Education Specialist - Teacher Leader
Take the next step in your career as an educator with an Education Specialist, Teacher leader degree from the University of North Alabama!
Focused on guiding working educators in curriculum development and instructional delivery, UNA’s Teacher Leader program aims to enhance school leadership in academic institutions, ultimately improving academic achievement for all students. Aligned with the Model Teacher Leader Standards, the program emphasizes shared leadership development.
Aspiring teacher leaders will learn to collaborate with diverse stakeholders, adhere to the Alabama Educator Code of Ethics, and promote shared leadership to enhance student learning. Graduates of the Educational Specialist program are eligible to qualify for the Alabama Class AA Teacher Leader certification, providing a comprehensive pathway for educators to excel in their leadership roles and qualify for higher salaries.
Modality
Online
Costs
$495 per credit hour
Credientials
Education Specialist
Time to Complete
4-5 semesters
What can I do with an Ed.S. Teacher Leader degree?
As a highly specialized degree, an Education Specialist Teacher Leader degree is designed for professional educators seeking skills that can separate them from a standard teaching role. Careers holders of this degree can qualify include:
- Career counselor
- Community organizer
- Corporate trainer
- Curriculum specialist
- Educational administrator
- Educational consultant
- Policy analyst
Accreditations
The University of North Alabama is accredited by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, education specialist, and doctorate-level degrees.
Education degrees at UNA are additionally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Why the University of North Alabama?
With its small class sizes, experiential learning opportunities, and access to our enthusiastic, expert faculty- many of whom are serving or have served as teachers, assistant principals, principals, assistant superintendents, and superintendents- who invest in your academic journey, UNA is uniquely positioned as a leader in academic excellence within the South and beyond.
This program is grounded in the Model Teacher Leader Standards and focuses on the development of essential knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for improving the practice of shared leadership.
Admissions Requirements
In addition to the program’s admission requirements, candidates must fulfill specific criteria to be eligible for the Class AA Teacher Leadership program in Alabama. These include:
- Candidates must hold a master's level professional educator certificate in any teaching field or area of instructional support. It is important to note that if an individual enters the program based on a master's level certificate from another state, completes the Class AA teacher leader program, and seeks Class AA certification, they must first obtain at least a Class A Professional Educator Certificate in a teaching field or instructional area before applying for the Class AA certification.
- Applicants are required to have a minimum of three full years of full-time teaching experience within a P-12 educational setting to meet the program's eligibility criteria.