Educational Specialist in Special Education

Program Snapshot
Salary and Careers
Program Benefits

Educational Specialist in Special Education

The Ed.S. with a Major in Special Education is an online, 30-hour program offering two (2) concentrations that prepare you for roles as educational professionals in the field of special education. The program helps you gain a deep understanding of key issues in special education. You will reflect on your own perspectives and teaching philosophy, explore how history, laws, and court cases have shaped the education of students with disabilities, and build the skills to analyze and conduct research through inquiry-based learning. This advanced program is designed to revitalize classroom pedagogy and provide a path for inclusive leadership, both of which are increasingly vital to the betterment of education for all learners.

The Ed.S. in Special Education offers two concentrations designed to prepare you for leadership roles in the field:

The Special Education Advanced Concentration provides you with the skills necessary to synthesize theory and practice through further examination of theoretically-based curriculum development, understanding of global education issues, and inquiry into making education beneficial for individuals with exceptionalities. If you choose this concentration, you may seek to advance your knowledge in special education as practitioners and teacher leaders.
The Special Education Leadership Concentration provides a path to Tier 1 Certification (12 of 18 required credit hours) and is fully online. It is professionally oriented and candidates for the program are expected to currently be employed in a professional role in an organization providing professional educational services (e.g., school, regional educational service agency, department of education). In order to fulfill the required 18 hours, you will transfer to the Tier I Leadership program after you finish the Ed.S. to complete the two remaining courses (6 credit hours), both of which are offered every semester. No additional application fees will be incurred as long as these two (2) courses are completed within three (3) semesters following the awarding of the Ed.S.

Additionally, you will be required to take the GACE Leadership Ethics Exit Exam as well as the current Leadership Content Exam. Field activities and Key assessments accompany each EDL course to provide synthesis of the practical and theoretical knowledge necessary for today’s inclusive educational leader.

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KSU students in the special education classroom

Program Snapshot

Program Format: Online

Number of Credit Hours: 30 Total Hours

Entry Terms: Summer

Time to Complete: One-year Program

Curriculum Apply Now Deadlines

Admissions Requirements

Online Graduate Application - There is a non-refundable $60 application fee.
Transcripts - Official transcripts from EACH college and/or university you have attended.  
Bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 2.75 from a regionally accredited college or university.

Additional Program Requirements:

For the Special Education Advanced Concentration

An earned Master’s degree in professional education or a related field from an accredited institution, i.e., Curriculum & Instruction, Educational Leadership);
Clear Renewable Georgia Teaching Certificate or departmentally-approved equivalent;
At least two (2) years of professional experience in teaching, administration, or related field.

For the Special Education Leadership Concentration

An earned Master’s degree or higher in professional education or a related field from an accredited institution, i.e., Curriculum & Instruction, Educational Leadership;
Clear Renewable Georgia Teaching Certificate or departmentally-approved equivalent;  
Professional Resume demonstrating evidence of at least two years of teaching experience;
Recommendation Form from school system administrator or designee;
EDL Mentor Form demonstrating that the mentor is actively employed in a leadership position in a P-12 school or LUA and holds a clear, renewable PSC Leadership Tier I (FLD700) or Leadership Tier II (FLD710) Certificate Field;
GACE Leadership Ethics Assessment Completion Certificate;
Candidates are required to be employed as teachers or administrators in a traditional public school district, a charter school district, a charter school, or an independent school. By PSC regulation, candidates must be referred for admissions by their respective schools/districts, and Kennesaw State University must hold a Performance-Based partnership with the referring district.

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Special Education Specialist Degree Benefits at Kennesaw State

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Companies recruited students and alumni from KSU in 2020

Hands-On Learning — You will develop in-depth knowledge and skills to implement in the classroom to advance education for all students that supports social and economic justice and academic success.
100% Online — The Ed.S. with a Major in Special Education is entirely online, providing you with flexibility for a balanced work-learn life.
Learner-Centered Curriculum —  Courses focus on a technology, learner-centered curriculum and instructional method, diverse student backgrounds, and critical pedagogy that aids you in meeting crucial learner needs.