This 33-semester-hour program of advanced study in educational administration is designed to prepare eligible graduate students for various administrative positions in education. It emphasizes the technical and specialized aspects of administration and includes studies intended to refine the student’s competence to deal with more general aspects of educational theory. Within their program of studies, students may complete requirements for the superintendent endorsement to the Type 75 Illinois Administrative Certificate. Other certification requirements may be included in the program. Students should consult their adviser.
The faculty in educational administration select the most qualified applicants. Preference is given to experienced administrators who hold a master’s degree from an accredited university, with a minimum graduate GPA of 3.50. Faculty decisions are based on the total profile of each applicant. Any applicant who is denied admission may submit an appeal to be reviewed by the admissions committee and the faculty. Appeals must be in writing, explain the basis for the appeal, and include information not previously submitted.
Limitation of Time
The student must fulfill all of the requirements of the Ed.S. program within the six consecutive years immediately preceding the date of the student’s graduation from that program. This time limit applies to enrollment in all graduate course work in the student’s program including work for which transfer credit is allowed.
If an NIU course taken to complete the requirements for the Ed.S. program does not fall within the time limitation indicated in the previous paragraph, the department may require the student to retake the course for credit or may allow the student to demonstrate current knowledge of the subject matter. In the latter case, currency must be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the department offering the course through successful completion of an appropriate examination or other assessment if available from the department. Otherwise, the outdated course work must be deleted from, and other course work must be substituted in, the program of courses. Transfer courses falling outside the limitation of time cannot be used in a graduate program.
Course Requirements
The program requires 34 semester hours in either the thesis or non-thesis option with a GPA of at least 3.00 in the degree program (excluding deficiency courses taken for graduate credit) as well as in all graduate course work taken at NIU.
Non-Thesis Option
Additional course work in educational administration (15)
Course work in one or two related fields of study (12)
Same as non-thesis option except that 6 semester hours of the educational administration course work must be in LEEA 699B, Ed.S. Thesis, or LEEA 699C, Ed.S. Field Study.
Students are required to create and successfully defend a portfolio.
Thesis
The writing of a thesis or field study is optional in the Ed.S. program. See “Requirements for Graduate Degrees.”
Composition of Committees
The thesis committee (if applicable) and comprehensive-examination committee shall each consist of at least three members. The majority of the committee must be regular faculty members at Northern Illinois University; a majority must be members of the graduate faculty; and the chair must be a graduate faculty member in this department.
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