Educational Administration (EdS)
Application Requirements
Applicants to the Education Specialist in Educational Administration program must submit the following:
- Completed UofL graduate application submitted at https://apply.graduate.louisville.edu/apply/
- Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent by the issuing institution to the UofL Graduate School. Transcripts issued to the candidate, and/or uploaded by the candidate, are considered unofficial.
- International transcripts must be evaluated per UofL Graduate School requirements: https://graduate.louisville.edu/admission/international/evaluation
- Personal statement – Candidates should upload a rationale for pursuing this degree which should include a statement of professional goals and philosophy of education (limit of two pages).
- Current resume detailing at least three years of K-12 teaching experience
- Copy of current Kentucky teaching certificate
- Recommendations – Two (2) recommendations are required. Recommenders should include a letter attesting to the candidate’s skills and understanding of student achievement, leadership, and advanced knowledge of curriculum, instruction and assessment. One recommendation must be from the current site supervisor. Requests are automatically sent to the recommenders’ emails once the graduate application is submitted. Adequate time should be given for recommenders to respond to the request by the application deadline. Candidates may log into their admission portal to check the status of the recommendations.
- Signed documents included in the application. You will be asked to review and sign the Professional Code of Ethics/Technology User Agreement.
International Applicants:
- International applicants must submit additional application items, and meet additional admission requirements. Information on the international application and admission requirements can be found here: https://graduate.louisville.edu/admission/international
Admission Requirements
- Complete application (including all checklist items above and payment submitted).
- Master’s degree in Education from a institutionally accredited institution.
- Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.30. Candidates with a GPA lower than 3.30 should consult with the admissions counselor to discuss potential options.
- Three years of full-time K-12 teaching experience
Admission is competitive. Meeting the GPA minimum and all other admission requirements does not guarantee that prospective students will be accepted into the program.
Program admission dates: Fall semester
Application Deadlines: July 1st for Fall
Out of state applicants should check state authorizations and licensing disclosures for requirements in your state. Please be advised that the University of Louisville cannot guarantee that our program will meet licensure, salary, advancement or other requirements in their state. The University of Louisville makes every effort to ensure information about educational requirements for programs is current; however, licensure requirements are always subject to change. Applicants should always check with their state licensure board to confirm licensure requirements.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | ||
| LEAD 633 | Systems and Structures for School Improvement | 3 |
| LEAD 634 | Fundamentals of School Leadership | 3 |
| LEAD 635 | Instructional Leadership 1 | 3 |
| LEAD 636 | Instructional Leadership 2 | 3 |
| Mid-point Assessment 1 | ||
| LEAD 637 | Ensuring High Performance School and Community Engagement | 3 |
| LEAD 620 | Education Law and Policy Review in P-12 Education | 3 |
| LEAD 622 | Fiscal and Human Resources in P-12 Education | 3 |
| LEAD 609 | Internship in Educational Leadership | 3 |
| Total Hours for Level 1 2 | 24 | |
| Level 2 | ||
| LEAD 782 | Reflective Practice for School Leaders | 3 |
| LEAD 720 | Instructional Leadership 3 | 3 |
| Exit Assessment 4 | ||
| Minimum Total Credit Hours for EdS | 30 | |
| Minimum Total Credit Hours for Rank I 5 | 60 | |
Midpoint Assessment: Satisfactory dispositions assessment. Satisfactory completion of Hallmark/Dimensions Assessments in LEAD 633, LEAD 634, LEAD 635, and LEAD 636. Must maintain a GPA of 3.3.
Exit Assessment: Successful completion of all required coursework including capstone in LEAD 720 and LEAD 782 ; scored Target or better on Rubrics for Advanced Candidates including dispositions assessment; minimum 3.3 GPA. Completion of an exit portfolio.
Certification Assessment: Candidates for certification must pass the PRAXIS SLLA 6990 exam. This exam should be taken during the last semester of coursework for Level 1 Certification. Before registering for the exam, please check for current requirements at praxis.ets.org/state-requirements/Kentucky-tests.html. Successful completion of all program and testing requirements leads to recommendation for Level 1 administrative licensure. Additional experience as an administrator is required to satisfy KY EPSB requirements for Level 2. Contact EPSB for further information.
- Completion of a Rank I program requires a minimum of 60 graduate credit hours, including an approved Master’s degree.
Certification requirements
The Education Professional Standards Board is responsible for issuing and renewing certificates for all Kentucky teachers and administrators. Candidates for principal certification must pass the SLLA 6990. This test may be taken during the last semester of coursework for Level 1 Principal Certification. Current information about the Kentucky assessment program may be retrieved from epsb.ky.gov.
- Completion of three years of full-time teaching experience
Note: Alternative Certification/Option 6 candidates must have an offer of employment with a Kentucky school district. Candidates must complete a mentoring agreement form with their faculty advisor to be submitted with a CA-TP form to the KY Education Professional Standards Board. Candidates must apply for the Alternative Certification license with the CA-TP form each year – up to a maximum of two years. To continue in the program, candidates must maintain concurrent employment and enrollment in applicable courses.
The Specialist in Education In Educational Administration (EdS) program prepares students to meet the requirements for certification and/or licensure. If you plan to pursue professional licensure or certification you should first determine your state’s criteria for examination and licensure to see how/if our program meets those requirements prior to enrollment. We recommend that you also contact your state’s licensing board directly to verify that the requirements have not changed recently and to answer any questions especially those regarding additional requirements beyond the degree.
More information about certification or licensure is available at the following website: https://louisville.edu/about/departments/academic-planning-accountability/disclosures/professional-licensure.
For programs with an online option, more information about certification or licensure is available here: https://louisville.edu/online/About-Us?tab=disclosures.
