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On-Campus Specialist Degree (Ed.S.)

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Dive deeper into the world of the world of English Language Education and emerge as an literacy expert through UF’s Educational Specialist Degree (Ed.S.). With multiple focal areas, you can choose a path to fit your unique interests. Discover how this specialized program can advance your career while making a meaningful impact on literacy education.

Program Overview

Educational Specialist Degree (Ed.S.). Students earning an Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on English language arts/literacy studies become familiar with theories of learning, the history of literacy studies, and current research in the discipline. They become familiar with Boyer’s dimensions of scholarship and focus particularly on the scholarship of teaching and on the scholarship of integration by examining the role that those stances can play in promoting literacy development in praxis.

Program Highlights

Students work with a faculty member to design a course of study that meets their needs and professional goals and that fulfills the requirements of the UF Graduate School, the College of Education, and the School of Teaching and Learning. Students may elect to focus on:

  • teacher education and professional development,
  • critical literacy,
  • multicultural literature,
  • critical pedagogy,
  • adolescent literacy,
  • media literacy education,
  • language acquisition and inquiry,
  • literacy and the arts,
  • or other areas of personal and professional interest.

Graduation Requirements

A thesis is not required; however, each program includes a research component relevant to the intended profession. Minimum requirements for the the educational specialist (Ed.S.) degree include:

  • Successfully complete a minimum of 72 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree or a minimum of 36 credits beyond the master’s degree.
  • Minimum of 3 hours of research methods
  • Minimum of 9 hours in Curriculum and/or Foundations graduate seminars
  • An area of specialization with at least 12-19 hours in the areas
  • Minimum of 5 credit hours of Supervised Research (EDG 6910)
  • Successfully complete a written and oral examination.
  • A thesis is not required; however, each program will include continuing attention to a research component to the professional role for which the student is preparing.

With the academic unit’s approval, coursework taken as part of the specialist program may also count toward a doctoral degree.

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Join our distinguished community of scholars and become become a leader in literacy education. Apply today to transform your passion into groundbreaking research that will influence generations of learners and educators.

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Ph.D. Specializing in English Education Program Requirements

  • A bachelor’s degree or master’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a degree deemed equivalent by the University of Florida Office of Admissions.
  • A minimum grade point average of 3.0 upper-division (last 60 credits) undergraduate work.
  • An acceptable grade point average for previous graduate work.
  • Written statement of purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Resumé
General admissions questions should be directed to GradAdmissions@coe.ufl.edu.

Please visit the School of Teaching and Learning’s How Do I Apply? page for deadlines and information about applying to our M.A.E. and Ph.D. English Education programs.

General application information from the Graduate School can be found here.

Program Highlights

Entry: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in relevant field

Typical Course Load: 9 credits per semester

Total Program Course Load: 72 credits (or 36 credits if entering with a relevant Master’s Degree)

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-time (part-time is possible but not ideal)

Application Deadline: See dates published by the college

Program Completion: 2-4 years

Ph.D. Program of Study (PDF)
Graduate Course Descriptions (PDF)
Graduate Course Calendar (PDF)