Specialist Degree in Education
The Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) degree program is an advanced graduate program that enables students to develop competence in an area of educational specialization with emphasis on practice. Ed.S. programs are offered in eight areas of specialization at Indiana University. Admission to all Ed.S. programs is at the Bloomington campus. See the chapter entitled Admission to Graduate Programs for application procedures and admission criteria.
Elementary Education
The specialist student in elementary education can prepare for a position as a classroom teacher in elementary or early childhood education, supervising teacher, supervisor of elementary instruction, or director of elementary curriculum. To obtain any of these licenses, a student must be eligible to hold a valid elementary school teaching license in Indiana. Personalized programs may be planned for careers in related educational fields such as curriculum development with the state or federal government or with commercial publishing companies. Education courses lettered E and J designate elementary education courses.
Secondary Education
The specialist degree in secondary education prepares students for positions in middle schools, junior high schools, or high schools as classroom teachers, supervising teachers, supervisors of instruction, directors of secondary education, directors of curriculum, departmental chairpersons, or principals. To be prepared for any of these positions, the student must be eligible to hold a valid secondary school teaching license and other appropriate licenses (see the chapter entitled Licensure and Endorsement). Education courses lettered S and J designate secondary education offerings.
Special Education
Special education courses at the specialist level are designed for those who: (1) desire to increase their expertise beyond the master's level; (2) wish to become research and development specialists; or (3) wish to become leaders in field-related settings. Education courses lettered K designate special education courses.
Program of Studies
An Ed.S. program consists of 65 credit hours, at least 35 of which must be taken at the Bloomington or Indianapolis campus. The remaining credit hours may be transferred from other campuses of Indiana University or from other accredited colleges. A residency period of 9 credit hours taken in one semester or summer, following admission, is required. Specialist degree students must complete all degree requirements within seven years of the date of matriculating after admission.
Advisory Committee
Each student admitted to an Ed.S. program must form an advisory committee to advise in program formation and to monitor program progress. This committee must consist of two faculty members from the specialization area and one from the minor area. A regular faculty member from the specialization area serves as chair. At least two members of the committee must be regular faculty members. The third may be a part- time or adjunct faculty member. The committee must be approved by the department chair and by the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies. See the chapter entitled The School of Education for a listing of departments and advisors.
Program Components
All Ed.S. programs must include appropriate course work in the following categories:
Major (24 cr.)
This is the area of specialization. Eighteen of these credit hours must be taken at the Bloomington or Indianapolis campus. Each program area office has a document that specifies courses to be taken in this category.
Minor (9 cr.)
The minor area should complement the major, and should consist of courses that in combination form a cohesive entity. The minor courses must be outside of the major area of study and may be from inside or outside the School of Education. The minor committee member must approve the selection of courses in this category.
Research/Inquiry (3 cr.)
A list of approved inquiry courses is available in the Education Graduate Studies Office in Bloomington.
Substantive Core Perspective (9 cr.)
The substantive core perspective is intended to add breadth to programs and to insure exposure to educational foundations. The following are examples of appropriate areas of study within the substantive core perspective: history, philosophy, and sociology of education; anthropological, economic, and political perspectives of education; curriculum theory. A list of approved courses is available in the Education Graduate Studies Office in Bloomington. Six credit hours of the substantive core perspective must be in areas outside the major.
Electives (20 cr.)
Elective courses must be approved by the advisory committee. They must be relevant to the program. A total of 21 credit hours in each Ed.S. program must be taken outside the major area. The electives category may be used to supplement outside
Capstone Project or Comprehensive Examination
A substantial project or a comprehensive examination constitutes the culmination of the Ed.S. program. A project normally requires a written manuscript describing the project. Projects vary from program to program.
Practical Experience
Ed.S. students must have demonstrated successful practical experience in order to be eligible for graduation. This experience may be in the form of work experience prior to or during the program of studies, or it may be accomplished through practicum and internship courses taken during the program.
Final Meeting
A final meeting of the advisory committee is required, wherein the student's entire program, including the project manuscript or comprehensive examination results, are reviewed. If the committee is satisfied that all program requirements have been successfully completed, the student is recommended for graduation.