Educational Specialist in Special Education (Ed.S.)
Purpose
The Education Specialist degrees are designed to prepare competent effective leaders with a biblical worldview who will model high standards and assume a leadership role in the field of education. Leaders in the field of education are seen as those who assume a facilitating role in accomplishing the goals and objectives of an education system whether it is as a teacher, superintendent, principal, curriculum director, instructional supervisor, college instructor, or university administrator.Program Learning Outcomes
The student will be able to:
- Evaluate education theories for application in both a professional and academic setting.
- Analyze pedagogical concepts and approaches based upon research and knowledge of the discipline.
- Evaluate, interpret, and synthesize research in education.
- Integrate a biblical worldview through decision making within the field of education.
- Evaluate best practices in the field of special education.
Program Specific Admission Requirements
In addition to the general admission procedures, specific admission requirements for the Ed.S. are listed below. The following items must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions prior to registering for any graduate courses. Where noted, forms are available online at www.luonline.com.
- Academic Records. Applicants must submit an official transcript indicating successful completion of a master’s degree program from an institution accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Transcripts should be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions from all schools previously attended.
- TOEFL Scores for candidates who speak English as a second language (score of 600 paper-based test; 250 computer-based test, 80 internet-based test)
Transfer of Credit
All graduate transfer credits are subject to the approval of the School of Education (SOE) Graduate Committee. Such courses must carry a grade of at least a B- and be comparable to Liberty University graduate courses. Transfer credit will only be considered from institutions or schools accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. With approval, up to 15 hours may be transferred into the Ed.S. program. It is the responsibility of each applicant to supply official transcripts along with a written request to have credit applied to the degree program. Transfer credits must have been completed within the previous 10 years.
Time Limits for Degree Completion
The time limit for completing the degree from the date of admission to the program is five years. Only in unusual circumstances may the candidate be granted an extension. Granting of an extension of time may result in additional requirements.
Any candidate who does not complete coursework within the permissible time limit for any reason, including discontinued enrollment, must reapply for admission. A candidate may reapply only once, and will be subject to the current standards and curriculum if readmitted. The SOE Graduate Committee will determine if any previous courses are sufficiently time sensitive and must be repeated. Beginning with the date of readmission, the candidate’s time limit for degree completion is determined by the number of hours remaining.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete 30 hours
- A maximum of 50% of a post-graduate and doctoral degree may be transferred if approved and allowable, including credit from an earned degree from Liberty University on the same academic level.
- 3.0 GPA
- No more than one grade of C may be applied to the degree (includes grades of C+ & C-)
- No grade of D or below may be applied to the degree (includes grades of D+ & D-)
- Degree must be completed within 5 years.
- Submission of Degree Completion Application must be completed within the last semester of the student's graduation date.
Notes
- All applicable prerequisites must be met.
- Capstone course to be taken in the final semester of a student’s anticipated graduation date.