The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) program is designed for educators who have a master's degree in educational administration or its equivalent. The program provides advanced preparation for careers as school superintendents, assistant superintendents, business managers, state program of education personnel, vocational education coordinators, curriculum coordinators, and educational personnel in private organizations or institutions of higher education. Once a student has successfully completed the program, he/she is eligible for certification as a New Hampshire superintendent.
The Ed.S. program is offered at the UNH Durham and UNH Manchester campuses. Several of the courses are offered in a hybrid format and several are offered on Saturdays.
The principalship option of the Ed.S. is designed for those students who do not hold a master’s degree in school administration or principal certification. After a transcript review, these students may be required to take up to five additional courses, two of which will count as electives for the Ed.S. Once the student has been admitted to the Ed.S. and the courses stipulated in the admission letter have been met, the student will be eligible for principal certification even though the Ed.S. degree has not yet been completed.
The five courses we screen for this program include:
John and H. Irene Peters Professor of Education & Professor of Justice Studies
Email | Phone: (603) 862-5043
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Applicants for financial assistance should complete their applications by February 15 to ensure consideration for the following academic year. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications should be sent directly to the Dean of the Graduate School.
The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree has a minimum of 36 credits including an internship and field project.
| Abbreviation | Course Number | Title | Credits |
| EDUC | 964 | Human Resource Administration | 4 |
| EDUC | 968 | Collective Bargaining in Public Education | 4 |
| EDUC | 971 | School Facilities Management | 4 |
| EDUC | 973 | Policy, Politics & Planning in Education | 4 |
| EDUC | 977 | Leadership: The District Level Administrator | 4 |
In consultation with their advisers, students choose electives from courses offered by the Department of Education and other departments.
| Abbreviation | Course Number | Title | Credits |
| EDUC | 974/975 | Administrative Internship and Field Project | 8 |
A Education Specialist (Ed.S.) student who does not hold a master’s degree in administration may be required to take additional prerequisite courses of which two may be counted as electives.
While the program in Administration and Supervision leads to certification as a superintendent in New Hampshire, the state may require that the applicant for an administrative credential pass a state mandated test.
The State Department of Education requires that all applicants for a credential pass the PRAXIS CORE test.
Please contact the State Department of Education for further information regarding the state mandated test.
The Education Specialist degree (Ed.S.) option in Leadership in Counseling requires a minimum of thirty-six (36) credits in counseling and administration coursework. The program is designed to meet the requirements for certification by the New Hampshire State Department of Education for Guidance and Counseling Director. Certification has not yet been approved by the New Hampshire State department of Education. Graduate students interested in New Hampshire certification must discuss this option with the faculty advisor prior to starting the program.
Applicants to the program must possess a master’s degree in counseling and hold certification as a school counselor. The applicant must also have completed a minimum of three years of paid service with progressively responsible experience in the field of school guidance and counseling, with recent leadership experience.
The option in Leadership and Counseling requires a minimum of 36 credits. However, if prerequisites listed below have not been met prior to admission to the program, the total number of credits may exceed the minimum of 36 credits.
The following three courses, or their equivalents, must be completed before the required courses can be taken:
If the admitted student has met the prerequisites stated above, she/he must select at least two electives – 8 graduate credits that the advisor for the program has approved.
If the student needs to complete prerequisites up to two of the prerequisite courses can be used as the elective course consistent with Graduate School policies.
Other acceptable electives include courses in counseling, administration (e.g., EDUC 968 Collective Bargaining), and special education (e.g., EDUC 951 Special Education Law).
| Per Credit | 4-Credit Course | |
| NH Resident | $770 | $3,080 |
| Non-Resident | $845 | $3,380 |
| Per Semester | |
| Manchester security/parking fee | $20.00 |
| Registration Fee | $20.00 |
| Technology fee 1-4 credits | $25.00 |
| Technology fee 5-8 credits | $50.25 |
| Technology fee 9-16 credits | $100.50 |
UNH has a HEALTH INSURANCE REQUIREMENT as a condition of enrollment for all full-time (9 or more credits per traditional semester) graduate degree students. Students will have the option of waiving the requirement by presenting proof of adequate insurance through another plan. Students who want to waive out of the plan are required to complete the enrollment/waiver form and should do so before the start of classes. Full information including the enrollment/waiver form can be located on the UNH Health Services pages.
For more information about tuition and fees, visit the UNH Graduate School Manchester campus tuition information page.
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