Education Specialist Programs

The College of Education offers Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree programs in three areas: Curriculum and Instruction, for persons in teaching and other instruction/training leadership positions; Educational Leadership, for those who are interested in decision-making positions in educational organizations; and School Psychology, for students preparing to enter the specialized fields of School Psychology or School Counseling.

Because the courses of the Ed.S. degree may differ from those of the Ed.D., credit earned in an Ed.S. degree program may not be automatically transferrable to a doctoral degree program. When a recipient of an Ed.S. degree is accepted for a doctoral program, the respective doctoral advisery committee will determine the amount of applicable credit earned in the Ed.S. for the doctoral program. In any case, 30 semester hours is the maximum amount of credit transferrable to a doctoral program of study.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Education Specialist program requires:
  • A master's degree from a regionally accredited institution (except in the case of School Psychology, which does not require a master's degree but does have other admission requirements) AND
  • A combined score of 1000 (verbal and quantitative sections of the General Graduate Record Examination) AND
  • A minimum score of 220 (computer-based test or equicalent score on the paper-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language if the applicant is an international student AND
  • Other criteria as required by the respective degree program area AND
  • A recommendation from the respective advanced graduate program admission committee.
NOTE: Those applicants who do not meet the admission criteria may appeal to the respective program admission committee for consideration. A second GRE score is required, and at least one of the scores must exceed 900 for review by these committees.

Degree Requirements

A program of study (i.e., required course work) will be specified by the student's program area and approved by the College of Education. In addition, the student must
  • Complete course requirements for the Ed.S. degree (36 hours beyond the master's);
  • Complete a course of study that includes a minimum of 12 semester hours in the specialization area, 6 graduate-level hours in research/statistics, and additional requirements that are specified by the program area;
  • Maintain an overall 3.0 GPA on all graduate work attempted;
  • Pass all required examinations; and
  • Satisfy all other academic standards that apply to master's students. (These standards must be met or exceeded by specialist students.)

Transfer of Credit

A maximum of 9 semester hours earned in a master's degree may be applied to the program of study. Transfer credit decisions are made by the respective graduate program coordinators and the specialization advisers with approval of the College of Education.

Students entering the School Psychology program from the baccalaureate level may transfer in a maximum of 9 semester hours of graduate credit earned subsequently at an accredited institution of higher education. Courses taken as an undergraduate student may not be used for transfer unless the credit was graduate level and not a part of the undergraduate degree program.

Time Limit and Continuous Attendance

The student has seven years from the date of admission to the Education Specialist degree to complete the program. No courses taken since the entry date may be older than 7 years and be used in the program. The college reserves the right to revert the status of students who do not maintain continuous enrollment to non-degree-seeking. Students who are reverted to non-degree-seeking status must petition to be reinstated to the program.

Examinations

There are appropriate culminating academic experiences for each of the program areas. The specific program area requirements are listed under the program descriptions.

Education Specialist in Curriculum/Instruction and Education Specialist in Educational Leadership

Graduate Program Coordinator, Curriculum and Instruction: M. L. Kysilka
ED 355, (407) UCF-2011
E-mail: kysilka@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu

Graduate Program Coordinator, Educational Leadership: W. Bozeman RP 215, (407) 384-2189
E-mail: bozeman@mail.ucf.edu

Application Deadlines

Fall admission February 20
Spring admission September 20

Admissions Policy

Admissions will occur two times a year, fall and spring. Completed files must be on campus by September 20 for spring admission screening and February 20 for fall admission screening. Admitted students may begin course work during the first new semester after admission.

Completed files include:

  1. completed UCF graduate application form
  2. transcripts from all post-secondary schools previously attended,
  3. GRE scores,
  4. three letters of recommendation,
  5. professional resume,
  6. statement of professional goals,
  7. other information that may be requested after the file is started.

Admission to an Education Specialist Program in Curriculum and Instruction or Educational Leadership is separate from admission to the Doctoral Program. Upon completion of the Education Specialist degree, the candidate may apply for admission to a doctoral program.

General Degree Requirements

  • Complete a minimum of 36 semester hours beyond the master's degree including the selected program requirements.
  • Have an overall 3.0 GPA on all graduate work attempted.
  • The completed planned program must include a minimum of 12 graduate-level hours in the specialization area AND a minimum of 6 graduate-level hours in Research/ Statistics.
  • Pass all required examinations.

Curriculum and Instruction Degree Requirements

Area I—Curriculum and Instruction Core (9 Semester Hours)
EDF 7232 Analysis of Learning Theories in Instruction (3 hours)
EDG 7221 Advanced Curriculum Theory (3 hours)
EDG 7356 Models of Teaching and Instructional Theory (3 hours)

Area II—Specialization (21 Semester Hours)
EDA 6061 Organization and Administration of Schools (3 hours)
EDA 6232 Legal Aspects of School Operation (3 hours)
EDA 6240 Educational Financial Affairs (3 hours)
EDA 6260 Educational Systems Planning and Management (3 hours)
EDA 6931 Contemporary Issues in Educational Leadership (3 hours)
EDS 6123 Educational Supervisory Practices I (3 hours)
EDS 6130 Educational Supervisory Practices II (3 hours)

Area III—Measurement and Evaluation (6 Semester Hours minimum)
EDF 6432 Measurement and Evaluation in Education (3 hours)
EDF 7403 Quantitative Foundations of Educational Research (3 hours)
EDF 7463 Analysis of Survey, Record, and Other Qualitative Data (3 hours)

Educational Leadership Degree Requirements

Area I—Educational Leadership Core (13 Semester Hours)
EDA 7192 Educational Leadership (4 hours)
EDA 7101 Organizational Theory in Education (3 hours)
EDA 6946 Internship (3 hours)
EDA 6973 Thesis—Specialist (3 hours)

Area II—Specialization (21 Semester Hours)
EDA 6061 Organization and Administration of Schools (3 hours)
EDA 6232 Legal Aspects of School Operation (3 hours)
EDA 6240 Educational Financial Affairs (3 hours)
EDA 6260 Educational Systems Planning and Management (3 hours)
EDA 6931 Contemporary Issues in Educational Leadership (3 hours)
EDS 6123 Educational Supervisory Practices I (3 hours)
EDS 6130 Educational Supervisory Practices II (3 hours)

Area III—Corequisities/Electives (3 Semester Hours minimum)
EDF 6401 Statistics for Educational Data (3 hours)
EDF 6481 Fundamentals of Graduate Research in Education (3 hours)
EDG 6223 Curriculum Theory and Organization (3 hours)
EDG 6253 Curriculum Inquiry (3 hours)

Examinations

Educational Leadership majors must successfully complete one 5-hour examination in general educational leadership. Curriculum and Instruction majors must successfully complete one 3-hour examination in Curriculum and Instruction and one 3-hour examination in their area of specialization.

Education Specialist in School Psychology

The School Psychology Program has two tracks. The School Psychology Track is designed for students who wish to become licensed School Psychologists, and the School Counseling Track is appropriate for students with a master's degree who wish to become eligible for a School Counseling certification. These are distinct tracks with very specific programming to meet the respective licensing requirements of each area. Completion of one track will not result in eligibility for licensing in the other area.

School Psychology Track

Graduate Program Coordinator: C. Balado ED 314, (407) UCF-2054
E-mail: cbalado@mail.ucf.edu

The Education Specialist degree program in School Psychology is a unique specialization in psychology and education. This program is based on two assumptions. School psychologists can apply relevant knowledge and skills from a variety of disciplines to the learning and adjustment problems of preschool and school-age children. Also, relevant knowledge and skills can be transmitted through a variety of services including (a) consultation with teachers and parents, (b) direct services to children and young adults, and (c) indirect services to school and community organizations. School psychologists may practice in public or private schools, colleges and universities, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, mental health clinics, government agencies, child guidance centers, penal institutions, and may develop private practices. Applicants with backgrounds in education, psychology or other undergraduate majors may qualify for the School Psychology Track in this degree program.

The program involves formal preparation and practical experiences focusing on psychological foundations (human development, learning and motivation), psychoeducational assessment, exceptional students, remediation or intervention techniques, counseling skills, as well as full-time supervised internship of two semesters in the public school setting. Graduates are certifiable at the state level and the program is approved and accredited by NASP/NCATE.

Application Deadline

Fall admission only March 1

Admission

Requirements for consideration for admission to the program include the following:
  • Attend an orientation meeting prior to applying to the program (call 407-823-2596 for meeting dates)
  • Meet minimum admission requirements for advanced graduate students in the College of Education
  • Complete a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution (usually in Education or Psychology)
  • Have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for the last 60 attempted semester hours
  • Attain a GRE score of 1,000 (verbal and quantitative scores combined)
  • Submit three letters of recommendation (one from a faculty member)
  • Receive a favorable recommendation for admission by the School Psychology Review Committee.
NOTE: Applicants graduating in spring and who might be experiencing difficulty in having complete transcripts sent to UCF by March 1 must request a letter from the Registrar of the institution granting the degree (to be submitted before the deadline) stating: (1) type of degree, (2) date of graduation; (3) major; and (4) final GPA.

This program can accommodate only a limited number of students; therefore, there is a possibility of being denied admission even when all criteria are met. Admissions to this program will occur only in the fall term. Information concerning specific admissions policies and procedures can be obtained from Dr. Carl Balado (407) 823-2054. For more information, visit our website: http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~edserv/.

Area A: Core—12 Semester Hours
EDF 6401 Statistics for Educational Data (3 hours)
EDF 6481 Fundamentals of Graduate Research in Education (3 hours)
EEX 5051 Exceptional Children in the Schools (3 hours)
EDP 6056 Advanced Educational Psychology (3 hours)

Area B: Specialization—53 Semester Hours
SPS 6601 Introduction to Psychological Services in Schools (3 hours)
SPS 6606 School Consultation Techniques (3 hours)
SPS 6608 Seminar in School Psychology (3 hours)
SPS 6801 Developmental Basis of Diverse Behavior (3 hours)
SPS 6225 Behavior/Observation Analysis of Classroom Interactions in Schools (3 hours)
SPS 6703 Child and Adolescent Deviant Behavior and Treatment (3 hours)
SPS 6931 Ethical and Legal Issues in School Psychological Services (3 hours)
MHS 6400 Theories of Counseling and Personality (3 hours)
MHS 6401 Techniques of Counseling (3 hours)
SPS 6191 Individual Psychoeducational Diagnosis I (4 hours)
SPS 6192 Individual Psychoeducational Diagnosis II (4 hours)
SPS 6125 Infant Development Assessment (3 hours)
SPS 6194 Assessment of Special Needs (3 hours)
SPS 6206 Psychoeducational Interventions (3 hours)
SPS 6175 Cultural Diversity and Nonbiased Assessment (3 hours)
SPS 6909 Research Report I and II (6 hours)

Total Minimum Semester Hours Required—53 Semester Hours

Area C: Practicum and Internship—18 Semester Hours
SPS 6946 Practicum in School Psychology I (3 hours)
SPS 6946 Practicum in School Psychology II (3 hours)
SPS 6949 School Psychology Internship I & II (12 hours)

Pre- or Corequisites: (DOE Certification)
EDA 6061 Organization and Administration of Schools (3 hours)
EDF 6517 History and Philosophy of American Education (3 hours)
OR
EDF 6608 Social Factors in American Education (3 hours)

School Counseling Track

Graduate Program Coordinator: E. H. Robinson ED 311, (407) UCF-3819
E-mail: erobiso@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu

The School Counseling track of the Education Specialist program in School Psychology is designed for a very specific audience. This track is open to certified teachers who hold an education master's degree in an area other than school counseling. This track provides, within the degree program, courses for initial certification in school counseling.

Application Deadlines

Fall admission March 1
Spring admission October 1

Admissions

To be considered for admission to the School Counseling track, an applicant must secure, complete, and submit an application by the deadline (October 1 for spring term admission, March 1 for fall term admission) A formal interview is required and will be considered for final admission after the College of Education admission requirements are met. This program can accommodate only a limited number of students; therefore, there is a possibility of being denied admission even when all criteria are met.

The College of Education reserves the right to refuse student entrance or terminate a student after admission to the School Counseling track, if in the judgment of the faculty the student demonstrates unacceptable personal fitness to work in the counseling field with children, youth, and/or adults.

Exit requirements include:

  • Achieve at least a GPA of 3.0 in counseling specialization courses.
  • Achieve a "B" or better in MHS 6800 and MHS 6830.
  • Complete a portfolio and receive approval by Counselor Education faculty.
  • Pass comprehensive written examinations satisfactorily.

Minimum hours required for M.A.—63 Semester Hours

Area A: Core—9 or 12 Semester Hours
EDF 6155 Lifespan Human Development and Learning (3 hours)
EDF 6481 Fundamentals of Graduate Research in Education (3 hours)
MHS 6220 Individual Psychoeducational Testing I (3 hours)

Area B: Specialization—30 Semester Hours
MHS 6400 Theories of Counseling and Personality (3 hours)
MHS 6401 Techniques of Counseling (3 hours)
MHS 6420 Counseling Special Populations (3 hours)
MHS 6500 Group Procedures and Theories in Counseling (3 hours)
MHS 6780 Ethical and Legal Issues (3 hours)
SDS 6330 Career Development (3 hours)
SDS 6411 Counseling with Children and Adolescents (3 hours)
SDS 6620 Organization and Administration of School Counseling and Guidance Programs (3 hours)

Area C: Professional Clinical Experience—9 Semester Hours
MHS 6800 Practicum in Counselor Education (3 hours)
MHS 6830 Counseling Internship I (3 hours)
MHS 6830 Counseling Internship II (3 hours)

Area D: Electives
Thesis or two electives approved by the adviser




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