Education Leadership - Educational Specialist (EdS) K-12 Principalship

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Educational Specialist Degree (EdS) in Education Leadership (30 S.H.)

The Educational Specialist degree in Education Leadership is designed for individuals who wish to achieve proficiency beyond the Master’s degree in the K-12 Principalship, the Superintendency, or other leadership roles. The degree requirements include the completion of a field study involving experience with formal research and technical writing. Completion of the EdS degree (or equivalent of MS plus 30 credits) also meets initial licensure requirements as K-12 Principal or Superintendent (district level administrator) licensure in Minnesota, and Wisconsin. (Iowa requires that the candidate earn a Minnesota license.) Licensure without the EdS degree requires that 6 credits be earned in lieu of completing the field study (EL 789 - Writing Seminar: Specialist Degree Field Study and EL 799 - Specialist Degree Thesis/Field Study (Thesis Advisement Credits) ). This degree can also be used by individuals who wish to pursue an advanced graduate degree for greater competency in non-licensure roles such as department chair, curriculum committee chair, lead teacher, teacher mentor, special project leader, administrative assistant, or positions related to policy studies and research in public agencies. A minimum G.P.A. of 3.0 is required to receive the degree. Only grades earned at Winona State University will be counted in determining the grade point average.

Core Administrative Courses (30)

Specific courses may be waived if taken (or their equivalent) at the Master’s level.

EL 604 - Curriculum Planning and Development (3 S.H.)
EL 610 - School Law (3 S.H.)
EL 612 - Systems Thinking (3 S.H.)
EL 614 - Change Leadership (3 S.H.)
EL 622 - The Principalship (3 S.H.)
EL 628 - Human Resources and Collective Bargaining (3 S.H.)
EL 704 - Supervision and Curriculum Development: An Action Research Approach (3 S.H.)
EL 736 - Educational Governance, Policy, and Politics (3 S.H.)
EL 789 - Writing Seminar: Specialist Degree Field Study (3 S.H.)
EL 799 - Specialist Degree Thesis/Field Study (Thesis Advisement Credits) (3 S.H.)

K-12 Principalship Courses (9)

EL 627 - School Business Management (3 S.H.)
EL 761 - K-12 Principal Internship I (3 S.H.)
EL 762 - K-12 Principal Internship II (3 S.H.)

Total Program Credits: 39

Internship (EdS Degree) (6) - two internships are to be taken within 12 months

The internships are a capstone field experience intended to bring the theory of the classroom to the practice of the profession. Individuals seeking K-12 Principal and Superintendent licensure will serve in the capacity of an administrative aide or intern. As a guideline for when to register for the internship, it is suggested that a minimum of 75% of program credits be completed. For individuals seeking careers in other settings, an internship can be arranged specific to career aspirations.

Examinations

To be awarded the Educational Specialist Degree (EdS), the candidate is required to pass an oral defense related to their field study.

Writing Requirement (EdS Field Study)

The writing seminar (EL 789 - Writing Seminar: Specialist Degree Field Study ) prepares the student for the task of writing the field study. The class is designed to guide the student in writing the research proposal, and rough draft of your literature review and research methodology. Completing the field study is done in cooperation with your field study advisor (by taking EL 799 - Specialist Degree Thesis/Field Study (Thesis Advisement Credits) . Candidates must submit three copies of an approved field study for binding, with notification to the Office of Graduate Studies. A guide for the completion of the field study is available from the department office.

Elective Courses (Variable)

Taken as necessary to meet degree and/or licensure requirements.