Education Specialist (EdS)

The Education Specialist (EdS), Doctor of Education (EdD)  programs described in this catalog are currently pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). These programs are not yet authorized for enrollment, and no students will be admitted until formal approval has been granted. 

The Education Specialist (EdS) is an advanced graduate degree designed for experienced education professionals who seek to deepen their expertise in educational leadership, curriculum and instruction, or a related specialization beyond the master's level. The EdS is a post-master’s specialist degree that occupies a distinct level between master’s and doctoral study and is widely recognized as an advanced practitioner credential in educational leadership and instructional fields. The EdS is offered in two concentrations: Curriculum and Instruction, and Educational Leadership.

The Reinhardt University EdS is delivered entirely online, allowing working professionals to advance their credentials without interrupting their careers. All synchronous requirements are conducted via web conferencing. There is no on-campus residency requirement.

Please Note: The Education Specialist (EdS) program described herein is pending approval by SACSCOC and is not currently open for enrollment. Program details are subject to change prior to and following approval.

Program Coordinator

Program Coordinator to be announced.

Mission

The EdS program at Reinhardt University prepares experienced education professionals for advanced leadership, instructional, and administrative roles in K–12 and higher education settings. Through rigorous graduate coursework and applied learning experiences, EdS students develop the theoretical grounding, research literacy, and practical expertise necessary to lead meaningful change in their professional contexts.

Admission Requirements

See Advanced Graduate & Doctoral Admissions — Common Policies for application procedures, admission statuses, and English proficiency requirements.

EdS Admissions Standards

All EdS applicants must hold an earned master's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Admission is determined by academic profile and professional background as described below.

Provisional Acceptance — EdS

Students admitted provisionally must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in their first 9 credit hours of EdS coursework. Failure to meet this standard may result in academic probation or dismissal from the program. See Academic Standards & Satisfactory Progress for full details.

Preliminary Acceptance — EdS

Students admitted on a preliminary basis must submit a final official transcript confirming degree conferral to the Office of Admissions by the end of their first semester of EdS enrollment. Full acceptance is contingent on receipt of this transcript.

Transfer Credit — EdS

See Transfer Credit — Common Policies for the full transfer credit evaluation policy and Prior Learning Assessment statement.

EdS students may transfer a maximum of 15 semester credit hours of graduate-level coursework toward the EdS degree, subject to the standard transfer credit evaluation criteria. All transferred coursework must be approved by the program director prior to application toward degree requirements.

Grade Requirement

Transfer courses must have been completed with a grade of "B" or better.

Recency

Transfer coursework must have been completed within 5 years of the student's projected EdS start date.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Education Specialist degree, graduates will be able to:

1. Synthesize advanced theoretical frameworks in educational leadership, curriculum, and instruction to inform professional practice.
2. Apply research literacy skills to critically evaluate and utilize scholarly literature in educational contexts.
3. Design and implement evidence-based strategies to address complex challenges in K–12 or higher education settings.
4. Demonstrate advanced competency in their chosen specialization area through applied coursework and professional practice.
5. Communicate effectively as educational leaders in written, oral, and digital formats appropriate to professional and scholarly audiences.

Academic Performance

See Academic Standards & Satisfactory Progress — Common Policies for the full academic performance policy, including GPA requirements, the F Rule, academic probation, and dismissal procedures.

EdS-Specific Academic Standards

Advising

EdS students are assigned a faculty advisor upon admission. The faculty advisor guides the student through degree planning, course selection — including advisor-approved elective selections — and academic progress review.

Capstone & Comprehensive Examination Requirements

The Education Specialist (EdS) does not require a capstone project or comprehensive examination. Students demonstrate mastery of program content through coursework performance across all program components. Degree completion is contingent on satisfying all credit hour, GPA, and course grade requirements as described under Academic Performance above and Graduation Requirements below.

Graduation Requirements

See Graduation & Degree Conferral — Common Policies for the full graduation eligibility policy, application for graduation procedures, degree conferral timeline, and commencement information.

EdS-Specific Graduation Requirements

To be eligible for graduation from the EdS program, a student must have:

• Completed all 30 required credit hours of the EdS curriculum
• Earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Resolved all incomplete grades, academic deficiencies, and academic integrity matters
• Met all financial obligations to the University
• Submitted a completed Application for Graduation to the Office of the Registrar