Steve Crites, Ph.D. & Sara Runge, Ph.D., Interim Department Co-Chairs
Steve Crites, Ph.D., Graduate Program Director
Purpose
The Education Specialist degree in Teaching & Leading is for teachers who wish to enhance their teaching, leadership and mentoring skills. This program would engage students in learning and practicing principles and skills of collaboration, mentorship, and research-based practice, leading to improved skills for graduates, the teacher candidates under their influence, and the P-12 students in their classrooms. Program completers would be eligible for rank change (Rank 1) in Kentucky.
The program requires 30 credit hours of graduate level coursework earned beyond the Master’s degree and initial teacher certification. Kentucky Teacher Standards, Advanced Level, are met through an action research project and other program experiences.
Contact Information
Teacher Education Graduate Office - MEP 263C
gradedu@nku.edu or 859-572-1567
Admission Requirements and Process
All admission requirements should be submitted to the Office of Graduate Education in Lucas Administrative Center, AC 302, before the application deadline (available on the Office of Graduate Education web page). Applicants whose admission requirements are not complete by the application deadline will be considered for admission if space is available.
To be eligible for admission, applicants must submit:
- Official transcripts sent from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended. One transcript must show successful completion of master’s degree in education or in the content area of the applicant’s teaching certificate.
- A copy of the applicant’s Kentucky teaching certificate showing certification at the Rank II level, or out-of-state equivalent.
- A statement of professional goals that explains the applicant’s goals for professional growth and demonstrates high-quality written expression.
- Submit three recommendation forms with attached letters of recommendation. Applicants should seek recommendations from colleagues familiar with the applicants’ qualifications for graduate study (e.g. professor, supervisor, etc). Letters may be typed directly into the recommendation form. If separate letters of recommendation are attached, they must be written on official letterhead and have the signature of the individual providing the recommendation.
International students or students whose native language is not English should contact International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) to inquire about policies regarding official transcript evaluations and English proficiency. Transcript evaluations and TOEFL/IELTS scores are required for admission to this program. ISSS may be reached by telephone at 859-572-6571 or by e-mail at isss@nku.edu.
Application Review and Deadlines
Only complete application files will be reviewed. Admission will be offered to the number of applicants sufficient to meet enrollment limits. Applicants whose application files are not complete before the priority deadline may only be considered for admission if enrollment limits have not yet been met. The following is the review schedule:
| Completed application files received by the priority deadline of: |
Will be reviewed in the month of: |
For admission in this term (or later:) |
Decision letter will be e-mailed on or near: |
| July 1 |
July |
Fall |
July 15 |
| November 1 |
November |
Spring |
November 15 |
| April 1 |
April |
Summer |
April 15 |
Admission decisions are not made based on a single admission criterion. Applicants’ files are evaluated holistically when estimating an applicant’s qualifications. Therefore, submitting the required admissions documents or attaining the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.
♦ Indicates prerequisite.
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