The Ed.D. in Middle Grades Education is designed for candidates who possess a clear renewable (or comparable) T-5 certificate and hold a master’s degree in a PSC recognized area of certification. Through this program candidates develop the knowledge, skills and dispositions to serve as learner-centered specialists engaging in scholarly inquiry and research. Through the cognate and electives they deepen their expertise in a chosen area of study. This program of study thus provides the skills necessary to synthesize theory and practice through further examination of theoretically based curriculum development, understanding of global education issues, and inquiry into making education equitable, democratic, humane, and socially just. The Ed.S. in Middle Grades is fully embedded in the Ed.D. program. Those students who complete the Ed.S. in Middle Grades at Kennesaw State may apply their entire program of study to the Ed.D. Those students who have completed their Ed.S. at another institution will be eligible to have their transcripts analyzed and can possibly receive up to 21 hours credit toward the Ed.D.