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Special Education - Ed.S.

The Special Education Ed.S. program provides the knowledge and skills you need to create inclusive and equitable learning environments for all students. With a focus on evidence-based practices and individualized instruction, you'll be prepared to address the unique needs of each student you serve. Join us and become an advocate for exceptional learners, equipped with the tools to provide a high-quality education for all.

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Ed. S. Degree in Special Education

Kent State University’s Ed.S. Degree in Special Education is an advanced program designed for educators seeking to enhance their expertise in special education practices and leadership. This program provides in-depth knowledge in specialized areas such as assessment, curriculum development, and intervention strategies for students with diverse learning needs. Through a combination of coursework and practical experience, students are prepared to lead and implement effective educational programs for children with special needs.

Program Information for Special Education - Ed.S.

Program Description
On This Page

Full Description

The Educational Specialist degree in Special Education provides an advanced degree in specialized areas of educational programming for children and youth with exceptionalities. The program meets the needs of post-master's degree students who wish to assume leadership roles in schools and agencies that provide special education and related services to children, youth and adults who have disabilities.

The Ed.S. degree is designed for the accomplished, experienced practitioner with specific professional aspirations. The program is not designed for those who wish to pursue a research emphasis as a prelude to doctoral study.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.

Admissions for Special Education - Ed.S.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Master's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 2.750 graduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale (minimum 3.250 GPA is recommended)
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Résumé or curriculum vitae
  • Goal statement
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:1
    • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
    • Minimum 58 PTE score
    • Minimum 110 DET score
1

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Rolling admissions
  • Spring Semester
    • Rolling admissions
  • Summer Term
    • Rolling admissions
Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the program will be able to:

  1. Attain the background knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary to advance their ability to identify and plan evidence-based educational practices for exceptional learners.
  2. Increase their proficiency with the pedagogical and decision-making skills necessary to implement evidence-based educational practices for exceptional learners.
  3. Attain an appropriate level of expertise in methods of assessment relevant to providing special education to exceptional learners in schools.
  4. Articulate professional positions on critical legal, policy and practice issues in special education that are grounded in logical analysis, empirical research and the ethical foundations of the field.
Coursework
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Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
Program Elective 13
Statistics and Research Design Elective, choose from the following: 13
RMS 75510
STATISTICS I FOR EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
RMS 75610
CLASSROOM ASSESSMENT
RMS 85516
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH DESIGN
SPED 63300
RESEARCH APPLICATIONS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION
Major Area of Study Electives, choose from the following: 112
SPED 73030
PHARMACOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION
SPED 73950
CURRICULUM AND INTERVENTION IN EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES
SPED 73956
FOUNDATIONS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES
SPED 73957
ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES
SPED 73996
INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION IN SPECIAL EDUCATION
SPED 74200
CURRICULUM METHODS FOR TRANSITION PLANNING AND COLLABORATION
SPED 80002
ANALYSIS OF THE LITERATURE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION
SPED 80005
EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATIONS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION
SPED 83201
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN SPECIAL EDUCATION
Minor Area of Study Electives, choose from the following: 112
CES 78011
FOUNDATIONS OF SCHOOL COUNSELING
CES 77531
COUNSELING SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES
CES 78182
CAREER COUNSELING
EDLE 76542
PRINCIPLES AND TECHNIQUES OF SUPERVISION AND SPECIAL EDUCATION
EPSY 75520
CHILD AND ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT
EPSY 75524
LEARNING THEORIES
RMS 78807
PROGRAM EVALUATION
SPED 73204
LEGAL AND POLICY FOUNDATIONS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION
Minimum Total Credit Hours:30
1

All electives, including additional coursework, must be approved by the student's Ed.S. degree committee.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • Upon admission to the Ed.S. degree program, students will be assigned an advisor.
  • Minimum 6 credit hours of coursework in statistics and research design are required.
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus
Accreditation for Special Education - Ed.S.

The Council of Education of the Deaf

Plan of Study Form

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Special Education - Ed.S.

Graduates of the Ed.S. Degree in Special Education are well-prepared for roles such as special education administrators, program coordinators, or educational consultants. They may work in K-12 schools, school districts, or government agencies focused on special education policy and programming. This advanced degree also supports career advancement for those aiming to impact special education at a systemic level, promoting inclusive practices and improved outcomes for students with disabilities.

Education administrators, all other

8.1%

much faster than the average

52,100

number of jobs

$87,580

potential earnings

Education teachers, postsecondary

4.8%

about as fast as the average

77,300

number of jobs

$65,440

potential earnings

Community and social service specialists, all other

11.7%

much faster than the average

105,200

number of jobs

$46,770

potential earnings

Social and community service managers

17.0%

much faster than the average

175,500

number of jobs

$69,600

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

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