Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in Education - Reading Education

If you have your master’s degree and are looking to further your language and literacy expertise, our highly flexible educational specialist program allows you to pursue topics that interest you in a format that fits your schedule. This degree is also a great opportunity for advanced education if you wish to further your studies but are unsure if a doctorate is for you.

This emphasis will help you hone your pedagogical capabilities within the field of language and literacy education. Choose one of our two emphases (Children’s Literature and Language Arts P-5 or Literature and Language Arts Grades 6-12) to personalize your program in relation to your expertise and interests while earning a certificate upgrade for already Georgia-certified educators. Each program of study involves three core areas:

• Literacy and Children’s Literature content based on certification level
• Research
• Electives aligned with your expertise, credentials, and interests

1. Hold a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in an area of language and/or literacy education, or a related field.
2. Have a recommended two or more years of teaching experience
3. Have a graduate grade point average of 3.0 from prior degrees.
4. Please indicate in your statement of purpose which area of emphasis below you intend to pursue for the Ed.S. program (Reading, Children’s Literature, and Language Arts [RECL], Gr. P-5 or Reading, Literature, and Language Arts, Gr.6-12 Reading [RLLA]).

Online Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in Reading Education Application Checklist

1. Application – Submit the Graduate School Admissions online.  Application fee: $75.
2. Select Campus – Online
3. Select Degree Level – Educational Specialist
4. Select Intended Program – EDS, Education (College of Education) [EDS_EDUC_ONL]
5. Select Area of Emphasis –
   1. Reading, Children’s Literature, and Language Arts P-5
   2. Reading, Literature, and Language Arts Grades 6-12
6. Select Intended Term – Fall or Summer
7. Résumé or curriculum vitae – Submit online to the Graduate School.
8. Statement of Purpose – Statement of Purpose- Submit a one to two-page statement of purpose online to the Graduate School. The statement should include applicant’s current teaching role, previous formal or informal leadership roles, and expectations of how this Ed.S will help you in the future. Please specify which are also emphasis you will pursue: Ed.S. program (Reading, Children’s Literature, and Language Arts [RECL], Gr. P-5 or Reading, Literature, and Language Arts, Gr.6-12 Reading [RLLA]).
9. Transcripts – Submit unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended as part of the online application. Send official transcripts after you are offered admission.
10. Letters of Recommendation – Submit three letters of recommendation online to graduate school. Letters should be from individuals who can evaluate the applicant’s scholarly ability and potential for success in a graduate program

The Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in Education - Reading Education program leads to Professional Licensure.

Not all programs are available to residents in all states. Please check the institution's State Authorization and Professional Licensure website(s) to ensure you reside in an authorized state. The Professional License Disclosure link opens in a new tab. 's Professional License Disclosure

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges