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2024-2025 Graduate Catalog
Education Specialist Certification Program, Ed.S. (Sixth-Year Certification Program for Teachers)
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Students should consult the General Regulations section of the Graduate Catalog for additional information regarding Graduate School admission requirements, transfer credit, and other critical policies and procedures.
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Purpose
The purpose of the Education Specialist (Ed.S.) certification programs in teaching is to extend the expertise and further develop knowledge, competencies, and skills of professionals holding master’s level certification in the same teaching field in which the Class AA certification is sought. All coursework applied toward the Ed.S. degree program must be earned at the 6000 level or above, and no courses applied toward certification at the master’s level may be applied toward certification at the education specialist level. See the specific degree program for additional admission and degree completion requirements.
College of Education students must meet all specialized accreditation requirements to be classified as graduates of specialized accredited programs (CAEP). Up to 12 hours of course work at a site/university without the appropriate specialized accreditation may be considered for application toward program completion. See Transfer Credit section for additional information.
All sixth-year certification programs are approved by the Alabama State Department of Education. Elementary Education offers a thesis and non-thesis option.
Admission Requirements for Education Specialist Programs and Graduate Teacher Educational Program (GTEP)
Admission to the Graduate School does not automatically constitute admission to the Education Specialist Program. All candidates must complete all requirements for the Alabama Class AA certification. All Ed.S. candidates must successfully complete a written comprehensive examination prior to program completion.
In addition to the Admission Requirements for Graduate School, candidates seeking the education specialist degree in a teacher education program must:
- Hold a master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Hold valid master’s level certification in the same teaching field in which the Class AA certificate is sought.
- Be unconditionally admitted and complete all additional admission requirements identified in the specific program.
- Submit three (3) College of Education Reference forms. One must be from an immediate supervisor.
- Successful completion of a criminal background check/fingerprinting
There is no Conditional Admission for this program.
Program Completion Requirements
- Have a GPA greater than 3.5
- Pass comprehensive exam (Teacher Leader program only, both non-thesis and thesis options)
- Complete thesis (thesis option)
- No more than two grades below “B”
- Grade of “B” or better in ECE/ELE 7790-Qualitative Research Methodology
- No more than 12 semester hours of transfer credit
- All credits earned within 8 years of graduation
Certification in Alabama
Candidates completing an approved Education Specialist certification program are eligible to apply for the Alabama Class AA professional certificate, provided they meet the following:
- A grade point average of 3.5 on all education specialist coursework attempted
- A grade of “C” or better in all coursework which applies to certification
- A grade of “B” or better in the research requirements for the program
- Complete a special education survey course and EDU 6611 , if not previously completed
*Additional requirements for certification include the following unless previously completed: 1) a survey course in special education, 2) EDU 6611 Educational Technology in the Curriculum, and 3) Effective July 1, 2017, and thereafter, a course focused primarily on one of the following categories: methods of accommodating instruction to meet the needs of students with exceptionalities in inclusive settings, multicultural education, teaching English Language Learners, rural education, or urban education. A course used to meet this requirement for one level may not be used to meet the requirement for a higher level of certification.
Any candidate who applies for a professional certificate is subject to all regulations set forth by the Alabama State Department of Education. These regulations may include a comprehensive background check, verification of appropriate experience, and prior certification specific to the certification sought. Additional requirements (e.g., standardized examinations to demonstrate content mastery) may be added as the Alabama State Board of Education and other accrediting agencies modify regulations. Candidates should consult their education adviser for details.
Only candidates properly admitted to an approved certification program and who successfully fulfill all program and certification requirements will be recommended for certification. The Certification Officer, appointed by the Dean of the College of Education, is the only Troy University official authorized to recommend candidates for certification in any state.
Certification in Other States
Other states may grant professional certification to candidates completing the Troy University Education Specialist program.
Some states may have additional requirements. Candidates seeking certification in other states should contact the appropriate State Department of Education.
Only candidates properly admitted to an approved certification program and who successfully fulfill all program and certification requirements will be recommended for certification. The Certification Officer, appointed by the Dean of the College of Education, is the only Troy University official authorized to recommend candidates for certification in any state.
Early Childhood Education
Required Professional Core*: (15 sh)
Select Non-Thesis or Thesis Option: (6 sh)
Teaching Field Courses: (12 sh)
Elementary Education 36 sh
Required Professional Core*: (15 sh)
Select Non-Thesis or Thesis Option: (6 sh)
Teaching Field Courses: (12 sh)
Teacher Leader (ED.S.) 30 sh
Goals and Objectives:
The goal of the Ed.S. Teacher Leader program is to strengthen and extend the practicing teacher’s knowledge and skills so that the program graduate will:
- Demonstrate the ability to facilitate the improvement of academic achievement for all students within a school setting;
- Support the development of and improve the practice of shared leadership among instructional and administrative personnel;
- Demonstrate the ability to facilitate collective learning with faculties and schools as a whole.
Additional admission requirements for the Ed.S. Teacher Leader Program and Graduate Teacher Education Program (GTEP):
- Hold a master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university;
- Hold a Class A master’s Professional Educator Certificate in any teaching field or area of instructional support; *
- Have a minimum of three full years of full-time teaching experience in a P-12 setting; demonstrated by providing a supplemental EXP form from each district of employment;
- Provide a portfolio containing the following items:
- Three professional letters of recommendation signed and on letterhead, (One must be from principal and/or immediate supervisor.)
- A current resume or vita
- Evidence of ability to positively affect student achievement, and evidence of collaborative leadership, potential by addressing the following areas in narrative form.
- Personal Philosophy and/or theory of teaching and learning
- Self Evaluation of your strengths and weaknesses and a plan to address your weaknesses
- Personal professional goals
- Statements of purpose for pursuing the Ed.S.
- Evidence of leadership ability/list any honors, awards, committee or team service
- Successful completion of a criminal background check/fingerprinting.
Note:
Students admitted into the Ed.S. Teacher Leader program with a master’s level Professional Educator certificate in a teaching field or area of instructional support from another state, must earn an Alabama Class A Professional Educator certificate in a teaching field or area of instructional support before becoming eligible to apply for an Alabama Class AA Certification.
Certification:
In addition to the certification requirements required for all instructional support areas, candidates completing an approved Ed.S. Teacher Leader program requirements are eligible to apply for the Alabama Class AA Professional Certificate, provided they meet the following:
- Satisfactory completion of a state approved program with a minimum GPA of 3.5* for all courses in the Alabama State Board of Education approved Teacher Leader program as verified on an official transcript.
- Satisfactory completion of a problem-based research project.
- A passing score on a comprehensive assessment documenting mastery of the curriculum of the Teacher Leader program which may include, but may not be limited to, an oral examination.
- A survey of special education course, if not previously completed.
- Meet the Praxis II requirements of the Alabama Educator Certification Testing Program (AECTP).
- Hold an Alabama Class A Professional Educator Certificate in a teaching field or area of instructional support.
Required Courses*: ( 30 sh)
Note:
*A survey course in special education is required unless previously completed.
Courses applied toward certification at the master’s level may not be applied toward certification at the education specialist level.
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