An Advising Committee is appointed upon entrance into the major. This committee includes the student’s advisor and at least one other faculty member in the student’s concentration. The committee provides support for the student including approval of transfer credits, assistance in planning his/her program of study, and approval of the final program of study. A Culminating Project Committee is appointed prior to student registration in the Specialist Proposal Development course. This committee has three members, including the chair and a member who teaches in the student’s cognate field. A minimum of two committee members must vote to approve the student’s proposal and culminating project.

1. Major (18 hrs)
   
   
   • EDA 7066 Organizational Leadership (3)
   • EDG 7046 Foundations for Sustainability in Educational Practice (1)
   • EDG 7047  Sustainability in Education: Global Issues (1)
   • EDG 7908 Pedagogical and Curricular Considerations on Sustainability in Education (1)
   • EDG 7707  Diversity and Global Studies in Education (3)
   • EDA 7193 Instructional Leadership (3)
   • EDG 7221 Curriculum Theory (3)
   • Internship Listed separately below (3)


2. Concentration (9 hrs)
   
   Select 9 hours in consultation with the Advising Committee:
   
   
   1. Curriculum & Instruction Concentration
      
      
      • EDG 7286 Curriculum Design and Evaluation (3)
      • EDG 7347 Transform. Learning Through Narrative (3)
      • EDG 7065 Historical Perspect. & Impact of Critical Literacies (3)
      • EDG 7635 Curricular Perspect. on Exceptionalities (3)
      • EDG 7325 Multiple Pedagogies (3)
      • EDG 7362 Advanced Learning Theory (3)
      • EDG 7930 Special Topics in Curriculum and Instruction (3)
   
   
   2. Educational Leadership Concentration
      
      
      • EDA 7235 Seminar in School Law (3)
      • EDA 7281 Education Policy Analysis (3)
      • EDA 7241 Economics and Finance in Education (3)
      • EDA 7197 Current Issues in Education & Leadership (3)
      • EDA 7930 Special Topics in Educational Leadership (3)


3. Internship (hours listed in major)
   
   Select one based on concentration:
   • EDA 7940 Internship in Leadership (3)
   • EDG 7940 Internship in Curriculum & Instruction (3)


4. Research/Evaluation (6 hrs)
   
   
   • EDF 7416 Quantitative Analysis (3)
   • EDF 7943 Current Issues in Educational Assessment and Decision Making (3)
   • EDF 7475 Qualitative Research Design and Analysis (3)


5. Cognate (9 hrs)
   
   Select coursework approved by the Advising Committee in accordance with student's area of interest and career goals in consultation with Advising Committee.


6. Culminating Activity (6 hrs)
   
   
   • EDG 7974  Specialist Proposal Development (3)
   • EDG 7975  Specialist Culminating Project (3)
   
   Students enrolled for Culminating Project credits must attend at least three seminars per semester. The purpose of the seminars will be developmental in nature--to support and encourage student progress.  Committee chairs attend seminars in which their students are participating.

Additional Graduation Requirements

1. Successful completion of each course with a grade of B or better.
2. Final GPA of 3.5 or better prior to taking qualifying exams; grades for the proposal, and culminating project will be Pass/Fail only.
3. Successful completion of written comprehensive examinations.
4. Successful completion of specialist proposal and oral defense of the proposal.
5. Successful completion of culminating project and oral defense of the culminating project.

Transfer Notes and Acceptable Substitutes

A maximum of 18 hours taken for a master's degree or other advanced study may be substituted, if appropriate, for requirements in the college major, concentration, research and evaluation, and cognate.  Course substitutions are restricted by the following distribution, which must be completed at FGCU as part of the Ed.S. program of study:

1. At least 12 hours in the major.
2. At least 6 hours in the concentration.
3. At least 3 hours in research and evaluation.
4. At least 3 hours in the cognate.

At least 30 hours must be taken at FGCU. No substitutions are permitted for the specialist proposal, or culminating project. Courses used in substitution must be no more than 7 years old upon admission and no more than 10 years old upon graduation. Waivers may be granted by the Advising Committee.