Education Specialist

Education Specialist: Educational Leadership - Director of Special Education

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Program
Education | Advanced Preparation Programs

Program Description

32 - 43 semester credits required. More credits may be required depending on the program director's evaluation of the student's previous master's degree. There are three tracks within this degree – DSE and Exceptional Child Generalist endorsement, DSE and School Principal endorsement, or DSE and Superintendent endorsement. 

The Ed.S. Director of Special Education classes emphasize the administrator as an instructional leader as well as a servant leader. Ethical decision making, creative problem solving, and professional growth are other areas of emphasis.  In the last semester of the program, each student will enroll in EDUC7595P Director of Special Education Portfolio (0-1) credits where they will upload their artifacts of learning and evidence of competencies of the Idaho Standards for Initial Certification.

The program is in a fully online format, with some courses scheduling synchronous video class sessions.  We encourage students to attend these ‘live” sessions as they are available.  Archived recorded sessions may be available for review.

Successful completion of the degree qualifies the graduate for recommendation to the State of Idaho for a Director of Special Education endorsement and one of the following endorsements (K-12 Exceptional Child Generalist endorsement, Pre-K-12 School Principal endorsement, or Pre-K-12 Superintendent endorsement on an Idaho Administrator Certificate) dependent on which track is taken. All endorsement pathways must demonstrate competency with building or district level administrator standards. NOTE: An Institutional Recommendation (IR) is only valid for two years after completion of the degree. Therefore, the student should apply for a certificate revision or renewal within that time frame.

It is the student's responsibility to submit the appropriate paperwork and fees to the Idaho State Department of Education for obtaining certifications and endorsements in Idaho. Current forms and information are available from the ISDE website. Students should check the Internet and other sources for specific requirements for certification in other states. 

Required Courses for Ed.S. Educational Leadership - Director of Special Education and Exceptional Child Generalist Endorsement Track (Online):

Has a School Principal certification and is a school administrator or is in the role of Director of Special Education.

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
43-45

EDUC7556: If not completed during the certification process for Building Administrator or during their MED program.
EDUC7590: For Exceptional Child Generalist endorsement only.

Required Courses for Ed.S. Educational Leadership - Director of Special Education and Principal Endorsement Track (Online):

M.Ed. in Special Education completed or in the role of Director of Special Education.

Item #
Title
Credits
6
Sub-Total Credits
32-34

EDUC7556, EDUC7584: If not completed during the certification process for Building Administrator or during their MED program.

Required Courses for Ed.S. Educational Leadership - Director of Special Education and Superintendent Endorsement Track (Online):

Principal certification completed and be in the role of Director of Special Education.

Item #
Title
Credits
4
Sub-Total Credits
39-41

If Principal Certification has not been obtained, it may be obtained through a Master of Education in Principal degree or an Education Specialist degree. Please see Master of Education or Education Specialist, Educational Leadership - Principal.

Application Requirements - Ed.S. Educational Leadership - Director of Special Education

All applicants to the program are responsible for familiarity with Idaho Code Section 33-1208; no person convicted of a felony or who would otherwise be denied certification or have certification revoked under Idaho Code 33-1208 will be admitted to the Director of Special Education program.

The following requirements must be received by Admissions a minimum of one week before classes start, and are online, mailed or emailed as indicated. For mail: Northwest Nazarene University, Attention Graduate Admissions, 623 S. University Boulevard, Nampa, ID, 83686. For email: gps@nnu.edu. Transcripts can be received through email if sent from an accepted digital credentialing service, such as Parchment or the National Student Clearinghouse.

  1. Online: application and $50 non-refundable application fee.
  2. Mail, or email from a digital service: official transcripts from the regionally accredited institution(s) where the candidate received a master’s degree. (We do not accept faxed transcripts.)
  3. Email or mail: a copy of the candidate’s teaching certificate.
  4. Email or mail: a copy of the candidate’s building administrator's license for the Superintendent's or Exceptional Child Generalist track.
  5. Online: two recommendation forms completed by professional colleagues.
  6. Online: an Educational Leadership Evaluation Form from the candidate’s current building administrator. The online recommendation forms and the online evaluation form must be completed by different individuals.
  7. Online: evidence of writing competency, preferably from a research paper or other document completed during master's courses.

Admission Requirements - Ed.S. Educational Leadership - Director of Special Education (three tracks)

  1. For Exceptional Child Generalist track: A master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university plus a Principal's certification, serving as an administrator (building or district level) in a district. For Principal's track: A master's degree in Exceptional Child, Special Education, or a related field (as determined by the program director) from a regionally accredited college or university. For Superintendent's track: A master's degree in Exceptional Child, Special Education, or a related field (as determined by the program director) from a regionally accredited college or university plus a Principal's certification.
  2. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the master's program.
  3. Certification/Licensure as a classroom teacher, school counselor, school psychologist, or building administrator based on a recommendation from a state-approved higher education preparation program.
  4. Have four (4) years of full-time certificated/licensed experience working with students while under contract in an accredited school setting before degree completion.
  5. Approval by the Graduate Education Admissions Committee.

The Graduate Education Admissions Committee may approve exceptions to regular admission requirements.

Graduation Requirements - Ed.S. Educational Leadership - Director of Special Education

  1. Credits must be earned in courses numbered 7000 or above. Continuing education courses and pass/fail courses (except those specified for degree completion) do not apply toward the degree. Exceptions for substitutions from other institutions may be approved by the program director.
  2. Have four (4) years of full-time certificated/licensed experience working with students while under contract in an accredited school setting before degree completion.
  3. The candidate must complete requirements as specified in the degree major. The degree must be completed within six years of beginning course work. If the degree is not completed within six years, the candidate must reapply to the program. Credits older than six years may need to be retaken.
  4. The candidate must apply for graduation one full semester prior to anticipated degree completion. Deadlines: June 1 for Fall; October 15 for Spring; and January 15 for Summer.
Total Credits
32-43