Educational Specialist (EdS) in
Educational Leadership (Teacher Leader P-12 Certification)

Admission to the Educational Specialist in Educational Leadership (Teacher Leader P-12 Certification) degree program requires the following:

• A master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Transcripts from all institutions attended
• A valid master’s level professional educator certificate in any teaching field or area of instructional support
• Minimum of three years of full-time teaching experience in a P-12 setting, verified on the notarized Supplement EXP form completed by the Board of Education*
• A copy of the applicant’s professional development transcript from PowerSchool
• Evidence of the ability to lead collaboratively and positively affect student learning and achievement, including supporting documents to showcase formal or informal leadership roles that the applicant has held
• A 3.0 GPA or higher in a completed graduate degree program
• Statement of purpose
• Completed UA Graduate School application
• Completed requirements for fingerprinting/background clearance
• A current résumé
• Three letters of recommendation, including one from applicant’s current principal
  • Recommendation letters must be from current and former professors and/or supervisory personnel knowledgeable of the applicant’s academic and professional capabilities for all College of Education programs that lead to professional certification

Applications are accepted each semester. Students may begin the program in the fall, spring or summer semester.

Application deadlines:

• Fall admission – July 1
• Spring admission – Nov. 15
• Summer admission – May 1

This program leads to Alabama Class AA certification in Educational Leadership (Teacher Leader P-12 Certification). If you reside or intend to seek professional licensure outside of the state of Alabama, please review the requirements for that state prior to applying to this program.

The programs listed in the current UA Graduate Catalog that lead to Alabama Class A and Class AA professional certificates may be altered to meet certification standards adopted by the Alabama State Board of Education.

*Experience must be verified on the notarized Supplement EXP form. The original form should be mailed to:

The University of Alabama College of Education
ATTN: Dawn Bryant
Box 870231
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0231

Section III and V should be completed by your current and/or previous school system(s) (usually the HR department). Section IV is not required.

Questions related to acceptable experience or certification should be directed to Dawn Bryant, Graduate Admissions and Certification Coordinator, at debryant@ua.edu.