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. The program leads to a Class AA professional educator’s certification in Instructional Leadership.

No credit toward the AA/Ed.S. will be awarded to students who have not been admitted officially to the program(s).

Applicants must hold a valid Alabama Class A certificate in Instructional Leadership.

Applicants may also be eligible for the Instructional leadership Ed.S. program if they meet one of the following criteria*:

• Documentation of three (3) years experience in an administrative position in a P-12 setting.
• Current school/district administrator in a P-12 setting.

*Candidates who have not completed an ALSDE-approved, redesigned Class A IL Program must pass an interview conducted by a program admission committee and submit an admission portfolio.

Program Admission Requirements:

• A completed application and application fee available at www.montevallo.edu/admissions-aid/applying/
• One official transcript from each institution of higher education attended
• 3.00 GPA in a master’s degree program from a regionally accredited college or university
• Valid Class A education administration or institutional leadership certificate 
• 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.