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Director: Pamela Ross McClain, PhD

810.762.3260

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Why UM-Flint

What Sets UM-Flint's Education Specialist (Ed.S.) Program Apart?

With Curriculum and Instruction as well as Educational Leadership degree concentrations, the EdS builds on your experience as an educator and allows you to reach your specific goals. Whether you plan to lead in the classroom, develop and direct curriculum, advance as an administrator or supervisor, or pursue your doctorate degree and enter higher education, the EdS program prepares you to excel. The program is approved by the Michigan Department of Education and students are eligible for the Michigan Central Office Administrator Certificate upon completion.

FLEXIBLE FORMAT

A flexible part-time program designed to accommodate the busy schedules of working professionals, the EdS blends online coursework with once-a-month classroom instruction. Convenient Saturday classes are held on the UM-Flint campus.

STRUCTURED PROGRAM

The EdS is a well-structured program that provides a clear path to your degree and your goals. You’ll know exactly which classes to take and when to take them; so you’ll be ready to emerge with your advanced degree in hand in 20 months.

EXPERT FACULTY

Many EdS courses are taught by current and former K-12 superintendents as well as tenure-track faculty who bring real-world knowledge and experiences to their instruction. Our faculty experts make themselves available to you outside the normal class schedule as well as online.

SMALL COHORTS

You’ll complete the EdS with a small cohort of fellow educators who share your passion for educational excellence. This cohort structure enables you to develop a strong support network for personal and professional development. Coursework emphasizes team-based project work that allows for networking while improving collaborative and communication skills. 

FIELD-BASED EXPERIENCE

As part of the EdS program, you’ll complete two field-based practicums. Relevant to your specific area of leadership interest, these experiences and projects connect you to practicing professionals who mentor and support your success.

PATH TO DOCTORATE

The EdS provides excellent preparation for students who plan to pursue a doctoral degree, particularly the Doctor of Education at UM-Flint.

U-M RESOURCES

As part of the world-renowned University of Michigan community, you’ll also have access to the full academic and research resources at the Flint, Dearborn, and Ann Arbor campuses.

Courses

Requirements

A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (B) and passing grades in all courses are required.

Year 1

Fall

  • EDL 700 - Contemporary Leadership Issues in Education (3)
  • EDL 701 - Survey of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment (3)

Winter

  • EDL 702 - Survey of School Reform (3)
  • EDL 703 - Survey of Advanced Leadership (3)

Spring/Summer

Two courses for the chosen track:

Curriculum and Instruction:

  • EDL 740 - Curriculum Design (3)
  • EDL 741 - Instructional Approaches (3)

Educational Leadership:

  • EDL 750 - Topics in School Law (3)
  • EDL 751 - Topics in School Finance, Budgeting, and Facilities Management (3)

Year 2

Fall

Two courses for the chosen track:

Curriculum and Instruction:

  • EDL 742 - Program Evaluation (3)
  • EDL 761 - Practicum I (3)

Educational Leadership:

  • EDL 752 - Advanced Supervision (3)
  • EDL 761 - Practicum I (3)

Winter Semester II

  • EDL 762 - Practicum II (3)
  • EDL 790 - Capstone Seminar (3)

Additional information on the Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) including course descriptions can be found in the catalog. 

Admission

Requirements

  • Completion of an MA or MS in an education-related field from a regionally accredited institution
  • A minimum overall graduate school grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, 6.0 on a 9.0 scale, or equivalent
  • At least 3 years of work experience in an educational setting

Note: Admission to the Ed.S. program does not guarantee subsequent admission to the UM-Flint Doctor of Education program.

Applying

To be considered for admission, submit an online application below. Other materials can be emailed to graduate@umflint.edu or delivered to the Office of Graduate Programs, 251 Thompson Library.

  • Application for Graduate Admission*
  • $55 application fee (non-refundable)
  • Official transcripts (undergraduate and graduate) from colleges and universities that issued your bachelor and master’s degrees
  • An essay of at least 250 words describing your reason for seeking admission to the program. 
  • Résumé or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Educational Leader Evaluation, which should be completed by a person who has been your supervisor at some point during the last three years
  • Three letters of recommendation, at least one of which is from a professor in a class taken at the graduate level, addressing your potential for success in the program
  • International Students: Submit additional documentation. Visit umflint.edu/international for details. This program is an online program. Students admitted to this program are not eligible to obtain a student visa (F visa). Students with all other visa types are eligible.

*Alumni of a UM-Flint graduate program or a Rackham graduate program (any campus) may substitute the Change of Program or Dual Degree Application which requires no application fee.

Application Deadlines

The program has rolling admissions and reviews completed applications each month.  To be considered for admission, submit all application materials to the Office of Graduate Programs on or before the application deadline:

  • Fall (early deadline*): April 1
  • Fall (final deadline): July 1

* You must apply for admission by the early deadline to be eligible for scholarships, grants, and research assistantships.

  • A second cohort of the Ed.S. program will now be offered in the Eastern Upper Peninsula beginning Fall 2014.

View the Ed.S. Brochure

Pam Ross McClain, PhD

Dr. Pamela Ross McClain is the coordinator of the Ed.S. program.  Learn more about her education and research interests.

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Teacher with Students

Educational Leadership Pathway

The Educational Leadership Pathway provides a clear and practical route for educators to advance in their careers by connecting three graduate programs at the University of Michigan-Flint. The Pathway is made up of three levels of graduate degrees in Educational Leadership:

  • MPA in Educational Administration
  • Ed.S.
  • Ed.D.

More

Sara Faitel, Graduate

Hometown: Ypsilanti,MI

The Ed. S program is challenging, but it’s worth it. I have learned so much, and I have valuable knowledge and experience to apply to my current job and whatever job I may take next. Methodologies and policies in education are constantly changing. This program has helped me stay current with my teaching practices and better understand policies affecting different levels of education.