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The University of Tennessee

Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

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Educational Administration and Supervision Program

Specialist in Education EdS

The department offers a Specialist in Education degree with a major in educational administration. This degree is designed for those students who already possess a master’s degree. This degree may be used to obtain the school administrator licensure.

Applicants must complete all applications forms by March 15. These include the School of Graduate Studies application and for those interested in licensure, the Educational Specialist in Educational Administration application. A grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 or higher for undergraduate work or a GPA of 3.2 or higher for prior graduate work are required for admission. Three rating forms must be provided with recommendations from three present or former employers that identify a candidate’s strengths, weaknesses, and leadership potential.

The EdS with a major in educational administration requires a minimum of 42 hours of study. A final comprehensive examination is required as is a culminating research paper or thesis depending on the program.

Core Requirements (12 Hours)

Credit Hours

EDAM 513 Administrative and Organizational Theory
3
  Introduction to theoretical administrative and organizational foundations of management and leadership of educational programs and institutions. (Same as Higher Education Administration 513).  
EDAM 515 Human Relations and Communication in Administration
3
  Development and use of effective interpersonal communication skills and channels, inter-group relations, supportive work climates, personnel motivation, conflict management skills, and role of values, attitudes, and expectations in administration.  
EDAM 548 Supervision and Personnel Administration
3
  Basic supervisory and personnel concepts and related competencies at the micro-organizational level: interviewing, personnel planning, collecting and maintaining employee information, supervision of personnel, performance appraisal and staff development.  
EDAM 553 Strategic Planning
3
  Processes for improving decision-making function through use of both quantitative and qualitative planning techniques.  

Specialization (15 Hours)
EDAM 523 Administration of Special Services
3
  Legal, programmatic, and ethical responsibilities of educational administrators in design and implementation of special service programs within school settings. Special learner characteristics, program categories, service delivery models, and legal/ethical frameworks. Inclusion and full service delivery.  
EDAM 544 School Finance and Business Management
3
  For prospective building level administrators. Financial and logical management tasks and procedures in individual school setting.  
EDAM 554 Policy Issues in Educational Law, K-12
3
  Logical arrangement of case and statutory materials for public school administrators and teachers; problems concerning law and public education.  
EDAM 583 Educational Leadership-Principalship
3
  Knowledge, skills and relationships for principals to be effective educational leaders.  
TPTE 519 Curriculum for School Leaders
3
  The course is designed to equip aspiring school leaders with practical and theoretical knowledge of various curriculum models that might be used to foster instructional leadership and enhance school improvement initiatives. Seminars, lectures, and inquiry-based approaches will be used.  

Research (9 Hours)
EDAM 516 Research Methods
3
  Descriptive, experimental, and quasi-experimental designs to help students without quantitative backgrounds to read and understand technical professional literature. Introduction to inferential statistics, needs assessments, and evaluation procedures. (Same as Higher Education Administration 516).  
EDAM 592 Field Problems in Educational Administration and Supervision
3
  Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 6 hours.  
Elective Research course from outside the Educational Administration area chosen in consultation with advisor.
3

ELPS 500

A thesis option is available with approval of advisor.

Internship (6 Hours)
EDAM 580 Internship in Educational Administration
3
  Field experience in appropriate educational setting working directly with administrator. At end of planned program of study. Placement by department assignment. Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 6 hours.

 

Updated 05/29/2009