We're here to help.
If you are an active teacher who holds a master’s degree, you can enhance your skill set and broaden your applicable knowledge by earning your EdS in educational K-12 leadership degree.
The Education Specialist in K-12 Leadership program at Grand Canyon University focuses on the improvement of instructional skills, allowing teachers to potentially advance their career qualifications without having to complete a dissertation or residency. As a graduate of the online Education Specialist program, you will be taught the skills needed to position yourself for potential leadership roles within the diverse education field.
Apply for enrollment in GCU’s online educational specialist degree in K-12 leadership today. Complete the form on this page to get started.
In this online EdS degree program, learners will study the following topic areas:
The EdS program’s coursework guides learners in developing a firm grasp on organizational leadership, staffing and supervision at the building and district levels. GCU strives to transform you into a confident communicator, able to convey complex information to a variety of educational stakeholders. As a Christian university, GCU’s curriculum emphasizes professional ethics and the Christian worldview.
As an aspiring education leader, you will have the opportunity to emerge from the educational specialist degree in K-12 leadership prepared to address the challenges of the modern school by exploring key concepts in:
Educational policy development
Servant leadership thought
Ethical decision-making and stewardship
K-12 community building
As a K-12 teacher with an online EdS degree, you will be taught to thoughtfully lead and inspire others within the educational community. This degree program empowers educators to become more effective K-12 instructors for the betterment of their students.
You may wish to pursue opportunities in school administration or consulting, such as:
For higher level positions such as principal and superintendent, please be sure to check your state’s requirements before pursuing those career paths.
Visit the "State Disclosures" section on the page of the program you’re interested in at gcu.edu for details on state restrictions.
§ MOU-Alumni 2000 Doctoral-July2025: The Alumni Scholarship for Doctoral Programs is only valid for those applicants who submit a complete application and begin a Doctoral program in July 2025. This scholarship cannot be used in conjunction with any other GCU scholarship or awards and only applies to online and evening programs. Please speak to a university counselor for complete details.
To learn more about what you can do with an educational K-12 leadership specialist degree, read our answers to these frequently asked questions:
When you earn an EdS in educational K-12 leadership, you will be taught how to effectively teach students in grades K-12. You may also be qualified to teach certain general education courses at the college level, depending on your experience. Be sure to confirm licensure requirements in your state before pursuing any teaching position.
The Doctor of Education (EdD) and Educational Specialist (EdS) programs are both post-master’s degrees that cover similar topics and are designed for educators looking to advance their careers. However, the program requirements and intent are different.
The Doctor of Education (EdD) in K-12 Leadership is a terminal degree that involves significant research and a dissertation for those who want to have the opportunity to pursue advanced leadership roles in education. The EdS is not a doctorate and doesn’t require a dissertation. The EdS is geared to provide skills for certain educational leadership roles, including principal, curriculum director or superintendent. Check your state’s requirements for these specific roles.
An education specialist can be a teacher or someone in an educational leadership role. The online education specialist program at GCU is designed for K-12 educators who want to pursue a role in leadership, administration, curriculum and instruction or other specializations, such as education technology or special education. This program is designed for currently licensed educators and does not lead to licensure.
The online Educational Specialist degree in K-12 leadership at GCU requires 30 credits to completion. The courses are all available online and can be completed on a more flexible schedule to accommodate working professionals. Each online course is generally eight weeks. GCU’s EdS in K-12 Leadership degree does not require a dissertation, but does have a written capstone project at the end of the program.
Offered by the College of Doctoral Studies, the EdS degree builds knowledge in ethics, research and theory with a focus on educational policy development, staffing, organizational leadership and instructional supervision. The EdS coursework guides learners in acquiring core competencies that are immediately applicable in the field. Using an analysis-driven approach, learners examine best practices in leadership that support teaming at all levels and the maintenance of a diverse learning infrastructure.
Earn Your Degree Online
Earn your EdS degree at GCU with specialized coursework online. The entire degree can be completed online via our intuitive learning platform, enabling you to connect with your instructors and benefit from diverse views of your peers. A total of 30 credits are required to complete the online educational specialist degree in K-12 leadership. Online classes are eight weeks in length.
Online: $750 per credit [More Info]
Up to 9 doctoral credits
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Doctoral)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an institutionally accredited school. Applicants with a GPA less than 3.4 may be accepted with specifications.
** Degree must be from an institutionally accredited school. Applicants with a GPA between 3.0 - 3.39 may be accepted with specifications. Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 will not be accepted.
