Educational Leadership, Ed.S.

This program is offered in-person or online.

School Superintendent

The Specialist in Educational Leadership (Ed.S.) Degree is an advanced graduate degree between the Master’s and Doctoral degrees. In accordance with South Carolina Certification Regulations, The Citadel offers an Ed.S. major that prepares candidates for certification at the superintendent’s level.

Requirements for Admission

• Graduate Application and non-refundable application fee.
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate/graduate work directly from each regionally accredited college or university attended (including a Master’s Degree in educational leadership or a Master’s Degree in another educational area along with certification in educational leadership) with minimum 3.25 grade point average.
• A South Carolina Professional Teaching certificate that is valid and three years teaching experience.
• A South Carolina State Professional Certificate with school administrator endorsement. 

Program Requirements

A total of 33 semester hours must be completed for the Specialist in Educational Leadership. In addition to the general goals of the school’s graduate program, the objectives of the Specialist in Education degree are knowledge of school law, curricular trends, school building trends, and program budgeting: skill in using various techniques for goal setting and problem diagnosis in such areas as instructional programs, staff development, and community relations; skill in decision-making and in evaluating decisions on the basis of subsequent information; knowledge of research in administration, curriculum, human development and staffing; performance behavior in a job setting; knowledge of the role of the school in modern America and the multicultural currents influencing the school; knowledge and skills for performing in a political setting; and, a clear understanding and working knowledge of Principled Educational Leaders. A student, who applies for certification as a school district administrator, must meet the following:

1. A minimum qualifying score on the state administrator’s examination prior to entrance into the internship.
2. Three years of teaching experience.
3. Program Audit showing completion of 33 credit hours:
   • Required courses, 27 credit hours
   • Two internships, EDUC 632 and EDUC 633, (9-12 internship hours per week over a six-month period), six credit hours
4. Praxis
5. Verification of College Preparation Form

Refer to the college’s Academic Catalog for additional requirements and course details.

Curriculum (33 hours)

• EDUC 535 Organizational Theory and Behavior
• EDUC 598 Curriculum Project (Prerequisite EDUC 531/532)
• EDUC 600 Professional Negotiations
• EDUC 603 School Plant Seminar
• EDUC 606 Superintendency and School Organization
• EDUC 610 Seminar on School Improvement
• EDUC 612 Seminar in School Law (Prerequisite EDUC 601)
• EDUC 614 Seminar in Educational Administration
• EDUC 619 Assessment of School Programs
• EDUC 632 Internship in Superintendency
• EDUC 633 Internship in Superintendency

*If EDUC 529, EDUC 531/532 or EDUC 616 were not taken in a master’s program,
the appropriate course must be taken as a requirement of the Ed. S.

Requirements for Certification at the Advanced Level

ADMINISTRATION

(C) District Superintendent

1. Master’s degree
2. Valid South Carolina Teaching or Professional Certificate at the elementary, middle or secondary level
3. Minimum of qualifying score(s) on the area examination(s) required by the State Board of Education
4. Verification of a total of three years experience as a pre-K-12 or post-secondary teacher and two years as a school or school district administrator, post secondary administrator, or school business administrator
5. Completion of an advanced program approved by the State Board of Education for the training of school superintendents

South Carolina Regulation 43.

Student Resources:

Praxis Preparation Assistance (Free!)

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