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    4. Graduate Programs

    Educational Leadership, Tier II (Ed.S.)

    The University of North Georgia offers the Tier II Education Specialist in Educational Leadership​ (Ed.S.) program for school leaders who have a Tier I certificate, currently serve in a leadership position in a P-12 setting (requiring Tier I certification) and already hold a master’s degree or higher in educational leadership. An add-on program is also available for you if you already have a specialist or higher degree.

    The Ed.S. program is delivered fully online. The program runs for four consecutive semesters​ including course work and a performance-based residency. Each semester consists of two courses and a clinical component.

    Request Information Apply Attend a Virtual Information Session

    Applicants certified in Georgia should verify with their employer or the GaPSC whether the advanced degree leads to a certificate upgrade or pay increase. The GaPSC provides the Certificate Upgrade Advisor to assist with this process. Out-of-state applicants should also verify with their employer or certification body to verify certificate upgrades.

    Quick Facts About the Tier II Ed.S. Program

    • Financial aid available
    • 27 hour program completed in 4 consecutive semesters
    • Partnership agreement with district and UNG required
    • Online program, no campus visit required
    • Tier 1, L, or PL certificate required
    • 3 years teaching experience and leadership position required
    • Program for practitioners taught by expert educators
    • All candidates must complete three (​3) consecutive semesters of performance-based ​residency requiring 750 contact hours
      • Residency is three (3 ) semester hours over three semesters
    • Program assessments include electronic portfolio and research projects
    • Program entails full specialist degree culminating in Tier 2 certification (27 hours)
      • Add-on option is available for those who have an approved specialist or higher degree (18 hours)
    • Asynchronous classes

    Program Application Deadlines

    If program capacity is met prior to established admission deadlines, we will stop accepting applications for admission and cancel remaining incomplete applicants. Completing your application earlier is better.

     

    Summer Deadline 

    May 1

    How to Apply to the Tier II Education Specialist (Ed.S.) Program

    • Degree Seeking Regular

      Requirements

      • Master's degree in a teaching field from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with at least a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 (4.0 scale) at the master's level calculated in accordance with Graduate Admissions procedures.
      • Tier 1 Georgia Leadership Certification OR hold a valid GaPSC-issued Standard Professional L or PL certificate in Educational Leadership
      • Three years teaching experience
      • Employment in a leadership position that requires Tier 1 certification or that the system designates as a leadership position (subject to change based on PSC rules).
      • Required supplemental documents
        • Letter of recommendation from supervisor or school district administrator
        • Current resume highlighting leadership experiences

      Application Steps

      • Step 1Application and Application Fee
      • Step 2Official Transcripts
      • Step 3Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.

      Submit the online application for Graduate Admissions.

      Please allow three business days after submitting your application for processing. You will receive an email from grads@ung.edu after your application has been reviewed for accuracy and updated with submitted documents. Please do not check your application status prior to receiving an email from this office as your online application checklist will not accurately reflect the required items for your program of interest.

      • Non-refundable application fee of $40.
      • Pay with a credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express) or electronic check (U.S. banks only) when completing the online application.
      • Include a check or money order payable to UNG when submitting a paper application.
      • Required supplemental documents may be uploaded with your application or emailed to grads@ung.edu.

      Submit one set of official transcripts from each institution attended for all course work, undergraduate and graduate level.

      • Transfer credit posted on records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from original institutions. Please request a transcript from each institution attended.
      • Transcripts that have been opened, scanned or forwarded by email are not official and will not be accepted.
      • Official paper transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution and mailed to University of North Georgia Admissions Imaging Center, P.O. Box 1358, Gainesville, GA 30503-1358. Student paper transcripts are accepted only when issued to the student in a sealed envelope and submitted to Graduate Admissions unopened.
      • Official electronic transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution to grads@ung.edu. Depending on the transcript service you are using, grads@ung.edu may not be an available option. You may then select any admissions or undergraduate admissions @ung.edu address. Electronic transcripts forwarded via email from the student are not accepted.
      • International transcripts must have a course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). Evaluations must be sent directly from the agency to the Admissions office. Refer to the evaluator website for a full list of NACES or AICE members. Official evaluations must include certification that the applicant's course work and degrees earned are equivalent to course work and degrees earned from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) and include a cumulative grade point average. Evaluations should be submitted from the evaluation service to Graduate Admissions. Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with a minimum grade point average of 2.75. 
      • Graduate Admissions will retrieve transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at UNG. You do not need to order official transcripts from UNG.

      Board of Regents’ policy requires all applicants accepted for admission or readmission to UNG seeking in-state for tuition classification provide validation of residency and lawful presence in both the state of Georgia and the United States.

      Learn More

    • Degree Seeking Provisional

      Students who do not meet regular admission requirements of a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.25 (4.0 scale) at the master's level calculated in accordance with Graduate Admissions procedures or three years of teaching experience may be granted provisional admission pending a successful admission appeal. See Appeal of Graduate Admission.

      Provisional degree-seeking students

      • may register for a maximum of six semester hours of graduate credit.
      • will be reviewed to determine eligibility for regular admission following completion of six hours.
      • are not eligible for federal financial aid while enrolled in courses as a provisional student.
      • will not be allowed to continue in the program if a grade of C or lower is earned in any graduate course.
      • may apply for readmission after three semesters from the date removed from the program because of a deficient grade by submitting a new application to Graduate Admissions with a letter addressed to the Dean of the College of Education requesting readmission.
    • Non-Degree
      Students may not enroll in EDS courses as a non-degree student.
    • Transient

      Students may not enroll in EDS courses as a transient student.

    • All International

      International applicants who must be issued an F-1 visa by UNG to enter the United States to attend school may not apply for completely part-time (less than nine hours) or online programs. This program is only offered as an online program and therefore does not permit F-1 visa student admission.

      This program requires current teacher certification. The University of North Georgia is unable to offer a path to enrollment for foreign nationals without current teacher certification in the United States.

    • Appeal of Graduate Admission

      A candidate whose application is denied has the right to appeal the decision. A written letter of appeal must include strong evidence to support the basis for your appeal. The appeal should consist of information beyond what was previously submitted in your admissions file and detail your ability to be successful in graduate studies.

      • Students whose appeals are granted will be admitted as provisional students.
      • Students are not eligible for financial aid while taking courses under a provisional admission status.
      • Students may not appeal for regular admission.

      Email your letter of appeal as a pdf attachment to grads@ung.edu.

    • Department of Social Foundations & Leadership Education
    • Catalog
    • Costs

    Questions?

    For questions about the program, contact:
    College of Education
    Jimmy Zoll, Ph.D.
    Cell: 678-325-8367
    Office: 678-717-2309 

    For questions about the application process, contact:
    Graduate Admissions
    grads@ung.edu 
    706-864-1543

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