Educational Specialist Degrees
Harding offers an Educational Specialist degree in two areas: Educational Leadership and Professional Counseling: Clinical and School.
Admission Requirements for the Two Specialist Degrees
Admission to Harding University is determined on an individual basis with the following criteria considered: (1) academic preparation, (2) character, (3) educational interests and (4) academic potential. Effort is made to admit all students who qualify and who can benefit from the unique educational program and opportunities available at Harding irrespective of their religious faith, national origin, sex, race or color. When applying, students should be aware of the distinct purpose of Harding University and be willing to commit themselves to upholding institutional values.
Applicants for the specialist degree program must:
- Hold a master’s degree in a related field from an accredited institution. (Note: For the specialist degree in counseling, the master’s degree must be in counseling or the student must have earned the credit equivalent [48 credit hours]. Leveling hours may be required if master’s or credit equivalent hours total less than 48. )
- Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 on all graduate work.
- Successfully complete the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) with a target score of 396 or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with a target score of 900 on the verbal and quantitative sections and a 4.0 on the analytical section. (A student may be admitted provisionally without submitting a test score, but must submit an acceptable score during the first semester enrolled.)
- Abide by the university Code of Conduct. Counseling students must also abide by the Graduate Policies and Procedures.
- For the Education Leadership program, applicant must show proof of current teaching licensure and initial building-level administrative licensure, and have at least four years of teaching experience, with some building-level administrative experience preferable.
Application Procedure
- An application form for admission may be obtained online at www.harding.edu/education or by contacting the chair of Graduate Studies in Education, Box 12261, Searcy, AR 72149-2261; or e-mail gradstudiesedu@harding.edu.
- Applications must be accompanied by a $40 application fee which is not refundable and will not apply against the general registration fee if the applicant enrolls.
- Applicants must provide satisfactory references from three individuals attesting to the applicant’s professional or academic performance, including one related to professional ability in the degree area to which the student is applying.
- Counseling applications must include a professional resume.
- For the Education Leadership program, submit written support from immediate supervisor that includes a commitment allowing candidate to participate in field experiences.
Application Review and Selection of Candidates
Each applicant will be interviewed by the program area graduate faculty. This interview will determine the candidate’s professional objectives, professional commitment, and the compatibility of the program with his or her goals and interests. The applicant must complete an impromptu writing sample at the time of the interview.
The chair of Graduate Studies or the director of each specific program may request additional information from the applicant prior to final approval for admittance to the specialist program.
Prerequisites
Applicants must hold a Masters’ degree in a related field from an accredited institution.
Other Program Requirements
Upon acceptance into the program, students must consult with director of their program concerning the required course of study, register for classes online through Campus Pipeline each semester, and complete financial registration with the Business Office online.
“Leveling courses,” if required, will not be included within the semester hour requirements for the specialist degree.
Educational Leadership requires successful completion of a mandatory internship.
Written comprehensive exams are required for all education specialist programs, and the Educational Leadership program requires a portfolio. In addition Educational Leadership requires a specialist project.
The specialist degree in Educational Leadership must be completed within six years from the time of admission to the graduate program. Course work that is taken more than six years before graduation will not be acceptable. The Professional Counseling program must be completed within eight years.
Transfer Students
Up to 6 hours of credit for coursework from other accredited institutions of higher education may be transferred if the institution is accredited by NCATE, TEAC, or a similar accrediting organization and the earned grade was a “B” or higher. For Educational Leadership, the institution must have a program of study that is reflective of both the Arkansas Standards of Licensure for District-Level Administrators and the Interstate School Leaders Consortium. All transfer hours are subject to the approval of the chair of graduate studies in education and must be completed before a student’s last semester.
Academic Standing Requirements
These requirements are common to all programs in education and are listed in the Cannon-Clary College of Education section.
Degree Requirements and Curriculum
Requests for degree may be submitted prior to a student’s final semester but must be submitted no later than the first week of the final semester. The graduation fee must be paid to the Business Office the last semester before graduation.
Degree requirements and curricula are listed below:
