Admission to the Graduate School does not automatically constitute admission to the Education Specialist Program. All candidates must complete all requirements for the Alabama Class AA certification. All Ed.S. candidates must successfully complete a written comprehensive examination prior to program completion.

In addition to the Admission Requirements for Graduate School, candidates seeking the education specialist degree in a instructional support program must:

hold a masters degree from a regionally accredited college or university,
complete a special education course as a prerequisite if not previously completed, (Not required for Counseling.)
be unconditionally admitted and complete all additional admission requirements identified in the specific program, hold a valid master's level certification in the same instructional support area or teaching field in which the Class AA certificate is sought, (not required for Counseling). Students seeking an Ed.S. in ILA will need to complete the RHO route prior to program admission if not currently holding a Class A in Instructional Leadership or Educational Administration.
Successful completion of a criminal background check/fingerprinting.

Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited or equivalent foreign university with a minimum overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.5 (4.0 scale) or a 3.0 grade point average on the last 30 semester hours. All hours attempted in the term in which the 30 semester hours were reached will be used to calculate the grade point average. Students entering licensure and professional programs must meet specified grade point average requirements.
OR
Hold a baccalaureate degree from an unaccredited or otherwise accredited college or university with a minimum overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.5 (4.0 scale) or a 3.0 grade point average on the last 30 semester hours. All hours attempted in the term in which the 30 semester hours were reached will be used to calculate the grade point average. (See Unaccredited or Otherwise Accredited Baccalaureate Degree Holders - Student Admission Requirements.)
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)- overall score of 6.0.
TOEFL- (Internet-based test) - overall 70.
TOEFL- (Paper-based test) - overall 523.