https://www.una.edu/education/

The Education Specialist degree is awarded in the fields of instructional leadership, elementary education, and teacher leader. Course requirements range from 30-36 semester hours of credit. 700-level courses are restricted to candidates admitted to the Education Specialist Program through the Office of Graduate Admissions.  See specific program requirements.

Instructional Leadership — Class AA

(Alabama State Board of Education Approved)

General Admission Requirements

1. Candidates must meet all testing requirements set forth by the Alabama State Department of Education. Contact the UNA certification officer for details.
2. Minimum grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale) on all master’s level coursework.
3. All candidates must hold a Class A Professional Educator Certificate in Instructional Leadership or one of the other Class A leadership certificate designations [Instructional Leader, Principal, Superintendent, Superintendent-Principal, Educational Administrator, Supervisor (any subject and/or grade level), Administrator of Career and Technical Education].
4. ASBI/FBI background clearance.
5. Candidates must also meet one of the following criteria:
   1. Hold a Class A Instructional Leadership certificate earned after completing a redesigned program at an Alabama university.
   2. Be currently serving as a superintendent, assistant or associate superintendent, assistant to the superintendent, principal, assistant principal, supervisor (any subject and/or grade level), administrator of career  and  technical  education, coordinator, or evaluator.
   3. Document three years of employment in an instructional leadership position for which one of the certificates is proper certification according to the current edition of the Subject and Personnel Codes of the Alabama State Department of Education.
   4. Demonstrate each of the abilities in the Class A Instructional Leadership standards prior to admission to the Class AA Instructional Leadership program.
6. Applicants who completed a Class A program other than one approved by the State Board of Education on or after September 8, 2005, must submit a portfolio which includes:
   1. Three letters of recommendation
   2. Most recent performance appraisals
   3. Evidence of ability to lead student achievement
   4. Evidence of leadership and management potential
   5. Reasons for pursuing the Class AA certificate in Instructional Leadership.
7. Applicants who completed a Class A program other than one approved by the State Department of Education on or after September 8, 2005, must pass an interview conducted by a program admission committee that includes both P-12 instructional leaders and instructional leadership faculty.

Required Courses

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
EDS 701	Professionalism and Ethics in the School Culture	3
EDS 702	Applied Research I	3
EDS 703	Digital-Age Leadership to Enhance Student Learning	3
EDS 704	Culturally Proficient Leadership	3
EDS 708	Advanced Curriculum Development	3
EDS 709	Applied Research II	3
EEX 605	Survey of Students with Disabilities (if not previously completed)	0-3
IL 705	Professional Development and Mentoring	3
IL 706	Management of the Learning Organization	3
IL 707	Law, Policy and Governance	3
IL 710	Community and Stakeholder Relationships	3
or ED 640	Statistical Methods in Education
IL 711	Professional Standards for Instructional Leadership	3
Total Hours		33-36