An Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree prepares students to become leaders in education, licensed principals, special education directors, and superintendents. At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, our mission is founded on Lasallian Catholic values. We emphasize strengthening the moral character of our educational leaders so they can be pillars in their communities. Here, our team discusses our Ed.S. degree program options.
Boost Your Knowledge and Guide the Future
We’ve designed our practitioner-based curriculum to equip students with practical skills, personal formation, and sound theory to become leaders with knowledge and character. The title “Education Specialist” is a unique achievement and helps set you apart from your peers. It signifies that you possess advanced and specialized expertise in the field of education while showing your commitment to personal learning and educating others.
These are fully remote programs for educators with master’s degrees who want to continue their education. This degree allows you to gain an in-depth understanding of administrative leadership and learn the latest teaching methodologies. You focus on a specific discipline within education—principal, special education, or superintendent—so you can become a subject matter expert and stand out when applying for open positions.
Our Ed.S. in Teacher Leadership is a hybrid program for experienced teachers with master’s degrees, who want to advance their careers but don’t want to pursue an administrative track. Students will learn effective leadership techniques, instructional strategies, mentoring and coaching practices, and more.
Advance Your Education With Experienced Experts
At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, our Ed.S. in Educational Administration Licensure Programs are highlighted by administrative license preparation. Experienced administrators and experts in the education field teach the classes in these 30-credit programs. Upon completing your chosen program, you’ll have the practical skills to be a successful administrator.
Some of our program highlights are:
- Participation in a one-day summer institute to connect with faculty and peers in person while hearing from inspirational speakers
- Access to a dedicated university advisor with experience in education who supports you every step of the way
- Scholarships for students who qualify thanks to our partnership program with regional and national employers
Knowledge You’ll Gain
During your time in one of our Ed.S. programs, you’ll learn several practical skills, including:
- Inclusive leadership and effective communication
- Collaborative planning and decision-making
- Operational management
- Practical ethical leadership
- Diversity appreciation and cultivation
You’ll focus on combining leadership theories with these skills through several unique courses:
- Ethical Decision-Making for School Leaders
- Leading Flourishing Skills
- Continuous Improvement for Learning
- School Leadership: Purpose and Motivation
Admission Requirements for an Education Specialist Degree
As with most programs, our Ed.S. programs do have some prerequisites. To be accepted into our Ed.S. Educational Administration programs, you must have the following:
- A master’s degree
- At least 21 credits from any of the following: teaching techniques, communication skills, curriculum design, education leadership or administration, or education research/assessment
- Three years of teaching experience as required by the Board of Administrators for the State of Minnesota
- A valid teaching license in the position where you gained the experience
For our Ed.S. in Teacher Leadership program, you must have:
- A master’s degree in an education-related field, with at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale
- At least 21 credits from among any of the following: teaching techniques, curriculum design, communication skills, education research/assessment, education leadership, or administration
Additionally, if you have a transcript from a university outside the United States, such as in Ireland, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada (except for Quebec), or Australia, you must pass an English proficiency test. We accept:
- Duolingo with a minimum score of 100
- International English Language Testing (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 72
- International Test of English Proficiency (ITEP) with a minimum score of 4
- Pearson Test of English with a score of 51
- Michigan Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) with a minimum score of 74%
Where Your Degree Can Take You
At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, our School of Education uses hands-on experience and practical studies to help you advance your education. Our Ed.S. programs can help you move up in your career and become a mentor to other educators. We’ll provide you with the skills and knowledge to set you up for success, no matter what your career path. Some careers our students go on to seek include:
- Superintendent: An overseer of an entire school district, its employees, and facilities
- Director of Special Education: A supervisor of special education programs who implements specialized curriculum and evaluates the success of students
- Instructional coach: A guide for teachers who helps them improve their lesson plans to get students more engaged with their learning
- Principal: A supervisor and overseer for an entire school and all its activities
- School administration positions: Dean of students, assistant principals, assistant superintendents, and business managers are some examples.
Benefits of Our Ed.S. Programs
Our Ed.S. in Educational Administration programs are fully remote, with online, synchronous sessions completed with their peers and work completed independently. You can continue to work while furthering your education. It is an accelerated program, allowing you to earn your degree in one and a half years with an additional 320-hour immersive field experience required for licensing. Additionally, our remote program enables you to continue spending time with your family and pursue your hobbies.
Our Ed.S. in Teacher Leadership is offered in a hybrid format and takes one and a half years to complete. The hybrid format allows students to make personal connections with professors, classmates, and peers.
At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, our commitment to accessible education extends to keeping our programs affordable. We offer financial aid and scholarships to our graduate students who qualify so they can continue their education without hardship. You’ll also benefit from the following:
- Additional career opportunities
- Increased salary
- A strengthened resume
Prepare for Success With Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Are you ready to take the next step in your career and become a mentor to teachers and a valued educational leader? Consider an Education Specialist degree from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Our admissions staff can answer any questions and help you apply. Request more information to see if our program is a fit for you.
