Ed.S.: Specialist in Accountability and Instructional Leadership
The 30-hour major in the Specialist in Accountability and Instructional Leadership program (approved by the Tennessee Department of Education and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education) is designed for administrators, instructional facilitators, and teachers in schools and districts who seek to improve school and student performance, be recognized as an expert in research, data, and accountability, and possess the confidence, knowledge, and skills to be a progressive leader in any education environment. The program is non-traditional, extends for four semesters, and is designed to accommodate working adults who have a graduate degree.
Graduates from this program may qualify for the Instructional Leadership License (ILL). See requirements for the ILL under the Master of Education: Educational Leadership K-12 section.
Admission
General requirements for admission into the Ed.S. program are required of all applicants. The requirements are:
- Completed application
- Acceptable references
- Evidence of a master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) on all credit earned. Submit two copies of official transcripts; transcripts marked "Issued to Student" are not recognized as official transcripts. Official transcripts must be mailed directly from the university granting the master's degree. Transcripts must be mailed to: Trevecca Nazarene University, School of Graduate and Continuing Studies, 333 Murfreesboro Road, Nashville, TN 37210.
- Official results of Miller Analogies Test or Graduate Record Examination (verbal and quantitative combined), if applicable
- Record of immunizations as described in the general section of this graduate supplement
- A successful interview
- Proof of a current background and fingerprinting check
- Submit verification form showing proof of three years of successful teaching experience through references by school administrator
- Complete during interview a Writing on Demand in essay format responses to questions regarding (a) applicant's leadership background and goals, (b) applicant's methods for assessing student learning, and (c) applicant's perception of her/his integrity, persistence, assertiveness, work ethic, and disposition
- Submit school administrator recommendation form which can be obtained through the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies
- Submit mentor and Educational Organization Recommendation Forms, which can be obtained through the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies
Appeal Procedure
Candidates who have questions concerning action taken by the School of Education and faculty have the right to appeal through the established due process procedure. An appeal must be in writing and follow the protocol listed below. If a decision is not acceptable to the candidate at any point, the appeal must be made in writing within 15 days to the next level. All appeals originate with the Dean of the School of Education.
- Dean of the School of Education
- Council of Chairs
The decision of the Council of Chairs is final.
Academic Load
Typically graduate candidates at the Ed.S. level take six to eight hours during the fall and spring semesters. During the summer semester, it may be appropriate to register for up to 12 hours. Graduate programs for non-teaching professionals may vary in course load per semester. To receive financial aid, candidates must be enrolled for a minimum of three (3) semester hours. Six hours is considered a full-time load during the academic calendar year.
Advising
Because Trevecca’s graduate programs are non-traditional and have standardized curricula, advising, though significant, does not follow the traditional pattern. All candidates begin with a group that takes the same classes on the same schedule.
The University maintains communication with candidates through their Trevecca email.
The primary responsibilities of the advisor(s) are to:
- Evaluate transfer credit (official transcripts must be on file at the University).
- Answer questions related to the Program of Study, a standardized set of courses for each degree program.
- Counsel candidates regarding any grade below B.
- Encourage candidates throughout the program.
Background Checks
In order to participate in field experiences, candidates will be directed to contact (at their own expense) the appropriate vendor to undergo a background check which includes fingerprinting. A disruption in participation in any program requires an additional background check. Candidates must notify the University representative prior to registering for additional classes.
Program Completers
To be considered program completers, candidates must meet all of the following criteria:
- Completion of all coursework and key assessments:
- With a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 with no D or F grades.
- No credits earned with a grade lower than B- will be accepted for meeting graduation requirements and may result in disenrollment.
- Any grade below a C- will result in immediate disenrollment regardless of cumulative GPA.
- All courses with grades lower than B- must be retaken.
- Completion of research project; and
- Completion of Capstone Colloquium and program assessment.
Financial Services
Satisfactory Progress
Any candidate who drops below half-time status (3 credit hours) for two consecutive semesters will be suspended from financial aid. This suspension will require the candidate to pay for at least three hours with his or her own resources before he or she can regain eligibility for aid. A candidate may appeal the suspension to the review committee.
Candidates must submit a new Free Application for Federal Student Aid for each academic year they are enrolled and want to receive federal loans. All candidates must contact the Office of Financial Aid if they want subsequent loans. Financial aid packets and additional information concerning financial aid may be obtained by calling the Office of Financial Aid at (615) 248-1242.
Tuition and Fees
| Education Specialist: Accountability and Instructional Leadership |
|
| Tuition and Fees (30 semester hours)* |
$530/hr |
| Technology fee for each course |
$50 |
| LiveText Fee - EDU 7302 - Instructional Leadership, Culture, & Climate |
$145 |
| Total Program Cost ($530 x 30) + ($50 x 10) |
$17,545 |
| *Texts not included |
|
Grading System – Specialist Degree
The specialist program grading scale is as follows:
Quality Points Per Semester Hour
| Exceptional |
A |
4.0 |
| |
A– |
3.7 |
| Superior |
B+ |
3.3 |
| |
B |
3.0 |
| |
B– |
2.7 |
| Average |
C+ |
2.3 |
| |
C |
2.0 |
| |
C– |
1.7 |
| Unacceptable |
D+ |
1.3 |
| |
D |
1.0 |
| |
D– |
0.7 |
| Failing |
F |
0.0 |
| Incomplete |
I |
0.0 |
| Withdrawal |
W |
0.0 |
Incompletes are permitted only in the event of extenuating circumstances and with approval from the dean.
Graduation Requirements
To receive a specialist's degree, the candidate must meet the following academic requirements:
- Complete the required number of semester hours of credit with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
- No credits earned with a grade below B- will be accepted for meeting graduation requirements.
- Any credits earned with a grade of C+, C, or C- must be retaken during the regular schedule of courses, perhaps resulting in delay of graduation.
- Any credits earned with a grade of D or F in any class may result in immediate disenrollment from the University regardless of the cumulative GPA.
- Successfully participate in the Colloquium experience. This is required during the final semester of the candidate's program. Colloquium experience may be repeated only once.
- Apply for graduation with the School of Education office.
- Successfully complete research project.
- Complete Ed.S. level coursework within a five-year period of the beginning date of program.
Course Instructor Evaluation and Assessment
An End of Course Survey is administered at the end of courses. Forms are distributed electronically by the Institutional Effectiveness Department. The evaluation is considered a personal assessment; therefore, discussion of any kind during the process should not occur. In order to maintain high quality instruction in all the classes, instructors receive the results of the evaluations after all grades have been submitted. Courses include several types of evaluative and assessment measures related to candidate progress. An evaluation of the program takes place at the Exit Assessment.
Program of Study - Ed.S. in Specialist in Accountability and Instructional Leadership
EDU 7420, EDU 7425, EDU 7430, and EDU 7435: Includes a field experience. Field experiences and clinical practice provide evidence that students are learning when being taught by candidates.
In order to demonstrate leadership practices that facilitate student achievement, candidates are required to complete field experience courses.
Required Courses
| EDU 7302 | Instructional Leadership, Culture, and Climate | 3 |
| EDU 7401 | Current Research in Action | 3 |
| EDU 7420 | Field Experience I for Accountable Leaders | 1 |
| EDU 7305 | Toolkit for Low Performing Schools | 3 |
| EDU 7304 | Navigating and Mapping Change through Data Analysis: Beyond Data (What Now?) | 3 |
| EDU 7425 | Field Experience II for Accountable Leaders | 1 |
| EDU 7306 | Instructional Strategies for Closing the Achievement Gap | 3 |
| EDU 7303 | Human Capital and Efficacy Building | 3 |
| EDU 7402 | Educational Research Development I | 1 |
| EDU 7430 | Field Experience III for Accountable Leaders | 1 |
| EDU 7307 | Distributive Leadership for Building Capacity and Program Sustainability | 3 |
| EDU 7404 | Educational Research Development II | 2 |
| EDU 7403 | Capstone Colloquium | 2 |
| EDU 7435 | Field Experience IV for Accountable Leaders | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 30 |
After successful completion of the Ed.S., candidates desiring to continue into the Ed.D. program will be required to complete the Ed.D. interview process successfully.