Specialist in Education with a major in
Educational Administration
July 1, 2006

STATEMENT OF STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The student has the responsibility of becoming familiar with the information contained in this Handbook, in the Graduate School section of the University Catalog, and for seeking guidance regarding requirements and policies.  Failure to comply may result in delays in licensure and/or graduation.

The faculty at Fort Hays State University believes that students are responsible and interested individuals concerned with their professional development.  These guidelines are designed to assist students in pursuing their goals in a timely and satisfying manner.

General Program Planning

The competencies to be developed in Educational Administration are of such nature that a planned program of sequential steps should be followed.  Those interested in Educational Administration should declare their intentions and pursue the standard program leading to a Specialist in Education Degree with a major in Educational Administration. 

Phase II of the training program approximates one year of full-time graduate study and leads to the Specialist in Education Degree with a major in Educational Administration.  The minimum number of graduate semester hours is thirty (30) for the specialist degree.

The Specialist in Education degree is an advanced graduate degree designed to provide the graduate student a definite and integrated professional program of study beyond the Master's Degree in Educational Administration.  The degree requires advanced study between the master's degree and the doctorate degree both in time and depth with objectives identifiable and distinct from each of these.  The program planning and the supervision of the research project (Field Study) is the responsibility of the designated advisor with the counsel of the student's graduate committee.

District Leadership License

Candidates applying for the Specialist in Education Degree must complete the Building Leadership Licensure Program as a pre-requisite prior to beginning the courses for the Specialist in Education Degree Program.  To receive an institutional verification from Fort Hays State University to the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) applicants for a District Leadership endorsement must complete the Fort Hays State University approved District Leadership Program and have a total of 60 graduate hours. 

For completion of the District Leadership License Program non-degree applicants may transfer the equivalent of six (6) hours with approval from the program faculty. Non-degree candidates will need to complete twelve (12) of the eighteen (18) required hours from FHSU to receive an institutional verification from Fort Hays State University for a District Leadership License. 

PLEASE NOTE: All credit toward the Specialist in Education degree must be earned in residence at Fort Hays State University.

The completion of this degree/licensure program provides the candidate with an opportunity to receive an institutional verification from Fort Hays State University to the Kansas State Department of Education for the “Conditional School Leadership License”.  Completion of the Conditional School Leadership License will allow a candidate to fulfill the role of a Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent in the state of Kansas.

Objectives of the Specialist in Education Degree

The Specialist in Education degree program offers opportunity for specialization.  The program is intended for individuals preparing for positions that demand a higher level of study than the master's degree.  It is intended to provide advanced preparation and additional training required of unified school district superintendents and related administrative personnel.  It enables the student on the basis of past experience and growth in a professional area to extend, reinforce and reorganize knowledge, techniques and skills. 

School leaders must demonstrate competency in the following standards as developed by the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC):

STANDARD 1. A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the school community.

STANDARD 2. A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by advocating, nurturing, and sustaining a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth.

STANDARD 3. A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by ensuring management of the organization, operations, and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment.

STANDARD 4. A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by collaborating with families and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources.

STANDARD 5. A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by acting with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner. 

STANDARD 6. A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by understanding, responding to, and influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context.

Admission to the Specialist in Education Degree Program

Each applicant for the Specialist in Educational Administration degree must apply to:           

Graduate School
Fort Hays State University
600 Park Street
Hays, KS  67601-4099
Tel: 785-628-4236
Fax: 785-628-4479
gradschool@fhsu.edu

Online Application for Admission:

                                                www.fhsu.edu/gradschl/

As of April 1, 1999 admission to the Specialist in Education Degree: Educational Administration is based on the following criteria:

1.    Completion of the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

        Points are earned for scores 385 and above for the MAT or an average of 446 for the three GRE scores.  The Test Score Must Be On File In The Graduate Office BEFORE Action Will Be Taken On The Application.  Test information and practice test booklets are available from the Kelley Center (Picken Hall 308) or by telephoning (785-628-4401) or at         www.fhsu.edu/kellycenter/testing/tdates.shtml

**Implementation of the new scaled scores for the MAT effective December 1, 2004

2.            Grade Point Average

        The applicant holds a Master's Degree from an accredited institution with a minimum grade point average of 3.25 for the first 30 hours of graduate coursework leading to the building level certification.

3.            Educational Experience* (Refer to #4)

        A consistent predictor of educational success is previous educational success.  This criterion provides points for teaching and related educational endeavors.

4.            References (include 2)

        The applicant must submit two references from supervisors and/or professional peers; at least one reference must be submitted from a supervisor of the educational experiences cited in number three.

5.    Vita/Resume

        The applicant must submit a resume or vita of education and professional experiences.

6.            Professional Goal Statement

        The applicant must submit a brief statement of professional goals related to completion of the Specialist in Education (Educational Administration emphasis).

7.            Evidence of Certification in Public/Private Schools

            Applicants must submit a copy of certification in the public/private schools. 

NOTE: If applicants are not certified as a building level principal, then they will be required to complete building leadership program as a prerequisite to starting Specialist in Education Degree courses.

8.            Official Transcripts

        The applicant must submit official transcripts of all college work completed and documentation of a degree conferral.

9.    Approval of the Application

        The Specialist in Education Degree Committee in the Department of Educational Administration approves the application after a review of the applicant's file.  An applicant must score a total of 700 points or above on items #1, #2, & #3 and the completed application must include items #4-#8.  Action of the committee will be forwarded to the Dean of the Graduate School with a recommendation of approval or denial.

10.    With a recommendation of approval, the committee chair in the area of specialization appoints an advisor and designates a graduate committee responsible for developing the student's program of study.

11.    Applicants who are denied admission to the program should consider one or more of the following:

• Retake the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or Graduate Record Exam(GRE)
• Complete additional courses to increase Grade Point Average (GPA)
  NOTE: The minimum GPA for the Graduate School is an average of 2.50 based on the first 30 hours of graduate credit; however the minimum GPA in Educational Administration is 3.25 based on the last 30 hours of graduate credit.
• Complete an additional year of educational experience
  NOTE: A maximum of five years of educational experience is credited.
• File an appeal to be admitted via a personal interview

Specialist in Education Degree: Educational Administration

A minimum of 21 semester hours of graduate study shall include some credit in each of the following core areas:

 NOTE #1:  Must complete Building Leadership Licensure Program as a pre-requisite prior to beginning the Specialist in Education Degree Program.

NOTE #2:  All credit toward the Specialist in Education degree must be earned in residence at Fort Hays State University.

NOTE #3:  For completion of the District Leadership License Program non-degree applicants may transfer the equivalent of six (6) hours with approval from the program faculty. Non-degree candidates will need to complete twelve (12) of the eighteen (18)   required hours from FHSU to receive an institutional verification from Fort Hays State University for a District Leadership License.

Requirements for Completion of the Specialist in Education Degree

1. A minimum of 30 graduate hours on an approved degree program must be completed beyond the master's degree.
2. At least 15 hours in a 30 hour program leading to a Specialist in Education degree must be courses numbered 900 and above or one-half of all hours must be at the 900 level if the degree program exceeds the 30 hour minimum.
3. A score has been submitted for the Miller Analogies Test or the Graduate Record Exam.
4. The student must present a grade point average of 3.25 or above in all course work.
5. The student must satisfactorily pass the written comprehensive examination, which shall not exceed four (4) hours.
6. The student must satisfactorily pass the oral examination over the field study, which shall not exceed two (2) hours.
7. All credit toward the Specialist in Education degree must be earned in residence at Fort Hays State University.  Any exception to this requirement must have the prior approval of the Dean of the Graduate School.  No portion of the degree program may be taken by extension or correspondence.
8. All graduate courses in a program for a Specialist in Education degree must be completed within six (6) calendar years.

Specialist in Education Degree Research

A student may elect to complete a Field Study of three to six semester hours.  The research project is included in the 30 semester hour minimum program designed to meet the requirements for the Specialist in Education degree.

The Field Study is the written result of independent study or research on some topic in the major field of study.  The topic and procedural plan of the field study must be approved by the student's graduate committee prior to the beginning of the study.  The student is responsible for conducting an oral defense of the field study proposal with the student's graduate committee.  The oral examination of the field study shall not exceed two (2) hours.  The advisor and the departmental graduate committee or its delegate share responsibility for the student's work on the field study and on the final approved copies.

Specialist in Education Degree Comprehensive Examinations

Each applicant for a graduate degree must satisfactorily pass a comprehensive over the subject fields of the program.  The applicant must be admitted to candidacy before being eligible to take the comprehensive examination.  Normally the comprehensive examination is taken upon completion of all courses in the program of study or during the final semester of enrollment.  The Educational Administration Department will determine the content of the examination.  The comprehensive examination normally consists of a written examination, which shall not exceed four (4) hours.  The department has the option of conducting the examination in written and/or oral format.  The oral examination of the thesis shall not exceed two (2) hours.

LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS

To receive an institutional verification from Fort Hays State University to the Kansas State Department of Education, applicants for a District Leadership endorsement must complete the Fort Hays State University approved District Leadership Program and have a total of 60 graduate hours.

Steps in Obtaining a Conditional School Leadership License

1. A candidate completes the approved District Leadership Licensure Program and documents completion of a master’s degree.
2. Candidate must pass the ETS Content Assessment for District Leadership (School Superintendent Assessment—SSA). Register at www.ets.org
3. Candidate secures a position as a Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent.
4. Candidate applies for a “Conditional School Leadership License”.  This is KSDE Form 1 “Application for Kansas Conditional License or Added Endorsements” available only from the FHSU Licensure Office.  Return the completed form to FHSU Licensure Office, Rarick Hall 220, with the $36 application fee.

Each applicant for a conditional school leadership license shall submit to the state board the following:

1. An official transcript verifying the granting of a graduate degree;
2. Verification from an accredited institution by the unit head or designee of completion of a graduate level school leadership program;
3. Verification of a minimum 3.25 GPA in graduate coursework;
4. Verification of successful completion of a school leadership assessment as determined by the state board;
5. Verification of at least one year of recent accredited experience or at least eight semester hours of recent credit;
6. An application for conditional school leadership license;
7. The licensure fee; and
8. Verification of three years of experience in a state-accredited school while holding a professional teaching license, a professional school specialist license, a professional clinical license, or a full vocational-technical certificate.

5. The Conditional School Leadership License application is sent to KSDE by the FHSU Licensure Office.  KSDE will mail the license directly to the candidate.  Allow 4-6 weeks for processing the application.

Steps in Obtaining a Professional School Leadership License

1. Candidate enrolls for two full semesters of supervised internship beyond the approved graduate District Leadership Program.
2. Candidate completes the two full semesters of supervised internship and then contacts the FHSU Licensure Office for an application for a “Professional School Leadership License”.

Each applicant for a professional school leadership license shall submit to the state board the following:

1. Verification of successful completion in a state-accredited school of the school leadership performance assessment prescribed by the state board;
2. verification of at least one year of recent accredited experience or at least eight semester hours of recent credit;
3. an application for professional school leadership license; and
4. the license fee.

3. Candidate applies for a “Professional School Leadership License”.  This is KSDE Form 19 “Application for Kansas Upgrade from Conditional School leadership License to Professional School leadership License” available from the FHSU Licensure Office.  Return the completed form to FHSU Licensure Office, Rarick Hall 220, with the $36 application fee.
4. The Professional School Leadership License application is sent to KSDE by FHSU Licensure Office.  KSDE will mail the license directly to the candidate.  Allow KSDE 4-6 weeks for processing the application.

For questions related to licensure applicants are advised to contact the Licensure Specialist in the College of Education and Technology, Rarick Hall 220 (785-628-4542).

A.  ETS Content Assessment: PRAXIS Series

1. The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) requires a passing score of 157  on the ETS Content Assessment for District Leadership (School Superintendent Assessment –SSA).

2. PRAXIS Test Dates at Fort Hays State University

The School Superintendent Assessment (SSA) has an individual registration date  and a separate registration form that needs to be completed and mailed to ETS.  You may fill out the form in the registration book or register on-line at http://www.ets.org/sls  The School Superintendent Assessment (SSA) is tentatively scheduled to be administered at Hays once in the Fall semester and once in the Spring semester. For more information, contact the Licensure Specialist, in Rarick Hall 220 or 785-628-4542 or  the FHSU Coordinator of Testing Services at 785-628-4401.  A list of dates for the PRAXIS Test is available at www.fhsu.edu/kellycenter/testing/tdates.shtml

3. FREE Content Test Preparation Material

The School Leadership Series Tests at a Glance. This includes a description of the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) Standards, sample questions with scored, annotated responses, and test-taking strategies.  You may Download Tests at a Glance by going to http://www.ets.org/sls/index.html and clicking on the “Test Preparation” link.

4. Priced Content Test Preparation Material

The School Leaders Licensure Assessment Study Kit. The study guide contains four sample tests and actual scored candidate responses with comments by the Chief Readers for all four tests.  You may obtain a Study Kit by calling 1-800-537-3161 or order online from the ETS Store at http://www.ets.org/

5. Test Center Regulations

Please take special notice of the “Test Center Regulations” as noted in The School Leadership Series: Registration Bulletin.  The Registration Bulletin is available at: www.ets.org/sls/

A test center supervisor is authorized to dismiss you from a test session and/or your scores may be canceled by ETS for infractions stated in the Registration Bulletin.  Be sure to make yourself familiar with the test regulations provided by ETS as listed in the Registration Bulletin.  There are multiple regulations listed in the Registration Bulletin but be sure to take notice of the following regulations.

Your scores will be canceled for the following infractions:

• Leaving the test center during the test session (you are not allowed to leave the test session even if you complete the test early)
• Leaving the testing room before the test session is dismissed (except for unscheduled breaks during the test session).

The School Superintendent Assessment (SSA) test day is approximately from 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM with a lunch break.  If you arrive at the test center after the reporting time(s) listed, you may not be admitted to the test session.

B. Graduate Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement

The District Leadership Program has a requirement of a 3.25 cumulative grade point average (GPA) in ALL graduate coursework that must be met when applying for conditional or professional endorsements at KSDE.

C.    Internship

Beginning September 1, 2004 candidates applying for District Leadership Endorsement must complete a one-year internship (performance assessment) before obtaining a professional endorsement.  You do not enroll in the internship until you have obtained your first position as a Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent.  The internship will be two semesters (Fall and Spring) in length. 

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

EAC  830.  STATISTICS FOR RESEARCH. (3) Includes elementary concepts, principles and procedures.  A laboratory experience is included with this course.  Requisites: PR, concurrent enrollment in EAC 830L.

EAC  830L.  STATISTICS FOR RESEARCH LABORATORY. (0) This lab must be taken in conjunction with EAC 830 Statistics for Research.  Requisites: EAC 830, a non-lab co-requisite.

EAC  858.  EDUCATIONAL ISSUES. (3) A consideration of contemporary issues and problems of social concern to educational leaders.  Extensive reading in non-educational areas is required.

EAC 875.  SEMINAR IN EDUCATION II: SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR SCHOOL LEADERS. (3) This course includes the study of procedures employed in organizing and administering programs in special education.

EAC  900.  HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION. (3) A critical examination of the history and philosophy of education for leaders in specialized or advanced positions in American schools.  

EAC  931.  INTERMEDIATE STATISTICS FOR RESEARCH. (3) Includes intermediate concepts, principles and procedures as they apply to research.  A laboratory experience is included with this course.  Requisites: EAC 931L, a lab co-requisite.

EAC  931L.  INTERMEDIATE STATISTICS FOR RESEARCH LABORATORY. (0) This lab must be taken in conjunction with EAC 931 Intermediate Statistics for Research.  Requisites: EAC 931, a non-lab co-requisite.

EAC  932.  RESEARCH DESIGNS AND ANALYSIS. (3) The student designs a research proposal which culminates in a field study or written report.  Requisites: PR, EAC 931 or concurrent enrollment.

EAC  950.   ADVANCED SCHOOL LAW. (3) This course is designed to instruct students in the techniques of legal research and writing. The course provides an opportunity to develop research on topics of interest in the field of School Law.

EAC  951.  ADVANCED EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION. (3). An in-depth study of the theories and structure of educational administration.

EAC  952.  TRENDS AND PRACTICES IN EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION. (3) An intense study of auxiliary school administrative services.  The organization and implementation of such services in a school setting.  Requisites: PR, graduate student status or PERM.

EAC  955.  THE SCHOOL PLANT. (3) A study of the problems and duties identified with the planning, remodeling, maintaining and operating of an educational facility.

EAC  959.  ADVANCED CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION. (3) A study of the processes and approaches to curriculum planning and development which includes evaluation of the curriculum.

EAC  972.  READINGS IN EDUCATION. (1-3) Directed professional reading according to the needs of the individual.  Requisites: permission required.

EAC  973.  PROBLEMS IN EDUCATION. (1-4) Independent study of an educational problem.  Requisites: permission required.

EAC  975.  SEMINAR IN EDUCATION. (1-4) A critical study of selected problems relating to the educational area under consideration.

EAC  976.  APPRENTICESHIP IN EDUCATION. (1-3) Opportunity for graduate level students to obtain experience in instruction under the supervision of the graduate faculty.

EAC  979.  PRACTICUM IN EDUCATION. (1-8) This course is designed to relate theory to practice in a realistic fashion.  The student is placed in a situation where experiences may be obtained relating directly or indirectly to the area being studied.  Requisites: PERM.

EAC 999.  FIELD STUDY. (1-6) Research of a situation or problem.