An Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree is a post-master’s degree designed for experienced educators who want to advance their careers. Many people believe these degrees are designed only for those looking to become principals or superintendents, but that’s not the case. At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, our Ed.S. in Teacher Leadership program helps prepare educators for other leadership roles beyond a principal or superintendent. Here, we explore these alternative education specialist jobs that you can pursue with an Ed.S.
Key Takeaways
- An Education Specialist degree falls between a master’s and a doctorate degree and is designed for experienced teachers who want to further their careers.
- Career paths with an Ed.S. include teacher leader, curriculum specialist, and director of special education.
- Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota offers an Ed.S. in Teacher Leadership for educators who want to pursue leadership roles beyond principal and superintendent.
What Can You Do with an Education Specialist Degree?
An Ed.S. degree falls between a master’s degree and a doctorate. It is created for experienced educators who want to advance their careers by working in either administrative roles, such as a principal or superintendent, or other leadership positions. At Saint Mary’s, the Ed.S. program generally take 1.5 years to complete.
Career Paths with an Ed.S.
Although many educators who pursue an Ed.S. are looking to transition into administrative roles like principals or superintendents, other career paths exist for those who hold Ed.S. degrees. They focus on leadership roles. Options include:
Teacher Leader/Instructional Coach
A teacher leader or instructional coach is an expert educator who helps to mentor or coach other teachers. They help to enhance the teachers’ overall effectiveness by:
- Overseeing lessons and instruction methods
- Providing helpful feedback
- Adjusting their curricula to be more effective
- Facilitating professional development
By improving their mentees’ performance, teacher leaders or coaches help increase student learning and positively impact school culture. An Ed.S. provides in-depth training in leadership skills and coaching strategies, which are beneficial in a career as a teacher leader or instructional coach.
Curriculum Specialist
A curriculum specialist is an education professional who helps to improve a school’s curriculum and educational programs. They may evaluate existing programs or develop new ones to improve learning outcomes and student performance. To do so, they must be able to:
- Analyze existing student data
- Assess state and national standards
- Provide support and professional development for teachers and staff
- Integrate new educational technologies or techniques
An Ed.S. gives educators advanced knowledge of instructional strategies, which they can utilize to design and improve curriculum.
Special Education Director
A special education director is an administrative role at the district level that involves planning, implementing, and supervising special education programs. They ensure the program complies with federal and state laws and supports learners of all abilities. Special education directors may also oversee Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities, manage budgets, and provide professional development for staff.
An Ed.S. with a focus on Director of Special Education (SPED) helps educators devel
op the skills they need to evaluate and improve special education programs and assist diverse learners.
District Roles
If you want to work at the district level, there are many opportunities to do so with an Ed.S. School districts need executive directors in various specialties, including human resources, operations, technology, and more. These roles don’t always require administrative licenses like principals and superintendents do, so they’re a good alternative to positions where licensure is always required. An Ed.S. helps provide the leadership and problem-solving strategies that these professionals need.
Salary Ranges and Job Outlook with an Ed.S.
Earning an Ed.S. not only advances your job opportunities, but it may also boost your earning potential and job security. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for high school teachers was $64,580 in May 2024. Other specialized roles that you can pursue with an Ed.S. tend to have higher base salaries. BLS states that instructional coordinators earned a median annual wage of $74,720 in May 2024, while education administrators, such as special education directors, earned an average of $111,020 in May 2023.
Educators with an Ed.S. also have better job security than those without advanced degrees, as their additional training and leadership abilities enhance their marketability and make them stand out among less-qualified candidates. However, the earning potential and job security vary for Ed.S. degree holders based on many factors. They include the individual’s experience level, role, location, and institution type.
Prepare for Educational Leadership Roles at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Whether your goal is to become a director of special education or a curriculum specialist, earning an Ed.S. in Teacher Leadership or Director of Special Education can help you prepare. At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, our Ed.S. programs are offered in hybrid or online format and take less than two years to complete. We also offer financial aid opportunities to qualified students to make advancing your education more accessible. To learn more about education specialist jobs you can pursue upon completion of our program, request more information today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Education Specialist Jobs
How can I position my experience for Ed.S. jobs?
When applying for Ed.S. jobs, you should:
- Tailor your resume to the role
- Earn microcredentials to demonstrate specific related skills
- Prepare for interviews and have a leadership portfolio ready
What skills do employers seek in education specialist jobs?
Employers look for a variety of skills in education specialist jobs, including:
- Data literacy
- Strong leadership abilities
- Negotiating skills
- Ethics
Who should consider an Ed.S. in Teacher Leadership?
Experienced educators who want to mentor peers, improve programs, lead initiatives, or move into specialized leadership roles may benefit from this type of degree.
Can an Ed.S. help me advance my salary?
It may. Some education leadership and specialist roles offer higher earning potential than classroom teaching, though salary depends on role, district, experience, and location.
