The Bulldog Book

Specialist in Education Leadership (EDS)

Program Description

The Specialist in Education Leadership (ED.S.) is a post-masters program that prepares candidates for Superintendent / AEA Administration licensure.

The Education Specialist Program is designed for working adults who desire a challenging, rewarding and relevant graduate experience. Professors with leadership experience and cutting-edge research create learner friendly weekend classes, featuring face-to-face courses supported by technology. Students may earn a school superintendent/AEA administrator license, a PK-12 principals license or complete the degree without licensure.

Rich clinical experiences, based in the Iowa Standards for School Leaders, sixteen core competencies and three pivotal roles (instructional, influential and managerial) of leadership, shape the Specialist program. The program endeavors to develop leaders who will model exemplary practices that positively impact others within a culture of thoughtful, ethical and sustainable change.

Option 1: Superintendents and AEA Administrator Endorsement
This option is designed for students seeking licensure to become school superintendents, central office administrators, or Area Education Agency administrators.

Option 2: Specialist with PK-12 Administrator Endorsement
This option is for students seeking principal licensure in addition to the core Specialist courses.

Option 3: General Specialist

The option allows students from any field to individualize their studies to fit their professional needs. Combine any of the following emphasis areas to create a degree program: Training and Development, Leadership, Human Resource Management, and Higher Education.

This degree may be a prelude to the doctoral program (Ed.D.) in whole or in part, but it is not a prerequisite to that degree, nor does it imply admission to the doctoral degree.

Admission Requirements

Specialist in Education (EDS) Leadership (general leadership OR superintendent's endorsement) applicants must meet the following admission requirements.

Graduate Admission Application: Applications are available from the Drake Office of Graduate Admission or you may apply online at https://www.applyweb.com/apply/drakeg/index.html

Application Fee of $25.00. Applicants who have previously paid the fee are not required to do so again. Online submissions require electronic fee payment that will be refunded if an application fee was paid for a previous Drake program.

Official transcriptsfor ALL undergraduate and graduate coursework from EVERY institution attended (even if a degree was not earned).

Current professional resume.

Candidate’s letter: The letter should explain the candidate’s reason(s) for pursuing the Specialist Degree. Examples of leadership background and experience should be included.

Submission of two (2) professional letters of recommendation, including the immediate supervisor and a second administrator or supervisor who can speak to the candidate’s potential for effective organization-level leadership.

Grade Point Average Criteria: Students must have achieved the following Grade Point Average (GPA) criteria for consideration to Drake’s School of Education graduate endorsement programs. Students who do not meet these GPA requirements may contact the Office of Graduate Admission for additional information.

Undergraduate GPA = 2.50 (cumulative) and
Graduate GPA = 3.00 (cumulative)

Test requirement options: satisfy ONE of the following:

Option 1:

Achievement of the minimum required score(s) on ONE of the following standardized tests:

a. Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

Minimum Required Scores: Verbal = 400, Quantitative = 460

For GRE testing information, go to: http://www.gre.org

b. Miller Analogies Test (MAT)

Minimum Required Score = 389

For MAT Testing information and dates, contact the School of Education at1-515-271-3946 or 1-800-443-7253 ext. 3946

Option 2:

Submission of ONE of the following indicators of writing competency:

a.GRE – Analytical Writing Section – Minimum score = 4.0

b.Drake Writing Competency Test (DWRT)

Administered and developed by the School of Education

Evaluated on the following criteria:

Analysis of complex idea(s)
Support and development of main points with logically sound reasons and/or well-chosen examples
Organization and general focus of response
Demonstration of appropriate use of sentence variety/structure and language usage to convey meaning clearly.

This service is offered twice a month for a fee on the first Wednesday and the third Thursday of each month, and must be scheduled at least one week before test date. To register or for more information, contact Bridget Arrasmith bridget.arrasmith@drake.edu 515-271-2054 or 1-800-443-7253 ext. 2054 at the School of Education.

If you are seeking the Specialist in Education (EDS) Leadership AND your principal's endorsement:

Specialist in Education (EDS) Leadership (general leadership OR superintendent's endorsement) applicants must meet the following admission requirements.

Graduate Admission Application: Applications are available from the Drake Office of Graduate Admission or you may apply online at https://www.applyweb.com/apply/drakeg/index.html
Application Fee of $25.00. Applicants who have previously paid the fee are not required to do so again. Online submissions require electronic fee payment that will be refunded if an application fee was paid for a previous Drake program.
Official transcripts for ALL undergraduate and graduate coursework from EVERY institution attended (even if a degree was not earned).
Current professional resume.
Candidate’s letter: The letter should explain the candidate’s reason(s) for pursuing the Specialist Degree with school administration endorsement. Examples of leadership background and experience should be included.
Submission of two (2) professional letters of recommendation, including the immediate supervisor and a second administrator who can speak to the candidate’s potential for effective building-level school leadership.
Grade Point Average Criteria: Students must have achieved the following Grade Point Average (GPA) criteria for consideration to Drake’s School of Education graduate endorsement programs. Students who do not meet these GPA requirements may contact the Office of Graduate Admission for additional information.
- Undergraduate GPA = 2.50 (cumulative) and
- Graduate GPA = 3.00 (cumulative)
Test requirement options: satisfy ONE of the following:

Option 1:

Achievement of the minimum required score(s) on ONE of the following standardized tests:

a. Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

Minimum Required Scores: Verbal = 400, Quantitative = 460

For GRE testing information, go to: http://www.gre.org

b. Miller Analogies Test (MAT)

Minimum Required Score = 389

For MAT Testing information and dates, contact the School of Education at1-515-271-3946 or 1-800-443-7253 ext. 3946

Option 2:

Submission of ONE of the following indicators of writing competency:

a. GRE – Analytical Writing Section Minimum score = 4.0

b.Drake Writing Competency Test (DWRT)

Administered and developed by the School of Education

Evaluated on the following criteria:

Analysis of complex idea(s)
Support and development of main points with logically sound reasons and/or well-chosen examples
Organization and general focus of response
Demonstration of appropriate use of sentence variety/structure and language usage to convey meaning clearly.

This service is offered twice a month for a fee on the first Wednesday and the third Thursday of each month, and must be scheduled at least one week before test date. To register or for more information, contact Bridget Arrasmith at bridget.arrasmith@drake.edu 515-271-2054 or 1-800-443-7253 ext. 2054 at the School of Education.

Graduation Requirements

Number of Credit Hours required:

Option 1: Superintendents and AEA Administrator Endorsement – 30 credit hours

Option 2: Specialist with PK-12 Administrator Endorsement – 45 credit hours

Option 3: General Specialist – 30 credit hours.

Required Courses: Core Requirements for all Specialist Students (9 hours)

EDL 283: Leading Complex Organization
EDL 284: Advanced Research

AND EDL 285: Ethics and Social Justice OR EDL 286: Systems Thinking

Option 1: Superintendents and AEA Administrator Endorsement – 30 credit hours

Students must complete core courses plus an additional six courses.

EDL 287: Curriculum and Evaluation
EDL 288: Human Resource Dynamics
EDL 289: Organization Management
EDL 290: School Resource Management
EDL 291: Policy, Influence and Legal Issues
EDL 292: Seminar

Option 2: PK-12 Administrator Endorsement – 45 credit hours
Students must complete core course plus a 36 hour cohort program.

EDL 270: Personal and Professional Assessment Seminar
EDL 271: Leadership and the Profession
EDL 272: Organizational and System Behavior
EDL 273: Instruction and Learning
EDL 274: Community and Society
EDL 275: Planning, Research, Measurement and Evaluation
EDL 276: Applications of School Law, Mandates and Policies
EDL 277: Diversity in Schools
EDL 278: Supervision of Instruction
EDL 279: Managing Schools
EDL 280: Clinical Experience I
EDL 281: Clinical Experience II

Option 3: General Specialist – 30 credit hours.

Students must complete core courses plus an additional 21 hours at a graduate level.

Other Requirements (experiential, exams, thesis, etc.): None

Any limitations and special policies (eg., gpa requirement, or requirements that students take certain courses at Drake):

GPA: Maintain a 3.0 or higher
Courses must be completed with a “C” or better; the cumulative grade point, however, must be a 3.0 or better.
Only 10 hours of graduate work may be transferred in from an accredited university.
Transfer and endorsement courses must be advisor approved.
Courses transferred in are transferred as TR (no grade) and do not effect the Drake GPA.
Transferred coursework must be at a B level or better.
Transfer credits earned before admission are counted on the following scale:
Courses taken 0-5 years before admission are transferred in as full credit.
Courses taken 6-10 years before admission are transferred in as ½ credit.
Courses over 10 years old are not accepted.
Courses that are accepted must relate to the program of study.

Note:

For the Specialist in Education Leadership Degree with PK-12 Administrative Endorsement

Students who are taking classes at the Drake School of Education as a “non-degree seeking student” are not guaranteed admission to a program, nor are they eligible for financial aid.
Students applying for a graduate degree program are not eligible for financial aid until they are admitted to that program.

For the General Leadership or Superintendent Endorsement

Students who have fewer than 12 hours to finish an endorsement program of 12 hours or more must still follow steps 1-8.
Students who are taking classes at the Drake School of Education as a “non-degree seeking student” are not guaranteed admission to a program, nor are they eligible for financial aid.
Students applying for a graduate degree program are not eligible for financial aid until they are admitted to that program.