Education Specialist (Ed.S.) GuidelinesGeorgia Southern UniversityCollege of EducationThe Education Specialist Program OvervieThe Ed.S. program is designed to provide a high level of professional proficiency based on the discipline:Counselor Education, Educational Leadership, Teaching and Learning, or School Psychology. The Ed.S. curriculum is based on an inquiry approach that emphasies problem!solving and research s"ills applicable to a multitude of education problems, pedagogy, and issues.Ed.S. programs require a minimum of #$ semester hours of planned course %or" that includes a research sequence %hich culminates in a field!based educational research pro&ect.The Ed.S. candidate %or"s %ith a committee comprised of at least # faculty members %ho guide the development, implementation, and defense of the field study. The value of the field!based research pro&ect is evidenced in the ability of candidates to become capable researchers and critical consumers of educational research. 's candidates conduct (action research) pro&ects, they are better equipped to inform their profession.The pro&ect serves to develop important inquiry s"ills that are needed by education professionals %ho are responsible for the achievement of students and the improvement of schools.Program- Specific Overview Information:The Ed.S. !esearch ComponentThree specific research courses are required components in the Education Specialist program.These courses provide the candidate %ith theoretical "no%ledge, practical "no%ledge, and s"ills in the area of education research, statistics, and inquiry.The courses must be ta"en in sequence and are not to be ta"en concurrently.Some programs may provide one or more courses prior to E*+, -.#. to assist in the identification of a research topic that is appropriate and feasible for an Ed.S. pro&ect and that is relevant to thecandidate/s professional situation.0. E"U! #$%$ Educational Statistics I is an introductory statistics course %hich provides an orientation to both descriptive and inferential statistics and methods of conducting educational research.0t is a prerequisite course for E*+, -1#1 and may be ta"en at the master/s level.00.E"U! #&%& Field-Based Educational Research is the second course in the research sequence.Candidates must have a research topic formulated and present that topic to the E*+, -1#1 instructor at the beginning of the course using the Preliminary Ed.S. ,esearch Topic 2orm 32orm '4.2orm ' requires the approval of the candidate and his5her Ed.S. Committee Chair.' viable research proposal, %hich includes the statement of the problem, a literature revie%, hypotheses or research questions, and research method, is developed in E*+, -1#1.The E*+, -1#1 instructor is responsible for 3a4 guiding candidates in the proposaldevelopment process, 3b4 providing general information to candidates about 0,6 requirements and processes,3c4 evaluating candidate proposals using a performance rubric, and 3d4 assigning course grades.Candidates must meet at least (acceptable) ratings on all elements of the rubric in order to earn a passing grade for the course.E*+, -1#1 is not offered during summer sessions.'t the end of the E*+, -1#1 course, candidates complete the Ed.S. ,esearch Topic 'pproval 2orm 32orm 64and have it approved by the E*+, -1#1 instructor and the Ed.S. Committee Chair. The candidate must also determine if '!( approval is needed and) if so) complete the '!( application *efore attending the first class session of ++++##%,. "ata cannot *e collected prior to '!( approval.See http:55academics.georgiasouthern.edu5research50,6.htm. 279470282.doc'''. ++++ ##%,, the final course in the research sequence, is intended to be the culminating e7perience in the Ed.S. program.0n this course, the candidate implements the field study using the proposal developed in E*+, -1#1. The 8888 --#9 instructor guides the candidate in the implementation process and is responsiblefor evaluating the research pro&ect and assigning the final course grade. Specific instructor responsibilities include offering guidance on data collection, data analysis, %riting the research paper, and preparing for the oral defense. 8888--#9 is not offered during the summer time.The research pro&ect is documented in a formal paper that is comprised of the E*+, -1#1 proposal, results, and discussionThe pro&ect is then orally defended in a meeting %ith the candidate/s Ed.S. Committee members.This defense serves as the e7it assessment for the program. The purpose of the defense is to assess the candidate/s "no%ledge of the topic area, the adequacy of the candidate/s application of research principles, and the ability of the candidate to articulate the results and implications of the study. The defense consists of a formal presentation by the candidate, follo%ed by questions from the EdS Committee. Committee &udgments should be succinct and communicated on 2orm *.The Ed.S. -dvisor.:hen the candidate is admitted to the Ed.S. program, an Ed.S. faculty advisor is assigned.The Ed.S. 'dvisor %ill carry out the follo%ing responsibilities: 'ssist the candidate %ith understanding the program of study, including the sequence of courses %ithin the program 'ssist the candidate %ith registration and selection of appropriate courses EdS candidate and advisor %ill identify a faculty member %illing to serve as Chair of the EdS Committee.The Ed.S. Committee Structure and Ed.S. Chair.The Chair %ill serve as the content specialist for the research study. 0n some cases, the Ed.S. 'dvisor serves as the candidate/s Ed.S. Committee Chair.Ed.S. Committees must consist of at least three faculty members:the Ed.S. Chair, the 8888 --#9 instructor, and the E*+, -1#1 instructor or other recommended research specialist.'dditional members may be included on the committee as determined by the Ed.S. Committee Chair and the candidate.The Ed.S. Committee Chair %ill carry out the follo%ing responsibilities: Serve as the content specialist for the research study Provide guidance during the development and completion of the research study and paper and determine readiness for the final defense. Complete 2orm C Sign the Preliminary ,esearch Topic 2orm 32orm '4 and ,esearch Topic 'pproval 2orm 32orm 64 and maintain copies of these forms ,evie% and sign the 0,6 approval application, assuring that it is complete and meets all requirements Communicate candidate progress to other Committee members Chair the Ed.S. research study defense Complete the Ed.S. Comprehensive 'ssessment 2orm 32orm *4 %ith the appropriate signatures and file it %ith a final copy of the research paper in the C;E 0nstructional ,esource Center 30,C4The Ed.S. Candidate:The Ed.S. candidate is e7pected to read the >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Ed.S. Committee Chair *ate>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Candidate *ate279470282.docThis form is to be completed by the candidate and Ed.S. Committee Chair.Submit this form, along with any revisions made during the course of the program, to the instructor of EDUR !"! at the first class session.#f not completed satisfactorily and submitted by at least the second class session, the candidate will be e$pected to withdraw from EDUR !"! and reschedule the course at a later date. % completed copy of this form is to be filed with the Ed.S. Committee Chair.E".S. !ESE-!C3 TOP'C -PP!O5-/ 4O!0 (4O!0 ()*epartmentProgramLast Aame 2irst B0Eagle 0* Email 'ddressTitle of ,esearch Pro&ect: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>6rief *escription of 'ction ,esearch, including research question and methods:>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>0n signing %e confirm our approval of the research topic, pro&ect description and research design, as outlined in the candidate/s proposal.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Ed.S. Committee Chair *ate>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>E*+, -1#1 2ield!6ased ,esearch Professor *ate>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Candidate *ate279470282.docThis form must be completed, signed, and submitted to the &&&& "' #nstructor at the first class session.% copy of the candidate(s )ield *ro+ect *roposal and the instructor(s assessment rubric ,verifying acceptableperformance in all categories- that were completed in EDUR !"! must accompany this form. Copies of this signed form must also be submitted to the Ed.S. Committee.E".S. -PP/'C-T'O1 TO "E4E1" -CT'O1 !ESE-!C3 P!O6ECT (4O!0 C)*epartmentProgramLast Aame 2irst B0'ddressCity, State CipEagle 0* *aytime Phone Dome Phone*ate and Time ,equested Email 'ddressTitle of ,esearch Pro&ect:>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>'bstract: 3*escribe your pro&ect in .$$ %ords or less.Please type.0f final results are notyet available, please note.4>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Ed.S. Committee Chair/s Signature E*+, -1#1 0nstructor/s orCommittee Bember/s Signature8888 --#9 0nstructor/s Signature Candidate/s Signature- completed copy of this form is to *e filed ith Ed.S. Committee Chair.279470282.docCO0P/ET'O1 O4 E".S. CO0P!E3E1S'5E -SSESS0E1T (4orm ")*epartmentProgramLast Aame 2irst B0'ddressCity, State Cip Email 'ddressEagle 0* *aytime Phone Dome PhoneTitle of ,esearch Pro&ect: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>-SSESS0E1T O4 CO0P!E3E1S'5E E+'T !E7U'!E0E1TS. Pass !evisions !e8uired,evisions: *ate ,evisions are *ue >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>0n signing, %e affirm our presence on >>>>>>> at >>>>>> o/cloc" for the presentation specified above and our concurrence %ith the assessment finding.Ed.S. Committee 0em*ers.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Ed.S. Committee Chair *ate>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>8888 --#9 0nstructor *ate>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> E*+, -1#1 0nstructor *ate;r Committee Bember- completed copy of this form is to *e filed ith the Ed.S. Committee Chair) ++++ ##%, 'nstructor) and the -ssociate "ean.279470282.doc