Educational Specialist (EdS)

This program is designed for educators with at least three years of teaching experience who currently hold a Master’s degree and a valid Minnesota teaching license and who wish to become licensed as a principal, superintendent, or special education director in the state of Minnesota while earning an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree.

Note: An alternative path is available for non-licensed teachers (see course ED 7014 below). The Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree is designed to provide Minnesota schools with the highest possible quality administrators. The goals of this program include the licensure of graduates with the academic and moral standards that epitomize the values of Concordia University.

Principal Licensure

Superintendent Licensure

Director of Special Education

Organizational Leadership

ED 7014  Teaching Internship (3 credits):  This course is required for principal, superintendent, and special education licensure candidates without three years of teaching experience. Candidates are required to complete this course as part of their Educational Specialist program.  The course blends instructional learning and applied teaching experiences through a supervised internship.

Additional Minnesota Administrator Licensing:  Students who hold a valid Minnesota administrator license (principal, superintendent, or director of special education) may obtain an additional administrator license at CSP by completing nine additional credits.  The additional licensure program meets the requirements and expectations of the educational leadership program, the university, and the Minnesota Administrator Rule 3512.  The additional licensure program is asynchronous and involves completing one three-credit licensure competency course and six credits of internship to meet the requirements for licensure in the Minnesota Administrator Rule.

Administrative License in States beyond Minnesota:  Each state has different requirements for professional licensure and certifications. CSP’s educator preparation programs are designed specifically to prepare students for licensure in Minnesota and are not approved by any other state licensing boards for licensure in those states. CSP is unable to determine whether its teacher preparation programs would meet the educational requirements for licensure in other states.  Students who want to work in a state other than Minnesota should contact the state licensing board in their state before enrolling in the program.  Please see the contact information for teacher licensing boards here. 

In addition to these courses, students will complete internship credits as approved by the faculty.