Program Overview


The Ed.S. in Secondary and Middle Grades Education is designed for candidates who have already earned an M.Ed. in Secondary and Middle Grades Education or a related field and wish to continue graduate study in order to enhance their expertise and improve their practice. Candidates will develop in-depth knowledge and skills to implement in their classrooms and schools in ways that advance all students’ rights to an education that supports social and economic justice and academic success. Courses focusing on technology, learner-centered curriculum and instruction, learners and families from diverse backgrounds, and critical pedagogy that will aid candidates in meeting these crucial needs.
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Degree Highlights

The Ed.S. In Secondary and Middle Grades Education program coursework is fully online*, preparing professional teachers to enhance their content and instructional expertise and strengthening their ability to improve student learning.

  • Completed in four semesters (15 months); 30 credit hours
  • 100% ONLINE
  • All degrees are approved for certificate upgrades by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission
  • Focus on learner-centered curriculum and instruction in the content areas
  • Small class sizes and individualized learning
  • Designed to advance middle grades and secondary teachers’ content knowledge and knowledge of diverse adolescent learners
  • Coursework may be transferred into the Ed.D. in Secondary and Middle Grades Education program
  • SMGE Bridge Program:The M.Ed. in Secondary and Middle Grades Education may serve as a bridge to the Ed.S. in Secondary and Middles Grades Education at Kennesaw State University. For Ed.S., 6 credit hours may be transferred from the M.Ed. Students may have their transcripts analyzed by the Program Coordinator to verify program-related standards to possibly receive additional credit hours applied toward the Ed.S.

Program of Study

The program includes 30 total hours, including 9 hours of education and research core courses, 12 hours of Secondary and Middle Grades major courses, and 9 hours of teaching field courses.

We offer the Ed.S. with a Major in Secondary and Middle Grades Education:

  • Secondary English
  • Secondary Mathematics
  • Secondary History
  • Secondary Chemistry
  • Secondary Biology
  • Middle Grades Language Arts
  • Middle Grades Mathematics
  • Middle Grades Social Studies
  • Middle Grades Science

Admission Requirements

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

  • Degree – Master’s degree in Secondary and Middle Grades Education or a related field.  
  • Certificate – Uploaded to graduate application. Valid clear, renewable Georgia teaching certificate. Or out-of-state equivalent, in the teaching field and grade level for which the applicant is applying. To print a copy of your clear, renewable Georgia teaching certificate, you may log into your MyPSC account.
  • Experience – Minimum of THREE (3) years of experience teaching the subject field in middle or secondary schools.

Deadline

May 1 for admission for summer semester - ALL documents must be submitted by the deadline date. 
July 1 for admission for fall semester - ALL documents must be submitted by the deadline date.

More Information

For more information about this degree program, please call 470.578.6314 or email edssmge@kennesaw.edu. 
For more information on graduate admissions, please email DegreeUp@kennesaw.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The program includes 30 total hours, including 9 hours of education and research core courses, 12 hours of secondary or middle grades major courses, and 9 hours of teaching field course.

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  • No, the GRE is no longer required for admission.

  • Candidates can finish the program in four (4) semesters by taking six (6) to nine (9) credit hours each semester.

    However, candidates may choose to take fewer hours each semester to balance the demands of graduate school and teaching full-time, which would allow for program completion in five (5) or six (6) semesters.

  • You are strongly encouraged to check the Georgia Professional Standards Commission Upgrade Advisor before enrolling to determine if obtaining this degree or an endorsement will lead toward a pay and/or certificate upgrade.
  • Candidates should submit their completed application packets to the Graduate School by April 1 for summer admission and July 1 for fall admission. ALL documents must be submitted by the deadline date to be considered for admission. You can find more information at The Graduate School's Admissions  website, or you can apply online.
  • Email your questions to the Ed.S. in Secondary or Middle Grades Education Program Coordinator at edssmge@kennesaw.edu.