Are you looking for a doctorate to jumpstart your career as an educator and furnish your resume? An ED.s, or education specialist degree, might be the perfect solution. This degree is designed to augment undergraduate and graduate-level education, offering advanced, hyper-focused curricula to working professionals. For example, you may be working full-time as a teacher or school principal and want to take your career to the next level. An ED.s degree will do just that, equipping you with administrative skills, comprehensive leadership training, education technology specialization, and additional expertise to boost your marketability.
EdD vs EdS Degrees
The EdD degree is a doctoral degree that is awarded in education. The EdD is often called the “doctor of education” or “doctorate of education.” The EdS degree stands for “education specialist” and denotes a credential in the educational field. Which degree would you choose if you are thinking about going to graduate school?
The answer to this question will depend on what you want your specialization to be, what you have studied in the past, and what kind of work you intend to pursue after graduation.
The key difference between a doctorate of education and a master’s in education is that the EdD has a more applied focus, while the Master’s in Education has a more scholarly focus.
The difference between an EdD and an EdS degree is the level of specialization. While an EdD degree offers a focus on a specific area of expertise, such as education or nursing, an EdS degree focuses on a more general educational approach.
While both degrees are research-based and prepare students for teaching careers, they differ in terms of their focus and curricula. The EdD focuses on research skills and the creation of teaching materials while the EdS focuses on teaching methods and techniques.
An EdS degree is a more general degree that focuses on teaching methodology, teaching strategies, and curriculum development. It doesn’t have a specialization focus. The EdD degree is a higher education degree that gives an individual with a background in education the opportunity to apply research to solve real-life problems in schools, educational organizations, and communities. It also includes coursework in personnel administration, educational program evaluation, and school law.
EdD Degree
The Doctor of Education (EdD) degree is designed for educators who want to become leaders in their field. It typically takes a minimum of 4 years to complete a doctoral program.
The Doctor of Education degree is a professional doctorate degree typically pursued after completing an initial teacher preparation program. A Doctor of Education degree can be useful to those interested in pursuing leadership positions in education or developing educational policy at the state, federal, or international levels.
Some universities offer specializations for people interested in specific fields of study. For example, Drexel University offers programs with concentrations in Educational Leadership and Administration, Curriculum and Instruction, Higher Education Administration, International Education Studies, Psychology of Teaching and Learning, School Counseling, and School Psychology.
The Doctor of Education Degree, also known as an EdD, is a terminal degree that typically requires three years of full-time study. Students will explore a wide range of topics, including designing and conducting qualitative and quantitative studies, curriculum development, and evaluation. This degree is designed for those interested in higher education administration.
Doctoral Degree Programs: A Ph.D. or EdD?
A doctoral degree program prepares students to teach at the university level or to conduct research as a professor at a college or university. In order to qualify for this type of program, students need to have completed a master’s degree as well as specific undergraduate requirements such as advanced calculus courses and knowledge in certain areas such as economics and statistics. The Ph.D. typically takes four years to complete.
A Doctor of Education (EdD) degree program is a doctoral degree that is awarded to individuals who have completed the requirements for a doctoral degree in education. The EdD degree can be awarded in any field within the educational field that would lead to a doctoral degree.
There are many different paths to becoming a teacher. The most common options for prospective teachers are the undergraduate teaching degree, the graduate teaching degree, and the Doctor of Education (EdD) degree.
The Doctor of Education is a professional doctorate-level academic degree that can be pursued by those already holding a master’s degree in education or by those with a bachelor’s in another field who wish to enter into education as a profession. These degrees are oriented around research and theory rather than classroom practice, with most students completing coursework through online study at their own pace. The EdD program typically takes 2-3 years to complete, depending on if it is full-time or part-time.
An EdD degree is a terminal graduate degree in education that is also called a doctorate of education. The EdD holds both research and teaching orientations. Generally, an EdD takes three to four years after completing both the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and Bachelor of Arts in Teaching (BA).
An EdD is a terminal graduate degree in education that transfers to doctoral studies. Students typically have completed their bachelor’s or master’s degrees before beginning coursework for an EdD.
EdS Degree
The EdS degree is a professional degree that provides advanced knowledge in a specific area of study.
Students learn to apply their existing knowledge of the field or subject, and develop new skills in areas like design, technology, and research.
They are professionals with the academic training to provide consultation services in educational settings.
The degree program prepares individuals for careers as teachers, administrators, researchers, consultants, or evaluators.
An EdS degree is intended for students who already hold at least a bachelor’s degree in education or an equivalent field of study.
Some universities offer an EdS degree online; others offer it on campus with courses held on evenings and weekends.
The majority of coursework is taken during evening hours so that students can maintain their work schedule while working.
The EdS degree is designed for those who want to work in academia, but may not have an advanced degree in education. The EdS degree program will provide the advanced study and practice of teaching, curriculum creation, and educational research required to become a specialist.
EdS programs are designed for those who want to work in academia but do not have an advanced degree in education. Although it is a much less common specialization than a graduate level education or teacher certification, the EdS program will provide the advanced study and practice of teaching, curriculum creation, and educational research required to become a specialist.
The EdS program is a professional degree that prepares graduates for careers in educational administration.
The program is often designed to meet the needs of an individual school district or institution, and may include courses such as:
* Curriculum and instruction
* Assessment
* Educational law and policy
* Leadership skills
* Linguistics and language acquisition
The EdS degree is a terminal professional degree that prepares graduates for a career in educational leadership and management. Coursework focuses on a particular specialty, such as curriculum and instruction, assessment, instructional technology, or higher education.
The EdS degree can be obtained from a variety of institutions. The most common routes to finishing the program are through the completion of a graduate certificate program or obtaining an MA in Education. Some institutions offer an EdD in Educational Administration and Supervision, which is more academically focused with some coursework in higher education administration.
Best Schools That Offer EDs Degree Programs
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
The University of Florida provides an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Curriculum and Instruction, specifically tailored for working professionals in the teaching field. This program requires students to develop portfolios that showcase the practical application of the course content within their classrooms.
- Average Net Price: $5,135
- Median Earnings: $64,463
There are seven specialization areas available for students to choose from, including:
- English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
- Educational Technology
- Reading
- Media Literacy
- Secondary Mathematics
- Secondary Science
- Interdisciplinary
The University of Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, ensuring that the program meets high educational standards.
NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY
Northwest Missouri State University provides an online Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree program that can be completed efficiently.
- Average Net Price: $12,925
- Median Earnings: $43,505
The program requires 30 credit hours, with 18 credit hours designated for electives. Students may potentially finish the program in just one year. Some of the available courses include:
- Writing and Interpreting Educational Literature and Statistics
- Culture and Student Engagement
- School Law
- And more
Northwest Missouri State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ensuring the quality of its educational offerings.
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Appalachian State University offers an online part-time Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Higher Education.
- Average Net Price: $13,989
- Median Earnings: $45,602
The program requires 30 credit hours of coursework and can potentially be completed in five semesters. Students have the option to choose from two concentrations:
- Community College and University Leadership
- Adult and Developmental Education
Appalachian State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, ensuring a high-quality educational experience.
UNIVERSITY OF MAINE
The University of Maine provides four distinct online Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree options, each requiring 33 credit hours of coursework.
- Average Net Price: $16,033
- Median Earnings: $44,376
The available programs include:
- Educational Leadership
- Instructional Technology
- Special Education
- Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction
Applicants can apply without submitting GRE or GMAT scores. The University of Maine is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, ensuring a quality educational experience for its students.
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
The University of Arkansas provides a flexible online Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree program in Curriculum and Instruction.
- Average Net Price: $16,507
- Median Earnings: $51,702
Typically completed in 2 to 3 years, the program requires 33 credit hours of coursework. Students can choose from four concentrations:
- Program Administrator
- K-12 Online Teaching
- Literacy and Dyslexia
- Education Examiner
The University of Arkansas is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ensuring a high-quality education for its students.
Insights
- Affordability: The University of Florida stands out as the most affordable option with an average net price of $5,135. The other universities show a significant increase in their net prices, with the University of Arkansas being the most expensive at $16,507. Prospective students who prioritize affordability may find the University of Florida to be a more appealing choice.
- Return on Investment: When considering the median earnings of graduates, the University of Florida again takes the lead with graduates earning $64,463 on average. This indicates that the investment in the University of Florida’s online Ed.D. degree programs can potentially lead to higher earnings than other universities in the ranking. In contrast, the University of Maine has the lowest median earnings at $44,376, despite having a higher net price than both Northwest Missouri State University and Appalachian State University.
- Cost-to-Earnings Ratio: Comparing the average net price to the median earnings of graduates, the University of Florida offers the best value for students, with a low net price and the highest earnings potential. The University of Arkansas, despite being the most expensive, still offers a reasonable cost-to-earnings ratio, with graduates earning $51,702 on average.
- Regional Differences: The data also suggests that regional differences may play a role in graduates’ net price and median earnings. The universities are located in different states, which could influence tuition rates and the job market for graduates.
In conclusion, the University of Florida appears to be the most attractive option for prospective students seeking an online Ed.D. Degree program, with the lowest net price and the highest median earnings. However, other factors such as program focus, faculty expertise, and personal preferences should also be considered when choosing the most suitable program. While the University of Maine and Northwest Missouri State University rank lower in median earnings, they may offer unique program specializations or other benefits that could be valuable to specific students.