Educational Specialist in
Educational Leadership
Program Highlights & Benefits
100% online or Hybrid format available
Accelerated, dissertation free pathway
No GRE required for admission
Seamless pathway to Doctoral study available
What You Learn
The Educational Specialist in Educational Leadership (ESEL) at Gardner-Webb University is a fully accredited, 36- credit hour graduate program designed for experienced educators seeking advanced preparation for leadership in today’s dynamic educational environments.
Candidates progress through the ESEL curriculum in a cohort model, completing coursework as a learning community and developing professional relationships that support shared leadership, reflective practice, and sustained organizational improvement. Through the application of continuous improvement principles, candidates are prepared to maximize human, social, and spiritual potential within educational organizations.
This practice-focused program provides a rigorous pathway to leadership without the requirement of a dissertation or capstone. Each course integrates authentic, performance-based assessments that reflect real leadership responsibilities in educational settings.
How You Learn
This program is delivered in an 100% online or hybrid format, cohort-based format designed to support working professionals. Each semester students will take one course, consisting of six or 9 integrated semester hours.
Hybrid Format: Candidates complete the program in a blended format that includes both face-to-face and online learning. During fall, spring, and summer semesters, candidates attend three face-to-face weekends. In addition to the in-person sessions, coursework is completed online through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning activities.
Career Outcomes
Upon successful completion of all program coursework and required assessments, candidates may be recommended for S-level North Carolina licensure in Educational Leadership. In South Carolina, candidates who already hold a master’s degree may apply credit hours from this program toward Master’s plus 30 (MA+30) certification.
Prerequisites
Applicants to the Education Specialist in Educational Leadership program must hold a Master’s of School Administration degree from a regionally accredited institution and have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50.
Degree Requirements
| Course | Title | Hours |
| EDLS 730 | Strategic Leadership | 6 |
| EDLS 732 | Instructional Leadership | 9 |
| EDLS 734 | Human Resource Leadership | 9 |
| EDLS 738 | Cultural and Ethical Leadership | 6 |
| EDLS 740 | Managerial Leadership | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 36 |
Pathway to Doctoral Study
Graduates may also pursue a seamless pathway into doctoral study through Gardner-Webb University’s Ed.D. program. The 36-credit hour Educational Specialist (ESEL) coursework in Educational Leadership and Curriculum & Instruction (ESCI) may serve as advanced standing toward the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership or Curriculum & Instruction only in cases where the candidate elects not to graduate with the Educational Specialist degree. This option is designed to support candidates who initially enroll in the Educational Specialist track at Gardner-Webb University but later determine that their academic and professional goals are best served through direct progression to doctoral study. Candidates must formally declare intent prior to graduation to pursue this option.
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