Ed.S. in Educational Leadership – Exceptional Education Executive Leadership

Help Close Achievement Gaps

Do you have a heart for the neediest populations in education? If you desire to make a big impact as a practitioner scholar, then this degree will equip you with the leadership skills needed to bring about positive change. Regent’s Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Leadership – Exceptional Education Executive Leadership degree focuses on a more inclusive approach to supporting exceptional learners by broadening the reach to populations who need it most. You’ll gain executive-level insight on championing, leading and developing innovative programs and policies. Enjoy a meaningful career while you help close the achievement gaps for groups in these categories: Special Ed, 504, Gifted, At-risk and Diverse.

Location: Online

Total Credit Hours: 31

Next Session Start: January 13, 2025

Approved Degree Plan: Download PDF

INCREASE YOUR EARNING POTENTIAL

Capitalize on a higher salary with your Ed.S. degree.

IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR EXCEPTIONAL LEARNERS

Make a lasting difference in the lives of children through innovative leadership.

EXPAND YOUR CAREER PATH

Influential job opportunities await you.

ALIGN YOURSELF WITH EXCELLENCE

Regent has been ranked among the Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report (2024). Our programs have also been ranked among the Top 10 Best Online Graduate Education Programs in Virginia for 11 years in a row (2013-2023).

Presented from a Christian worldview, this specialty degree is supported by award-winning faculty in Virginia Beach.

Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.

Career Opportunities

On completing this Ed.S. concentration, the graduate can:

Understand laws, policies, and regulations specific to an exceptional education.
Apply key principles in supervision, strategic planning, and program evaluation.
Develop and lead innovative programs in both public and private schools.
Streamline earning an Ed.D. degree, if desired/applicable, through Regent’s Ed.S. program.

Career Opportunities

Exceptional Education Administrator
Exceptional Learner Advocate
Teacher Leader
Special Education Policy Maker
Curriculum & Instruction Developer

11 Higher Ed Administrators

Featured Courses

Featured Courses
Code	Name	Credits
EDCO 801	Strategic Planning & Program Evaluation	3	Examines strategic planning and the role of program evaluation in the planning-implementation-evaluation cycle to include the curriculum planning process. Topics include various theoretical and philosophical perspectives, alternative evaluation designs and related methodologies including collaborative action research and issues related to design, measurement and utilization. The goal is to help educators become active collaborators in the evaluation process and to give them the tools to judge the value of an evaluation. Whether the task is designing an internal evaluation of a local program, contracting for an external evaluation at the district level, or critically reviewing an evaluation report as a basis for making an administrative decision, this course offers important leadership preparation. Each student will prepare an evaluability assessment related to a self-selected educational program in his/her area of concentration. Prerequisite: a graduate level research course.
ESPC 745	Exceptional Education Research Practice	3	Emphasis on interpreting research to develop strategies and to solve problems across the spectrum of exceptional education in order to improve instruction and assessment.
ESPC 810	Exceptional Education Law & Regulations	3	Analysis and interpretation of federal, state, and case law and regulations relevant to exceptional education leadership at all levels and in various settings.
ESPC 815	Supervision of Exceptional Education	3	Investigate the unique issues of supervision of exceptional education teachers and classes. Effective exceptional education instruction and curriculum across the continuum of services (e.g. consultative, pull-out, resource, self-contained, through inclusion) will be highlighted. Effective schools research, collaboration, assessment, instruction, and innovation will be investigated.
ESPC 820	Exceptional Education Program Review	3	Investigate the program review process to determine program strength and specific areas needing improvement to schools, programs, teachers, effectiveness research, supervision of adults, collaboration, assessment, instruction, curriculum and change will also be discussed.
ESPC 835	Exceptional Education Policy & Practice	3	Study the process of the development of policy in exceptional education from standard techniques for analyzing, evaluating, and developing policies for educational systems and organizations with special attention to contemporary policy issues and the process starting at the federal level.

Other Concentrations

Admissions Requirements

2024-25 Semester Check-In Deadlines

All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.

Session	Semester Check-In	Session Start Date
Session A	Friday, August 9	Monday, August 19
Session M	Friday, September 6	Monday, September 16
Session B	Friday, October 11	Monday, October 21
Session C	Wednesday, January 8	Monday, January 13
Session T	Friday, January 31	Monday, February 10
Session D	Friday, March 7	Monday, March 17
Session E	Friday, May 2	Monday, May 12
Session F	Friday, June 13	Monday, June 23

Admissions Requirements

Step 1: Apply to Regent University

Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts

Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.

Step 3: Submit Your Government-Issued ID

To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.

Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.

Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

Tuition & Fees

2024-25 Tuition Rates

PART-TIME STUDENTS

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Master of Education (M.Ed.)	$565	6	$3,390
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)	$800	6	$4,800
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)	$800	3	$2,400
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)	$800	3	$2,400

Full-Time Students

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Master of Education (M.Ed.)	$565	9	$5,085
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)	$800	9	$7,200
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)	$800	6	$4,800
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)	$800	6	$4,800

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)	$850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)	$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

2023-24 Tuition Rates

Part-Time Students

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Master of Education (M.Ed.)	$565	6	$3,390
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)	$800	6	$4,800
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)	$800	3	$2,400
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)	$800	3	$2,400

Full-Time Students

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Master of Education (M.Ed.)	$565	9	$5,085
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)	$800	9	$7,200
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)	$800	6	$4,800
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)	$800	6	$4,800

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)	$850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)	$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

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“Regent has played an instrumental role in equipping thousands of graduates. We have the power to use the knowledge gained and the credentials earned to serve, to advocate for, and ultimately to bring change and hope to the hurting world around us.”

Cindi Spaulding, Ph.D., 2009 Teacher

“One of the biggest skills I learned through my studies at Regent was confidence. I learned that I am worthy, and I can go forward in my career and affect more students than just those in my own classroom.”

Kathy Galford, Ed.D., 2018 School Principal, Chesapeake Public Schools

“Looking back, I can take almost every single facet of my daily work and tie it to my training at Regent. ”

Thomas "Randy" Brunk, M.Ed., 1989 Head of School, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy

“If you are considering a career in teaching,  consider preparing at Regent University.”

Doreatha White, M.Ed., 1997 Principal, J.J. Roberts Elementary School

“I looked at other institutions, but I understood the importance of a Christ-centered focus, and I wanted that to be a part of my graduate experience.”

Cheryl C. Askew, Ed.D., 2012 Principal, Landstown High School