Admission Requirements

​Admission Eligibility

To be eligible for the Education Specialist program, students must hold a both a bachelor's and master's degree from an accredited college or university and have a previous GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale.

Application Requirements

A complete application to the EdS program will include the following materials:

• Graduate admission application
• $40 domestic application fee, $75 international application fee
• Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended
• Résumé or curriculum vitae
• Three letters of recommendation, at least two of which should be from faculty in your master's program or from faculty for master's level coursework taken at other institutions
  
• A personal statement in which you discuss your interest in further study and articulating an issue or problem of interest or concern (approximately 3 pages)
  
• Writing sample from a master's-level class; alternatively, you can write a 3-5 page response to readings provided by the Educational Leadership program - Alternative Writing Prompt

Applicants may be invited to attend an interview with EdS program faculty as part of the application process. Interviews are held either at the Lincoln Park campus or by phone, depending on an applicant's availability. The Office of Graduate Admissions contacts applicants to schedule the interview if one will be required.

Current EdD students in the Educational Leadership program who would like to transfer to the EdS program will be required to be in good standing within their program, meeting an overall GPA requirement of 3.0 prior to the completion of 36 quarter hours, and/or meeting an overall GPA requirement of 3.3 after the completion of 36 quarter hours. Although students who wish to transfer from the EdD program to the EdS program may use the admission materials that are on file with the doctoral program office, they will also need to produce 2 letters of support from doctoral program faculty and provide a 1-2 page rationale that outlines their reason(s) for seeking transfer admission into the EdS program.

Applicants who have earned a degree outside of the U.S. or who will be considered international students must submit additional materials. Visit our International Students page for more information.

Applicants can upload supplemental application materials, send requests for letters of recommendation, and pay the application fee through our online application system.

Additional Admission Requirements

In addition to program and admission requirements for the educational specialist program, students choosing to apply to one of the additional endorsement options are required to fulfill the following requirements.

Teacher Leader Endorsement

• A copy of a valid Illinois teaching license
• Proof of at least two years of full-time teaching experience
  
• Two letters of recommendation from professors or supervisors
• Statement of purpose indicating professional development goals and related experience (750 words)

Principal Endorsement

• A copy of a valid Illinois teaching license
• Proof of at least two years of full-time teaching experience within the last five
• One letter from district office recommending entrance into the principal preparation program
• Four letters of recommendation (two from supervisors and two from colleagues) - These take the place of the three letters of recommendation required for admission to the EdS program
• Statement of purpose indicating why you want to be a principal
• Upon initial review, the process will include a required interview. Candidates will be expected to complete on on-site writing sample during the interview and submit a teaching portfolio.

Superintendent Endorsement

• Proof of at least two years of teaching experience on a valid Illinois teaching license
  
• Proof of at least two years of full-time administrative experience on a valid administrative license with the general administrative endorsement
  
• Upon initial review, the process will include a required interview. Candidates will be expected to complete on on-site writing sample during the interview and submit a teaching portfolio.
  

Application Deadlines

The EdS program admits new students every quarter: fall, winter, spring and summer. It offers rolling admission, but regular deadlines are set for each term to assure students full consideration for admission and financial aid. The program will continue to accept and process applications after the regular deadline if space is available.

*The EdS program admits students all year on a rolling basis; however, most students admitted for the summer term will begin classes the following fall quarter.

Applicants typically receive an admission decision 4-6 weeks after submitting a complete application.

Information Sessions

Learn more about the Educational Leadership EdS program and meet with program faculty at an upcoming information session.

Ready to apply?