Program Overview 

100% Online | 10 Courses | 30 Credit Hours

Kennesaw State's 100% online Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in Curriculum & Instruction is designed for educators who wish to advance their leadership skills and credentials. This program equips you with research-based methods for improving curriculum and instructional strategies, preparing you for roles such as teacher leader, principal, superintendent, or curriculum director. With a focus on advanced pedagogical coursework and field research, the Ed.S. degree allows you to enhance your expertise without the need for a dissertation. The program’s courses, experiences, and assessments are tightly aligned with the Professional Standards Commission (PSC) Standards for Curriculum & Instruction as outlined in PSC Rule 505-3-.63. Upon completion, you will be eligible for a new Service (S) certificate in Curriculum and Instruction, further advancing your professional qualifications.

Curriculum & Instruction Specialists:

  • Assist with new approaches to teaching
  • Model instructional strategies
  • Support differentiation and lesson planning
  • Oversee analysis of student data, and much more

Candidates complete 15 credit hours of advanced curriculum-focused coursework, 3 hours of research, 6 hours of electives, and 6 hours of capstone courses for a total of 30 credit hours.

Degree Highlights

The Ed.S. in Curriculum & Instruction program coursework is fully online, preparing professional teachers, teacher leaders, and administrators to enhance their expertise in curriculum and instruction in order to improve student learning.

  • Program designed for elementary, middle, or secondary level educators
  • Completed in five semesters; 30 credit hours; two courses per semester - 10 courses
  • 100% ONLINE
  • Degree approved for certificate upgrade by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission
  • Focus on learner-centered curriculum and instruction
  • Small class sizes and individualized learning

Program of Study

The program includes 30 total hours, including 15 credit hours of advanced curriculum-focused coursework, 3 hours of research, 6 hours of electives, and 6 hours of capstone courses for a total of 30 credit hours. Read more about the program of study click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The program includes 30 total hours, including 15 hours of curriculum and instruction core courses, 3 hours of research, 6 hours of electives, and 6 hours of capstone courses. Read more about the program of study.
  • No, the GRE is not required for admission to this program.
  • Candidates can finish the program in five (5) semesters by taking six (6) credit hours each semester. However, candidates may choose to take fewer hours each semester to balance the demands of graduate school and teaching full-time, which would allow for program completion in six (6) or seven (7) semesters.
  • You are strongly encouraged to check the Georgia Professional Standards Commission Upgrade Advisor before enrolling to determine if obtaining this degree or an endorsement will lead toward a pay and/or certificate upgrade.

  • Candidates should submit their completed application packets to the Graduate School by July 1 for fall admission. ALL documents must be submitted by the deadline date to be considered for admission. You can find more information at The Graduate School's Admissions website, or you can apply online.

    The Ed.S. in Curriculum & Instruction is a highly competitive program, and there is a limited number of applicants that that the program can accept each admission semester. Once capacity is met, you may be asked to update your application for admission to a future semester at no charge.

  • Email your questions to the Ed.S. in Curriculum & Instruction Program Coordinator at ciedssmge@kennesaw.edu.

Admission Requirements

Must possess the following beyond the general KSU Graduate College Admission Requirements: 

  • Degree – Master’s degree in professional education or a related field.
  • Certificate – Uploaded to graduate application. Current clear, renewable Georgia Teaching, Service and/or Leadership Certificate, out-of-state equivalent, OR Secondary & Middle Grades Department Chair/Program Coordinator approval (for non-certified applicants). To print a copy of your clear, renewable Georgia certificate, you may log into your MyPSC account.  Must NOT already hold the Curriculum & Instruction field on your PSC certificate.
  • Recommendation Forms (2) – Forms and their directions are in the online graduate application. May submit letters of recommendation or utilize evaluation form to be completed via the graduate application. The KSU Graduate College will send electronic evaluation forms to these sources. Two evaluations must be submitted for this admission requirement to be noted as complete. These recommendations must come from an educational professional who has taught or supervised your work and who can write with authority about your abilities as an educator.
  • Experience – Minimum of THREE (3) years of professional teaching and/or administrative experience required.
  • Mentor Form – This program provides candidates with authentic, field-based learning experiences. Completion of these experiences often requires the facilitation of an educator (usually a current administrator or Lead Teacher) who agrees to serve as the candidate’s mentor during his or her degree program. The mentor contact operates as part of a learning team with the candidate and university faculty, ensuring the candidate has an opportunity to complete his or her field experiences and/or working with university faculty and candidates to identify appropriate alternative experiences.  As this program leads to a field addition by the GaPSC, the mentor must meet PSC requirements, as listed on the program Curriculum & Instruction Mentor Form.  Completed form must be uploaded to graduate application.  Individuals employed in a private school setting will need to reach out to the Bagwell Certification Officer for further guidance.
  • Interview – An interview may be required. If so, you will be contacted by the program to set up an interview. 

Application Process

The Ed.S. in Curriculum & Instruction is a highly competitive program, and there is a limited number of applicants that that the program can accept each admission semester. Once capacity is met, you may be asked to update your application for admission to a future semester at no charge.

  1. Complete the Online Graduate Application.
  2. Obtain and submit official transcripts from EACH college or university attended, including those institutions where degrees were NOT earned. Official transcripts are those in a university sealed envelope. Your transcripts should reflect, at least, a Master’s degree with, at least, a 2.75 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
  3. Obtain and submit a copy of Georgia Teaching Certificate or a departmentally-approved equivalent.
  4. Complete and submit two Evaluations.
  5. Obtain and submit the Mentor Commitment Form.
    • International Applicants Only: Please contact the International Student Admissions Office at 470.578.4377 for all international admission requirements related to your citizenship or visa status or visit the Graduate International Admissions website.

Please note that an interview may be required for admission. If an interview is required for your application, you will be contacted by the Program Coordinator to set up the interview.

Tuition & Fees

Expenses include in-state tuition, out of state tuition, mandatory student fees and other special fees.

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Deadline

Enrollment for Fall - Deadline July 1

ALL documents must be submitted by deadline date.

Contact US

For more information on graduate admissions, please email DegreeUp@kennesaw.edu.

For more information about this program, please call 470.578.6314 or email ciedssmge@kennesaw.edu.