The Specialist in Education Degree
THE SPECIALIST IN EDUCATION DEGREE
The purpose of the Specialist in Education degree is to provide a plan of organized advanced study for practitioners in the field of education who wish to develop a higher level of competency. The program makes possible greater depth of specialization than is offered at the master's level, and each program of study is designed to meet the specific and unique needs of a particular professional position.
ADMISSION TO THE SPECIALIST'S DEGREE PROGRAM
To be considered for admission to a program leading to the Specialist in Education degree, an applicant must:
- Hold a master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university and have a grade point average of at least 3.0 on all graduate work pursued;
- File an application with the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research;
- Have completed at least three years of successful, full-time teaching to be eligible to take the qualifying examination;
- Present two letters of recommendation from appropriate school and/or college officials;
- Submit satisfactory scores on the Aptitude Test of the Graduate Record Examination. A minimum combined score of 800 on the Verbal and Quantitative parts of the Aptitude Test is required. Conditional admission may be granted for one semester, or for the first 12 semester hours, of approved graduate study for students whose combined Verbal and Quantitative score is 600 or more, but less than 800.
- Take a qualifying examination.
QUALIFYING EXAMINATION
Each student must take a qualifying examination prior to the approval of a degree program.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SPECIALIST'S DEGREE
When a student is admitted to graduate study for the Specialist in Education degree, the Dean of the College of Education will appoint an advisor who will assist the student in preparing a tentative program of studies. Upon the recommendation of the advisor, the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research will appoint an advisory committee composed of the student's advisor and three other graduate faculty members; members of the student's committee will represent the principal fields of study to be included in the degree program. After the student has taken the qualifying examination, the committee must approve a degree program for the student following completion of nine semester hours of credit beyond the master's degree before the student may register for additional work toward the Specialist in Education degree. This plan and any modifications to it require the approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research.
GENERAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Degree candidates must complete a unified program of at least 60 semester hours of graduate credit above the bachelor's degree, including a minimum of 30 semester hours in addition to master's degree requirements. A minimum of 36 semester hours of credit must be earned in courses open only to graduate students.
For classroom teachers, the degree program must include a minimum of 24
semester hours of credit in professional education, 24 semester hours of
credit in the teaching field(s) of the student, and an additional 12
semester hours to be selected to meet the specific needs of the student.
For school-service personnel, the degree is planned to meet the peculiar
and special requirements for each type of position.
An acceptable thesis or field study in the student's area of specialization is required. The thesis requirement may be met at either the Master's or Specialist's level.
A comprehensive examination, written, oral, or both, will be required
of each degree candidate.
A student must earn a minimum average of B (3.0) on all graduate work
attempted. No course in which a grade lower than B is received may be
included as part of the 30 semester hours required beyond the master's
degree.
A course with a grade of Pass may not be used to satisfy a course requirement for a graduate degree.
RETENTION
The student must comply with the provisions cited under "Eligibility to
Remain in Graduate School."
SPECIAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS. [TOP] [Back to Graduate Studies]
For each degree plan the department involved designates specific courses which must be included in the program.
ADMISSION TO CANDIDACY FOR THE SPECIALIST'S DEG
To be eligible for admission to candidacy for the specialist's degree, a student must:
- Have been admitted officially to the program;
- Have a degree plan approved;
- Have completed a minimum of 12 semester hours of graduate work, beyond the master's degree, at Northwestern State University;
- Have earned a B average on all graduate work pursued.
The final decision for admission to candidacy is by vote of the Graduate Council, upon the recommendation of the student's committee and with the approval of the Graduate Dean.
After becoming eligible for admission to candidacy, a student must earn at least six semester hours of graduate credit or complete a thesis at Northwestern State University, if a thesis was not completed at the master's level.
RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT
The minimum residence requirement is one semester or two consecutive summer sessions of full-time study beyond the master's degree on the Natchitoches campus after a degree program has been approved.
TRANSFER AND/OR EXTENSION CREDIT
A maximum of nine semester hours of graduate credit earned in extension courses offered by Northwestern State University and/or resident courses pursued at a regularly accredited college or university may be included as part of the required 30 semester hours beyond the master's degree.
TIME LIMITATION
All work beyond the master's degree which is to be applied to requirements for the Ed.S. degree must be completed within six calendar years.
APPLICATION FOR GRADUATION
A candidate for the Specialist in Education degree must file with the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research an application for graduation at the beginning of the semester or summer session in which he or she expects to complete degree requirements.