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Education Specialist in Educational Administration

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By submitting this form, you expressly consent to Columbia College contacting you via email, phone, or text, including automated technology for calls and texts to the provided wireless number. Message and data rates may apply. Your consent is not necessary for purchasing goods or services.

Contact Information

School of Public Service

573.875.7524

SPS@CCIS.edu

We transform learners into leaders in nursing, criminal justice, social work, human services and education. Your commitment meets our dedication, equipping you to make a meaningful difference in your community.

Meet Your Faculty

Why Choose Our Education Specialist Program? 

While the M.Ed. prepares you for school administration, our Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Administration program empowers you to lead at the district level, shaping the future of education through visionary and strategic leadership. This fully online program allows you to refine your expertise through 24-30 credit hours across 8-10 focused courses. Our expert faculty, with diverse experiences as school administrators in Missouri school districts, offers hands-on learning directly connected to real-world scenarios. They are committed to your success, providing regular Enrichment Evenings for virtual connections with instructors to clarify coursework and gain deeper insights.

What You'll Learn 

The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Administration program elevates the foundational skills gained in an M.Ed. degree, equipping you to obtain Career Administrator Certification or Superintendent Certification. Our curriculum, assignments and projects are designed to be immediately applicable, providing you with practical knowledge and skills that you can directly implement in both classroom and administrative roles.

Program Details

Our program is designed as a cohort-model with 18-24 months of coursework. Students complete 300 practicum hours throughout the program:
  • 15-20 hours are integrated into each course;
  • Three one-hour practicum courses are completed (during the summer, fall and spring of student’s final nine months of the program); and
  • Additional hours are completed during the summer while students are enrolled in the program.
More detailed information regarding practicum hours is in the Ed.S. Student Handbook available to enrolled students.

View the core requirements for the Education Specialist in Educational Administration Program at Columbia College.

View Core Requirements

Ed.S. admission criteria:
  • Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from an accredited college/university with a minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Minimum of two years of teaching experience and preferred building level leadership experience for those seeking superintendent certification
  • Official transcripts
  • Copy of teacher certifications
  • Professional resume
  • Professional goal statement

View Admission Steps

  • School Law
  • Foundations of Educational Leadership
  • School District Finance
  • Human Resources and Personnel Management
  • Planning, Safety, and Security of School Facilities
  • Organizational Management and Strategic Policy Planning
  • School and Community Engagement
  • Performance Improvement through School and Program Supervision
  • Federal Funding, Special Programs, and Accountability
  • Field Research on areas of interest to the student

Delivered online, the program offers weekly opportunities for personalized guidance from our expert faculty, ensuring you receive tailored support and clarification. Meeting both Missouri state and national standards, this program provides a comprehensive and flexible pathway to advance your leadership skills in education.

Careers & Outcomes

This program opens doors to a wide range of leadership opportunities within the education sector.

Specifically, this degree is tailored to prepare you for the superintendent certification exam and to meet the educational requirements for a career as a school administrator. With this qualification, you will be well-positioned for roles such as:

  • Superintendent
  • Assistant superintendent
  • Secondary principal
  • Elementary principal
  • Director
  • Coordinator
  • Instructional leader

Where You Can Take Classes

At Columbia College, our flexible options make it easy to adapt to changing circumstances and pursue your education wherever life takes you. Many of our degrees are offered 100% online. If you prefer a traditional classroom experience, you can attend selected classes at our nationwide locations or at our main campus in Columbia, Missouri. Students at all locations will engage with multiple learning methods, including online and virtual while completing their degree.

Online Programs

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By submitting this form, you expressly consent to Columbia College contacting you via email, phone, or text, including automated technology for calls and texts to the provided wireless number. Message and data rates may apply. Your consent is not necessary for purchasing goods or services.

Contact Information

School of Public Service

573.875.7524

SPS@CCIS.edu

We transform learners into leaders in nursing, criminal justice, social work, human services and education. Your commitment meets our dedication, equipping you to make a meaningful difference in your community.

Meet Your Faculty

because a future built by you is a future built for you.

Too many people have been made to feel that higher education isn’t a place for them— that it is someone else’s dream. But we change all that. With individualized attention and ongoing support, we help you write a new story for the future where you play the starring role.

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