Track Information
Educational Leadership Track: Leads to certification as a district-level superintendent and provides leadership candidates with further specialization in the field of educational administration.
School Leadership Track: Designed for experienced educators who have a master’s degree in another area but who now wish to certify as school administrators.
Ed.S. Track Requirements
Students seeking an Ed.S. in this concentration area (Track 1), leading to certification as a district-level superintendent, must have a valid South Carolina teaching certificate in School Administration (Professional Level, Elementary or Secondary). Students must also submit their Praxis II score report in Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision.
Concentration Area Courses (24 credits)
- EDSL-851 Interpersonal and Group Relations in Education
- EDSL-852 Data Analysis for Educational Leadership
- EDSL-853 School Personnel Administration
- EDSL-854 Leadership for Social Justice
- EDSL-855 Leading School Renewal
- EDSL-856 School Facilities Planning
- EDSL-858 Evaluation of School Programs and Personnel
- EDSL-859 The Superintendency
1-Year Internship (6 credits)
- EDSL-975 Internship in the Superintendency & District Administration
- EDSL-976 Internship in the Superintendency & District Administration
Capstone Experience (3 credits)
- EDSL-879D Advanced Seminar in Educational Leadership and Research: Topics in Finance, Law and Policy *
* Must be the final course completed in the degree program; may be taken concurrently with EDSL-976.
Please refer to the 2024–2025 Graduate Academic Catalog for course descriptions.
Notes:
The South Carolina State Department of Education also requires verification of a total of three years experience as a PK-12 or post-secondary teacher and two years as a school or school district administrator, post-secondary administrator, or school business administrator in order to add on superintendent’s certification.
In order to be recommended for SC certification as a school district superintendent, candidates must have a valid SC teacher’s professional level certificate and show evidence of a passing score on the PRAXIS Education Leadership: Administration and Supervision subtest. In addition, the South Carolina State Department of Education also requires verification of a total of three years’ teaching experience as a K-12 or post-secondary teacher, as well as two years’ experience as a school or district administrator, post-secondary administrator, or school business administrator.
Students seeking an Ed.S. in this concentration area (Track 2) must have a valid South Carolina teaching certificate (Professional Level: K-6, 7-8, or 9-12); a minimum of two years’ teaching experience, including at least one year at the level of the certificate for which the individual is applying (Elementary grades: K-6; Middles grads: 7-8; Secondary grades: 9-12); and a master’s degree in another area. Those who have middle level initial certification can pursue either elementary or secondary administrative certification if they have a minimum of one year’s teaching experience at that level, as well as initial certification at the elementary or secondary level. To complete this program, students must show evidence of a passing score on the appropriate Praxis II exam.
Concentration Area Courses (21 credits)
- EDSL-719 Leadership in Educational Organizations
- EDSL-727 Strategic Planning and Thinking in Education
- EDSL-730 Designing and Implementing Curriculum
- EDSL-823 School Finance
- EDSL-825 Schools and the Law
- EDSL-840 Supervision and Instructional Leadership *
*Must be taken prior to or concurrently with the internship
- EDSL-849 The Principalship **
**Pre-requisite EDSL-719 Leadership in Educational Organizations.
1-Year Internship (6 credits)
PICK TWO
- EDSL-971E Internship in Elementary School Administration
- EDSL-972E Internship in Elementary School Administration
OR
- EDSL-971S Internship in Secondary School Administration
- EDSL-972S Internship in Secondary School Administration
Capstone Experience (3 credits)
- EDSL-879B Advanced Seminar in Educational Leadership and Research: Topics in Finance, Law and Policy
Must be the final course completed in the degree program; may b.e taken concurrently with EDSL 972E/S
Please refer to the 2024–2025 Graduate Academic Catalog for course descriptions.
Notes:
All courses in the School Leadership concentration sequence must be completed prior to the end of the internship, which is a year-long experience. Additionally, in order to gain SC certification in school administration, candidates must have a valid SC teacher’s professional level certificate; show evidence of a passing score on the PRAXIS Education Leadership: Administration and Supervision subtest (required for both certification and degree program completion); and have a minimum of three years’ teaching experience, including at least one year at the level of the certificate for which the individual in applying.
![](https://www.furman.edu/graduate-studies/education/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2020/02/Prosser2.jpeg)
About Vernon Prosser
Vernon Prosser serves as the Program Coordinator for School Leadership and Educational Leadership. With more than 35 years in education, Prosser has served as a teacher, a principal, an assistant superintendent, and most recently as superintendent for the York school district before joining the faculty at Furman. He is also a father of three. Former staff members say Prosser has always put students first and has valued education throughout his career.
“I’ve had a lot of different hats over the time I’ve spent in education and I have enjoyed every minute of it!” -Prosser
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