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2024-2025 Graduate Catalog
Education Specialist (Ed.S.) Certification Program - Sixth-Year Certification Program for Instructional Support Areas
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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 instructional support areas is to extend the expertise and further develop knowledge, competencies, and skills of professionals holding master’s level certification in school psychometry, school counseling, or educational administration. 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.
Troy Global Campus College of Education students must meet all specialized accreditation requirements to be classified as graduates specialized accredited programs. Up to 12 hours 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.
Admission Requirements for Education Specialist Programs in Instructional Support Areas
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 instructional support program must:
- hold a masters degree from a regionally accredited college or university;
- complete a special education course as a prerequisite if not previously completed; (Not required for Counseling.)
- be unconditionally admitted and complete all additional admission requirements identified in the specific program, hold a valid master’s level certification in the same instructional support area or teaching field in which the Class AA certificate is sought, (not required for Counseling). Students seeking an Ed.S. in ILA will need to complete the RHO route prior to program admission if not currently holding a Class A in Instructional Leadership or Educational Administration;
- Successful completion of a criminal background check/ fingerprinting.
There is no Conditional Admission for this program.
Certification in Alabama
Only candidates properly admitted to an approved certification program and who successful 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.
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.
- Meet the PRAXIS II requirement of the Alabama Educator Certification Testing Program (AECTP).* *
**Note: This condition applies only to those applicants seeking initial certification in an instructional support area.
Any candidate who applied 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. Testing for Class AA Certification for Instructional Leadership & Administration
Applicants for Class AA Certification who are meeting requirements for a Certificate which covers a grade span different from the grade span covered by the Certificate used as the basis for admission to the Class AA Instructional Leadership program must meet Praxis II requirements of the Alabama Educator Certification Testing Program (AECTP). Some individuals hold an Alabama Certificate for principal 1-6 or 7-12 rather than P-12. A person holding one of those Certificates and completing the Class AA Instructional Leadership P-12 program must meet the Praxis II requirements as a precondition for Certification.
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 seekingcertification 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.
Degree Requirements
All coursework applied toward the Ed.S. degree program must be earned at the 6000 level or above. Courses applied toward certification at the master’s level may not be applied toward certification at the education specialist level.
All Education Specialist degree students must complete at least 18 semester hours of required coursework at the campus where the internship and/or practicum is supervised.
Ed.S. Instructional Support Certification Programs
Instructional Leadership & Administration (ED.S.): 30 sh
Goals and Objectives:
The goal of the Ed.S. Instructional Leadership & Administration program is to strengthen and extend the student’s knowledge, skills, and abilities developed at the Master’s level so that the candidate will become an informed, reflective decision maker who demonstrates the ability to:
- Articulate a clear vision and inspire and engage stakeholders in developing and realizing the mission;
- Manage and leverage systems and processes to achieve desired results;
- Act with a sense of urgency to foster a cohesive culture of learning;
- Express their commitment to student and adult learners and to their development;
- Facilitate and monitor the teaching and learning process;
- Model professional, ethical behavior and expect it from others.
Additional admission requirements for the EdS in Instructional Leadership & Administration:
In addition to the Admission Requirements for Graduate School, candidates seeking admission to a cohort to complete the requirements for the Education Specialist degree in Instructional Leadership & Administration must hold the master’s Professional Educator Certificate in Educational Administration or Instructional Leadership.
In addition the candidate must meet one of the following criteria:
- Hold a Class A Alabama Instructional Leadership & Administration certificate earned after completing a redesigned program at an Alabama university;
- If the student does not hold a Class A certificate in Instructional Leadership and Administration, the student may be required to take prerequisites prior to beginning the Ed.S. program.
- Be currently serving as a superintendent, assistant superintendent or associate superintendent, assistant to the superintendent, principal, assistant principal, supervisor (any subject and/or grade level), administrator of career and technical education, coordinator, or evaluator; or
- Document three years of employment in an instructional leadership position for which one of the certificates in Rule 290-3-3-.53.01(2)(b) is proper certification according to the current edition of the Subject and Personnel Codes of the Alabama State Department of Education.
- Successful completion of a criminal background check/fingerprinting.
There is no Conditional Admission for this program.
In an effort to maintain the rigorous nature of the Instructional Leadership & Administration program, to stay in step with changes in the field of administration and to ensure that our candidates maximize the benefit from the program, Troy University strongly recommends that each candidate have completed at least one year of administrative experience in a public K-12 school prior to admission to the Ed. S. program.
Candidates must be admitted to GTEP prior to taking any coursework.
Applicants who completed a Class A program other than one approved by the Alabama State Board of Education on or after September 8, 2005, must submit a portfolio which includes:
- Three (3) signed letters of recommendation including one from the applicant’s principal or supervisor on letterhead stationary; (These letters should address the leadership abilities of the candidate and any previous leadership experiences.)
- Copies of most recent performance appraisal including professional development component, if available
- Evidence of ability to lead student achievement;
- Evidence of leadership and management potential;
- Summary of candidate’s reasons for pursuing the Class AA certificate in Instructional Leadership & Administration;
- Supplemental Experience Forms (Form 125.4);
- Curriculum Vitae;
- Successful completion of a criminal background check/fingerprinting.
Required Courses*: ( 30 sh)
Note: Courses taken as Professional Learning Unit’s (PLU) prior to admission to the Ed.S. ILA program are not eligible for use towards this certification program.
Note:
*A survey course in special education is required unless previously completed. After July 1, 2017, a special education course must be at the graduate level.
Courses applied toward certification at the master’s level may not be applied toward certification at the education specialist level.
School Counseling (ED.S.) 30 sh
Goals and Objectives:
The goal of the Ed.S. School Counseling program is to strengthen and extend the students’ knowledge and skills developed at the Master’s level so that the students will:
- Become informed, reflective decision makers;
- Understand the developmental, proactive, and preventive focus of counseling in the schools;
- Facilitate academic, career, and personal-social development of K-12 students;
- Provide interventions for learning and behavioral problems; and
- Work collaboratively with parents, school personnel, and with other agencies and organizations to facilitate student learning, and manage a comprehensive developmental counseling program.
Admission to the Graduate Education Program (GTEP) School Counseling
- Submission of proof of master’s level professional education certification in school counseling.
- Two full years of full-time acceptable experience verified on a Supplemental Experience Form.
- Successful completion of a criminal background check/fingerprinting.
There is no Conditional Admission for this program.
Required Courses*: (18 sh)
Note:
*A survey course in special education is required unless previously completed. After July 1, 2017, a special education course must be at the graduate level.
School Counseling Core: (6 sh)
Select ONE Survey Course*: ( 3 sh)
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