Looking for ways to take your career in education to the next level? Earn your Education Specialist (Ed.S.) at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. We offer an Ed.S. in Teacher Leadership, as well as Ed.S. programs in K-12 Principal and Special Education Director with administrative licensure preparation. These programs make an excellent stepping stone toward your doctoral degree while preparing you for a successful career in education administration. Learn more about the Ed.S. to Ed.D. pathway, available exclusively for Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Ed.S. students, and how to get started.
Key Takeaways
- An Ed.S. is a specialist degree program that prepares educators for more advanced roles, such as a K-12 principal, director of special education, curriculum specialist, or teacher leader.
- Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota offers multiple targeted programs to equip experienced educational professionals to take new leadership positions.
- An Ed.S. can also be used as a stepping stone to a doctoral degree, providing many credits that are transferable to a doctoral program.
What Is an Ed.S. Degree, and What Are the Options at Saint Mary’s?
An Ed.S. is an education specialist degree, which is between a master’s and a doctorate. These programs prepare current education professionals for advanced roles by building the skills and ethical foundation needed to lead effectively and make decisions that truly make a difference.
At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, we offer several Ed.S. degree tracks, each targeted toward different leadership roles. Each program has its own prerequisites, so make sure you understand what your program requires before enrolling. They include:
K-12 Principal
Prepare for roles as a K-12 principal with the Educational Specialist Degree and Principal Licensure program. This 30-credit degree program takes 1.5 years to complete with a tuition of $17,250. Its prerequisites include a master’s degree and at least three years of teaching experience in Minnesota. Alternative pathways may be available provisionally; speak with an admissions advisor to learn more.
Director of Special Education
Become a Director of Special Education through our Educational Specialist Degree and Director of SPED Licensure program. Like the principal program, this one is 30 credits, 1.5 years, and costs $17,250. Our enrollment requirements are a master’s degree and at least three years of experience teaching Special Education in the state of Minnesota.
Teacher Leadership
Our Education Specialist Degree in Teacher Leadership program is designed for educators who aren’t yet ready to take an administrative role but want to improve their leadership skills. This program is focused on establishing instructional and leadership expertise, preparing graduates for roles as curriculum lead, teacher mentor, and more.
Ed.S. to Doctoral Degree: What to Know
Are you aiming for a doctoral degree? As the degree between a master’s and a doctorate, earning an Ed.S. is a great place to start. After completing your Ed.S., you can transition seamlessly into SMUMN’s Ed.D. and complete your doctorate. Our Doctor of Education (Ed.D.): Leadership program has two curricular options – an executive option that is focused on real-world problem-solving and includes a capstone project focused on practical challenges, as well as a traditional research option that prepares students to pursue careers in research and academia and includes a dissertation.
A newly redesigned offering at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, our Ed.S. acts as a bridge between a master’s degree and a doctorate, allowing students to apply up to 15 of their Ed.S. credits directly to ourEd.D. program, enabling faster doctoral completion. While an Ed.S. alone can prepare students for specialized leadership roles, a doctoral degree may be preferred for certain administrative positions, such as school superintendent. The stacked degree pathway allows you to build toward the qualifications you need to achieve your career goals.
Pursue Your Ed.S. at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Pursue your career goals at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, where online adult learners find faith-based education with an emphasis on academic excellence, flexibility, and student-centric education. Designed for working educators, our Ed.S. and Ed.D. degree programs come with support from a wide network of alumni and mentors. Request information or apply for admission today and start your journey toward education leadership and changemaking.
FAQ About Ed.S. to Doctoral Degree Pathways
How do residencies, dissertations, and capstones differ?
Ed.S. programs with licensure preparation typically include a residency, which is a 320-hour internship to gain field experience. Doctoral degree programs include dissertations or capstones, which are research projects focused on theoretical and practical topics in education.
What are the time and cost tradeoffs of stacking degrees?
Stacking degrees can take longer and cost more overall, but it helps you build toward your career goals at your own pace with an individually shorter doctoral program.
How do I plan a path from Ed.S. to doctorate?
Start by choosing an Ed.S program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota that suits your goals, and discuss your plans with your advisor. If you choose to pursue a doctorate upon completion of your Ed.S, up to 15 credits from that program can be applied toward our doctorate program.
