Education Specialist in the Field of Special Education Leadership

GW’s education specialist (EdS) program in special education leadership combines licensure coursework and embedded internships in educational leadership and administration with knowledge and skills to support students with disabilities in PreK-12 settings.

GW’s education specialist (EdS) program in educational leadership and administration is nationally recognized. The National Policy Board for Educational Administration (NPBEA) designated it a program of distinction, and the program is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). In addition, it is aligned with and embeds the National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) standards in all of its licensure courses and internship experiences.

Students also enroll in doctoral courses in the Graduate School of Education and Human Development’s Department of Special Education and Disability Studies to explore recent research and trends affecting diverse learners. Using a strength-based and disability rights centered perspective, students examine recent research in neuroscience, developmental sciences, and intervention science and then apply this knowledge to policy and practices affecting students with disabilities.

The part-time special education leadership program is designed for working PreK-12 professionals. It serves educators in diverse school communities interested in PreK-12 school-based or central office leadership positions, PreK-12 school-based or central office supervisory positions, increased responsibility in PreK-12 teaching, and/or advanced levels of PreK-12 professional responsibility.

The EdS in special education leadership satisfies the credit, coursework, and field experiences required for administrative licensure in the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the partner states of the Interstate Compact Agreement. Program applicants should review their state regulations for administrative licensure or certification to ensure the acceptability of this program prior to enrolling.

Visit the program website for additional information.

Adminssion Requirements

Article	Requirement
Admission deadlines:	Fall - Rolling admissions (January 15 to be considered for merit-based tuition support)
	Summer - Rolling admissions (January 15 to be considered for merit-based tuition support)
Standardized test scores:	Either the GRE general test (institutional code 5246) or the Miller Analogies Test (institutional code 1047) is optional.
Recommendations required:	Two (2) recommendations (preferably one from a faculty member and the other from a professional supervisor)
Prior academic records:	Transcripts are required from all colleges and universities attended, whether or not credit was earned, the program was completed, or the credit appears as transfer credit on another transcript. Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended should be uploaded to your online application. Official transcripts are required only of applicants who are offered admission.
	Transcripts from institutions outside the United States must be accompanied by an official transcript evaluation from an accredited independent evaluating agency. Please be sure you request a detailed evaluation that includes all course titles, credit hours, grade-point average (GPA), United States degree equivalency, and date of degree conferral. Please see the list of acceptable foreign credential evaluation services.
Statement of purpose:	Your statement of purpose should address a problem of practice and/or research interest related to PK-12 special education and/or disability studies.
Additional requirements:	A resumé and interview are required.
International applicants only:	Please review International Applicant Information (https://graduate.admissions.gwu.edu/international-student-application-requirements) carefully for details on required documents, earlier deadlines for applicants requiring an I-20 or DS-2019 from GW, and English language requirements.

Supporting documents not submitted online should be mailed to:
Office of Graduate Admissions
Graduate School of Education and Human Development
The George Washington University
2136 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20052

Contact for questions:
gsehdadm@gwu.edu ~ 202-994-9283 (phone) ~ 202.994.7207 (fax)
9:30 am – 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday

The following requirements must be fulfilled: 30 credits in required courses.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required
EDUC 6232	Supervision of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
EDUC 6234	Foundations of K-12 Educational Leadership
EDUC 6236	School Law and Policy
EDUC 6240	Instructional Leadership for School Improvement
EDUC 6246	School Finance and Resource Management for School Leaders
EDUC 6287	Internship: Administration (taken for 3 credits)
SPED 8304	Research and Trends in Special Education
SPED 8306	Advanced Study in Development Science and Variance I: The Early Years
SPED 8310	Advanced Study in Development Science and Variance II: The Later Years
SPED 8352	Disability and Public Policy