Community College and Higher Education
The curriculum in community college/higher education is a program designed to prepare personnel for teaching and supervisory roles at the community college and lower division senior college level. The program enables both current and prospective college staff and administrators to develop an advanced preparation course of study in a teaching field and/or a leadership role in administration. A degree program is offered at the Specialist in Education level with a major in community college and higher education. Option I (thesis) requires a minimum of 30 hours. Option II (non-thesis) requires a minimum of 32 hours. Contact the Department of Special Services and Leadership Studies for specific program requirements.
The Specialist in Education degree in Community College and Higher Education is designed to prepare the candidate for a career in higher education settings. The degree provides a background in: the community college; curriculum; educational research; and a field of specialization. In addition, the program includes a site-based component which enables the candidate to gain first-hand experiences in either a community college or four-year institution.
Course Map
- Community College and Higher Education Core (15 hours):
- SSLS 816 The Community College (3 hours)
- SSLS 834 Curriculum Development (3 hours)
- SSLS 824 Educational Statistics (3 hours)
- TED 831 Characteristics of Adult Learners (3 hours)
- SSLS 907 Practicum in Higher Education (3 hours)
- Research Options 3-9 hours
- Option I (Thesis Program)
- SSLS 930 Seminar in Research Skills (3 hours)
- SSLS 990 Special Research Project (Thesis) (3-6 hours)
- Option II (Non-thesis Program)
- SSLS 930 Seminar in Research Skills (3 hours)
- SSLS 990 Special Research Project (may be taken in the student's academic department) (3 hours)
- Choose ONE area of Emphasis (9-12 hours):
- Teaching: Designed to enhance instructional skills
- CURIN 843 Trends and Issues (3 hours)
- CURIN 850 Current Teaching Practices (3 hours)
- Elective hours at the 700-900 level, including Special Education, Educational Technology, Workshops & Seminars (3 hours)
- American Education: Designed to foster an understanding of the American educational system for international candidates
- SSLS 888 Foundations of Education (3 hours)
- SSLS 800 Educational Leadership I (3 hours)
- CURIN 843 Trends and Issues (3 hours)
- CURIN 850 Current Teaching Practices (3 hours)
- Leadership: Designed to enhance leadership skills
- SSLS 800 Educational Leadership I (3 hours)
- SSLS 801 Educational Leadership II (3 hours)
- SSLS 809 Legal Foundations of Public Education (3 hours)
- Elective hours at 700-900 level in the area of Educational Leadership (3 hours)
- Description-Based: Designed to expand candidates' knowledge at the post-masters level within a discipline of study. The selection of the 9-12 hours of 700-900 level content course work should be done in consultation with a faculty member from the discipline and the student's advisor. Academic departments supporting the Discipline-Based area of specialization include:
- Art
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Music
- English
- Physics
- History
- Psychology and Counseling
- Reading (Curriculum & Instruction)
- Health, Physical Education and Recreation
- Social Science
Special Notes
- Only 700 level hours and above can be applied to the degree program. In addition, the program must include a minimum of 9 hours of 900 level course work and no more than 9 hours of 700 level course work.
- Substitutions will be allowed for those students who have completed courses required in Ed.S. as a part of other degree programs.
- Research Options & Specialization hours:
- Students completing Option I (writing a thesis) will complete 9 hours in the area of specialization.
- Students completing Option II (not writing a thesis) will complete 12 hours in the area of specialization.
Procedural steps for Specialist Degree
- The student must apply for and be admitted to a degree program through the Office of Graduate Studies.
- The student must submit either a GRE or MAT score prior to admission to candidacy.
- The student must apply for candidacy in conference with the advisor.
- The student must petition the Graduate Office to graduate.
- The student must register for the Comprehensive Exam in the office of the College of Education. The exam is administered to each Option II candidate during his/her final enrollment.
General School Administration
The Specialist in Education degree with a major in general school administration is designed to prepare superintendents and other central office personnel. Candidates for the degree must meet all requirements for the building administrator certificate in Kansas in addition to the other requirements for the specialist degree. The degree program is designed to permit a student to specialize in a specific area of administration and supervision as well as to gain a comprehensive knowledge of administration at both elementary and secondary levels. This is accomplished through electives and individual study courses available in the program to meet individual needs.
The Specialist in Education degree in school administration is designed to prepare Superintendents and other central office personnel. Candidates for the degree must meet all requirements for the building Administrator Certificate in Kansas in addition to the requirements for the Specialist degree. The degree program is also designed to permit a student to specialize in a specific comprehensive knowledge of administration at both elementary and secondary levels. This is accomplished through electives and individual study courses available in the program to meet individual needs.
Course Map
- General School Administration Core (18 hours):
- SSLS 901 Educational Systems Leadership I (3 hours)
- SSLS 902 Educational Systems Leadership II (3 hours)
- SSLS 903 Educational Systems Leadership III (3 hours)
- TED 831 Characteristics of Adult Learners (3 hours)
- SSLS 997 Internship Educational Systems Leadership I (3 hours)
- SSLS 998 Internship Educational Systems Leadership II (3 hours)
- Research Options 9-12 hours
- Option I (Thesis Program)
- SSLS 824 Educational Statistics I (3 hours)
- SSLS 930 Seminar in Research Skills (3 hours)
- SSLS 990 Special Research Project (Thesis) (3-6 hours) (Pre-requisite: SSLS 930 Seminar in Research Skills)
- Option II (Non-thesis Program)
- SSLS 824 Educational Statistics I (3 hours)
- SSLS 930 Seminar in Research Skills (3 hours)
- SSLS 990 Special Research Project (may be taken in the student's academic department) (6 hours)
- Choose ONE area of Specialization 6-9 hours
- Electives in focus are approved in advance by advisor.
- Total hours for degree: 36*
- *Deficiencies in meeting building level requirements will create additional hours.
Admission Requirements
Building-Level Certification- GPA requirement:
- Minimum of 3.0 on last 60 hours of college course work from an accredited institution
- Test score requirement:
- " 480 or above on any two of the three General Tests of the GRE (Graduate Record Exam), or
- " 42 or above on the MAT (Miller's Analogies Test)
- Evidence of certification for the role in public/private school
- Two letters of recommendation:
- From supervisors and/or professional peers;
- At least one must attest to applicant's potential as a building administrator
- Approval of Department Chairperson
- A resume of educational and professional experience
- Statement of professional goals
- GPA requirement:
- Minimum of 3.0 on last 60 hours of college course work from an accredited institution
- Test requirement:
- GRE or MAT
- Two letters of recommendation:
- From supervisors and/or professional peers;
- At least one must attest to applicant's potential as a leader within an organization
- Approval of Department Chairperson
- A resume of leadership experiences, both formal and informal
Special Notes
- Only 700 level hours and above can be applied to the degree program. In addition, the program must include a minimum of 9 hours of 900 level course work and no more than 9 hours of 700 level course work.
- Substitutions will be allowed for those students who have completed courses required in Ed.S. as part of other degree programs. The substitutions must be approved in advance by the student's official advisor.
- Ed.S. applicants who do not meet building-level certification requirements must take the building-level certification course work as part of their total program. See the Master's degree in Educational Leadership for specific courses required. These courses will create more than 36 total hours in the program.
Procedural steps for Master's Degree
- The student must apply for and be admitted to a degree program through the Office of Graduate Studies.
- The student must submit either a GRE or MAT score prior to admission to candidacy.
- The student must apply for candidacy in conference with the advisor.
- The student must petition the Graduate Office to graduate.
- The student must register for the Comprehensive Exam in the office of the College of Education. The exam is administered to each Option II candidate during his/her final enrollment