Specialist in Education with a Major in Educational Leadership

The Educational Specialist’s Degree in Educational Leadership program is a comprehensive program of study including course work and related clinical experiences leading to a Tier II Georgia certificate in Educational Leadership. The curriculum incorporates advanced and specialized coursework designed to enhance student knowledge and skills in their specific leadership role. The clinical practice links theoretical and philosophical frameworks of educational leadership to actual practice. Through the combination of course work and performance-based activities, candidates will be able to develop the necessary competencies to become an educational leader. The program is available to professionals holding a clear-renewable Tier I Educational Leadership certificate and serving in a leadership position at either a P-12 school, system level, or in a related agency.

1. Have a minimum of a master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
2. Hold Tier I Educational Leadership entry certification or a grandfathered L or PL certificate in Educational Leadership issued from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

3. Have earned a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for a graduate degree, calculated on all work attempted in which letter grades are awarded; applicants having a cumulative grade point average between 2.75 and 2.99 on a 4.0 scale for a graduate degree must submit a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller’s Analogy Test (MAT) score.

   Recommended scores for admission are:

   1. GRE - 145 Verbal and 139 quantitative
   2. MAT - 380
4. Complete the Georgia Ethics for Educational Leadership Assessment (Program Entry Test 370). NOTE: Applicants having completed this entry requirement for Tier I certification need not complete the assessment. A copy of a Certificate of Completion should be submitted with the application packet.
5. Hold a leadership position at either a P-12 school, system level, or in a related agency; individuals not serving in a leadership position, as described, may be enrolled if Valdosta State University and the employer establish a formal, written agreement specifying the candidate will be released from other responsibilities for a portion of the school week sufficient in length to allow the applicant to participate in, and successfully complete, residency performances.
6. Submit a Letter of Assurance form, signed by a system/agency administrator, verifying the candidate is serving in a leadership position.
7. Be employed with a system/agency having an active partnership with Valdosta State University to supervise a residency experience for the candidate. Click here for a roster of partnerships.
8. Submit a career goal statement serving as a writing sample. The statement must demonstrate
   1. the ability to organize and articulate thoughts,
   2. writing skills including grammar and punctuation, and
   3. the ability to set goals consistent with one’s desired career path.

   The statement must address the applicant’s career goals, how the degree contributes to reaching these career goals, and why VSU was selected for this graduate work. This career goal statement should be no more than 250 words and is to be submitted to the Graduate School with the other application materials.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges