The Educational Specialist degree requires 60 semester hours beyond the bachelor’s degree. The planned program of study leading to the degree is greater in scope, depth, and thoroughness of preparation than the master’s degree program of study. Graduates of the educational specialist program are eligible to be recommended for the Class AAA Mississippi Educator License.
Elementary Education
Curriculum
Program Coordinator
Dr. Rebecca Robichaux-Davis
Email: rrr102@msstate.edu
Secondary Education
Curriculum
Program Coordinator
Dr. Missy Hopper
Email: pfh7@msstate.edu
Special Education
Curriculum
Program Coordinator
Email: contactTEAL@colled.msstate.edu
School Administration
The Educational Specialist degree with a major in Education and concentration in School Administration requires a minimum of 30 hours of coursework above the Master’s degree including EPY 6214 and EDL 7000 and a comprehensive examination for individuals. The program is designed for individuals who hold a Master’s degree in School Administration and administrator license. Graduates are prepared for professional positions in education including school district level positions.
If the student does not hold administrator licensure, the program of study for the Educational Specialist degree with a major in Education and concentration in School Administration requires a minimum of 37 credit hours of coursework above the Master’s degree including EPY 6214 and EDL 7000. The program is designed to provide administrative licensure by the Mississippi Department of Education. Graduates are prepared for a wide range of professional positions in education, including principal, assistant principal, coordinator, and director.
Curriculum
To be eligible for admission to the program, the applicant must hold a master’s degree from an accredited institution, meet the basic requirements specified for graduate students at Mississippi State University, demonstrate interest in the mission of P-12 schools, and demonstrate academic proficiency based on the following indicators:
- A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale on the master’s degree;
- Letter of endorsement from current school administrator and two other recommendation letters;
- Statement of purpose*;
- Copy of valid teacher’s license;
- Evidence of three years of teaching experience;
- Résumé; and
- Interview.
*We encourage applicants to follow the guidance below when preparing a Statement of Purpose. In no more than two pages, please respond to the following items:
- Describe your interest and purpose for applying to the program, including your short- and long-term career goals.
- Describe your experience in P-12 education, including the variation of your experience and why you believe the experience prepares you for a leadership role.
- Describe your demonstrated competencies in increasing student achievement citing specific data examples. Provide explanation of instructional expertise leading to increases.
- Describe your demonstrated competency in creating a classroom culture of equity and high expectations. Provide explanation of evidence-based strategies to establish such a culture and at least one specific example.
- Describe your vision for leadership including the skills and behaviors you believe contribute to productive and effective educational leadership.
| Individuals Holding a Master’s degree in School Administration and Administrator License | ||
|---|---|---|
| EPY 6214 | Educational and Psychological Statistics | 4 |
| EDL 7000 | Directed Individual Study in Educational Leadership | 6 |
| Graduate-level coursework with at least 15 hours at the 8000-level | 20 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
A comprehensive examination is required.
| Individuals without Administrator License | ||
|---|---|---|
| EDL 8413 | School Legal and Ethical Perspectives | 3 |
| EDL 8423 | School Leadership | 3 |
| EDL 8433 | Using Data for School Improvement | 3 |
| EDL 8513 | School Leadership Internship I | 3 |
| EDL 8523 | Educating Diverse Learners | 3 |
| EDL 8613 | School Leadership Internship II | 3 |
| EDL 8623 | Leading Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment | 3 |
| EDL 8633 | Human Resources Leadership for Schools | 3 |
| EDL 8713 | School Business and Facilities | 3 |
| EDL 8723 | Leadership for Positive School Culture | 3 |
| EPY 6214 | Educational and Psychological Statistics | 4 |
| EDL 7000 | Directed Individual Study in Educational Leadership | 3 |
| Total Hours | 37 | |
A comprehensive examination is required. Students will be required to complete the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA). Students must also submit their SLLA results to the program for completion. Note, students completing the licensure-track EdS generally complete the MDE-approved licensure courses, in addition to a 3-hour DIS (EDL 7000) and EPY 6214 for a total of 37 hours.
Program Coordinator
Dr. Paula Tharp
Email: ptharp@colled.msstate.edu
Teacher Leadership
The Educational Specialist degree in Education with a concentration in Teacher Leadership is designed to prepare graduates for a wide range of professional positions in education, including curriculum coordinator, lead teacher, instructional coach, and teacher-mentor. For individuals who hold a Master's degree in School Administration and an administrator license, the program requires a minimum of 30 hours of coursework above the Master's degree. If the student holds a Master's degree in an area other than School Administration, the program of study requires a minimum of 37 credit hours of coursework above the Master's degree.
Program candidates in the Teacher Leadership concentration area learn to analyze data, evaluate instruction, improve student achievement, make strategic decisions, creatively solve problems, promote collaborative learning, empower others, supervise staff, promote change, and establish a positive school culture. Teacher leadership candidates also focus on developing positive school culture by supporting and improving pedagogy among P-12 instructors. Degree completers will be skilled at helping other teachers better understand their subject matter, how they teach it, how to monitor student learning, how to think systematically about curriculum and pedagogy, and how to develop healthy learning communities.
Curriculum
To be eligible for admission to the program, the applicant must hold a master’s degree from an accredited institution, meet the basic requirements specified for graduate students at Mississippi State University, demonstrate interest in the mission of P-12 schools, and demonstrate academic proficiency based on the following indicators:
- Grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on master's degree;
- Letter of endorsement from current school administrator and two other letters of reference;
- Statement of purpose;
- Copy of valid teacher’s license;
- Evidence of full-time P-12 classroom teaching experience;
- Current résumé; and
- Interview
| Courses | ||
|---|---|---|
| EPY 6214 | Educational and Psychological Statistics | 4 |
| EDL 7000 | Directed Individual Study in Educational Leadership 1 | 3 |
| or EDL 8353 | Teacher Leadership Internship | 3 |
| EDL 8313 | Assessing Content Knowledge for Teacher Leadership | 3 |
| EDL 8323 | Differentiation of Instruction for Teacher Leadership | 3 |
| EDL 8333 | Teaching Practice and Learning Environment for Teacher Leadership | 3 |
| EDL 8343 | Effective and Reflective Practitioner for Teacher Leadership | 3 |
| EDL 8423 | School Leadership | 3 |
| EDL 8433 | Using Data for School Improvement | 3 |
| EDL 8523 | Educating Diverse Learners | 3 |
| EDL 8623 | Leading Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment | 3 |
| EDL 8723 | Leadership for Positive School Culture | 3 |
| Elective | EDL, EDF, EDE, EDS, or EPY Elective | 3 |
| Total Hours | 37 | |
1 Students may take 3 or 6 hours of EDL 7000.
Individuals holding a Master's degree in School Administration and an administrator license are required to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework above the Master's degree. Individuals holding a Master's degree in an area other than School Administration are required to complete a minimum of 37 credit hours of coursework above the Master's degree.
A comprehensive examination is required.
Program Coordinator
Dr. Leigh Ann McMullan
Email: LMcMullan@colled.msstate.edu