Specialist Degrees, Specific Requirements
Specialist in Education degrees (Ed.S.) are awarded for concentrated study and investigation beyond the master's degree. Programs are designed on an individual basis and are sharply focused on a particular academic goal.
A student entering a specialist degree program who possesses a master’s degree must earn a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate credit. A student entering a specialist degree program who possesses only a baccalaureate degree must earn a minimum of 60 semester hours of graduate credit. Schools or programs may have requirements that exceed the minimum standards established by the university.
Specialist Admission
Specialist degree program applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university and have a grade point average of 3.00 or better [4.00 point scale] on the most recent 60 semester hours and an adequate academic background in the proposed area of specialization as defined by the program. Applicants with a GPA below 3.00 may be considered for admission. If someone is recommended for admission who does not meet the Graduate School standard, a rationale must be provided by the program stating the factors which were considered in recommending the student: GPA in the discipline, maturity, letters of recommendation, work samples, GRE scores or other compelling factors, and a list of measurable academic and professional/behavioral requirements the student must attain in the first calendar year program enrollment.
Specialist degree applicants must take the following steps to be considered for admissions:
- Complete the online applications and pay the non-refundable application fee.
- All official transcripts, submitted as part of the application process, are retained by UNC and not returned to applicants or admitted students. Request one official transcript from every accredited college or university attended or from which you earned credit, except UNC. Official transcripts from each college are required, even if courses taken at one institutions are listed on another schools transcript. This includes concurrent enrollment courses taken while in high school through an accredited college. You do not need to provide study abroad transcripts. Official transcripts are sent via mail in an unopened sealed envelope or through an electronically secure digital program. Mailed transcript are send to UNC Graduate School & International admissions, 501 20th Street, Campus Box 135, Greeley, CO 80639. Electronic transcripts are sent to grad.applicationmaterials@unco.edu. The Graduate School and International Admissions does not accept email , scanned or PDF transcripts directly from applicants.
- Your program may require other items such as letters of recommendations, GRE scores; please check http://www.unco.edu/graduate-school/degrees-and-programs/ for specific program requirements.