Admissions

Educational Specialist Degree (Curriculum and Instruction)
(Online)

Admissions

Students must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School. The criterion for admission to the Graduate School includes an earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or from an institution with substantially equivalent requirements for a baccalaureate degree and with an overall cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale on all courses undertaken prior to receiving the baccalaureate degree. To apply for admission to the Graduate School, please follow the instructions printed on the Graduate School Application for Admission.

After receiving admission to the Graduate School, the CIED Ed.S. Admissions Committee examines applications of potential candidates for admission to the graduate program. Students wishing to pursue a professional licensure in addition to the Educational Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction, in a content area such as special education, ESL, Gifted and Talented, or other areas, must possess an initial license prior to admission into the Additional Licensure Program. After admission to the Graduate School, the application is reviewed by the Curriculum and Instruction Ed.S. Admissions Committee for admission into the CIED Ed.S. Program. Admission is based on the total profile of applicants' educational background and career objectives. All students seeking admission must meet the following admission criteria:

  • Admission into the Graduate School
  • Completion of a master's degree or its equivalent in a related field. Transcripts will be required
  • Completion of the form, Application for Admission to the Ed.S. Programs (BCSS-49) with an Autobiographical Sketch attached (BCSS-32)
  • Submission of scores from the Graduate Record Examination (verbal, quantitative and analytical) or a Miller Analogies Test Score that are current within the last 5 years
  • A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25 in previous graduate coursework before being admitted into the Educational Specialist Program
  • A 3.0 to 3.25 cumulative grade point average in all graduate courses must present a combined minimum Graduate Record Examination General Score of 1300 on three parts (verbal, quantitative, and analytical) or 55 on the Miller Analogies Test. Test scores submitted need to be current (within the 5 years of the date of application)
  • Evidence of two years of successful, full-time professional experience, or equivalent, in an area related to the student's academic goals. Copies of teaching license(s) are to be submitted
  • Submission of a minimum of three letters of recommendation (BCSS-33) from individuals capable of commenting on qualification for graduate study
  • Complete a personal interview with the program area graduate faculty to subjectively measure such factors as: poise, professional objectives, professional commitment, and skill in discussing professional issues

Applicants denied admission may petition the Graduate Studies Committee for admission. The petition must include a majority recommendation of voting faculty as established by the program/department and a recommendation from the appropriate department head. Each petition will be considered on its own merits.

Upon acceptance to the CIED Educational Specialist program, the student is assigned an adviser. Acceptance in a program area should be accomplished before the completion of the first graduate course if the course is to be accepted as part of the program of study for the degree program. Course work can be taken as either an on line course or as an on campus course. The admission procedure is the same for both types of classes. Admission to the Graduate School enables the graduate student to take classes in either setting.

Admission Procedures
The applicant may seek admission into a program of specialization in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Apply to the Graduate School Admissions for acceptance into the Ed.S. Program. After the application materials and test scores have been received by the Graduate School, the materials will be sent to CIED with the Department Admission Recommendation Form . The Ed.S. Admissions Committee will review the material and arrange for an interview with each candidate. While there is a preference for the interview to be conducted in person, it can be conducted by telephone when necessary. After the admission decision is made, the Department Admission Recommendation Form must be completed. When the applicant is accepted into the degree program, the section of ‘Declaration of Intent' is signed by the applicant. If the applicant is not present written on the signature line on the ‘Declaration of Intent' is “As per application.” The application materials are retained in the department and the Department Admission Recommendation Form is returned to the Graduate School.

A student is not formally admitted to this program until recommended by the Graduate Studies Committee to the Dean of the Graduate School. The candidate will be notified officially of the action taken by the Graduate Studies Committee by the department. This notification will include the temporary advisor's name.

Additional program admission documentation (BCSS-49, BCSS-32, BCSS-33, etc.) should be mailed directly to:

                Attn: Dr. Tom Smith
                University of Arkansas
                Department of Curriculum and Instruction
                Peabody Hall, Room 214
                Fayetteville, AR  72701

Readmission to the Graduate School and to the Ed.S. Program after an absence of less than 2 years requires application. After an absence of 2 years or more, readmission to the Graduate School and to the Ed.S. Program is not automatic. Students who have been previously enrolled in Graduate School but who have not been enrolled within the preceding two years should consult the Graduate Catalog for readmission requirements. In addition to the Graduate School requirements, the department may ask for a written plan for degree completion.