What is an Educational Specialist Degree?
An educational specialist degree is an advanced, graduate degree program in education offered at many universities. The number of schools of education offering these degrees is increasing every year.
In many ways, specialist degrees bridge the gap between master’s and doctoral programs in education. While some universities consider specialist degrees terminal degrees that you cannot build upon, other schools allow graduates to count the hours earned in a specialist program toward required coursework for an education doctoral degree.
In addition, many universities allow educational specialist degree coursework to transfer toward completing a doctoral degree. Therefore, the specialist track allows educators the opportunity to strategically venture toward a doctoral degree without being completely submerged and potentially overwhelmed. The completion of this degree program offers a feeling of accomplishment and a noteworthy milestone along the journey toward the doctoral degree. Further, some educators may simply seek the professional knowledge and competency these programs offer.
What Kind of Educational Specialist Degrees are Available?
Educational Leadership and Supervision
Many educators aspire to become leaders within the field. States require additional certification for school and division leaders. Further, many teachers do not desire to enter leadership until they are more vested in their careers. Educators often obtain a master’s degree in their core field, special education, or curriculum and instruction. None of these pathways lead to licensure in administration and supervision. Therefore, this track is a decisive choice for teachers who want to enter leadership but want to earn a higher degree instead of completing an additional master’s program.
Leadership and supervision specialist programs include core coursework in school law, research and statistics, foundational studies, and teacher evaluation. In addition, these programs often have an extensive practicum experience that allows the student to apply the learning in the vocational setting. Practicums often make the leadership specialists degree more relevant and practical. Once students graduate from an accredited specialist program in administration and supervision and pass state licensure tests, they will be ready to apply and earn a job in school leadership.
Counseling
Becoming a principal is not always the desired track for all educators. Yet, many teachers still desire a change and a way to advance within their field. Another natural aspiration is to become a school counselor. The school counselor’s role opens countless doors to lead substantive change and make a difference in the lives of students. This role has always been critical but is becoming even more vital as students enter schools with childhood trauma. Students need counseling, support, social-emotional learning, and direction with their educational decision-making.
These specialist programs offer coursework similar to other programs in counseling. The goal is to have graduates who understand policies and procedures related to school counseling combined with solid people and social skills. Some states require school counselors to pass state assessments in addition to a program of study before earning licensure as a school counselor.
Curriculum and Instruction
Some teachers are not necessarily looking for career change advancements but rather want to continue as lifelong learners. These teachers want to continue refining instructional practices and curriculum knowledge while studying current best practices. A curriculum and instruction track is most appropriate for these educators. Additionally, this coursework will allow a teacher the opportunity to teach recertification and continuing education coursework within the education department at many universities.
It is important to note that specific colleges might offer educational specialist degrees in core areas or special education, among other possibilities, but these programs would be rare. The three primary concentrations for educational specialist degrees include leadership and supervision, counseling, and curriculum and instruction.
What are the Benefits of an Educational Specialist Degree?
Increased Salary and Stipends
Earning an educational specialist degree can help alleviate some of the financial strain for an educator. Most districts offer advanced degree stipends that help increase base pay. It is important to note that advanced degree stipends vary significantly by state and even district, but some specialist stipends are quite substantial. Further, an educational specialist degree is like an investment because the advanced degree stipends can continue annually throughout the whole duration of a person’s career.
Adding Additional Endorsements
A second way that a specialist degree could benefit an educator is by earning an additional endorsement. Leadership and counseling programs are the two tracks that most often lead to other endorsements. These programs lead to the credentialing necessary to advance to these areas. One additional possibility is that some educational specialist special education degrees can lead to an endorsement in special education allowing a core teacher to move in this direction.
Career Advancement
Once an educator earns an additional endorsement, it opens the possibility of moving in that direction. Many educators earn specialist degrees to become assistant principals, principals, and school counselors. Thereby, teachers achieve a platform to make a more widespread difference in a school through school-wide leadership. Further, these promotions can mean substantial pay increases in addition to the advanced degree stipends noted previously.
Teach College-level Coursework in Education
Another benefit of earning an educational specialist degree is that the degree opens the door to teaching education coursework at many universities. Most schools of education employ adjuncts to teach some licensure and recertification coursework for teachers. A doctorate is not required of all persons in a department at most schools. Additionally, colleges often see current practitioners bringing relevance and practicality to the program. While teaching adjunct classes certainly allows educators the opportunity to earn additional money, many educators teach these classes for professional satisfaction.
Professional Development
One final way that specialist degrees can benefit teachers is by building a more impressive resume that can lead to requests to present at local, regional, and state conferences. Many educators aspire to give back by sharing the expertise they have gained along the journey. Presenting at conferences helps gain exposure and refine presentation skills, and the presenters also enjoy collegiality with colleagues with similar mindsets.
