Credit Hours: 27

Our Educational Specialist (Ed. S.) degree program is designed to prepare teacher leaders who are instrumental in the creation and implementation of instructional policies and practices that ensure that all students can and do learn. Program coursework and field experiences expand and deepen graduates’ theoretical and pedagogical knowledge and enable graduates to understand and apply innovative, emerging research on developments in Elementary Education.

For more information, please see the Academic Catalog.

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Our Educational Specialist (Ed. S.) degree program in Elementary Education is designed to prepare teacher leaders who are instrumental in the creation and implementation of instructional policies and practices that ensure that all students can and do learn. Program coursework and field experiences expand and deepen graduates' theoretical and pedagogical knowledge and enable graduates to understand and apply innovative, emerging research on developments in Elementary Education. Program faculty are dedicated to the ideals of social justice and endeavor to equip graduates with the ability work within the existing systems or to change existing systems to bring about equitable environments for all learners. As a student in our degree program, you'll learn strategies to help all students succeed by focusing on subjects such as: Students as Learners Teachers as Leaders Societal Issues Classroom Issues Research and Inquiry.

5 - 6 Semesters for Completion (Including Summer Semesters). Time for completion of this degree may vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call your advisor.

Program website and contacts: The Early Childhood Education Through Secondary Education Department Website includes projected course offerings, program sheets, and other vital information.

Career Opportunities

Link to Additional Career Information:
https://www.buzzfile.com/Major/Education External Resource

Program Location

Online

Method of Delivery

100% online.

Accreditation

The University of West Georgia is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Credit and transfer

Total semester hours required: 27
A transfer credit evaluation will be completed by the UWG Transfer Team (transfer@westga.edu). Course application to a program is subject to review by the department.

Graduate students may be able to reduce their cost through prior learning, previous degrees earned at UWG, or transfer credits. We have created a tool to help students estimate their tuition costs.                

This program is offered entirely online. Though a student may choose to sign-up for a face-to-face elective or core course, one can earn this degree completely online.

Save money

UWG is often ranked as one of the most affordable accredited university of its kind, regardless of the method of delivery chosen. In addition, online courses and programs can mean a huge cost-savings in many non-evident ways: No more high gas charges. No childcare needed. The flexibility can allow one to maintain a job while attending school. Regardless of state residency, out-of-state non-resident students are not charged non-resident tuition for online course credit hours.

Details

  • Total tuition costs and fees may vary, depending on the instructional method of the courses in which the student chooses to enroll.
  • The more courses a student takes in a single term, the more they will typically save in fees and total cost.
  • Face-to-Face or partially online courses are charged at the general tuition rate and all mandatory campus fees, based on the student's residency (non-residents are charged at a higher rate).
  • Fully or entirely online course tuition rates and fees my vary depending on the program. Students enrolled in exclusively online courses do not pay non-Resident rates.
  • Together this means that GA residents pay about the same if they take all face-to-face or partially online courses as they do if they take only fully online courses exclusively; while non-residents save money by taking fully online courses.
  • One word of caution: If a student takes a combination of face-to-face and online courses in a single term, they will pay both all mandatory campus fees and the higher eTuition rate.
  • For the cost information, as well as payment deadlines, see the Student Accounts and Billing Services website

There are a variety of financial assistance options for students, including scholarships and work study programs. Visit the Office of Financial Aid's website for more information.

Coursework

5 - 6 Semesters for Completion (Including Summer Semesters). Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call your advisor.

NOTE: Not all of the courses listed below are required.

This program requires only 27 credit hours.

The courses you will take will depend on your desired content specialization.  See the program sheet for more detailed information:


General

Plan of Study: View Program Sheet

This graduate course is a study of human growth and development from birth through aging and death. The course focuses on areas of physical, cognitive, social, personality, and emotional development as a series of progressive changes resulting from the biological being's interactions with the environment. Special emphasis is placed on the development characteristics of school age youth within a multicultural and diverse society.

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This course is designed to aid in the understanding of the effects of home, community and society on the life of young children.

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An in-depth study in a seminar setting of curriculum trends, problems, and issues facing educators of children in P-5 environments.

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Designed to provide students with knowledge of factors and processes related to teacher leadership roles within schools. Topics such as mentoring, peer coaching, community relations, organizational change, and advocacy will be addressed.

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A study of the basic elements of research and research design as it relates to the development of research in early childhood education.

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A course designed to provide a forum for professional interaction between students and professors on critical issues in the profession. Prerequisite: ECED 8284 Research Seminar

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A critical analysis of cultural and sociological factors and their effect on issues affecting educational thought and schooling practices.

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A survey of the development and patterns of public education in this country.

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A study of selected issues affecting educational thought and schooling practices emphasizing critical analysis of the cultural and sociological contexts of school-societal problems.

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A survey of philosophical thought foundational to educational theory and practice.

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This course provides a survey of traditional and contemporary ethics as a foundation for examining selected educational policies, practices, and case studies.

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Students will gather, analyze, and critique academic research within their program area and topic of study to compose a detailed synthesis in a literature review outline. This literature review outline will directly inform either Chapter 2 of the student's dissertation or a research capstone project related to their degree program.

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This course is designed to compare the educational system of the United States with selected educational systems of the world.

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Stacey Britton, Ph.D.

Stacey Britton, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Cliff Chestnutt, Ph.D.

Cliff Chestnutt, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Andrea Crenshaw, Ed.D.

Andrea Crenshaw, Ed.D.

Assistant Professor

Jennifer Edelman, Ph.D.

Jennifer Edelman, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Rebecca Gault, Ph.D.

Rebecca Gault, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Robyn Huss, Ed.D.

Robyn Huss, Ed.D.

Associate Professor

Robert C. Morris, Ph.D.

Robert C. Morris, Ph.D.

Professor

Natasha Ramsay-Jordan, Ed.D.

Natasha Ramsay-Jordan, Ed.D.

Associate Professor

Janet Strickland, Ph.D.

Janet Strickland, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Guidelines for Admittance

Program Specific Admittance Guidelines

  • Official transcripts from all schools that have conferred degrees (Bachelor's, Master's, etc.) are required and should be sent directly to the UWG Graduate Admissions Office.
  • A Level 5 clear and renewable professional certificate in Elementary Education based on a Master's degree in Elementary Education or Early Childhood Education is required.
    • Any other Master's degree with a Level 5 certification must meet the Content Specialization requirements in the Elementary Education Master's degree program in order to be admitted into the Ed.S. program.
  • A minimum GPA of 3.0 in graduate coursework
  • A professional resume reflecting a minimum of 1 year of full-time teaching experience. 

Application Deadlines

Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School

* Application, app fee, and document deadline

See The Scoop for more specific deadlines.

Admission Process Checklist

The Graduate Studies Application Process checklist is available here

One exception: If you will not ever be traveling to a UWG campus or site, you may apply for an Immunization Exemption. Contact the Immunization Clerk with your request.

Contact

Graduate Admissions
678-839-1394
graduate@westga.edu 

College of Education: 

The The Department of Early Childhood through Secondary Education website includes projected course offerings, program sheets, and other vital information.

Dr. Brent Gilles
Pre-enrollment Contact
bgilles@westga.edu 
Phone: 678-839-6138

Specific dates for Admissions (Undergraduate Only), Financial Aid, Fee Payment, Registration, Start/End of Term Dates, Final Exams, etc. are available in THE SCOOP.

Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School

  • Specialist candidates know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students. They seek out opportunities to lead other's through professional development and collaboration.
  • Specialist candidates are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning. They are leaders in their schools in identifying effective practices and at sharing that knowledge with others.
  • Specialist candidates think systematically about their practice and learn from experience. They research effective practices and share knowledge through scholarly publications and presentations.
  • Specialist candidates are members of learning communities. They are recognized leaders in their schools and communities.