The Department of Instruction and Teacher Education offers a program of study leading to the Education Specialist in Teaching (Ed.S.) Degree. This degree is designed for experienced teachers with an earned master's degree who wish to provide leadership while remaining in the classroom. This degree provides background in the best of current theory and practice, training in teacher-research methodology, and training in site-based teacher leadership. The experiences needed for National Board Certification are provided through this program. The Ed.S. degree will meet the master's-plus-thirty-hour requirement of the South Carolina Department of Education for certificate advancement. (However, courses used to meet the 30 hour certificate requirement of the South Carolina Department of Education may not be applicable to the Ed.S. in Teaching Program.) A minimum of thirty-six hours (36) of graduate course work beyond a related master's degree is required for graduation. The course work is organized around four dimensions of study: core courses, teaching area concentration, supervised field study, and approved electives (See "Sample Program of Studies" in this document).
Program Goals
1. To involve successful, experienced teachers in advanced study of educational theory and practice to improve their professional mastery of teaching.
2. To provide leadership training that will stimulate teachers' professional and personal growth and advancement.
3. To foster dissemination and understanding of new developments in education among fellow professionals.
Admission Criteria and Procedures
Requirements for taking classes prior to full admission:
1. Completed application (including application fee) to the Graduate School.
2. Official transcripts of all previous college credit
on file in the graduate school.
Requirements for application file to be considered by program for admission:
1. Two letters of recommendation.
2. Official record of GRE or MAT scores.
3. Supplementary Ed.S. in Teaching application form.
Requirements for recommendation for full admission to the degree program:
1. Evidence of a master's degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution.
2. Three years of teaching experience.
3. Evidence of satisfactory completion of one graduate basic research methods course as approved by your advisor.
Students may apply six (6) semester hours of advanced
graduate course work to their Ed.S. in Teaching Degree Program as approved
by their advisor. Applicants who are not fully admitted will be permitted
to enroll for no more than twelve (12) semester hours while completing
admission requirements; special provisions may be made for applicants who
have already completed credits which may apply to the degree. A course
deficiency in research methods may be completed while the applicant is
in the admissions process but will not be applied to the degree requirements.
After the applicant has met all requirements outlined
above, the Admissions Committee for the Department of Instruction and Teacher
Education will act on the application. Students are responsible for making
sure their file is complete and ready to forward to the Committee. Applicants
recommended for full admission should contact their assigned advisor as
soon as possible to outline and file a formal program of studies.
Application Deadline
Applications to the Education Specialist in Teacher Degree program must be submitted by the following deadlines:
October 30 - for attendance during the following spring or summer term.
March 30 - for attendance during the following summer or fall term.
A. Core Courses
These courses are designed to provide career teachers with the most current knowledge and skills in the areas of instruction, professional leadership, and multicultural education.
Core Courses 9 semester hours
EDTE 777: Analysis of Effective Instructional Practices (3)
EDTE 778: The Teacher As Instructional and Professional Leader (3)
EDTE 779: Multicultural Issues of Education (3)
B. The Teaching Area Concentration
For Elementary Education, students in consultation with an advisor, select courses that strengthen knowledge and skills in elementary pedagogy and curriculum. Related fields may be included.
Teaching Area Concentration 12-15 semester hours
C. Field study courses provide opportunities for teachers to become researchers of their own practice (or alternatives approved by an advisor).
Supervised Field Study 9 semester hours
EDTE 780: Field Study Preparation Seminar (3)
EDTE 781: Advanced Field Study of Teaching (variable credits 3-6 semester hours)
D. Electives
Elective Study 3-6 semester hours
Professional education courses and subject area courses as approved by the student's advisor.
TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS 36*
The following requirements must be met for successful completion of the Educational Specialist in Teaching Degree.
1. Submission of an official program of study approved by your assigned advisor, the Graduate Director of the College of Education, and the Dean of the Graduate School. This should be done immediately after you are fully admitted to the program.
2. Successful completion of the courses listed on your Specialist Degree in Teaching Program with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on all courses and on 700-800 level courses, and no grade below "C."
3. All courses in the program must be completed no more than six (6) years prior to graduation.
4. Apply for graduation by the published date.
Transfer Credit
A maximum of twelve (12) semester hours of graduate credit
earned at a regionally or nationally accredited institution with a grade
of "B" or better may be applied to degree requirements for the Education
Specialist in Teaching Degree provided that the work is appropriate to
the program of study and meets all regulations for the master's degree.
Transfer credit courses must be completed within six (6) years of the date
on which the Education Specialist in Teaching Degree is awarded.
Program Limitations
The Education Specialist in Teaching is not an initial
teacher certification program. It is open only to career teachers with
experience as classroom teachers.
To acquire an application form contact the Office of Student Affairs on the first floor of the College of Education in Wardlaw. Fill out the application form (noting that you want to pursue the Ed.S. in Teaching Degree), attach a check for the application fee payment, and return the completed forms to the Graduate School, University of South Carolina, Columbia, 29208.
Call or sent Inquiries to :
Education Specialist Degree in Teaching
USC College of Education - ITESA Wardlaw 113
Columbia, SC 29208 (803) 777-6732
***POLICIES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME***
CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR