Education Specialist, Educational Leadership, EdS

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Description of Program

In this program, you will build on the knowledge, skills, and leadership traits acquired through a master’s degree and educational practice. You will critically analyze at an advanced level how a broad range of disciplinary theories, leadership trends, and traits can be applied across diverse organizations. You will be prepared to make research-based, ethical decisions that improve issues, systems, and practice within current and emerging educational organizations. While the degree is not specific to PK-12 education, the program does align with the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL).

Learning Outcomes

Apply quality standards to enhance instructional rigor and instructional strategies fostering student learning and development and augment teacher professional development
Analyze the aspects of professional capacity and resource needs for a quality professional learning community promoting an effective and efficient learning environment for all teachers, staff, and students
Facilitate effective educational leadership vision and integrity through strategic planning involving data-driven decision-making and evidence-based practice
Evaluate and select strategies to cultivate an inclusive and supporting learning environment to enhance accessibility, community collaboration, and student success
Synthesize current educational research and theory within educational evidence-based practice for ongoing school improvement

Basis for Admission

Admission to the EdS-EdL requires a conferred post-baccalaureate master’s degree and/or doctoral degree from a regionally or nationally accredited academic institution or an international institution determined to be equivalent through an approved evaluation service.

Degree Requirements

The Education Specialist (EdS) in Educational Leadership (EdL) requires 33 credit hours for degree completion. The EdS-EdL program includes two foundational courses (6 credit hours) and eight core courses (24 credit hours) which must be completed prior to engaging in the final, 3 credit hour capstone course.

The EdS-EdL degree program has the following graduation requirements:

A minimum of 21 credit hours of graduate instruction must be completed through NCU
Successful completion of all courses with a “B” or better
Official transcripts on file for all transfer credits accepted by the University

The University may accept up to 12 semester credit hours earned with a grade of “B” or better for graduate coursework completed at an accredited college or university and evaluated to be substantially equivalent in content with the required course work for the EdS-EdL program. See the

Transfer Credit Policy

for additional information.

Time to Completion

NCU allows 5 years to complete the EdS-EDL degree.

Normal time to completion for this program is 51 months.

Time to completion varies depending upon the pace in which a student completes courses and the number of transfer credits accepted. As most NCU students are working adults balancing educational, professional, and personal commitments, our academic advisors will work with you to develop a program schedule that works best for your needs.

The normal time disclosed above reflects the experience of students who may have entered under different program requirements. In the quest for continuous improvement, academic leadership has revised the program to optimize curriculum and pace, facilitate student learning, and improve chances for success. Therefore, the program is now designed for students enrolling today to take advantage of these revised course structures, lengths, and schedules. New students following the preferred schedule designed by the Dean for this program, and applying no transfer credits, can expect to finish in as little as 18 months.

Students who are unable to complete a degree program within the stated time limits are dismissed. If a student believes they have extenuating circumstances they may document the circumstances and send a request for consideration to their

Certification and Licensing

The School of Education serves educational leaders by providing online graduate studies in education to reach worldwide populations. The EdS-EdL program is designed to reach national and international markets and does not purport to provide licensure or certification in any particular state or country.

Education Specialist, Educational Leadership, EdS

Description of Program

Learning Outcomes

Basis for Admission

Degree Requirements

Time to Completion

Certification and Licensing

Certification and Licensing

Course Sequence