This program
Best fit for:
- Students who already have a master’s degree
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QUESTIONS?
Our Graduate Admissions team can help!
Graduate Admissions
P: 706-778-8500 x1352
E: grad@piedmont.edu
Commit to improving education within your organization and beyond.
The Piedmont University College of Education offers the Education Specialist degree (EdS) in several fields. Individuals with a master’s degree from an accredited college or university may wish to pursue course work that will enhance their teaching skills and/or prepare them for instructional leadership roles in their schools or school districts.
At Piedmont, we offer four options for students interested in pursuing an Education Specialist Degree:
Art Education – Advanced Certification
*Summer Start Only
Teachers build bridges to the future. Art teachers spark curiosity, ensuring those bridges lead to interesting places.
The Education Specialist degree program in Art Education is an advanced certification program designed to prepare professional educators to attain distinguished levels of both theory and practice and to become contributing members in the professional discourse of improving schooling in roles such as director of art education, department head, or curriculum coordinator.
Applicants must currently hold certification in Art Education in order to qualify for a certificate upgrade upon completion.
Interested applicants should apply through the Office of Graduate Admissions.
How are we different?
The EDS is a 100% online degree for Individuals with a master’s degree from an accredited college or university who may wish to pursue course work that will enhance their teaching skills and/or prepare them for instructional leadership roles in their schools or school districts.
Curriculum and Instruction – Initial Certification
The Education Specialist degree (EdS) is a sixth-year graduate program in Curriculum and Instruction. Individuals with a master’s degree from an accredited college or university may wish to pursue course work that will enhance their teaching skills and/or prepare them for instructional leadership roles in their schools or school districts.
The Education Specialist degree (EdS) is offered on the campuses in Demorest and Athens, as well as through our online graduate programs.
Georgia-certified educators who successfully complete the Education Specialist program and pass the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) in Curriculum and Instruction are recommended for a Service certificate (S-6), making them eligible for a certificate upgrade.
Curriculum and Instruction – Certificate Upgrade
The Education Specialist degree (EdS) is a sixth-year graduate program in Curriculum and Instruction. Individuals with a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from an accredited college or university may wish to pursue advanced course work that will enhance their teaching skills and/or prepare them for instructional leadership roles in their schools or school districts.
The Education Specialist degree (EdS) is offered on the campuses in Demorest and Athens, as well as through our online graduate programs.
Georgia-certified educators who successfully complete the Education Specialist program are recommended for a Service certificate (S-6), making them eligible for a certificate upgrade.
Music Education – Advanced Certification
*Summer Start Only
The Education Specialist degree program in Music Education is an advanced program designed to prepare professional educators to attain distinguished levels of both theory and practice and to become contributing members in the professional discourse of improving schooling in roles such as director of music, department head, or curriculum coordinator. Applicants must currently hold certification in Music Education (P-12) in order to qualify for a certificate upgrade upon completion.
Interested applicants should apply through the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Eligibility for application requires a master’s degree with a 3.5 cumulative GPA from an accredited college or university and two or more years of verified successful teaching experience at a public or a private school accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) or the Georgia Accrediting Commission (GAC) at the Accredited With Quality (AWQ) or Accredited (ACC) level.*
Applicants must also submit:
- Graduate Admissions Application
- Official, final transcripts from the college or university awarding your master’s degree. (Piedmont University transcripts are on file.)
- Two (2) professional references. One reference is required from a supervising administrator, and the other can be a choice of the following: a former professor, or instructor (college instructor, staff development instructor or mentor), or professional colleague
- Copy of valid, current professional certificate at the appropriate level for Georgia educators seeking certificate upgrade. Alternatively, candidates from independent schools should submit a letter from the principal or head of school verifying full-time employment as a teacher or educational administrator. (Note: If your certificate is not a Georgia certificate and you desire to be certified in Georgia, you must complete all requirements through Professional Standards Commission [PSC].)
- Letter of Intent
- Professional Activities Resume
- Verification of Professional Experience (two years)* at the time of application
- Personal Affirmation Form
* For Art Education EdS you must verify three years of professional teaching experience.
What classes will I take?
This Education Specialist degree (EdS) is also a sixth-year graduate degree program in Curriculum and Instruction (Advanced). Individuals with a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from an accredited college or university may wish to pursue advanced coursework to prepare for instructional leadership roles.
Candidates for this degree are recommended for a Service certificate (S-6) making them eligible for a certificate upgrade. The master’s transcripts in curriculum and instruction will be evaluated upon admission to determine a specific program of study that eliminates course redundancy; however, the 30-hour / 10 course program generally will consist of the following courses:
- EDD 7855: Writing Seminar I OR EDS 8800 – Introduction to Academic Writing
- EDS 8880: Planning for Teacher Leadership in 21st Century Schools
- EDD 7869: Advanced Assessment OR EDS 8846 – Assessment Design and Evaluation
- EDD 7870: Program Design and Evaluation
- EDD 7841 – Understanding Diversity in Education
- EDD 7831: Trends and Issues in Curriculum Leadership OR EDS 8815 – Curriculum Design
- EDD 8847: Learning and Cognition OR EDS 8830 – Learning and Cognition
- EDS 8851 – Professional Resource Utilization
- EDS 8860: Law, Policy and Ethics
- EDS 8845 : Theory and Practice of Differentiated Instruction OR EDD 8857 – Adult Learning Theory Seminar
Prepare to take on leadership roles in your school or district
Where do I start?
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