Educational Specialist Degree (Ed.S.)
Furman University’s Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in School Leadership is designed for experienced educators with a master’s degree in another area, but who now wish to certify as school principals or assistant principals.
This online, 30-credit Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in School Leadership includes extensive preparation for school transformation and administration, and provides a curriculum that guides candidates in developing the skills required of supervisors and principals. A yearlong, six-credit internship with monthly seminars provides candidates with opportunities to apply their knowledge and improve their abilities as effective and caring school leaders.
Course Requirements
Students seeking an Ed.S. in School Leadership must have a valid South Carolina teaching certificate (Professional Level: K–6, 7–8, or 9–12); a minimum of two years’ teaching experience, including at least one year at the level of the certificate for which the individual is applying (Elementary grades: K–6; Middles grades: 7–8; Secondary grades: 9–12); and a master’s degree in another area. Those who have middle level initial certification can pursue either elementary or secondary administrative certification if they have a minimum of one year’s teaching experience at that level, as well as initial certification at the elementary or secondary level. To complete this program, students must show evidence of a passing score on the appropriate Praxis II exam.
Concentration Area Courses (21 credits)
- EDSL-719 Leadership in Educational Organizations
- EDSL-727 Strategic Planning and Thinking in Education
- EDSL-730 Designing and Implementing Curriculum
- EDSL-823 School Finance
- EDSL-825 Schools and the Law
- EDSL-840 Supervision and Instructional Leadership
- EDSL-849 The Principalship
- Pre-requisite EDSL-719
- Must be taken just prior to or concurrently with the internship
Yearlong Internship (6 credits)
- EDSL-971 Internship in Educational Leadership I
- EDSL-972 Internship in Educational Leadership II
For all levels of the internship: All courses in the school leadership sequence, including courses in the concentration as well as electives, must be completed prior to the end of the internship which is a year-long experience.
Exit Requirement (3 credits)
- EDSL-879B Advanced Seminar in Educational Leadership and Research
Must be the last course completed in the degree program.
Please refer to the 2025–2026 Graduate Academic Catalog for course descriptions.
Notes:
All courses in the School Leadership concentration sequence must be completed prior to the end of the internship, which is a year-long experience. Additionally, in order to gain SC certification in school administration, candidates must have a valid SC teacher’s professional level certificate; show evidence of a passing score on the PRAXIS Education Leadership: Administration and Supervision subtest (required for both certification and degree program completion); and have a minimum of three years’ teaching experience, including at least one year at the level of the certificate for which the individual in applying.
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Vernon Prosser
