Each candidate for the Specialist in Education degree is assigned a graduate advisor who serves as a mentor to the Specialist Candidate and assists in proposing, scheduling and completing the Specialist in Education Program of Graduate Study.
Ed.S. Program of Study
The Specialist in Education program requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of course work beyond the Master of Education degree or the Master of Arts in Teaching degree. Specialist programs must be completed, with the degree awarded, within four years of the initial coursework listed on the program of study. Only those courses listed on the Program of Graduate Study fulfill degree requirements. Substitutions must be approved by the advisor prior to course enrollment, and a Course Substitution form submitted to the office of the Department Chairperson. Grades below a B do not fulfill degree requirements.
Ed.S. Graduate Assistantships
Limited Graduate Assistantships are available. Details and an application can be found at http://www.gcsu.edu/education/assistantships.html
Ed.S. Exit Requirements
All students must pass a comprehensive departmental exit requirement and fulfill degree requirements to graduate including an electronic portfolio presentation. Students should check with their assigned program advisor for specifics.
Ed.S. Transient Credit
Six semester hours in the selected field of study may be transferred from other accredited institutions with prior approval of the advisor.
Dismissal Policy
Any course in which a student earns less than a B will not be counted for graduate credit in the educational specialist programs. A graduate student will be placed on academic probation if the student’s institutional grade point average falls below 3.0 at any point during his or her graduate studies. A graduate student will be dismissed from the program if his/her grade point average stays below 3.0 for two consecutive semesters.
As iterated in the student Honor Code, academic honesty is a critical component of the academic process in the Early Childhood Education program. Submitting another’s work as one’s own is plagiarism; allowing another student to copy one’s own work is cheating. Both, along with any other evidence of academic dishonesty, will be dealt with using the procedures outlined in the Graduate Catalog.
Program of Study
Required Courses
Content Field
Specific graduate level cognate courses are determined through advisement and the program ends with a required presentation of an electronic portfolio.
Minimum 15 hours.
Total Credit Hours: 30
Further Information
Prospective students desiring further information on graduate programs may contact Shanda Brand, Graduate Admissions Advisor, at Georgia College, Campus Box 70, Milledgeville, GA 31061.
Email: Shanda.Brand@gcsu.edu
Phone: 478-445-1383. (Toll free in Georgia at 1-800-342-0471, extension 1383.)