Applying to Ed. S. Programs
Advancing Practioner Inquiry
The Educational Specialist degree program (Ed.S.) in Curriculum, Teaching, and Educational Policy focuses specifically on practitioner-based inquiry about curriculum, policy, teaching and learning to teach. It is an advanced specialized program of study for practicing teachers and other education professionals that encompasses coursework at both the masters and advanced graduate level. The program is geared to individuals who hold a masters degree in education and have at least five years of experience as professional educators. Many candidates will continue working full-time while pursuing the Ed.S. degree.The Admissions Process
If you are interested in the EdS Curriculum, Instruction and Teacher Education Program, feel free to join us on campus to meet faculty and students. You can meet faculty and current students with similar interests as well as sit in on our graduate courses.The faculty coordinator of the educational specialist program and the departmental admissions committee for advanced graduate programs review applications as they are completed and received. Applications are reviewed for indications that the applicant has a high probability of success in an advanced graduate program and a strong likelihood of making an important contribution to professional practice.
If you have decided you would like to become a part of the Curriculum, Instruction and Teacher Education, Ed.S Program, there are steps you need to take to apply. This is an overview of the steps to take to become a part of the program. You can refer to the Curriculum, Instruction and Teacher Education website and handbook for more details.
Steps for Applying
Step 1 |
A formal university application form with application fee and the abbreviated goal statement required by the university – this application is found at: Graduate School at MSU Application |
Step 2 |
2 copies each of official transcripts from all prior institutions attended (if MSU coursework is indicated, the Department can acquire MSU transcripts internally) |
Step 3 |
Scores forwarded from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within the past 5 years |
Step 4 |
A current vitae or resume |
Step 5 |
A personal essay of 1-2 pages describing a compelling question, issue, or problem of practice in the area of curriculum, teaching, policy, or a subject area, and how one proposes to address this interest with focused, specialized study linked directly to practice |
Step 6 |
3 letters of recommendation from university faculty, school administrators, or district coordinators who can speak to the quality of one's professional activities as well as to one's academic potential in advanced graduate-level study |
Step 7 |
The following materials (step two – step six) should be either sent electronically to Vicki Adams, the Doctoral Program’s secretary <adamsv@msu.edu> or mailed to her at 116 Erickson Hall, College of Education, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 28824 |
International Students
International students are required to fill out a special university application form for international students, to submit a statement of financial proof and applicants for whom English is not their primary language are required to submit TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores, and the test must be taken within two years of the application.The university’s minimum acceptable score is 550. No international candidates will be considered for admission review until they have taken the TOEFL test and achieved a score of 550 or higher. Some international candidates ask to be admitted provisionally, with the idea that they will takes courses in English after arriving on campus. The program will not accept students on this basis. We require that international candidates demonstrate adequate skill in English before being admitted to the program.
What you can expect after admission
The Education Specialist program can be completed within three years by students who continue working full-time by taking at least one or two classes per semester and courses during abbreviated summer sessions, if students enter the program with a masters degree. Students must complete the degree eight years from the time of entry into the program.A timeline for Ed.S. program requirements
Illustration in the table below for a student who completes the program in three years.Year One |
Year Two |
Year Three |
|
9 credits of coursework (recommended) |
12 credits of coursework (recommended) |
9 credits of coursework (recommended) |
|
Semester One |
Semester Two |
- TE 995 (Practicum Course, 6 credits)
|
|
-Admitted to the |
-Develop Program Plan with Guidance Committee |
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