HAYS, Kan- COVID-19 has fundamentally changed education in America. Digital literacy, the ability to leverage powerful learning technologies, is now an essential proficiency for teachers, administrators and learning technologists. Beginning in the Spring of 2021, Fort Hays State University’s Department of Advanced Educational Programs will welcome its first class of rising educators and education administrators in the new Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) postgraduate program with a concentration in Digital Leadership.

Now, more than ever, teachers, trainers and leaders at all levels of education need to take advantage of emerging technologies and digital best practices that can bridge the time and distance challenges created by the global pandemic,” said Dr. Kim Chappell, who led the development of the program in FHSU’s College of Education.

This future-focused program is designed to develop leaders with the leadership skills essential to transforming any educational organization's digital culture. Graduates of the program will be prepared to create professional opportunities and advance in their role as a digital technology leader.

Education and academic technology administrators, as well as school principals and superintendents, can all benefit from this fully online, interdisciplinary program. Key areas of program focus are teaching, instructional design, informatics, and learning technologies. The program will be primarily offered via a series of flexible 4-week, one credit hour courses in the fall, spring and summer. Practicum and research courses are offered in 16-week sessions.

Founded as a teacher’s college on the edge of the Kansas frontier more than 100 years ago, FHSU is a nationally recognized leader in teacher education and educational leadership programs. The new Specialist in Education with a concentration on digital leadership represents yet another expansion in the University’s commitment to offering innovative, challenging and affordable programs that keep FHSU-trained education professionals on the cutting edge of innovation in teaching and leadership.

For more information, go to https://www.fhsu.edu/aep/digital-leadership/.