With an educational specialist (Ed.S.) degree, experienced educators from all over the country cannot only make a positive impact in their schools and academic systems, but they can also qualify for higher-paying positions. Plus, flexible options like the four online Ed.S. programs offered by Northwest Missouri State University provide working educators a convenient and financially feasible path toward advancing their own education and careers.
An Ed.S. degree is a more advanced degree than a typical master’s in education. But the Ed.S. model differs from the doctoral degree in that the Ed.S. does not have the dissertation component. The strength of the Ed.S. lies in time and cost. Teachers with a master’s degree can earn an additional postgraduate degree in less time — with less financial commitment — than it takes to earn a doctoral degree such as a PhD or EdD. It is an attractive option for teachers and educators interested in continuing their education to gain new skills that lead to higher pay and professional growth.
A Choice of Focus and Coursework
Like many other degree programs, Ed.S. programs usually focus on a specific educational issue, position or concept, such as:
- Superintendency
- Curriculum & instruction
- Special education
- Educational leadership in K-12
Program curricula may cover wide-ranging topics such as holistic curriculum development to enhance the learning experience, diversity and inclusion in increasingly multicultural educational settings, and various legal requirements of the public school system.
Earning an educational specialist degree may also require the successful completion of an internship component. The internship provides the student an opportunity to experience typical responsibilities associated with being a successful school administrator. Issues may include observation of and participation in making judicious financial decisions, selecting personnel for various staff and faculty positions, and representing the school or district in public relations situations.
Careers With an Ed.S.
Graduates with Ed.S. degrees commonly find meaningful careers as school principals, district superintendents or teacher leaders. These administrative or leadership roles come with unique responsibilities.
School principals maintain the operations of a school. This includes the effective administration of its staff, students, assets and financial resources. School principals create a safe, secure environment and promote academic success for all students.
While principals oversee a single school, superintendents are responsible for numerous schools within a district. The work of a superintendent largely revolves around meeting the various needs of stakeholders on a system-wide level.
Professionals who intend to remain in full-time teaching positions can leverage an Educational Specialist degree to qualify for increased pay and leadership roles, such as teacher leader, team leader or coach. The Ed.S. may also meet the requirements to teach in postsecondary settings like colleges and universities.
Four Specialized Ed.S. Degrees from Northwest Online
Northwest Missouri State University offers four educational specialist degrees completely online for professionals with master’s degrees looking to advance their opportunities:
- Education Specialist – Educational Leadership K-12
- Education Specialist – Superintendent
- Education Specialist – Educational Diagnostician
- Education Specialist – Generalist
Each Ed.S. degree requires 30 credit hours of coursework, including the internship experience or fieldwork. Students can complete the programs in as few as twelve months.
Northwest’s professional faculty have a wide breadth of knowledge and experience in educational specialties. Prospective students interested in enrolling in an educational specialist degree program can be confident that they will leave prepared in the critical analysis, organizational management and collaboration skills needed to successfully transition into their desired careers.
Learn more about Northwest’s online Educational Specialist programs.
