Our Online Ed.S. Program provides candidates seeking an advanced online specialist degree in education the opportunity to further develop their knowledge, skills, and credentials in the area of school administration and supervision or school counseling.
Whether you are looking to move into school administration, teach at a community college, or expand your knowledge beyond the master's or Rank I level, the Education Specialist program provides an avenue for advancing your career.
The program utilizes a collaborative online environment to facilitate learning and accommodate the busy schedules of working adults. We offer six eight-week enrollment periods throughout the year, making it possible to complete an affordable post-graduate degree in education in just over a year.
Below are the admissions requirements for the different tracks you can choose from:
Ed.S./Administrative Certification Superintendent Program
Documentation for the following items must be received before an admission decision is made:
- Completed Graduate Application and payment of the associated fee
- A completed Master’s Degree
- Submit official transcripts from all applicable colleges/universities attended; must be received directly from the issuing college or university.
- Valid teaching license showing Level II Principal or Supervisor of Instruction certification
- Documentation of language fluency for non-native speakers of English, such as a score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the 8 International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or a report from Duolingo. This requirement is waived for students who have completed bachelor’s or master’s level coursework in the U.S. at an accredited institution. The minimum acceptable TOEFL or IELTS scores for admission are:
- Paper-based TOEFL (PBT) - 550
- Internet-based TOEFL (IBT) - 79
- IELTS - 6
- Duolingo - 100
- Any international course work completed must have official transcript evaluations completed and submitted to the University by the evaluation firm. Evaluations MUST include GPA for admission.
Approved Evaluation Firms are: - Documentation of three (3) years teaching experience and two (2) years experience in education administration
- Three letters of recommendation
- Superintendent Portfolio
Ed.S./Administrative Certification Supervisor of Instruction and Director of Pupil Personnel Program
Documentation for the following items must be received before an admission decision is made:
- Completed Graduate Application and payment of the associated fee
- A completed Master’s Degree
- Submit official transcripts from all applicable colleges/universities attended; must be received directly from the issuing college or university.
- Valid teaching license
- Documentation of language fluency for non-native speakers of English, such as a score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the 8 International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or a report from Duolingo. This requirement is waived for students who have completed bachelor’s or master’s level coursework in the U.S. at an accredited institution. The minimum acceptable TOEFL or IELTS scores for admission are:
- Paper-based TOEFL (PBT) - 550
- Internet-based TOEFL (IBT) - 79
- IELTS - 6
- Duolingo - 100
- Any international course work completed must have official transcript evaluations completed and submitted to the University by the evaluation firm. Evaluations MUST include GPA for admission.
Approved Evaluation Firms are: - Documentation of three (3) years teaching experience
- Three letters of recommendation
Ed.S./Administrative Certification Director of Special Education Program
Documentation for the following items must be received before an admission decision is made:
- Completed Graduate Application and payment of the associated fee
- A completed Master’s Degree
- Submit official transcripts from all applicable colleges/universities attended; must be received directly from the issuing college or university.
- Valid teaching license showing Special Education or School Psychology
- Documentation of language fluency for non-native speakers of English, such as a score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the 8 International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or a report from Duolingo. This requirement is waived for students who have completed bachelor’s or master’s level coursework in the U.S. at an accredited institution. The minimum acceptable TOEFL or IELTS scores for admission are:
- Paper-based TOEFL (PBT) - 550
- Internet-based TOEFL (IBT) - 79
- IELTS - 6
- Duolingo - 100
- Any international course work completed must have official transcript evaluations completed and submitted to the University by the evaluation firm. Evaluations MUST include GPA for admission.
Approved Evaluation Firms are: - Documentation of three (3) years teaching experience with at least one (1) year of Special Education or School Psychology
- Three letters of recommendation
Ed.S. Principal Program
Documentation for the following items must be received before an admission decision is made:
- Completed Graduate Application and payment of the associated fee
- A completed Master’s Degree
- Submit official transcripts from all applicable colleges/universities attended; must be received directly from the issuing college or university.
- Valid teaching license
- Documentation of language fluency for non-native speakers of English, such as a score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the 8 International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or a report from Duolingo. This requirement is waived for students who have completed bachelor’s or master’s level coursework in the U.S. at an accredited institution. The minimum acceptable TOEFL or IELTS scores for admission are:
- Paper-based TOEFL (PBT) - 550
- Internet-based TOEFL (IBT) - 79
- IELTS - 6
- Duolingo - 100
- Any international course work completed must have official transcript evaluations completed and submitted to the University by the evaluation firm. Evaluations MUST include GPA for admission.
Approved Evaluation Firms are: - Statement of Support from school Superintendent
- Documentation of three (3) years teaching experience
- Three letters of recommendation - One from your sitting Principal and the other two may come from other administrators or P-12 educators or professional staff members
Ed.S. School Counseling (30 Hour) Program
Documentation for the following items must be received before an admission decision is made:
- Completed Graduate Application and payment of the associated fee
- A completed Master’s Degree showing at least 30 hours
- Submit official transcripts from all applicable colleges/universities attended; must be received directly from the issuing college or university.
- Valid School Counseling Teaching License
- Assessment of entry level writing assessment
- Three letters of recommendation
Ed.S. School Counseling (15 Hour) Program
Please Note: To be eligible for admission to this program, candidates must hold a Master of Arts in Education Degree (45 hours required) from University of the Cumberlands.
Documentation for the following items must be received before an admission decision is made:
- Completed Graduate Application and payment of the associated fee
- A completed Master of Arts in Education School Counseling Degree from University of the Cumberlands
- Submit official transcripts from all applicable colleges/universities attended; must be received directly from the issuing college or university.
- Valid School Counseling Teaching License
- Three letters of recommendation
Length of Study
Students wanting to earn their specialist degree in education should learn about our Ed.S. program, which can be completed in as little as 16 months. However, it is designed to provide convenience and flexibility, allowing you to study at a pace that meets your needs.
Certification Provided
Certification is provided for the state of Kentucky through the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB). Out-of-state candidates please contact your state’s certification office for reciprocity details.
View a list of states that accept certifications from Kentucky.