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.
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 Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report for four years (2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023). 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). Experience the Regent difference through the Ed.S. in Educational Leadership – Exceptional Education Executive Leadership program.
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.
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
| 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. |
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.
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 |
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 |
*Rates are subject to change at any time.
- Certificate in the Law & Higher Education
- Certificate of Graduate Studies in Gifted & Talented Education for Teachers
- Ed.D. – Advanced Educational Leadership
- Ed.D. – Exceptional Education Executive Leadership
- Ed.S. in Educational Leadership – Advanced Educational Leadership
- Ph.D. in Education – Exceptional Education Executive Leadership