Instructional Leadership, Ed.S.

The Educational Specialist Program in Instructional Leadership is for educators who have earned a Class A Certification in Instructional Leadership or Educational Administration and wish to continue their education. UM’s Instructional Leadership Ed.S. is designed to prepare transformative leaders that are committed to educational quality, equity and inclusivity, through effective leadership strategies supported by research-based inquiry, analysis of current trends and the implementation of school improvement. The program leads to a Class AA professional educator’s certification in Instructional Leadership.

Program Admission Requirements:

• A completed application and application fee available at montevallo.edu/admissions-aid/applying
• An official transcript from each institution of higher education attended
• 3.00 graduating GPA in a Master’s degree program from a regionally accredited college or university
• Valid Class A education administration or institutional leadership certificate 
  • Applicants who abtained their Class A Certificate prior to the redesign of the instructional leadership [program must also have three (3) years of administrative experience and must have a valid Class A leadership certificate issued by the State Department of Education
• EXP form documenting three full years of full-time administration experience obtained from the applicant’s School Board office or a master’s degree from a state department approved instructional leadership program
• No credit toward the AA/Ed.S. will be awarded to students who have not been admitted officially to the program(s).

Retention and Completion Requirements for AA/Ed.S.

• Maintain a minimum 3.50 program GPA on all coursework
• A passing score on the capstone action research project
• ALSDE approved Class AA Level Diversity course if not previously completed
• SPED 407/507  or equivalent if not previously completed.
• The Ed.S. degree and the AA certificate are earned simultaneously.