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1. What is an “educational specialist” degree?
Answer: This is a professional degree program for candidates who already hold a master’s degree. It is a “sixth year” graduate degree that falls between the master’s level and doctoral level. At Converse, there are three tracks leading to the Ed.S. degree: 1) administration and supervision, 2) curriculum and instruction, 3) marriage and family therapy.
2. How do these three tracks differ?
Answer: The first two tracks are designed for professional educators and are 36-semester hour curricular programs. The Marriage and Family Therapy program is a 66-hour curriculum reflecting a partnership between Converse College and WestGate Training and Consultation Network, Inc. The MFT curriculum is not designed for public school educators, although some educators do elect to pursue this track of the Ed.S.
3. Does the Ed.S. degree lead to certification in South Carolina schools?
Answer: The Ed.S. in Administration and Supervision is the only track that is designed to provide certification for educators in administration and supervision at either the elementary or secondary levels. This is an appropriate track for teachers who already have completed a master’s degree in a teaching field and want to become certified to be a principal or supervisor. There is no specific certification in curriculum and instruction in South Carolina at this time, but the program provides strong preparation for master teachers who want to develop their knowledge and skills in curriculum design, teaching strategies, and leadership. There is no public school certification in Marriage and Family Therapy, although those teaches who have a counseling background may find this degree a valuable way to develop their professional knowledge and skills.
4. What are the minimum admissions requirements for each
track?
Answer: For the administration and supervision track and the curriculum and instruction track applicants are required to have three years of school experience, a master’s degree in an appropriate teaching field from an accredited institution, and at least a 3.0 grade point average in that course of study. High Praxis II scores and excellent personal qualities are also expected. The marriage and family therapy track gives priority to students with a graduate degree in marriage and family therapy or a related field of study. Exceptional students with a bachelor’s degree in a field of study related to MFT may also be accepted, and these students will be required to have five years of experience related to MFT either before or during their Ed.S. training. There is also a 3.0 grade point average before final acceptance into this track.
5. Are internships or clinical experiences required as part of the Ed.S. tracks at
Converse?
Answer: Yes. All three tracks culminate in an extended internship in an appropriate setting. The clinical requirement is an important culminating experience for Ed.S. students.
6. What is the story on transfer courses?
Answer: While the curriculum in the three Ed.S. tracks is prescriptive, provision may be made for the transfer of up to nine hours of approved graduate credit from an accredited institution with grades of “A” or “B.” Such credit may be no older than five years from the beginning of matriculation in the Ed.S. program. Advisers must approve any such transfer credit.
7. Am I eligible for scholarship or loans?
Answer: There are various loan programs for teachers who are a) accepted into a degree program and b) are enrolled half time or more. Half time is defined as two courses in the fall, one course in the Winter Term, and two courses in the spring. To be eligible in the summer, graduate students must take 6-semester hours, total, in the summer sessions to meet the half-time minimum requirement for loan eligibility. Check with our Financial Assistance Office in Carnegie Hall for further details (phone 596-9019).
8. How long does it take to complete the Ed.S. program?
Answer: The two 36-semester hour programs can generally be completed within a two-year time period. Of course, that depends on how many classes you take per term and when needed classes are available. The MFT track takes much longer because it is a 66-hour program with an extensive clinical internship. Students may take up to five years to complete the requirements of any of the Ed.S. programs.
9. Do these Ed.S. programs prepare one for doctoral work?
Answer: The programs are not specifically designed as a first step on a doctoral program but, rather, are seen as professional degree programs that are ends in themselves. Nevertheless, it is not unusual for those who hold the Ed.S. degree to apply to and be accepted into doctoral programs. In many cases, the Ed.S. coursework will contribute to the completion of doctoral degrees, although that is always at the discretion of the institution granting the higher degree.
10. Are course scheduling and registration procedures available on line?
Yes. Visit the online Registrar at http://www.converse.edu/Academics/Registrar/registrarOffice.html for a listing of courses. Students may register by mail by sending in a registration form available from the Graduate Studies Office. Call 864-596-9220 or e-mail jill.feist@Converse.edu for a registration form.
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