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93 | COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY 2017-2018│COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
EDUCATION SPECIALIST
Overview
The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) program is intended to help extend professional understanding and practice in the critical
area of education. Ed.S. students will develop capacities to think, communicate, and model biblical excellence in educational
leadership positions. They will more clearly represent Christ-centered perspectives in the broader society by influencing
students, their families, faculty, and staff with competencies specifically designed for Kingdom growth. Students complete
a concentration in Educational Leadership. Courses are provided online and in summer intensives. Students must be
accepted into the Ed.S. program to enroll in courses. CIU Education Programs are endorsed by the Higher Education
Approval Program (HEAP) of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Program graduates who meet
specific requirements are eligible to apply for appropriate ACSI teacher or administrator certificates. ACSI waives the
certification fee when applying at the time of CIU graduation.
Purpose
The Ed.S. program strives to produce professionals who lead others in addressing educational needs from a biblical
perspective.
Objectives
Candidates will understand, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate:
Christian education, including biblical perspectives, foundational theories, research findings, cultural/sociological
dynamics, and alternative models for educating diverse learners in contemporary Christian educational institutions.
High-quality Christian education leadership, including biblical perspectives, theoretical approaches, research
findings, and alternative models of effective leadership and functioning of organizations, groups, and individuals
within organizations.
Ways to enhance their personal callings and ministry and contribute to the quality of Christian education through
leadership, presentation, and publication.
Admission Requirements
In addition to satisfying the general admission requirements of the university, students applying for the Ed.S. are reviewed
by a College of Education faculty admission panel, including an interview in person (or remotely). This panel recommends
acceptance according to the applicant’s satisfaction of the following criteria:
1. A master’s degree from an accredited institution that provides a relevant foundation for postgraduate studies in
educational leadership. (An education or education-related field is the strongly preferred focus of the master’s
degree.)
2. Performance in graduate coursework that indicates an ability to be successful in postgraduate studies.
3. A command of the English language as evidenced in a writing sample that demonstrates ability to do postgraduate
writing.
4. Christian maturity appropriate for leadership.
5. Administrative or teaching experience (K-12th grade, higher education) and other evidence indicating that the Ed.S.
program will enable the applicant to enhance his or her leadership role and contribution to the cause of Christian
education.
6. Official GRE test scores or official MAT scores. (The exam must have been taken within the last five years.)
Residency and Transfer Policies
A maximum of nine credit hours of appropriate master’s work may be applied toward the Ed.S. program, as determined by
the program director.
Time Limitation
The time limit for completion of all requirements is six years, measured from the date a student begins coursework in the
Ed.S. program.
Completion Requirements
Although advisors assist students in planning their courses of study, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all
requirements for graduation have been met.
Demonstrate competency of each of the program’s outcomes through satisfactory completion of coursework.
Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale), with no grade below a “B-” applicable to the degree.
A maximum of 9 credits of appropriate graduate coursework (“B-” or above) may be applied. (Transfer grades are
not calculated in the cumulative GPA.)