Frequently Asked Questions

Students are generally enrolled in two courses per semester. The EdS program may not be completed in less than 27 months. All degree requirements must be satisfied within seven years from the date of initial enrollment.

The Education Specialist program is not designed to lead to Professional Licensure or certification and applicants must already be employed at the elementary, secondary, or higher education level in their state. Consequently, a determination has not been made whether the EdS program will meet professional licensure for any state. Applicants interested in licensure or credential certification are encouraged to contact the relevant licensing body for their state before enrolling:
https://nc-sara.org/professional-licensure-directory

Salary credits are generally a result of labor agreements in place between a school district and professional associations such as teacher groups. The agreements sometimes delineate eligible coursework and/or institutions where they can be taken. Past experience has shown that the great majority of districts will allow salary credit if you complete our coursework. However, you should consult with your specific district, prior to beginning study, to determine how credit from this program may be applied. The University will supply you and your school district with any reasonable documentation.

No. Academic and administrative procedures are carefully designed so that students can complete all requirements for graduation entirely online without unreasonably disrupting their professional or family lives.

The first four courses in the curriculum are known as Qualifying Courses. A student must successfully complete these courses and take and pass a Qualifying Examination before they proceed on to the core and elective courses. The Qualifying Examination is a three-hour proctored test that covers material from the qualifying courses.

The amount of time it will take an individual to complete a given course will vary depending upon the background of the individual. For most individuals, the amount of time necessary to complete a course will be approximately equal for students in a classroom program covering the same subject.

Yes, it is recommended that an applicant have a minimum of two years of occupational experience before enrolling. The program emphasizes real world experience in educational settings. Therefore, those with related experience will find the coursework very relevant. Without such experience, students may find it more difficult to relate the coursework to their professional settings.

Students may apply to the program at any time. The Directed Study EdS program has three start dates each year. Students enrolling in the Independent Study EdS program may begin the program at the start on an 8-week term or six times per year. The most current information about start dates can be found on the Academic Calendar on our website.

Yes. Students enrolled in the Directed Study EdS program may be eligible to receive Title IV loans.

Financial aid is NOT available to students enrolled in the Independent Study EdS program. However, the University has established interest free payment options. In general, a student is required to pay 30% of the semester tuition at the start of the semester with three additional monthly payments scheduled to cover the balance. A student must pay the cost of tuition for a semester prior to beginning the next semester.

Yes, in every measurable way. DEAC accreditation is just as valid as any regional accreditation, and the Secretary of Education has officially recognized DEAC (Formerly the Distance Education and Training Council‒DETC) since 1959. DEAC is also recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (www.chea.org) and its predecessors since 1975. All USDOE recognized accrediting bodies meet precisely the same standards, so distinguishing between regional and national accreditation no longer applies. The US Department of Education Final Rule (84 FR 58834) has removed the “artificial distinction” between regional and national accreditation and now refers only to “institutional” or “programmatic” accreditation. Additionally, DEAC has vastly more experience and tougher, more stringent standards for distance learning than any other agency in the U.S.

Tuition for the EdS program is $360 per credit. The program represents 30 credits so the estimated tuition expense is $10,800. There are many factors that are required to determine the amount of Federal Student Aid that may be available to an individual. The University’s cost of attendance includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, and minimal internet fees. The University recommends that students request Federal Student Aid that will cover only their direct cost of attendance. When it is time to package a student’s Federal Student Aid Loan Award, our Financial Aid Office will contact the student to discuss options, calculate specific need, and award what is allowed under the Department of Education guidelines.

All applicants should review the cost of attendance information listed under this program in our Consumer Information Guide. The amount a student may borrow will be determined upon the Financial Aid Office’s review of a student’s Application for Admission and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) information.

William Howard Taft University, through The Taft University System, participates in the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program. The loans that students may receive are Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and/or Federal Direct Grad Plus Loans. Additional information may be found on the United States Department of Education’s website.

All applicants should review the Consumer Information Guide, which is posted on the University’s website. Topics such as loan limits, entrance and exit counseling, cost of attendance, and the timing of the disbursements are explained in detail.

After a student’s application for admission to the program has been approved, the student will receive an email from the Financial Aid Office with detailed instructions. The Financial Aid Office will assist with determining eligibility, entrance counseling, signing a master promissory note, and the preparation of a packaged award.

For your convenience, the link to the FAFSA website is: https://www.StudentLoans.gov/ and our School Code is G41004. You will need to complete and submit a current FAFSA form to the Department of Education. The Federal Award Year is from July 1st through June 30th. Select the appropriate FAFSA for the start date that you have chosen.

Once you have done this, your FAFSA information will be sent to the University’s mailbox. This takes two to three days. The University will need this information to begin your Federal Student Aid process.

Admissions Representatives are available to establish cash payment options for students. In general, a student is required to pay 30% of the semester tuition at the start of the semester with three additional payments scheduled to cover the balance. A student must pay the cost of tuition for a semester prior to beginning the next semester.