Education Specialist in Leadership

 

Department of Educational Leadership 480D Pawley Hall  (map) (248) 370-3070 • Fax (248) 370-4605 www.oakland.edu/edleadership

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Coordinator:
Caryn M. Wells
480H Pawley Hall
(248) 370-3072
cmwells2@oakland.edu

 

Program description

The nationally recognized and state approved Education Specialist program is based on the belief that leadership must be distributed throughout schools and school districts. Thus, this program prepares teacher leaders as well as administrators to provide the leadership needed by effective school organizations. The Ed.S. program emphasizes a cohort structure with the belief that learning is increased by the ongoing interaction of all members of learning communities. A mentorship is required with the belief that theory must be linked to practice. A program portfolio is required with the belief that reflection on practice is key to building leadership capacity. Cohort members will develop the skills, knowledge, and dispositions needed to play many different leadership roles within the education profession.

Program delivery

The Education Specialist in leadership degree program requires 34 credits, all of which must be taken within the 22-month, cohort-structured program. Prescribed courses are generally taken one week night for fall and winter terms with some courses scheduled on periodic Saturdays. Summer Sessions I and II, which are held back-to-back and are shorter in length, require two evenings per week. The action research project begins during the third semester and is presented during the final semester of the program.

Cohorts are formed at the main campus, online, and at various off-campus locations. Cohorts are limited to 20 students each.

Admission terms and application deadlines

Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Graduate Admissions by the semester deadlines listed below. Incomplete applications will not be sent to departments for admission review.

• July 15 for fall semester
• November 15 for winter semester

Readmission and program transfer

Requests for readmission and program transfers must be completed and approved prior to the beginning of a semester.

International application deadlines

International applications are reviewed for fall and winter admission only. To ensure adequate time for review, international applications must be completed at least six months before the desired date of intended enrollment in the University. All international application materials must be submitted by May 1 for fall admission and by September 1 for winter admission. International applicants are not eligible for Special Graduate classification.

Special Graduate classification

Applicants who are seeking a graduate degree or graduate certificate, but are unable to meet the deadline for filing all required application materials or credentials for graduate admission, may contact the department and request Special Graduate temporary admission.  The applicant must submit an Application for Admission to Graduate Study, plus a copy of a transcript providing evidence of a bachelor’s degree awarded and any specific evidence concerning their qualifications for graduate study as required by the department.  Up to 12 credits may be earned in the Special Graduate classification. Admission as a special graduate student in no way assures subsequent admission to a degree or graduate certificate program.

Students may request special graduate classification beginning  with the dates below.

• August 1 for fall semester
• December 1 for winter semester
• April 1 for summer semester

Note: Special Graduate classification will not be granted after the first week of classes in a semester.

Application requirements

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all of the following university and program application documents by the published application deadlines.

University graduate application requirements

• Application for Admission to Graduate Study      
• Official transcripts providing evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution, OR a degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree from a college or university of government-recognized standing.
• Official transcripts for all post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned a degree (beginning with the first baccalaureate) and for all enrollment in graduate-level coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree. International university transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service.
  • As part of the admission requirements, graduate programs may require official transcripts from post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned an associate’s degree and all enrollment in coursework both pre- and post-bachelor’s degree.
• Two official and original Recommendation for Graduate Admission forms.
• Proof of English language proficiency

• International supplemental application and supporting documentation must be submitted before international applicants can be issued the Certification of Eligibility (I-20). This certificate is required to apply for a student visa from the U.S. embassy or consulate. 

Program application requirements

• Evidence of a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
• The recommendation forms must be from supervisors familiar with the candidate’s current position
• A statement indicating willingness to make a two-year commitment to the program and a statement of personal goals after completing the educational leadership program
• Candidates may be interviewed by the program coordinator, who will make admission recommendations to Graduate Admissions
• Curriculum Vitae or Resume
• Site Preference Form  

Admission review and assessment

Admission to graduate study at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses and any other admission requirements established by the academic department.

The Faculty Council for the Education Specialist program will screen candidates after all application materials have been received by Graduate Admissions.