Program: Educational Leadership, Ed.S. - Northern Kentucky University

Apr 03, 2025

2022-2023 Graduate Catalog

Ginger Blackwell, Ed.D., Graduate Program Director

Purpose

The Education Specialist in Leadership degree will lead to administrative certification in Kentucky. The Principal Preparation concentration within the Ed.S. degree program is to train and develop excellent teachers for administrative positions as elementary, middle and secondary school principals as well as P-12 Supervisors of Instruction. The Education Specialist in Educational Leadership has two distinct concentrations.

Contact Information

Educational Leadership Graduate Office - MEP 295

edleadership@nku.edu or (859) 572-7892

Admission Requirements

Individuals applying must meet all requirements for admission to graduate study at Northern Kentucky University as defined by the Graduate Catalog at the time of application in addition to the following criteria:

Submit an online application and application fee to the Office of Graduate Education.
Copy of valid teaching certificate showing successful completion of three (3) years full-time documented classroom teaching experience in a school which meets the state performance standards as established in KRS 156.560.
Official transcripts sent from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended. One transcript must show completion of master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education, with a total cumulative grade point average of no less than 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
Three recommendations-one must be from current principal and/or supervisor completed on the Ed.S. recommendation forms.
Ed.S. Supplemental Application, including three essays which attest to candidates skills and understanding of: Leadership; Ability to Improve Student Achievement; Advanced Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment.
A professional folio presented in an innovative and attractive manner including at least three documents that demonstrate successful teaching, and at least three artifacts that support successful leadership activities.

♦ Indicates prerequisite.

Curriculum Requirements

Level One Course Sequence (30 credit hours)

Completion of all courses in the level one sequence is required to obtain Level I school principal certification. Completion of all courses in the level one sequence is required to obtain Level I and Level II supervisor of instruction certification.

Level Two Course Sequence (6 credit hours)

Completion of two of the three courses in the level two sequence is to occur after the Ed.S. degree has been completed in order to obtain level II principal certification. Program director will work with candidate to identify which two courses will be most beneficial for the candidate in their planned program.

Ed.S. Degree Total Hours: 30

Total Certification Program Hours: 36

Exit Requirements

For the Principal Preparation Concentration:

Application to graduate submitted by posted deadlines by candidate through their myNKU student portal.
Completion of all coursework for the Education Specialist in Educational Leadership program with minimum 3.0 GPA.
Completion of all required coursework used for the degree with a C or higher.
Complete all six anchor assessments successfully with satisfactory performance on Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL 2018).
Capstone project and two presentations.
Signed curriculum contract(s) for Education Specialist in Educational Leadership program and signed Code of Ethics.
A CA-1 form must be submitted to the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (KYEPSB) to apply for the certification. Contact the Educational Leadership Graduate Office at edleadership@nku.edu for questions on certification.

For the Supervisor of Instruction Only Concentration:

Application to graduate submitted by posted deadlines by candidate through their myNKU student portal.
Completion of all coursework for the Education Specialist in Educational Leadership program with minimum 3.0 GPA.
Completion of all required coursework used for the degree with a C or higher.
Complete all six anchor assessments successfully with satisfactory performance on Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL 2018).
Capstone project and two presentations.
Signed curriculum contract(s) for Education Specialist in Educational Leadership program and signed Code of Ethics.
A CA-1 form must be submitted to the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (KYEPSB) to apply for the certification. Contact the Educational Leadership Graduate Office at edleadership@nku.edu for questions on certification.

*NOTE: Praxis exams are not required for completion of the Ed.S. degree. Certification requirements are subject to change therefore students are encouraged to apply for the certification upon completion of their degree. You may choose not to do so but must file for the certification within two calendar years of graduation from the Ed.S. Students may take the principal exam (SLLA 6990) and request principal Level I certification provided they have submitted the appropriate documents and official copies of their SLS Praxis exams with passing scores have been sent to NKU within two calendar years of graduation.

Additional Requirements

The certification will be awarded to candidates upon:

In order to obtain principal or supervisor certification recommendation completion of appropriate testing as required by the Kentucky Professionals Standards Board (KYEPSB) on the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (6011) with minimum passing score of 160 and the Kentucky Specialty Test of Instructional and Administrative Practice (6990) with a minimum passing score of 151. Requirements and passing scores for certification are subject to change. For the most current Praxis II testing requirements, go to the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board website (http://www.epsb.ky.gov). Candidates applying for Ohio certification may submit a copy of passing scores on the assessment required by Ohio in lieu of Kentucky Praxis scores.
Completion of five years of successful teaching.
A CA-1 form must be submitted to the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (KYEPSB) to apply for the certification. Contact the Educational Leadership Graduate Office at edleadership@nku.edu for questions on certification.

Additional Information

Certifications are not automatic and must be initiated by the student. Forms and processes of application for certification from Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (KYEPSB) are subject to change. For the most current application forms or processes go to the KYEPSB website (http://www.epsb.ky.gov). Contact the teacher education graduate office for additional information on university recommendations for certification.

Requirements and passing scores for teacher/educator certification are subject to change. For the most current PRAXIS II testing requirements, go to the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board website (http://www.epsb.ky.gov). If you are certified/licensed or requesting certification/licensure in another state please check with your licensure board for your state testing regulations.