Ed.S. in Educational Leadership
Program Objectives
The Education Specialist Degree (EdS) is a practitioner’s degree for graduate students who have earned their Master's degree. Many states require this degree for Superintendent Licensure, however, Montana does not. This degree is particularly valuable for students who see themselves as school system leaders in medium sized to larger school systems.
Program Flow
The purpose of the EdS Degree is to provide skills and knowledge required for District Superintendent and central office leadership. In addition to improving skill and knowledge, it is the goal of the program to create strong networks among students to support effective practices. To that end, classes are generally offered in a blended format which combines face-to-face delivery and distance delivery. An appropriate balance of theory and practice is a strong consideration in planning for the content of the classes. Typically, the Superintendent Core (EDLD 620, EDLD 645, EDLD 650, EDLD 655) is offered every summer beginning online in mid-May and on campus for two weeks in June.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of school finance and school law to enable leadership at the district level.
- Compare and contrast how national, state, and local policies influence district-level strategic planning.
- Use knowledge of personnel policies and collective bargaining for acquisition and allocation of human resources.
- Reflect on how to develop rapport and relationships with instructional staff and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrate an understanding of how to leverage human capital and financial resources to increase student growth and achievement.
Program of Study
| Specialist Core | 24 | |
| Leadership and Organizational Theory | ||
| The School Superintendent | ||
| Supervision & Instructional Leadership | ||
| Personnel and Collective Bargaining in MT | ||
| MT Finance & Facilities | ||
| MT Legal & Policy Studies | ||
| Education Policy & Politics | ||
| Substitute courses appropriate to area of specialization may be approved by Graduate Advisor. | ||
| Field Experience | 3 | |
| Field Experience in Educational Leadership (Field Experience may be waived based on experience and goals) | ||
| Professional Paper | 3 | |
| Professional Paper & Project | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
* View the three-year Course Rotation for both required and elective course offerings.
* EDCI 506, EDCI 501 or equivalent are prerequisite courses. Do not include in the Program of Study.
Chair and Committee
Candidates will have a three-member committee. The chair and one other member must be from the Department of Education faculty. The committee is subject to the approval of the Head of the Department of Education. A Chair will be initially appointed and serve as the student’s primary advisor. Chairs and members of a student’s committee are subject to change. In addition, revisions to the program of study may be made during the course of study with the chair’s approval.
Comprehensive Examination/Professional Paper
The EdS student will develop a professional paper as his/her summative experience. The professional paper will address a specific issue and contextualized problem of practice using appropriate theory and research-based best practices. Specifically the professional paper will: 1) frame the problem; 2) review pertinent research literature; 3) identify appropriate methods used to demonstrate the extent of the problem and the efficacy of the solution employed; and 4) provide recommendations grounded in research to solve the problem.
Mode of Course Delivery
The doctoral course of study features a combination of face-to-face and online courses. As such, it is considered an on-campus program which blends both formats of instruction.
Additional Education Specialist Requirements
The Education Specialist degree must meet the minimum requirements under the For Doctoral Students section on found in the departmental website with the following exceptions: 1) no dissertation is required, 2) courses must not be over seven years old at the time of graduation, and 3) credits earned during a master's degree program may not be used toward the EdS program of study. All EdS degree candidates are expected to be familiar with both departmental and The Graduate School's requirements.
While many courses for the Education Specialist degree are the same as those for the EdD and PhD degrees, it must be clearly understood that admission to one program does not imply admission to the other. EdS students must formally apply to the EdD or PhD program as well as be in good standing with The Graduate School, and not failed the doctoral comprehensive exam.
Contact Information
Dr. Jason Cummins, Assistant Professor and Program Leader
Email: jason.cummins1@montana.edu
Dr. Laura Schlottman, Assistant Professor
Email: laura.schlottman@montana.edu
Application Process for the EdS in Educational Leadership
*Prior to applying to the Educational Leadership program, applicants must hold a Montana Class III Admin License or equivalent, with experience as a principal.
Applicants are required to complete the online application and submit the following documentation via the Graduate School Online Application System
- Completed Graduate School Application
- Academic Transcripts: Applicants must provide official transcripts verifying all Bachelor's and Master's degree coursework and degrees earned from the applicant's certifying university. Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded during the application process and used for review. Official electronic transcripts may be emailed directly from the Institution to gradschool@montana.edu or edgrad@montana.edu Official transcripts may also be mailed directly to the MSU Graduate School, 104 Montana Hall, PO Box 172580, Bozeman, MT 59717. If you have attended MSU, please indicate and list the dates of attendance. Transcripts from courses or a degree awarded through MSU do not need to be provided. NOTE: The Graduate School requires an undergraduate and graduate GPA of at least 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale). Transcripts will be evaluated for rigor and academic fit.
- Personal Essay/Self-Nomination Letter: The self-nomination letter should be 2 pages, double-spaced, and focus on the following:
- Your development and growth as an educator, including professional development;
- Your contributions to the school and district;
- Your development as a leader. Specific examples are needed that clarify how you have grown as a leader and your leadership activities; and
- Your specific goals, and why the EdS would be of benefit to you/your school.
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae
- Three (3) letters of recommendation: Candidates must meet the following criteria for one of the three letters of recommendation.
- At least one of the three letters must be from the candidate's PRESENT direct supervisor. That means a school district administrator who (a) is currently administratively certified by Montana Office of Public Instruction or other equivalent state agency; AND (b) currently acts as direct supervisor for the candidate, and has done so for a minimum period of one semester. If for any reason you cannot secure a letter from your present supervisor, then:
- At least one of the letters of recommendation must be from a PREVIOUS direct supervisor. That means a school district administrator who is (a) currently certified by the Montana Office of Public Instruction or other equivalent state agency; AND (b) has, at some point preceding the date of this application, acted as direct supervisor for the candidate for a minimum period of one semester. Any applicant who does not have a letter from a present direct supervisor must indicate in the self-nomination letter the specific reason(s) why they were unable to secure a letter of recommendation from their present supervisor.
- For International Applicants ONLY: Please visit the Graduate School International Application Admission website for application submission information.
Application Deadlines
Below are the deadlines by which all application materials for the Education Specialist Programs in Educational Leadership must be submitted via the online application system. In order for a graduate degree application to be reviewed for admission, all required application documents must be submitted by the department's posted deadline. Applications received after the deadline may be reviewed for acceptance on a case-by-case basis.
- Fall Semester: April 1st
- Summer Semester: April 1st
- Spring Semester: November 15th
Admission Process
Complete applications will be reviewed by the Graduate Admissions Committee and the Department Head. Once the department recommendation has been made, the application will be forwarded to The Graduate School for a final decision. Please note that the application review process will begin at the close of the application deadline.
For answers to questions on this or any graduate program at the Department of Education, contact the Graduate Program Assistant at Phone: 406-994-6786 or edgrad@montana.edu. If you are ready to apply, do so through the Graduate School Online Application System.
Contact Information
Graduate Program Assistant
PO Box 172880, Reid Hall 215
Department of Education, Montana State University
Bozeman, MT 59717-2880
Phone: 406-994-6786 Email: edgrad@montana.edu