Ed.S.: Specialist in Instructional Leadership
The 30-hour major in the Specialist in Instructional Leadership program (approved by the Tennessee Department of Education and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation) 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, Admissions, 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 Office of Graduate and Adult Education
- Submit mentor and Educational Organization Recommendation Forms, which can be obtained through the Office of Graduate and Adult Education
Appeal Procedure
The appeal process is outlined in the Student Handbook for each respective program.
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.
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 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.
Ed.S. Core
| EDU 7302 | Instructional Leadership, Culture, and Climate | 3 |
| EDU 7303 | Human Capital and Efficacy Building | 3 |
| EDU 7304 | Navigating and Mapping Change through Data Analysis: Beyond Data (What Now?) | 3 |
| EDU 7306 | Instructional Strategies for Closing the Achievement Gap | 3 |
| EDU 7307 | Distributive Leadership for Building Capacity and Program Sustainability | 3 |
| EDU 7405 | Specialist in Instructional Leadership: Summative Seminar | 2 |
| EDU 7420 | Field Experience I for Accountable Leaders | 1 |
| EDU 7425 | Field Experience II for Accountable Leaders | 1 |
| EDU 7430 | Field Experience III for Accountable Leaders | 1 |
| EDU 7435 | Field Experience IV for Accountable Leaders | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 21 |
Choose one of the following tracks:
Accountability Track - 9 hours
| EDU 7305 | Toolkit for Low Performing Schools | 3 |
| EDU 7312 | Legal Foundations & Policies in Instructional Leadership | 3 |
| EDU 7313 | Inclusive Leadership & Cultural Competence | 3 |
Artificial Intelligence Track - 9 hours
| EDU 7309 | Foundations of AI in Instructional Leadership | 3 |
| EDU 7310 | AI for Collaborative and Curriculum Leadership | 3 |
| EDU 7311 | AI for Instructional Coaching | 3 |
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.
Total Credit Hours: 30