Education Specialist Educational Leadership with a Concentration in Higher Education (EdS)

Felecia Commodore, Graduate Program Director

Working professionals who aspire to advance in higher education administration will find the EdS program a meaningful base for building toward their professional objectives. Students who enter the EdS program have diverse backgrounds, experiences, and goals.  For this reason they have the ability, through consultation with their advisor, to tailor the cognate chosen to fulfill their degree obligations towards these goals.

Admission

Prospective students seeking admission to the EdS program with a Concentration in Higher Education must:

1. Meet all University admission requirements as listed in the Old Dominion University Catalog;
2. Have a completed Master's degree in an appropriate discipline from a regionally accredited university, and submit transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work with a minimum GPA of 3.5. Degrees that are equivalent to a Master’s degree such as LLB, JD, and DDS are also acceptable;
3. Provide two (2) letters of recommendation. At least one letter must come from a professor or an individual who describes the applicant's academic performance and writing ability. Letters from senior-level leaders that endorse the applicant's leadership potential are encouraged;
4. Provide a 1-page single-spaced essay that addresses the questions: What are your professional goals? Why do you wish to obtain the specific degree for which you are applying?
5. Provide an original 2-page single-spaced academic writing sample. Pick one current issue facing higher education of interest to you. What is the issue? Why is the issue important to the field of higher education research and practice?
6. Provide a CV or resume that describes the applicant’s academic and professional background;
7. Applicants whose native language is not English must submit a current score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT of at least 80.

Applicants whose admission credentials are slightly below the required minimum will be considered for provisional admission.

Non-degree students are limited to a maximum of two HIED, CCL, and/or FOUN courses prior to admission unless they receive permission from the GPD. Non-degree students must receive academic advising by a Higher Education program faculty member prior to enrollment in any course as a non-degree student. Performance in classes as a non-degree student will not guarantee admission into the program.

Curriculum Requirements

The Education Specialist in Higher Education Concentration requires the completion of a minimum of 30 credit hours beyond the master’s degree. Due to the wide variation of backgrounds among students seeking this degree, the curricular requirements will be determined based upon the applicant’s background.

Special Courses

These courses may be used for a variety of specialized topical seminars and may fulfill requirements in one or more of the cognate areas noted above.

Additional Requirements

Continuance

Students must meet all department, college, and university policy requirements for continuation in their academic program. See department policy below.

Continuance Policy and Procedures for all EFL Programs

The following policy has been established for continuance in all graduate programs within the EFL department.

At the end of each semester – fall, spring, and summer – the graduate program directors (GPD) will review student records.  As per university policy, students who do not maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0 in their EFL program will be placed on probation.  Students placed on probation have one semester to bring their overall GPA back to a minimum of 3.0.  A student may be placed on probation only one time in their EFL program and will not be eligible for a second probationary period.  Should a student’s GPA fall below 3.0 twice, he/she will be dismissed from the program. 

Students who receive a grade of F in any EFL required or elective program course or who receive a final grade of lower than B- in more than one class in their program will be dismissed from their program by the Graduate Program Director and Department Chair.  A failing grade in dissertation credits for one semester places the student in warning status and does not automatically dismiss the student from the program.  However, two failing grades in dissertation credits will result in dismissal from the program.  Students may follow the Grade Appeal Procedure in the ODU Graduate Catalog.  In the event a grade is appealed such that the student comes into compliance with the EFL Continuance Policy, he/she will be reinstated.  In accord with University policy, ODU email is considered official communication.

 Exit

In order to graduate from the program, students must successfully complete:

1. the required course of study for a total of at least 30 credit hours of coursework; and
2. pass a written comprehensive examination.

Non-Degree

Non-degree students are limited to a maximum of 2 courses prior to admission unless they receive permission from the GPD.  Students must receive academic advising from a program faculty member prior to enrollment in any course as a non-degree student. Taking courses as a non-degree student does not guarantee admission into the program.