Educational Leadership, Ed.S.

The educational leadership program at Saint Louis University's School of Education is a long-standing, highly respected graduate program preparing educational leaders through the specialist in educational leadership degree. The educational leadership specialist degree is designed to prepare students to become executive-level educational leaders. 

Students enter the SLU program with a master’s in educational leadership or a related field. The specialist degree is used by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to qualify students who do not yet have a doctorate for advanced, superintendent certification.

In addition to a master's degree, 30-36 credits in educational leadership coursework are required by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for program coursework to count toward the superintendent certificate.

Educational leadership students with a job opportunity dependent on early certification or a salary increase in a school district salary schedule may apply for the specialist degree while completing doctoral coursework.

Students engaged in the concentration in Catholic education can achieve an Ed.S. by ensuring they complete the courses outlined in the roadmap if wishing to get certification as a superintendent.

Curriculum Overview

The degree requires the completion of 30-36 credits of coursework. The course offerings are aligned with the state requirements for accreditation, as well as the course requirements students must have to qualify for certification. Those courses are set over a three-year cycle so all entering students have access to the courses they need.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

The program includes site-based activities aligned with coursework. Those students wishing to acquire superintendent certification must ensure they complete a three-hour internship in the field.

Careers

The educational leadership specialist degree program prepares students to fill a variety of leadership roles including superintendent, assistant superintendent, director,  program director and curriculum/teacher leader. 

Admission Requirements

Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply.

Application Requirements

• Master's degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Transcript(s)
• Two letters of recommendation
• Résumé
• Professional goal statement

Requirements for International Students

Along with the general admission requirements above, the following must be provided by prospective international students:

• Demonstration of English Language Proficiency.
• Proof of financial support that must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University.
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University.
• Academic records, in English translation, for postsecondary studies outside the United States. These must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Application Deadlines

Domestic students should apply for the fall semester by June 15, for the spring semester by November 1 and for the summer semester by April 1.

International students should apply by May 1 for the fall semester, October 1 for the spring semester and February 1 for the summer semester.

Review Process

Applications are reviewed by committee.

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Tuition 

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Scholarships and Financial Aid

For priority consideration for graduate assistantship, apply by Feb. 1.

For more information, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

1. Graduates will apply discipline-based literature to educational administration practices.
2. Graduates will apply evidence-based practices in educational administration, aspects of running a school district, and educational theories to analyze issues related to executive-level administration.
3. Graduates will articulate arguments or explanations about evidence-based practice in leadership, communication, legal, financial curriculum/instruction/assessment/ and management in educational leadership.
4. Graduates will propose and conduct research related to educational leadership practices emphasizing professional integrity in the field.

A minimum of 30 credits beyond a master’s degree is required for the specialist degree, as required by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The educational leadership certification officer reviews the student’s transcript, audits the courses that qualify for the 30-36 credits and approves the request for the specialist degree.

Research Courses

Students must complete master’s-level graduate research courses prior to program completion. If the student does not have some or all of these courses prior to admission, they may take the courses during the specialist program. Students are required to successfully complete two of the following prerequisite research courses prior to program completion. For those enrolled in the Catholic Education Concentration, one of these two courses must be EDR 5100 Introduction to Inferential Statistics.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

The Ed.S. degree requires 30 credit hours (36 credit hours if a student has not completed the six hours of research prerequisites). The courses that comprise the 30 credit hours will be different for each student. Each student's specific roadmap will vary depending on courses taken during their master's degree program and their certification goals.

Apply for Admission

For additional admission questions, please contact:
Saint Louis University School of Education
314-977-3292
slued@slu.edu