{"id":17957,"date":"2026-07-16T10:28:50","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T15:28:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/?post_type=program&#038;p=17957"},"modified":"2026-10-02T09:09:13","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T14:09:13","slug":"education-specialist-rural-education","status":"publish","type":"program","link":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/academics\/program\/education-specialist-rural-education\/","title":{"rendered":"Education Specialist in Rural Educational Leadership, Ed.S."},"content":{"rendered":"<h3 style=\"margin-top: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px;\">Why Choose SAU for your Ed.S. degree in Rural Education Leadership?<\/h3>\n<p>The Education Specialist in Rural Educational Leadership (Ed.S.) program at Southern Arkansas University offers experienced educators an opportunity to build upon their graduate education and prepare for the next level of leadership. As schools and educational organizations navigate evolving student needs, workforce challenges, changing communities, and increasing demands on educational leaders, the need for professionals equipped to lead with knowledge, adaptability, and purpose continues to grow.<\/p>\n<p>Designed for educators seeking to expand their leadership capacity and professional opportunities, the Ed.S. provides advanced, practice-based preparation focused on the realities of educational leadership in rural settings. The program equips professionals with the knowledge and skills to strengthen organizations, guide improvement, support students and educators, and make a meaningful impact in the schools and communities they serve.<\/p>\n<p>Through the SAU Alumni Advantage, eligible students can build upon qualifying SAU post-master&#8217;s graduate education certificate coursework, creating a more efficient pathway to earning the Ed.S. while maximizing their previous investment of time and resources.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Affordability:<\/strong> Ranked among the most affordable graduate degrees in the nation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Flexibility:<\/strong> Designed for working professionals with a fully online structure.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Career Advancement:<\/strong> Strengthens leadership knowledge and credentials, preparing experienced educators to pursue advanced roles and make a greater impact in schools, districts, educational organizations, and communities.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Supportive Faculty:<\/strong> Learn from experienced instructors who prioritize practical application, performance-based competency, and authentic field experiences.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Tuition and Costs<\/h3>\n<div id=\"x_Signature\">\n<div>The Ed.S. program has a two-stage tuition structure:<\/div>\n<ul data-editing-info=\"{&quot;applyListStyleFromLevel&quot;:true}\">\n<li>\n<div role=\"presentation\">Required graduate certificate coursework is billed at the applicable master&#8217;s tuition rate.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div role=\"presentation\">Remaining Ed.S. coursework is billed at <b>$400 per credit hour<\/b>, with no out-of-state tuition differential.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h3>Skills You Will Gain<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Leadership and Decision-Making<\/strong> \u2014 Strengthen your ability to make informed decisions and lead with confidence in complex educational environments.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Organizational Improvement and Change<\/strong> \u2014 Develop the skills to guide meaningful change, improve organizational effectiveness, and respond to evolving educational needs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ethical and Strategic Problem-Solving<\/strong> \u2014 Address complex challenges through critical thinking, ethical judgment, and strategic action.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Evidence-Based Leadership<\/strong> \u2014 Use research, data, and professional knowledge to inform decisions and improve outcomes for schools, organizations, and communities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Faculty and Digital Learning Environments<\/h3>\n<p>Our faculty are experienced educators and scholars with expertise in educational leadership, rural education, and research. Drawing from extensive professional and academic experience, faculty provide relevant, practice-focused learning that prepares students to address complex challenges and lead meaningful change in schools, educational organizations, and communities.<\/p>\n<p>Engage with faculty and fellow educational professionals in a collaborative online environment that encourages the exchange of ideas, professional experiences, and diverse perspectives. Through meaningful interaction and applied learning, students build connections while strengthening their leadership knowledge and skills.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A 30-hour online Education Specialist program for experienced educators building on a completed graduate degree to prepare for the next level of school and district leadership.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":17963,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":"","_genesis_title":"","_genesis_description":"","_genesis_noindex":"","_genesis_nofollow":"","_genesis_noarchive":"","_genesis_canonical_uri":"","_open_graph_title":"","_open_graph_description":"","_twitter_title":"","_twitter_description":"","_social_image_url":"","_social_image_id":"","redirect":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"college_department":[18307],"delivery":[28834],"types":[71778,28851],"class_list":["post-17957","program","type-program","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","college_department-school-of-graduate-studies","delivery-online","types-doctoral","types-graduate","entry"],"acf":{"page_layout":"standard","landing_page_url":"","department_college":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/graduate\/\">School of Graduate Studies<\/a>","badge_text":"","Number_of_Hours":"30","tuition_instate":"","tuition_outstate":"","estimated_total_tuition":"","start_dates":"Rolling admissions (Fall, Spring, and Summer)","duration":"Up to 2 years","Degree Plans":"<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.saumag.edu\/preview_program.php?catoid=11&amp;poid=2752&amp;returnto=407\">2026-2027<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","Program_Contact_Info":"[dirswitch contacts=\"sullivan-rita\"]","Catalog Entry":"<h4>Foundation Courses (15 hours)<\/h4>\r\n<strong>Select 15 hours from the following:<\/strong>\r\nEDFN 7013 - Introduction to Doctoral Studies\r\nEDFN 7023 - Doctoral Research Foundations\r\nEDFN 7103 - Quantitative Research Methods\r\nEDFN 7123 - Educational Law and Accountability\r\nEDFN 7143 - Applied Data Analysis\r\nEDFN 7163 - Ethical Leadership in Diverse and Rural Communities\r\nEDFN 7183 - Qualitative Research Methods\r\nEDFN 7193 - Organizational Development, Evaluation and Theory\r\nEDFN 7203 - Special Topics in Educational Leadership\r\nEDFN 7303 - Special Topics in Educational Leadership\r\n<h4>Focus Courses (15 hours)<\/h4>\r\n<strong>Select 15 hours from the following focus area options:<\/strong>\r\n<h4>Superintendency Focus Options:<\/h4>\r\nEDAS 6113 - Strategic School Finance in Rural and Varied Communities\r\nEDAS 6123 - The Superintendency\r\nEDAS 6143 - Leadership Systems of Human Capacity\r\nEDAS 6173 - Administration and Assessment of Curricular Programs\r\nEDAS 6183 - Educational Leadership in Rural and Varied Communities\r\nEDAS 7113 - Strategic School Finance in Rural and Varied Communities\r\nEDAS 7123 - The Superintendency\r\nEDAS 7143 - Leadership Systems of Human Capacity\r\nEDAS 7173 - Administration and Assessment of Curricular Programs\r\nEDAS 7183 - Educational Leadership in Rural and Varied Communities\r\n<h4>Teacher Leadership Focus Options:<\/h4>\r\nEDAS 6013 - School and Community Relations\r\nEDAS 6023 - Supervision of Instruction in Elementary and Secondary Schools\r\nEDAS 6033 - Organizational Development, Evaluation, and Action Research\r\nEDAS 6173 - Administration and Assessment of Curricular Programs\r\nEDAS 6183 - Educational Leadership in Rural and Varied Communities\r\nEDAS 7023 - Supervision of Instruction in Elementary and Secondary Schools\r\nEDAS 7173 - Administration and Assessment of Curricular Programs\r\nEDAS 7183 - Educational Leadership in Rural and Varied Communities\r\nEDUC 6213 - Curriculum Planning\r\nEDUC 6253 - Foundations of Teacher Leadership\r\nEDUC 7213 - Curriculum Planning\r\nEDUC 7253 - Foundations of Teacher Leadership\r\n<h4>Higher Education &amp; Community Focus Options:<\/h4>\r\nHECL 7113 - Fiscal Management of Educational and Community Agencies\r\nHECL 7133 - Advanced Leadership and Development in Diverse and Rural Communities\r\nHECL 7153 - Organizational Leadership and Stakeholder Relations\r\nHECL 7173 - Planning Programs for Adult Learners\r\nHECL 7183 - Contemporary Issues in Leadership\r\n<h4>Total Hours - 30<\/h4>","minor_requirements":"","Admission Requirements or Deadlines":"<ol>\r\n \t<li>Online Application: Submit your <a href=\"https:\/\/apply.saumag.edu\">Graduate Studies Application<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Transcripts: Provide official transcripts from all previously attended\r\ninstitutions.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>GPA Requirement: Minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.25<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<strong>Prerequisites<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Contact the Ed.S. Program Advisor for more information.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","careers":"","faq":[{"faq_question":"What is an Education Specialist (EdS) degree?","faq_answer":"An Education Specialist (EdS) degree is a post-master's graduate degree designed for educators who want to advance their leadership knowledge and professional opportunities without pursuing a doctorate. The SAU EdS in Rural Educational Leadership prepares educators to lead and serve in schools, districts, higher education, and community organizations."},{"faq_question":"Who is this program designed for?","faq_answer":"This program is designed for educators and education professionals who have earned a master's degree and are ready to expand their leadership skills, pursue career advancement, or prepare for leadership roles in rural educational settings."},{"faq_question":"Is the EdS program offered online?","faq_answer":"Yes. The Education Specialist in Rural Educational Leadership is offered 100% online, providing the flexibility working professionals need to continue their careers while earning an advanced degree."},{"faq_question":"How long does it take to complete the program?","faq_answer":"Completion time varies based on your academic background and whether you have already completed the required graduate certificate. An advisor will help you develop a personalized degree plan."},{"faq_question":"What focus areas are available?","faq_answer":"Students may choose one of the following focus areas:\r\nTeacher Leadership\r\nSuperintendency Leadership\r\nHigher Education & Community Leadership\r\n"},{"faq_question":"What are the admission requirements?","faq_answer":"Applicants must hold a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution and meet Southern Arkansas University's Graduate Studies admission requirements. Visit the Graduate Studies Admissions page for complete application requirements and deadlines."},{"faq_question":"How is tuition calculated?","faq_answer":"EdS coursework is $400 per credit hour. Students who need to complete the required graduate certificate before beginning the EdS will pay the applicable master's tuition rate for those certificate courses. Total program cost varies based on your individual pathway and whether you have already completed the required graduate certificate."},{"faq_question":"Is there an out-of-state tuition rate?","faq_answer":"No. Students enrolled in EdS coursework pay the same $400 per credit hour regardless of residency."},{"faq_question":"What career opportunities can this degree prepare me for?","faq_answer":"Graduates are prepared for advanced leadership roles in P\u201312 schools, school districts, higher education, and community organizations. Depending on your chosen focus area, the program can support careers in teacher leadership, district administration, superintendency, and higher education leadership."},{"faq_question":"Can I transfer graduate coursework?","faq_answer":"Previously completed graduate coursework may be considered in accordance with Southern Arkansas University Graduate Studies policies. Your advisor will review your transcripts to determine how prior coursework may apply to your degree plan."},{"faq_question":"Why choose SAU's EdS in Rural Educational Leadership?","faq_answer":"SAU's EdS combines flexible online learning with practical leadership preparation designed specifically for rural educational settings. Students benefit from experienced faculty, affordable tuition, and a curriculum that equips graduates to make a meaningful impact in their schools, districts, and communities."},{"faq_question":"Who can I contact for more information?","faq_answer":"Our admissions and program faculty are happy to answer questions about admissions, degree planning, transfer credit, and tuition. 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