Ed.S. in Instructional Technology: Certification

Must possess the following beyond the general KSU Graduate College Admission Requirements: 

• Degree – Master’s degree in professional education or a related field.  
• Certificate – Uploaded to graduate application. Current clear, renewable Georgia Teaching or Service Certificate, out-of-state equivalent, OR a SITI Department Chair/Program Coordinator approval (for non-Georgia or non-certified individuals). To print a copy of your clear, renewable Georgia teaching certificate, you may log into your MyPSC account.  Must NOT already hold the Instructional Technology field on your PSC certificate.  
• Employment – Required current full-time employment as a K-12 professional educator or access to a K-12 educational setting is necessary to complete field-based assessments and experiences.
• Résumé or Professional Vitae – Uploaded to graduate application. Professional resume documents statement of purpose for wanting the degree, education, and teaching experiences. Other information such as volunteer and service accomplishments and record of educational leadership activities are also welcome.  
• Experience – TWO (2) years of teaching experience is preferred.  To facilitate candidates’ field experiences, current full-time employment as a professional educator is preferred.
• Mentor Form – If seeking GaPSC certification, upon program completion, this program requires that you have a qualified mentor, who meets the GaPSC Mentor requirements, at each phase in your program. The ITEC Mentor Form provides instructions and requirements.  Completed form must be uploaded to graduate application.  Individuals employed in a private school setting will need to reach out to the Bagwell Certification Officer for further guidance. 

• Unfortunately, the legislature has discontinued Hope Scholarship for Teachers, but there may be other financial aid options for you. KSU has a financial aid office to assist you. Please, visit following website describing the financial aid options for graduate students: https://financialaid.kennesaw.edu/
• If you are seeking financial aid and have questions or need assistance, please contact https://financialaid.kennesaw.edu/contact-counselor.php
• If you find you are not eligible for financial aid, remember there are tax credits for continuing education, a salary increase following your graduation, and deferred payment on some student loans while still in school.
• If you are paying your own way, you will find Kennesaw’s public university tuition and fees are quite reasonable compared to private institutions. You also will find that paying over the course of a two-year program is more financially feasible than one-year, accelerated programs.
• Paying for the rising costs of a college education is a concern for nearly every student and family. To help you meet your educational expenses, Kennesaw State University is pleased to offer Nelnet Business Solutions’ (NBS) convenient budget plan. This is not a loan program. There are no interest or finance charges, and there is no credit check. Enrollment in this plan is easy and available online. To enroll, please visit http://www.mycollegepaymentplan.com/kennesaw

• Our faculty members and instructors are typically former K-12 teachers, who are still active in partnerships with K-12 schools. Many have also held key leadership positions at the school, district, state, and national levels. We are familiar with schools. We use the tools you have in schools and help you understand district policies and planning processes related to technology.
• Our faculty have excellent academic credentials and are actively pursuing research in their fields of study.
• You will become part of a regional and national network of technology leaders.
• Our curriculum is practical—based on projects you will complete in your own schools.
• Our program will prepare you for advanced study, should you decide to pursue an Ed.D. or Ph.D. program in the future. 

Applications do NOT require GRE scores, but do require the following:

• Transcripts from each college attended
• Bachelor's degree in K-12 teacher education or related field - 2.75 GPA
• Clear Renewable Teaching Certificate or equivalent certificate and/or experience
• Professional Resume
• Mentor Form

The mentor operates as part of a learning team with the candidate and university faculty, ensuring the candidate has an opportunity to complete his or her field experiences and/or working with university faculty and candidates to identify appropriate alternative experiences. The candidate selects a mentor at the building or district level with instructional technology knowledge and experience, and other qualifications listed below:

• Service Certificate in Instructional Technology, School Librarian and/or Computer Science (P-12)
• Minimum of 3 years teaching or service experience
• Knowledge or experience in instructional technology
• Previous experience with mentoring
• Master’s Degree or Technology Certifications

• Provide access to a wide range of instructional technology experiences required by the candidate’s degree program (such as participating on school data teams, serving on the school technology committee, and conducting a technology inventory).
• Facilitate, as necessary, the candidate’s access to school and/or district resources necessary to complete his or her field experiences.
• If the candidate is unable to complete field experiences assigned by university faculty due to district or school constraints, working with the candidate and university faculty to identify appropriate alternative experiences.
• Provide time for meaningful reflection on field experiences with the candidate.
• Provide, as necessary, feedback to the candidate and/or university faculty on the mentor’s perceptions of the candidate’s growth as a technology facilitator in the school.
• Complete university-required assessments of the candidate’s progress by completing the Candidate Performance Instrument (CPI) and Candidate Disposition Assessment (CDA) during the 3rd and 5th semesters.

• The Ed.S. fully online program enrolls each semester, Spring, Summer, and Fall.
• Admission deadlines will be posted on the website.
• Typically, admission deadlines are in November 1 for Spring; April 1 for Summer; and July 1 for Fall.