Education Specialist (EdS) in Educational Systems Administration: Superintendency Certification Program Details

Anderson University’s College of Education offers a 33 credit-hour EdS in Educational Systems Administration degree with a Superintendent Certification through the South Carolina Department of Education. The EdS program is designed for students who hold an active credential in Administration and Supervision with work experience in traditional public, private, and/or online education settings who seek to obtain Superintendent certification.  

The purpose of the EdS in Educational Systems Administration is to develop and share knowledge that will position students to lead at the district level. To graduate with the Ed.S. in Educational Systems Administration degree, students will need to complete 33 credit hours of prescribed coursework and complete the Praxis II: School Superintendent Assessment. Students will need to have achieved or exceeded a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and completed the program within four years. Completion of these requirements (including a passing score on the Praxis exam) will lead to graduates’ eligibility for adding this area of licensure to their state credential, issued by the SCDE.   

Courses for the EdS degree will be offered to cohorts of students in a Hyflex format at the University Center in Greenville. Students will have the option to attend these synchronous courses either face-to-face or remotely.  

EdS Curriculum and Course Sequence 

Students in the EdS program will complete 21 hours of Core coursework, 9 hours of Concentration coursework, and 3 hours of Research coursework. This program includes a 2-semester internship, which is included in the Core coursework. These internships provide guided clinical experiences relating to the role of the superintendent under the supervision and direction of a superintendent or senior-level district leader. AU will offer a Fall start and Spring start option for the EdS degree program. The following is a sample course rotation for a student beginning the EdS in a Fall semester: 

EdS Educational Systems Administration (Fall Start)

Admission and Enrollment 

Anderson University accepts students on the basis of academic qualification, character and evidence of the potential to benefit from the university experience. Each applicant’s record is examined for evidence reflecting potential for intellectual and social growth, strength of character, and seriousness of purpose. The minimum requirements for acceptance into the EdS in Educational Systems Administration program include the following: 

• an earned master’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of 3.25 or higher. 
• personal statement 
• two letters of recommendation, including one from immediate supervisor. 
• a valid Professional Certificate issued by the SCDE, with an endorsement in educational administration.   

The application form and other requisite information should be submitted to the Online and Continuous Learning Programs' Admission Office. All applications are forwarded for review to the appropriate administrative office of each degree concentration. All students will receive timely notification in writing acknowledging receipt of application materials. A specific approvals process will be developed, allowing for the notification of acceptance into the EdS program. 

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