208.467.8753
gradeducationinfo@nnu.edu
Education Specialist
NNU’s Ed.S. in Curriculum, Instruction and Innovation program is designed for educational professionals who have a master’s degree who are seeking formal educational leadership roles with curriculum, instruction and innovation. Students have the convenience of a fully online program with an option to meet with faculty online to enhance learning and build community.
- Accessible professors and staff allowing for support in each course
- A completion timeframe of 18 months
- Can add a Teacher Leader Instructional Specialist endorsement on an Idaho Teaching Certification for only 1 additional credit
- 100% online
About Curriculum, Instruction and Innovation
NNU’s Education Specialist in Curriculum, Instruction and Innovation program is offered utilizing a cohort model. Students have the convenience of a fully online program with an option to meet with faculty face-to-face or online to enhance learning and build community.
With a focus on high-quality instruction, instructor leadership, innovation, personal reflection and research practices and applications, the program equips graduates with the appropriate skill sets needed to access and effectively use technology and resources in today’s dynamic learning environments. The objective is to develop attitudes and practices that prepare educators to remain current and effective in an ever-changing world.
Students who have been working in a certified teaching position for at least three years can add just one additional credit to this degree to earn a Teacher Leader Instructional Specialist Endorsement.
degree details
Education Specialist
Offered Online
$565 per credit, $150 per semester technology fee
Program Design
The program coursework is offered fully online with opportunities to meet with faculty throughout the semester either face-to-face or online. The following highlights outline the program design and features:
- An average completion time of 18 months
- Accessible professors and staff allow for support in each course
- Emphases to promote personalized learning: Curriculum Design, Instructional Coaching, Innovation
- Alignment with the Ed.S. program (Ed.S. is aligned with Ed.D. and Ph.D.)
- Competitive tuition costs
- A fully online structure with opportunities for face-to-face instructor meetings
- NNU’s reputation for high-quality, rigorous academics
- Hallmarks of a traditional C&I program
- Attention to essential skills for remaining current in the field
- Faculty advisers to help direct the course of study
- A focus on innovative skill sets
Application Requirements
The following requirements must be received by Admissions a minimum of one week before classes start and are online, mailed or emailed as indicated. Recommendation forms and essay guidelines are available online within the application portal.
For mail:
Northwest Nazarene University
Attention Graduate Admissions
623 University Boulevard
Nampa, ID 83686
For email: gps@nnu.edu
- Online: Application and $50 non-refundable application fee
- Mail or email from a digital service such as Parchment or the National Student Clearinghouse: Official transcripts from a regionally accredited institution(s) where the applicant received a bachelor’s degree
- Email or mail: A copy of the applicant’s teaching certificate (if applicable)
- Online: Two online recommendation forms completed by professional colleagues
- Online: One supervisor recommendation form; the three recommendations must be completed by three different individuals
- Online: Evidence of writing competency through an essay based on the essay guidelines
Admission Requirements
Candidates must have the following:
- A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the baccalaureate program
- Approval by the Graduate Education Admissions Committee
Program Start Dates
Classes begin every 8 weeks, and new students may join throughout the year. Contact us now to get started on your graduate degree.
Required Courses
EDUC8000 Orientation: Graduate Education (0)
EDUC7505 Teachers as Leaders (3)
EDUC7511 The Learning Process (3)
EDUC7532 Instructional Models (3)
EDUC7552 Instructional Coaching (3)
EDUC7553 Curriculum, Assessment, and Collaboration (3)
EDUC7554 Innovative Instruction (3)
EDUC7555 Mixed Methods Research (3)
EDUC7556 Conceptual Statistics and Applications for Educators (3)
EDUC7557P Program Portfolio (0-1)
EDUC7571 Education in a Globalized and Multicultural Society (3)
EDUC7572 Innovative Instruction 2.0 (3)
EDUC7584 Data-Driven Decision-Making (3)
Total Credits: 33 semester credits are required.
To add a Teacher Leader Instructional Specialist endorsement to an Idaho Teaching Certificate, add:
EDUC7514 Teacher Leader Practicum (1)
EDUC7514B Teacher Leader Portfolio Binder (0)
(note: must have 3 years teaching)
CAEP ACCREDITED PROVIDER
Northwest Nazarene University’s College of Education meets the requirements for accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
COLLEGES OF DISTINCTION
Northwest Nazarene University received the 2023-2024 Colleges of Distinction Award in Education.
Notice Out-of-State Students
Since this is a program that leads to professional licensure, prospective students should review important information about NNU’s participation in the National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) and Professional Licensure about this program. Individual states often have different expectations for professional licensure, so it is in a prospective student’s best interest to investigate whether NNU’s degree program will help them achieve licensure in their home state.
Related Career Paths
Metropolitan and nonmetropolitan area occupational employment and wage estimates for the Boise area are sourced from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Note: Teacher positions require teacher certification in the State of Idaho.
Instructional Coordinator
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Meet Our Faculty
Heidi Curtis, PH.D.
Associate Professor of Graduate Education; Graduate Chair
Lisa Amundson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Education; Exceptional Child Program Director
Robin Gilbert, ED.S.
Associate Professor of Education; Educational Leadership Program Director
Jackie Schober, BA
Program Coordinator, Educational Leadership Programs
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