The Educational Specialist (Ed.S) in Teacher Leadership program at Georgia College & State University is a fully online degree created to meet the high needs area of equipping classroom teachers with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to act as leaders within their schools. Candidates will learn how to coach and mentor, create and sustain professional learning communities, collaborate with community stakeholders, and serve as a resource for other educators. This degree is considered a new field service certification and a candidate can be certified as a teacher leader by taking a GACE assessment. This program is for educators who wish to enhance their skills and facilitate continuous improvement in teaching, not for those looking to become administrators.
The EDS in Teacher Leadership is a 30-hour program. Twenty-four hours are core course and include practicum hours. The remaining six hours are content courses including emerging technology and pedagogy. Only courses listed on the program of graduate study fulfill degree requirements. Candidates must earn a grade of B or higher in each class to meet graduation requirement and continue in the program. The degree must be completed within six years of beginning coursework. Candidate who complete the degree program and pass the required GACE assessment will be eligible to add a level 6 teacher leadership service certification to their P-12 Georgia teaching certificate
Despite being an asynchronous online program, candidates will develop positive relationships with their professors and cohort members through group work and online discussions. The Ed.S. in Teacher Leadership is a cohort model program that starts in June each year and finishes at the end of July the following year. The deadline for applying to the program is mid-May.
Admission Requirements
The Ed.S. in Teacher Leadership programs seeks highly qualified candidates that meet the following criteria:
A Graduate Application, including application fee. (See the LINK TO GRADUATE ADMISSIONS for details)
Master's degree in education from a regionally accredited institution.
Valid Teaching Certificate ( or equivalent) at the T5 level or higher: Professional, Advanced Professional, or Lead Professional teaching certificate, or leadership certificate, service field certificate, or Life certificate.
3+ years of successful teaching experience, preferably at current school or in current position. (Time teaching on a Pre-service or Provisional certificate does not quality.)
Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from all colleges?universities attended. (Alumni from Georgia College & State University will have the GCSU transcript on the file and need not send that one separately.)
Two professional letters of recommendation (at least one of which is an immediate and current supervisor/administrator) that speak to the applicant's superior teaching skills and leadership capabilities.
Statement of professional purpose for seeking Ed.S. degree in teacher leadership (not to exceed 2-pages.)
Resume'
GPA of 3.2 or above in all graduate degree coursework.
