Educational Specialist – Generalist Online

Expand your skillset while preparing for career growth as an administrator who can help shape the future of education.

Apply by: 1/3/25
Start class: 1/13/25 Apply Now Apply Now

Program Overview

Discover what our online Ed.S. program offers you

The affordable Education Specialist – Generalist online program enables you to enhance your credentials and increase your earnings potential as an educator. This highly individualized program features electives from a variety of leading-edge topics, allowing you to work directly with Northwest faculty in shaping your degree to meet your professional interests and goals.

In this program, learn from our award-winning faculty as you study school buildings and equipment, school personnel, and writing and interpreting educational literature and statistics. Plus, you will gain a foundation in the functions and responsibilities of superintendency. No internship is required.

This flexible Ed.S. program includes a broad array of electives that comprise more than half of the coursework, exploring topics such as culture and student engagement, school law, change management in education, educational technology, leadership in special education, instructional systems design, and more. This program does not lead directly to any licensure or certification and does not upgrade administrative licenses.

Accreditation:

AAQEP logo

Northwest Missouri State University is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and is recognized by the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education™ (DESE) and the Higher Learning Commission.

Career opportunities include:

  • Teaching Positions With A Larger Scope and Impact - Depending On Content Area
  • Department Leadership Opportunities
Career opportunities include:
  • Teaching Positions With A Larger Scope and Impact - Depending On Content Area
  • Department Leadership Opportunities

Also available:

Northwest offers a variety of specialized online education program options. Check out our other online education programs.

Total Tuition $12,570*
Program Duration As few as 12 months
Credit Hours 30

Accreditation:

AAQEP logo

Northwest Missouri State University is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and is recognized by the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education™ (DESE) and the Higher Learning Commission.

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Need More Information?

Call 844-890-9304

Call 844-890-9304

Tuition

Find out how and when to pay your tuition

Our Ed.S. – Generalist online program offers affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition, which is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included.

View additional tuition information+

Program Per Credit Hour Per Course Per Program*
Ed.S. Generalist $419 $1,257 $12,570

Important Refund Information

2nd day of class Last date for 100% refund for dropped course
4th day of class Last date for 75% refund for dropped course
6th day of class Last date for 50% refund for dropped course
8th day of class Last date for 25% refund for dropped course

Tuition breakdown:

Total Tuition $12,570*
Per Credit Hour $419

Transfer your credits for lower tuition

Use our Tuition Estimator to see how affordable your degree could be. Slide the notch to the number of credits you've already earned—which may qualify for transfer credit—to get an estimate of what your degree might cost.

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Transfer Credits: 0
Your Estimated Tuition: $16,140
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Transcripts sent from other colleges and universities will be evaluated, and accepted credits will be added to the student's A-State record. The Tuition Estimator is not a guarantee or predictor of the number of credit hours that will be accepted.

Calendar

Milestones to guide your student journey

Northwest online programs are delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year.

View full calendar  + 

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Fall 210/21/2410/7/2410/10/2410/14/2410/16/2412/6/24
Spring 11/13/251/3/251/6/251/7/251/8/252/28/25
Spring 23/10/252/24/252/27/253/3/253/5/254/25/25
Summer 15/5/254/21/254/24/254/28/254/30/256/20/25
Summer 26/23/256/6/256/11/256/13/256/17/258/8/25

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date: 1/3/25
Next Class Start Date: 1/13/25
Ready to take the next steps toward

earning your degree?

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Admissions

What you need to know before applying

At Northwest, we've streamlined the admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Please read the requirements for the Ed.S. – Generalist online, including what additional materials you need and where you should send them.

Admission Requirements:

  • Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
View all admission requirements +

To apply for this program, you must meet these requirements:

  • Master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Documentation of ONE of the following:
    • Valid state teacher (classroom teacher) certificate
    • Successful completion of the Departmental Entrance Exam (DAE)
    • 3.75 or higher on the analytical writing measure of the GRE®
    • National Board Certification

If you have started and did not finish an Ed.S. program at another regionally accredited university, you may be able to transfer up to nine credit hours.

Northwest students who have completed the M.S. will be assigned new courses for those already taken and will still take 10 classes (30 hours in the Ed.S. program).

Official transcript(s) can be emailed to: [email protected]. To submit official documents by mail, send them to:

Graduate Records Specialist
Northwest Missouri State University
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468-6001

Have a question? Call us at 844-890-9304.

Click here for State Authorization information.


Admission Requirements:

  • Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended

Courses

What you’ll learn in your online Ed.S. – Generalist courses

For the Ed.S. – Generalist online, the curriculum is comprised of 10 courses (30 credit hours), including four core courses (12 credit hours) and six electives (18 credit hours).

Expand All
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Personnel practices in education are considered along with the implications of collective negotiations and professional accountability for personnel policies. Policies pertinent to the selection and placement, promotion, tenure, and retirement of both certified and noncertified personnel are included.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Having a two-fold focus, this course treats (1) basic methods of developing and reporting educational research and literature and (2) techniques of interpreting and evaluating educational research and literature. Basic statistical methods are utilized in each of the components. Prerequisite: Ed.S. students only.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to acquaint students with the various functions of the school district superintendency. It is included in the programs of most students completing the Specialist in Education degree.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Responsibility of school administrators, supervisors, and other school personnel for construction, operation, and maintenance of school buildings and equipment.

Students must work with the EdS program advisor to determine which of the following courses are available to fulfill the Elective credit requirement:

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An examination of standards, curriculum, and assessment for the integration of technology in learning and training environments.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The primary focus of this course will be on web-based multimedia concepts, terminology, media elements, planning, and design, as well as the emerging software used to create and distribute interactive, web-based multimedia and applications.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Examines the fundamental principles of instructional design as they apply to instruction, learning and educational media technology. Special emphasis on web-based instructional design and delivery.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides an in-depth study of building an online, collaborative learning environment. The focus will be on designing an effective, quality online course for successful eLearning. The course will explore various topics as they relate to online teaching and learning such as: online teaching methods and strategies, student engagement and motivation, differentiated learning, interactive content, authentic assessments, project-based learning, collaborative communication, and course management systems. (F, even years)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to examine literacy methodologies, instructional approaches, and resources in the elementary grades as it relates to theory, current research, and practice.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to examine literacy methodologies, instructional approaches, and resources in the secondary grades as it relates to theory, current research, and practice.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Procedures, responsibilities and problems relating to the administration of special education programs. These experiences should include, but not be limited to, the following: administrative patterns, legal basis, financial aspects, placement conferences, managing the IEP, placement alternatives, program evaluation, inclusion, and grant development. Prerequisite: EDCI 62642 and EDCI 62643, or permission of instructor.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will include an analysis of literature on brain research, classroom culture, student engagement and student performance. With the increasing body of brain research that has occurred over the past decades, educators now have a scientific basis for the implementation of a classroom culture and classroom environments that increase the functioning of the brain. Engaging students in their learning is a scientifically-based concept that leads to sustained student motivation and achievement and provides for positive classroom culture. The course will provide curriculum leaders with the tools necessary to increase student engagement, motivation and promote a positive classroom culture.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to prepare school leaders for effective two-way communication with families and the community. In addition, school leaders will effectively engage families, community and school personnel in strengthening student learning in and out of school. This course will prepare school leaders to build and sustain productive partnerships with communities and public and private sectors to promote school improvement and student development. Finally, this course will prepare school leaders to advocate for the needs and priorities of the school, district, students, families and the community. 27 hours field experience embedded in the course.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Students who complete this course understand and demonstrate the capability to promote the success and well-being of each student by applying the knowledge, skills and commitments necessary for equitable protocols for student support, equitable access in a least restrictive environment, responsive practices for culturally responsive teaching and leadership, and a supportive school culture that ensures each student and family is treated fairly. 27 hours field experience embedded in the course.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will provide students with the tools necessary to stay current on trends and issues in curriculum, instruction and assessment. Special topics in curricular design, instructional strategies, assessment and professional development will be explored. Professional ethics as it relates to the role of the curriculum leader will be analyzed and applied.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course covers the laws of our country as they apply to all phases of the public school. Stress is placed upon laws concerning superintendents, principals, teachers and pupils. 27 hours field experience embedded in the course.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will begin with a review of current research on the role of quality feedback in the improvement of achievement and performance. Students will analyze student work and practice providing descriptive feedback. The role of performance feedback in the improvement of instructional practice will be reviewed and students will practice providing feedback through peer review. Finally, students will review literature on the development of effective goal setting resulting in the creation of goals that align with the feedback provided on student work and peer review.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on the leadership qualities necessary to create a digital culture in schools. Instructional leaders must focus on ways to connect and collaborate to achieve the hallmarks of 21st century learning. Students will explore a framework for digital leadership which will promote a culture that harnesses the power of technology within the school environment.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
In this course, students will investigate organizational frameworks designed to best facilitate change and apply these structures to today's schools. Students will understand the dynamics of change and how to optimize the potential to sustain change that has a positive impact on student success.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The course prepares educational leaders for their roles in managing certified and classified personnel to effectively achieve the objectives of educational programs K-12.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A survey of current educational thought as it relates to the general P-12 curriculum, its development, and evaluation. Emphasis is on using classroom curriculum to improve student learning. The goal is to help teachers to learn to think as a teacher leader about issues in P-12 education in a critical and insightful manner.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Designed to acquaint experienced teachers and administrators with the functions, organization, curriculum, and personnel associated with the middle school; with concentration on the early adolescent/transescent learner. Prerequisite: Admission to the Specialist in Education program

Ranked #1

Northwest Missouri State University is ranked #1 among the "Best Online Colleges in Missouri" by SR Education Group (2020)

Highly Qualified Faculty

100% of classes are taught by professionals, not graduate assistants

*Tuition and fees are based on current rates. Textbooks and laptops are not included with tuition.

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