Program Requirements

A total of 33 semester hours must be completed for the Specialist in Educational Leadership. In addition to the general goals of the school’s graduate program, the objectives of the Specialist in Education degree are knowledge of school law, curricular trends, school building trends, and program budgeting; skill in using various techniques for goal setting and problem diagnosis in such areas as instructional programs, staff development, and community relations; skill in decision- making and in evaluating decisions on the basis of subsequent information; knowledge of research in administration, curriculum, human development and staffing; performance behavior in a job setting; knowledge of the role of the school in modern America and the multicultural currents influencing the school; knowledge and skills for per-forming in a political setting; and, a clear understanding and working knowledge of Principled Educational Leaders. A student, who applies for certification as a school district administrator, must meet the following:

1. A minimum qualifying score on the state administrator’s examination prior to entrance into the internship
2. Three years teaching experience
3. Program audit showing completion of 33 credit hours:
   1. Required courses, 27 credit hours
   2. Two internships, EDUC 632  and EDUC 633 , (9-12 internship hours per week over a six-month period), six credit hours

Candidates for administrative internships must:

1. Complete 21 credit hours prior to submitting an internship application for faculty review.
2. Earn a passing score on the PRAXIS, South Carolina’s Supervision and Administration Examination.
3. Meet with an advisor to review request and receive approval for admission to an internship.

Applicants for spring administrative internships should file an application with their advisor no later than December 1 of the preceding semester. Applicants for fall administrative internships should file an application with their advisor no later than August 1 of the preceding semester. Applicants for summer administrative internships should file an application with their advisor no later than March 1 of the preceding semester. In order to register for internships, authorized applications must be on file in the CGC office, along with the valid South Carolina state administrator’s examination score.

*Proviso-Candidates filing applications and applying for administrative internships after the December, March, and August deadlines cannot be guaranteed enrollment.

Total Credit Hours: 33 (Beyond the Master’s Degree)

*If EDUC 529 , EDUC 531 /EDUC 532  or EDUC 616  were not taken in a master’s program, the appropriate course must be taken as a requirement of the Ed. S.

Requirements for Initial Certification at the Advance Level

1. ADMINISTRATION
   3. District Superintendent
      1. Master’s degree
      2. Valid South Carolina Teaching or Professional Certificate at the elementary, middle or secondary level
      3. Minimum qualifying score(s) on the area examination(s) required by the State Board of Education
      4. Verification of a total of three years’ experience as a pre-K-12 or post-secondary teacher and two years as a school or school district administrator, post-secondary administrator, or school business administrator
      5. Completion of an advanced program approved by the State Board of Education for the training of school superintendents South Carolina Regulation 43-64.

South Carolina Teacher Certification Manuel R 43-64 REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION AT THE ADVANCED LEVEL.