The Educational Specialist degree in Higher Education is a 30 credit-hour, online program focused on preparing individuals in post-secondary institutions for leadership in Higher Education. The Educational Specialist degree in Higher Education combines courses in two primary content areas, Curriculum and Leadership, to comprehensively prepare stronger instructors and leaders in higher educational settings.
Admission. Requirements for admission to the Higher Education degree program:
- A Master’s degree from an accredited institution;
- A grade point average of 3.25 on coursework completed for the Master’s degree;
- Three years of post-secondary-related work experience;
- Satisfactory score on one of the nationally recognized, standardized tests of verbal skills listed below:
a. CORE Academic Skills for Educators: Writing (Test #5723) – minimum score of 162
b. Praxis I Writing Test – minimum score of 174 on PPST or 320 on CBT
c. National Teacher Examination (NTE) Communication Skills – minimum score of 653
d. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Verbal Test – minimum score of 370 (Old Scale) or 144 (New Scale)
e. Miller Analogies Test (MAT) – minimum score of 30
Degree Requirements. A candidate for the Educational Specialist degree in Higher Education is required to meet the following:
- Fulfill the general requirements for a graduate degree at Delta State University;
- Complete the required 30 semester hours of graduate work beyond the Master’s degree, consisting of 6 hours of core courses and 24 hours in the major subject area. Courses that are at the 500 level are not acceptable in the Educational Specialist degree program.
- Maintain a grade point average of at least 3.25 on all graduate work attempted toward the Educational Specialist degree in Higher Education. Candidates for the Educational Specialist degree must earn at least a 3.0 on all graduate work attempted by the end of the first 12 hours of coursework, then earn and maintain at least a 3.25 overall GPA in order to qualify for the comprehensive exam and graduation.
- Pass a comprehensive examination during the last term of course work.
Educational Specialist in Higher Education Curriculum Note: Students employed full-time will be allowed to take no more than six hours per semester without prior written approval from the advisor. |
Credit Hours |
Core Education Courses CUR 701, ELR 701 |
6 |
Required Courses CUR 703, CAD 770, SUP 731, AED 701, AED 704, AED 721, AED 736, AED 739 |
24 |
Total | 30 |
Dispositions Portfolio
Comprehensive Exams
Spring 2025 Comps Date – March 3, 2025
Online Resources
Campus Resources
- Bookstore
Get textbooks for courses here. - Registrar’s Office
152 Kent Wyatt Hall, 662-846-4040 - Graduate Studies
239 Kent Wyatt Hall, 662-846-4700 - Student Business Services
131 Kent Wyatt Hall, 662-846-4698 - Student Financial Aid
144 Kent Wyatt Hall, 662-846-4670 - Teacher Education, Leadership and Research
384 Ewing Hall, 662-846-4370
How to Apply for Graduation
Use the online application process to apply for graduation at least one semester prior to the semester of graduation. Paper applications are no longer accepted. Complete the process by going to the Registrar’s Office website.
Graduate students must have completed at least 18 earned credit hours (not including the current semester) in order to apply for graduation.
Contact
Dr. Tim Watkins
Coordinator
twatkins@deltastate.edu
P: 662-846-4395
Dr. Corlis Snow
Chair, School of Leadership, Research, and Psychology
csnow@deltastate.edu
P: 662-846-4370
F: 662-846-4309