Education Specialist Program

Why Earn an EdS Degree at UM-Flint?

Flexible Part-Time Format

Tailored for working teachers and school administrators, the University of Michigan-Flint’s online Education Specialist degree program provides a flexible part-time learning format. The program’s design allows you to take two courses per semester. Each course meets four times in person* (on campus beginning fall 2027) and includes asynchronous coursework.

Field-Based Experience

The EdS degree program emphasizes field-based learning. As part of the EdS program curriculum, the two field-based practicums give you the opportunity to apply knowledge to practice in a K-12 or postsecondary environment (minimum of 270 hours). Relevant to your specific area of leadership interest, these experiences and projects connect you to practicing professionals who mentor and support your success.

Twenty-Month Structured Program

The Education Specialist is a well-structured program that provides a clear path to your degree and your goals. You know exactly which classes to take and when to take them. Improving your skills and knowledge in a progressive manner, you’ll be ready to emerge with your advanced degree in hand in 20 months.

Cohort-Based Program

UM-Flint’s online EdS degree is a cohort-based program. You can study with a small group 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 projects that allow networking while improving collaboration and communication skills.

U-M Resources

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

Education Specialist Program Curriculum

The University of Michigan-Flint’s Education Specialist degree program employs a robust 30-credit curriculum that fosters students’ decision-making, teaching, and learning management skills, as well as their leadership potential. Designed to accommodate busy professionals, the curriculum blends online coursework with monthly Saturday synchronous instruction sessions*. Students can complete the EdS program in as little as 20 months on a part-time basis.

The EdS degree program integrates coursework within Educational Leadership and Curriculum & Instruction that addresses district-level National Educational Leadership Program standards and aligns with students’ professional aspirations and interests. Approved by the Michigan Department of Education, students are eligible to apply for the Michigan School Administrator Certification with a Central Office Endorsement.

*Starting in Fall 2027, online Saturday Courses will become required in-person sessions for all new and continuing students.

EdS Degree Career Opportunities

The University of Michigan-Flint’s Education Specialist degree program prepares you to further your career in K-12 and post-secondary education as a compassionate, responsible, and well-rounded educator.

With an Education Specialist degree, you can pursue many job opportunities and are ready to challenge yourself with executive leadership assignments. You are also empowered to increase teaching effectiveness, foster student success, and improve educational equity and quality in the educational system.

Potential career paths include:

• K-12 Teacher or School Principal 
• Postsecondary Education Administrator
• Curriculum Director
• School Superintendent

Admission Requirements

Each State Department of Education makes the final determination on a candidate’s eligibility for license and endorsement. State educational requirements for licensure are subject to change, and the University of Michigan-Flint cannot guarantee that all such requirements will be satisfied through completion of the Education Specialist (Ed.S.) program. Refer to EdS Statement for more information.

Applicants to the Education Specialist degree program should meet the following requirements:

• Completion of an MA or MS degree 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 three years of work experience in a P-16 educational institution or in an education-related position

To be considered for admission, submit an online application below. Other materials can be emailed to FlintGradOffice@umich.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’s and master’s degrees. Please read our full transcript policy for more information.
• For any degree completed at a non-U.S. institution, transcripts must be submitted for an internal credential review. Read the International Transcript Evaluation for instructions on how to submit your transcripts for review.
• If English is not your native language, and you are not from an exempt country, you must demonstrate English proficiency.
• An essay (no more than two pages) describing why you are interested in this program. What makes you curious about education that leads you to pursue an educational leadership degree?
• Résumé or CV identifying training, experience, and professional accomplishments
• Two letters of recommendation, one of which is from a professor in a class taken at the graduate level, addressing your potential for success in the program and one from a colleague who can speak to your leadership experience and skills.
• Writing sample – Please provide a single writing sample that demonstrates the following criteria:
  • Shows your ability to construct an academic argument about a topic using appropriate citations. This should not be an opinion piece.
  • Uses and references the works of others to develop and support the argument.
  • The ability to use APA Style 7th Edition correctly and consistently where appropriate.
  • Reflects strong writing skills.
  • An academic argument begins with a problem and uses credible evidence from reliable sources (i.e., academic journals) with multiple perspectives to construct a logical stance ending with reasonable solutions.
• Students from abroad must submit additional documentation

Admitted students will not be eligible to receive a student (F-1) visa to pursue this degree. Non-U.S. citizens residing outside of the United States may not complete this program online from their home country. If you currently hold a non-immigrant visa and are residing in the United States, please contact the Center for Global Engagement at globalflint@umich.edu for guidance regarding your eligibility.

*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.

Note: Admission to the EdS program does not guarantee subsequent admission to the Doctor of Education program.