Ed.S. Degrees--Overview
The Specialist in Education Degree (Ed.S.) provides advanced study for qualified master educators. Many are focused on the theme "Authentic Learning Communities." The program of study:
- Builds upon work completed at the master's level
- Strengthens and extends professional, pedagogical, and content knowledge
- Prepares advanced practitioners to be architects of change and leaders in the professional community.
- Ed.S. with a Major in Curriculum and Instruction with an Emphasis in Early Childhood
- Ed.S. with a Major in Curriculum and Instruction with an Emphasis in Middle Grades
- Ed.S. with a Major in Curriculum and Instruction with an Emphasis Secondary Education
- Ed.S. with a Major in Educational Leadership
- Ed.S. with a Major in Special Education
Core courses will be available in Macon. Other courses will be offered in Milledgeville, Macon, or through distance learning.
Prerequisites
- Pass an on-site writing assessment
- Meet minimal Grade Point Average of 3.25
- Be eligible for a clear renewable, level five (5) State of Georgia Certification
- Verify two years teaching experience
Application Process
All application materials should be sent to:
Office Of Graduate Admissions
Georgia College
Campus Box 107
Milledgeville, GA 31061
(478) 445-6289
Toll free in Georgia: 800-342-0471
Email: grad-admit@gcsu.edu Included in the admissions process are the following:
- Submit a University Admissions Form including application fee, if applicable.
- Submit two professional recommendations (pdf) using the College of Education format.
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (except GC)
- Submit verification of immunization (pdf)
The contact person for questions concerning all College of Education graduate admissions is:
Ms. Shanda Brand
Graduate Admissions Coordinator
CBX 70, 220 Kilpatrick Hall
Milledgeville, GA 31061
shanda.brand@gcsu.edu
(478) 445-1383
Phone toll free in Georgia: 800-342-0471 Ext. 1383
Scholarships
COE has several scholarships available. Please see the scholarship page for more information.
Many graduate students are eligible for the HOPE Teacher Scholarship for Graduate Study in Critical Shortage Fields. These are service-cancelable loans for graduate students.
"If you love teaching and want to earn an advanced degree, or if you have an undergraduate degree and would like to become a teacher, Georgia's HOPE Scholarship Program may be able to help you pay for your education. The HOPE Teacher Scholarship Program - a component of the lottery-funded HOPE Program - provides forgivable loans to individuals seeking advanced education degrees in critical shortage fields of study. You simply repay your loan by teaching in a Georgia public school after earning your advanced degree, saving you money and helping fill the need for qualified professionals in these teaching fields. It's a program that benefits Georgia teachers and every student in their classrooms."
Please find out more about the HOPE Teacher Scholarship for Graduate Study in Critical Shortage from the Georgia Student Finance Authority at (404) 493-5453.
The GC contact person for the HOPE Teacher Scholarship is
Mr. David Ladd
220 Kilpatrick Hall
CBX Box 70 GC
Milledgeville, GA 31061
(478) 445-2514
Phone toll free in Georgia: 800-342-0471 Ext. 2514
Graduate Assistantships
A limited number of graduate assistantships are available for qualified graduate students. For more information please see the graduate assistantship page.
Advisement
Each candidate for the Specialist in Education degree is assigned a graduate advisor in the selected area of specialization. The advisor will serve as a mentor to the Specialist Candidate and assist in proposing, scheduling and completing the Specialist in Education Program of Graduate Study.
A minimum of 27 semester hours of course work beyond the Master of Education degree is required. 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 included on the Program of Graduate Study count toward degree fulfillment. Course substitutions must be pre-approved by the advisor and a Change of Program of Graduate Study form submitted to the office of the departmental Coordinator of Graduate Studies prior to enrollment. Students are encouraged to consider national certification as a possible outcome of this advanced study.
Only grades of A or B will count toward the Ed.S.
Cohort programs require satisfactory completion of each semester in order to move on to the next semester.
Students must submit an application for graduation at least one semester before the anticipated graduation date
Transfer of Courses
Six semester hours may be transferred from other institutions if prior approval is given by the advisor and if the course work is no more than four years old at the time of completion of the graduate degree.
Certification
Candidates apply for upgrades through their school systems or directly to the Professional Standards Commission. GC is not involved in this process. For more information about certification, see the certification page.
