Education, EdS

Mission

The mission of the Educational Specialist (EdS) program is to provide a pathway for students to develop the skills to contribute to improvement and growth in education by identifying issues/problems, utilizing existing literature and research that contributes meaningful information to the analysis of the issues/problem, classifying all stakeholders and their role related to the issue or process, and developing research-based proposals which communicate the findings to stakeholders in the process with the intent to gain support for a means to address the identified issue/problem.

Program Overview

The Educational Specialist program requires successful completion of 72 quarter credit hours. The program must be completed within a maximum timeframe of 36 months. Core courses are supplemented by courses in the specialty area chosen. The courses for this program are conducted in an online delivery format through a competency-based education (CBE) approach. The faculty model utilized is designed for a 1:1 faculty to student relationship that promotes and involves substantive faculty to student interaction. The faculty engage students through a variety of multimedia presentations, conversations, and qualitative and quantitative feedback.

Students complete coursework that promotes a strong understanding of the skills required to identify an issue pertinent to their field and determine the existing data and prior research findings that illuminate potential implementations.

Students are empowered by this learning model to apply their learning in practice each term, demonstrating their understanding by creating a portfolio of work. The guiding principle is for students to collaborate with their instructors and create a learning plan that individualizes each demonstration of mastery specific to their field, rather than a predetermined theoretical application. Each course has a set of competencies that can be demonstrated through application of the topic in the students’ field. To that end, the courses are written to address the competency, not a specific subject matter. Each student chooses a focus for the EdS program that serves as a basis for the individualization.

Overviews of the Specialty Areas are as follows:

Organizational Leadership is designed to enlighten, equip, and empower students to pursue personal and professional goals within their organizations. The focus of the specialty area ensures that students have a mastery of knowledge and skills to make leadership decisions, influence others and the organizations in which they work, and to lead and navigate organizational changes. The specialty area explores how culture, change, communications, diversity, and strategy impact an organization through research-based practices. Additional focus points are centered around executive leadership, leading across cultures, building organizational capacity, and leading as a coach/consultant.

Adult Learning and Development is designed to prepare students for leadership roles in the areas of teaching adults, instructional design, workforce development, and program management within organizations and institutions. Heavily grounded in Knowles theory of andragogy, learners benefit from instructional practices built around the adult-learner are modeled and included in the instructional resources. An additional area of focus includes infusing technology within the learning environment and organizational curriculum mapping.

Teaching and Learning is designed for current educators, both K-12 educators and college/university faculty members that are practitioners within their field. Specific focal points include the areas of research, instructional theories and strategies, and emerging technologies within the field.  The Teaching and Learning specialty area gives specific focus to curriculum mapping, designing of curriculum, and assessments to promote student-centered learning opportunities in the K-12 environment. 

Higher Education Leadership is designed for current or future employees within a higher education institution.  The goal is to develop future leaders in the higher education system through a mastery of the knowledge and skills to make or support leadership decisions, effectively interact with the many areas in the higher educational organization, and to participate in organizational changes. Specific topics of learning are focused on the complexities in the ever-changing world of higher education, analyzing and utilizing data to drive institutional improvement, leadership in diverse cultures, assessment and accreditation efforts, and theoretical practices within the field of education.

Educational Leadership is designed for current or future educators and school administrators, who desire to effectively lead and manage within school, school districts, and other educational institutions. The goal will be to develop future educational leaders that will help drive positive change and impact within their organizations, specifically the K12 sector.  Specific focal points will be in the areas of research, leadership theories, and leading within culturally diverse environments.

Instructional Design and Technology focuses on designing, developing, and delivering effective and engaging learning experiences using technology. This specialization prepares students to design, develop, and implement effective and engaging learning experiences that leverage technology to enhance learning outcomes. It combines the best practices from education and technology to create innovative and dynamic learning environments that meet the needs of diverse learners. Students also learn about the latest trends and best practices in online learning, educational technology, and instructional systems design. Graduates may work in various settings, including corporate training departments, educational institutions, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. They may serve as instructional designers, e-learning developers, training managers, or learning consultants. Some graduates may also choose to pursue careers in academia, conducting research on how technology can enhance learning and teaching.

Professional/State Licensure/Recognition

This program is not designed to lead to licensure or certification. Educator licensure and certification are regulated individually by the associated State Department of Education. Students who seek admission to the EdS program should contact their home state’s Department of Education for applicable requirements rules and regulations, including those related to recognition of degrees for salary determination. Students are responsible for determining whether the South College program will meet their home states’ requirements for any certification, licensure, or other credential sought.

Learning Outcomes

• Goal I: Ability to interpret research, theoretical concepts, and cultural and organizational roles, and relate and apply them to organizational and higher educational leadership.
• Goal II: Effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Gal III: Demonstrated research knowledge and skills in the broad field of learning.
• Goal IV: Ability to engage in and conduct a deep analysis from research and with existing data sets to formulate strategic improvement plans.
• Goal V: Understanding of theories in andragogy as it relates to organizational and institutional learning.

Admission Requirements

Applicants interested in the Educational Specialist program are required to meet individually either in person or via telephone with an admissions representative and program faculty to discuss the program and all requirements.

Applicants must provide a completed South College application for admission and application to the program. Those selected for admission will provide evidence of completion of a master’s degree (related master’s preferred) from an accredited institution of higher education with a minimum grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.

Academic Participation and Withdrawal

Administrative Withdrawal Policy

If at the end of a term, at least 50% of one course has not been completed and the student has been inactive for more than 60 days, the student will be administratively withdrawn from the program.  If a student, who has been administratively withdrawn (due to non-participation), wishes to continue with the program, the student must formally re-apply through standard admissions process.

Reinstatement and Re-entry after Withdrawal

Within 7 days of a withdrawal request, a student may request to be reinstated to the program. The student must send their written reinstatement request to the President of Competency-Based Education. Reinstatement is not guaranteed and is at the discretion and approval of the President of Competency-Based Education.

If a student would like to re-enter the CBE program after withdrawal outside of the 7-day grace period for reinstatement, the student must apply for re-entry to the CBE program by sending a written re-entry request to the President of Competency-Based Education. Re-entry, if approved, may not be within the same 6-month term and will only be approved in a subsequent 6-month term.

Withdrawal Policy (within term)

If a student withdraws before the 5th month of any 6-month term, the student will be issued a W grade for any uncompleted courses, unless the student was on academic probation for not completing a course the prior term. In this case, the student will receive a letter grade of F for the course.

If a student withdraws after the 1st day of the 5th month of any 6-month term, any course that is not completed will be assigned the letter grade of F.

Participation Policy

New students must participate and complete one competency/module within the first 28 days of the start of their new term.  Failure to participate within this period will result in the student being withdrawn from the program.  Additionally, students must complete one formative or summative assessment with the first 28 days of any subsequent term to remain active for the term. 

Continuing students, those in their second and subsequent terms, must submit at least one assessment within the first 28 days of a continuing term. Failure to participate within this period will result in the student being administratively withdrawn from the program. 

If a student wishes to withdraw from the program, a withdrawal is considered to be official when a student notifies the Registrar’s Office or the Dean of Academic and Students Services, CBE. No other college official has the authority to accept official withdrawals from the Educational Specialist program. Students are requested to submit a withdrawal request in writing via their South College email address.

Academic Standards, Candidate Progress, and Grading

Upon entering the graduate program, students are encouraged to confer with their Mentor as needed. Students’ academic progress is monitored each 6-month term to ensure satisfactory progression which is considered mastery of at least one course per term. A student who has not completed one course by day 1 of the 4^th month of the term will be placed on Academic Warning. Students who do not meet satisfactory academic progress (SAP) within 60 days of being placed on Academic Warning must complete an Academic Plan by day 1 of the 6^th month outlining how they will reach course completion. The Academic Plan must be signed, approved, and on file prior to the start of the next term. Students who complete the minimum requirement of one course completion by the end of the term will be removed from Academic Warning and return to Good Standing. Students who do not complete the minimum requirement of one course completion per term will be placed on Academic Probation at the end of the term. Students who do not complete an Academic Plan before the end of the term are not eligible for the 28 day probationary period and will be dismissed from the program. A student may only be placed on Academic Probation one time.

Students on probation who do not complete the required one course within the 28-day of the next consecutive term start are not eligible to progress and will be notified of dismissal.

Students who were dismissed or voluntarily withdrew from the program and who wish to return to the program must submit an application for re-entry. Program requirements in effect at that time of approved reentry must be met. A student may only be readmitted to the  program one time. Student deficiencies that may impact academic standing, which may include probation or dismissal from the program, are monitored by the Student Success Mentor.

Categories of Academic Standing for EdS Candidates are:

• Good Standing: Status of a student who has met academic requirements in a satisfactory manner.
• Warning: Status of a student whose academic performance places him/her in jeopardy of falling below the minimum stated grade required or progression. Students who have not completed a course by the 1^st day of the 4^th month of the term will be placed on Academic Warning.
• Probation: Status of a student who has failed to receive master in at least one course within a 6-month term.  Following a 28-day probationary period, the student will either return to Good Standing by satisfactorily completing one course within the 28-day probation period or be dismissed from the program for not completing the minimum required courses.

Grading

Course Instructors determine mastery of competencies and the resulting final grade in all courses. The requirements of each course are found in the course syllabus.

Letter Grade	Q.P.	Percentage Score Range
A (Mastery)	4.00	90-100%

Grievance Process

Students are encouraged to discuss any concern with their Mentor. If satisfaction cannot be attained at this level, and the students wants to make his/her concern official at the School of Education level, the student must complete a Grievance Form. Every effort will be made to resolve the concern at the School of Education level. If the grievance cannot be resolved at the School of Education level, the students should then follow the College’s grievance process outlined in the current South College Catalog and Student Handbook available on the institutional website and on the Student Portal.

Graduation Requirements

For a student to graduate from the Educational Specialist degree program, the student must be in a good academic and professional standing, have had satisfactory progress in all quarters of the academic program, and satisfactorily complete the following:

1. Successfully complete the required quarter credit hours of academic coursework.
2. Evidence a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above for the required coursework.
3. Achieve a designation of “mastery” for all course competencies.
4. Complete all required South College and Program documents in preparation for graduation.
5. Honor all professional and financial obligations to South College.