Educational Specialist

The Education Specialist, also referred to as Educational Specialist or Specialist in Education (Ed.S. or S.Ed.), is an advanced, terminal degree in the U.S. that is designed for individuals who wish to develop advanced knowledge and theory beyond the master's degree level, but may not wish to pursue a degree at the doctoral level.

Advanced programs beyond the master's degree are designed to provide the necessary background and professional expertise for students planning to go into university teaching, supervisory or leadership roles in post secondary schools, curriculum planning, consultant work, or similar positions. Generally, the Ed.S. or S.C.C.T. is considered a sixth year course of study although it may take more than an additional year beyond the master's program to complete. This degree may be completed en route to a Ph.D., Ed.D., or as a terminal (end) degree, which was its original intent.

Since the course work in an Education Specialist degree is at an advanced graduate level many schools will transfer the credits earned directly into a doctoral degree (Ed.D., Doctor of Education).

In the K-12 arena, individuals who earn an Ed.S. degree seek to increase their skills for advanced licensure requirements (such as principalship), earn the credits needed for re-certification or other professional objectives. Others may pursue an Ed.S. degree in order to meet state or professional requirements for career advancement.

In the higher education arena, individuals who earn an Ed.S. seek to increase their knowledge for preparation in academic or administrative leadership role.

Major areas available with this degree include educational technology, adult education, adult learning, special education, higher education administration, school counseling, school psychology, educational leadership, ESL, educational administration, curriculum and instruction, superintendent, career and adult technical education, community college administration, and community college teaching.

The Ed.S. degree is an advanced professional degree program that is considered by some accrediting bodies as the completion of the sixth year of collegiate study, (between the master's and doctorate). Historically, it has also been considered a terminal degree.The degree is best suited for those who do not wish to complete a doctoral degree. Programs typically require from 30 to 45 semester hours beyond a master's degree. In some instances, an oral defense of a scholarly thesis or field study may be required, similar to a dissertation at the culmination of the degree. Some post-secondary faculty union contracts in the U.S. recognize the Ed.S. as equivalent to a doctorate on their salary scales. Some Ed.S. degree holders were on their path to earn the Ph.D. or Ed.D. but may have stopped short of completion due to some unforeseen contingencies. Some Ed.S. programs function as a bridge between a master's degree and a doctorate via articulation agreements.

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