Education Specialist Program (Ed.S.)
The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree program is designed to meet a critical need for educational leaders who can transform education at the PK-12 and community college levels.
The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree is an advanced professional degree program that assists veteran educators to enhance their knowledge of theory and best practice, to acquire skills in interpreting and using educational scholarship and research, and to understand processes of change and leadership in educational settings. The degree program is ideal for educators who seek new skills and new opportunities for leadership and for those seeking the Michigan Central Office Administrator Certificate.
The Education Specialist degree program addresses three distinct yet overlapping areas of study that are essential characteristics for the next generation of leaders in education with transformative leadership, engagement with the community and scholarly practice.
Course Information
Graduates of the Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree program will be:
- Knowledgeable of and sensitive to differences in learning and organizational styles of different communities
- Effective education leaders who select relevant best practices form research to solve local educational problems
- Ethical and professional leaders who promote high levels of student achievement for all learners.
Program Information: The Ed.S. program is a 30-credit hour program with 9 credit hours of core courses, 18 credit hours of concentration area courses and 3 credit hours dedicated to an applied studies research project.
Grade Point Average: Students must maintain a “B” average (cumulative grade point average of 3.0) to remain in good standing in the Ed.S. program.
Transfer of Credit: Up to six credit hours from another (non-U-M) accredited university may be accepted as transfer credits with the approval of the program advisor. Students may transfer up to one-half (1/2) the minimum number of credit hours required for the Ed.S. degree from the Ann Arbor and Flint U-M campuses. Courses must be at least at the 500 level. The student’s program advisor must approve the transfer of the course and credits. Transfer of credit will be considered if:
- Graduate credits were completed within five years of application to the Ed.S. program at another accredited institution.
- Graduate credits were completed at another U-M School or College (including Flint and Ann Arbor).
- Graduate Extension courses were completed at any of these campuses
- University of Michigan, Wayne State University, Michigan State University, Western Michigan University, Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Northern Michigan University and Oakland University.
- Courses taken at an undergraduate institution, only if
- Students completed the course during their junior or senior year.
- They were approved for graduate credit by the graduate school of the institution where and when the student took the course.
- The courses were not used in whole or in part, in any way, to meet requirements for a degree.
- The student’s program advisor approves the transfer of the course and credits.
Concentration Areas
The Education Specialist degree is a 30-credit hour program of study. It provides candidates with a selection of three areas of concentration.
The concentration in Educational Leadership provides students the ability to develop the leadership and administrative skills needed to identify, solve and anticipate the challenges facing Michigan schools and community colleges.
Students in the Educational Leadership concentration can complete the program and be recommended to the Michigan Department of Education for the Central Office Administrator Certificate for educators in, or aspiring to, a K-12 school or district central office leadership position.
Course requirements:
The concentration in Metropolitan Education prepares students to assume leadership positions in metropolitan school systems and other educational agencies with a focus on the historical, political, economic and socio-cultural context of communities and schools.
Become subject-area leaders and/or a curriculum specialist. This is a flexible concentration that may include any of the disciplines in the College of Education, Health, and Human Services such as mathematics, science, literacy, social studies, early childhood education and English as a Second Language.
Admission Requirements
We utilize a holistic approach to reviewing applications and take into consideration all materials submitted when making admission decisions. In order for us to complete this holistic review, students must submit the follow items with their application. The GRE is not required for admission to this program. The Office of International Affairs lists additional admission requirements for international students.
- Bachelor's and Master's degree from accredited institutions
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- 3.3 GPA or higher on submitted transcripts
- Two professional letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
Contact Information
CEHHS Office for Student Success
262 Fairlane Center South (FCS)
cehhs-oss@umich.edu
313-593-5090
Academic Advisor

Stein Brunvand, Ph.D.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Brunvand please contact:
CEHHS Office of Student Success
email: cehhs-oss@umich.edu
phone: 313-593-5090.