Get an Edge in Education with Liberty’s Online Education Specialist (EdS) Degree Program
Do you have a passion for making learning fun and effective? Liberty University’s online Education Specialist degree can help give you the foundation you need to do just that.
In our 100% online EdS degree program, you can dive into advanced education study and research topics. Learning theory, assessment, and curriculum development – all based on the best practices of the field – are taught in this program.
With our specialist degree in education, you can also go beyond teaching and course development by pursuing an administrative role. This program can help you analyze education challenges and become an expert in K-12 or higher education instruction. Between advanced teaching and learning management skills, Liberty’s EdS degree can help you become a powerhouse in the education field.
Why Choose Liberty’s Education Specialist Degree Online?
At Liberty University, we believe in our students. That’s why we work hard to develop top-notch, cutting-edge education programs. We want to produce educators and school leaders who model high academic, moral, and spiritual standards before their peers.
In our School of Education, you’ll be taught by professors who teach from a biblical worldview. Our professors want to build you up as an engaged mentor for your students.
Liberty’s EdS degree can be done entirely online, but you can also choose to do some important courses in person. These optional intensives are especially beneficial if you intend to pursue a Doctor of Education (EdD) degree.
This can give you important hands-on experience that can be useful in your future dissertation or capstone project research. You can develop skills for leadership roles in K-12 or higher education, which can provide opportunities for advancement in your career.
As a student in our EdS programs online, you can develop the skills you need to become a more effective teacher. You can also pursue a new role as a superintendent, principal, or college instructor. With strong leadership and advanced education expertise, you can prepare for many advanced academic positions at Liberty.
We are recognized by multiple institutions for our academic quality, affordability, and accessibility. Our commitment to excellence also helped us rank in the top 10% of Niche.com’s best online schools in America.
We’ve frozen tuition rates for our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.
Program Highlights for the Education Specialist Degree Online
- All of our School of Education initial and advanced licensure programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
- Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
- Our EdS leadership online courses can help prepare you to step into an administration role.
- The EdS degree allows you to transfer in up to 27 credits to our Doctor of Education (EdD) degree. This can give you a jumpstart on your doctorate!
Potential Career Options for Educational Specialist Degree Graduates
- College administrator
- Curriculum specialist
- Instructional supervisor
- School administrator
- Special education specialist
- Teacher
Upon successful completion of Liberty University’s online Education Specialist degree, you will have an advanced, post-master’s credential. This degree can help equip you for leadership roles in K-12 or higher education, as well as advanced curriculum development positions.
The skills and knowledge you gain from the EdS online degree may provide you with new opportunities in many settings. These may include private or public schools, third-party curriculum development, or learning tool development companies.
Our Education Specialist Online Degree Information
Visit the School of Education for more information about programs and resources.
View the Postgraduate Advising Guide for more information about individual degree track requirements.
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Job Outlooks for Education Specialist (EdS) Graduates
Liberty’s EdS programs can provide training to help you advance your current career track or break into a new career. There are many rewarding jobs in education roles that you can pursue if you earn Liberty’s EdS degree, including:
Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals
Building on your teaching experience and graduate education studies, Liberty’s EdS can help prepare you for leadership in K-12 schools. With an EdS, you can advance your career and work with your fellow teachers to build a better learning environment.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that the median salary for principals was $101,320 in 2022.*
Postsecondary Education Administrators
You can build on your practical teaching experience to prepare for management and leadership with the EdS online program. Universities and colleges have different administrative challenges from K-12 schools. You can meet these challenges and help create a better learning environment for future teachers.
BLS data indicates that the median salary for postsecondary education administrators was $99,940 in 2022.**
The BLS also expects that there will be a 4% increase in the job market by 2032 for postsecondary education administrators.**
Postsecondary Teachers
If you want to help bring up the next generation of educators, you can teach in a college setting. College and university professors with only a master’s degree can often pursue adjunct teaching. However, students with postgraduate coursework can usually pursue better-paying roles in higher education.
The median salary for postsecondary teachers in 2022 was $80,840 according to the BLS. ***
The BLS also estimates that the job market for postsecondary teachers will increase 8% by 2032.***
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals (viewed online Oct. 24, 2023). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
**Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Postsecondary Education Administrators (viewed online Oct. 24, 2023). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
***Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Postsecondary Teachers, (viewed online Oct. 24, 2023). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
Common Questions About EdS Degrees
While investigating how an online EdS program could help you move forward with your goals, you will likely have questions:
What is an education specialist (EdS) degree?
An EdS degree is a postgraduate degree. The goal is to help you build on your education training from the master’s level. The EdS is a half-step between a master’s and a doctorate.
As such, the EdS is designed to equip you with advanced skills that go beyond the graduate level. Through this program, you can grow without crafting a doctoral dissertation.
The degree plan is streamlined and can be completed in a much faster timeframe than a doctorate. However, should you later decide to pursue your doctorate, most Doctor of Education (EdD) programs can accept transfer credit. In our case, up to 27 out of 30 credit hours from the EdS can transfer into our Doctor of Education.
How many years does it take for a specialist degree?
Education Specialist degrees are intended to focus on giving you specialized, advanced education training and research beyond the graduate level. However, the EdS is not intended to be a full-length doctoral program. You can complete Liberty’s Education Specialist degree in as little as one and a half years. That makes it the same length as most 36-hour master’s degrees!
You don’t need to get another master’s or earn a full-length doctorate to improve your career opportunities. Liberty’s EdS can help you get there faster while leaving the door open to completing a doctorate.
How do you become a curriculum specialist?
While master’s in education programs include curriculum development, you may need more education for many curriculum specialist roles. The process of developing learning aids, techniques, and effective courses often requires additional expertise. Most schools and education resource companies are looking for specialists who are experts in the creation of excellent teaching tools. Many may require a curriculum specialist degree as a minimum qualification.
Liberty’s Education Specialist – Curriculum and Instruction program can equip you with the skills you need to meet this need. Whether you want to focus on creating classroom materials or building effective e-learning tools, Liberty’s EdS can help. The Education Specialist degree can be customized to learn exactly what you need. Our EdS program can help you both become an online learning specialist and develop tools and curricula for the classroom.
Is a specialist degree the same as a master’s?
While not a full doctorate degree, an Education Specialist degree is not a master’s degree either. The EdS degree rests in a halfway place between the two. It provides doctoral-level training that bridges the gap from practical graduate courses to advanced doctoral research.
You need a master’s degree to be eligible for the Education Specialist degree. However, earning an EdS can open up opportunities that you could not pursue with a master’s degree alone.
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What is higher education administration?
Higher education administration online programs specialize in the discipline of management and leadership of colleges and universities. While the administration of K-12 schools has its own unique challenges, colleges and universities often have many different concerns from grade schools.
Liberty’s EdS in Higher Education has a specialized set of courses designed to equip education professionals with these skills. From legal, administrative, and public relations skills, you can gain the skills needed to help colleges and universities thrive.
What Will You Learn in Our Online EdS Degree Program?
Our Education Specialist degree online track is designed to give you a background in advanced research, theory, and assessment skills. These skills can add to your previous graduate studies in education while helping you specialize in more advanced roles.
You can choose educational leadership courses that can prepare you for administrative challenges in the field. Our EdS program can help you develop leadership principles, biblical values, public relations skills, and conflict-resolution techniques. As such, you can use our EdS to prepare for nearly any education leadership role.
Professional Skills
Liberty’s EdS can help you build professional skills that are marketable in nearly any industry, including:
- Communication skills
- Leadership and management skills
- Marketing and sales skills
- Policy analysis skills
- Project management skills
- Research and writing skills
Military Benefits
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe. Whether you are a current service member, discharged or retired from service, or the spouse of a service member or veteran, we are here to support you every step of the journey.
As a thank-you for your dedication and service to our country, Liberty is honored to serve and support you in your pursuit of online education by offering the following benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $275 per credit hour for EdS courses
- Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course)
- 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
Admission Requirements for Our Online EdS Degree Program
A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with a 3.0 or above GPA is required for admission in good standing. Please visit our admission requirements page for more detailed admissions-related information.
All applicants must submit the following:
- Admission application
- Application fee*
- Official college transcripts
- Proof of English proficiency (for applicants whose native language is other than English)
*There is no upfront application fee; however, a deferred $50 application fee will be assessed during Financial Check-In. This fee is waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required.
Education Specialist (EdS) Degree Online Specializations
Liberty University’s Education Specialist degree online program offers many areas of study for different roles and career needs.
- Administration and Supervision – Educational Leadership
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Educational Leadership
- Higher Education Administration
- Special Education
Administration and Supervision – Educational Leadership
Do you want to be a leader in your school and community? Liberty’s online Education Specialist in Administration and Supervision – Educational Leadership can help you develop the tools you need. Additionally, you can earn the credentials you need to advance your career.
With this degree, you can pursue licensure in school administration and supervision and demonstrate your expertise to the education community. Advance your career and make a positive impact in your school district with Liberty’s Education Specialist degree.
Upon successful completion of Liberty University’s Virginia state-approved Administration and Supervision – Educational Leadership EdS program, you may apply for licensure in another state through reciprocity, which may or may not result in additional requirements based on your state’s Department of Education regulations.
Download and review the Degree Completion Plan.
View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
Take a look at our Example Courses.
Potential Career Options
- Principal
- School administrator
- School superintendent
Curriculum and Instruction
The online Education Specialist – Curriculum and Instruction degree has a core of essential, advanced education courses with customizable electives. Our online EdS degree can teach you how to meet the unique needs of schools in your community.
With the online specialist in education degree, you can select a large number of electives and tailor your degree.
Download and review the Degree Completion Plan.
View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
Take a look at our Example Courses.
Potential Career Options
- Curriculum specialist
- Instructional supervisor
- Teacher
Educational Psychology
Our online Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction – Educational Psychology degree covers a multitude of theories. Ranging from cognitive to psychological development and the relationship to teaching and learning. Through this program, you can become better equipped to help ensure students receive the support and instruction they need to thrive.
Our program combines courses in education and learning theory with courses in psychology. This allows you to strengthen your understanding of how students learn and retain information. This can equip you to meet them right where they are and lead them to success.
Download and review the Degree Completion Plan.
View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
Take a look at our Example Courses.
Potential Career Options
- College/university administrator
- Curriculum specialist
- Instructional supervisor
- Professor
Elementary Education
Liberty’s online Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction – Elementary Education focuses on education administration, teaching, and curriculum development.
You can explore research and approaches to managing student behavior with an emphasis on individual, classroom, and school-wide behavior support.
Download and review the Degree Completion Plan.
View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
Take a look at our Example Courses.
Potential Career Options
- Elementary educator
- Gifted student instructor
Middle Grades Education
Our online Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction – Middle Grades Education degree can help you learn to teach and mentor students. You can learn about curriculum development, usage, and evaluation.
You analyze school processes and teacher interactions with middle school students and families. Your studies give special attention to pre-adolescent physical, social, emotional, and mental development.
Download and review the Degree Completion Plan.
View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
Take a look at our Example Courses.
Potential Career Options
- Gifted student instructor
- Middle school educator
Online Teaching and Learning
The online Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction – Online Teaching and Learning allows you to gain a variety of skills. These skills can help you if you’re looking to develop, design, or teach online courses.
Download and review the Degree Completion Plan.
View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
Take a look at our Example Courses.
Potential Career Options
- College administrator
- Curriculum specialist
- Online instructor
Secondary Education
The online Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction – Secondary Education degree can help you learn how to evaluate teaching approaches. This program can show you how to teach effectively with an emphasis on individual, classroom, and school-wide behavior support.
This program addresses curriculum function, development, and evaluation. You also study a detailed overview of technology usage in the classroom.
Download and review the Degree Completion Plan.
View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
Take a look at our Example Courses.
Potential Career Options
- Gifted student instructor
- High school educator
Special Education
Liberty’s online Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction – Special Education can help you learn to teach students with special needs. The special education program also helps teachers meet the needs of students from differing cultures, economic backgrounds, and varying learning styles.
Through the EdS in Special Education, you explore research and teaching approaches for managing student behavior. Emphasis is placed on individual, classroom, and school-wide behavior support. With this program, you can become equipped to help your school build effective learning environments for children with special needs.
Download and review the Degree Completion Plan.
View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
Take a look at our Example Courses.
Potential Career Options
- Gifted student instructor
- Special needs educator
Educational Leadership
Our online Education Specialist in Educational Leadership degree is designed to equip you for success in the higher tiers of education. This program provides tools and skills needed to address educational technology and administration challenges with leadership skills.
In our program, you can select courses that align with your passions while building your leadership and management skills.
Download and review the Degree Completion Plan.
View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
Take a look at our Example Courses.
Potential Career Options
- Curriculum specialist
- Instructional supervisor
- Teacher
Please note: Students enrolling in Educational Leadership programs after April 1, 2020, will not be eligible to receive Georgia Tier I or Tier II Educational Leadership Certification.
Higher Education Administration
The Education Specialist (EdS) in Higher Education Administration degree can equip you with student affairs and general administration knowledge. This EdS degree program also seeks to prepare you for a future transition into the PhD in Higher Education Administration program.
This online Education Specialist degree seeks to promote an understanding of the academic and professional foundations underlying higher education fields. The EdS can help provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to advance in a variety of education careers.
Review the Degree Completion Plan.
View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
Take a look at our Example Courses.
Potential Career Options
- Educator
- Gifted student instructor
Higher Education Administration – Assessment and Evaluation
Liberty’s Education Specialist in Higher Education Administration – Assessment and Evaluation can help you prepare for a career in a university. You can help a university ensure its programs are as strong as possible. Courses cover the foundation of the field of educating students in an elevated setting. Topics related to the review, assessment, planning, and implementation of curriculum changes are covered.
Review the Degree Completion Plan.
View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
Take a look at our Example Courses.
Potential Career Options
- Assessment coordinator
- College/university administrator
- Curriculum specialist
- Higher education faculty
Higher Education Administration – Student Affairs
The Education Specialist in Higher Education Administration – Student Affairs is designed to prepare you for a career in a university setting. The curriculum focuses on how to identify and change areas of improvement in school policy.
Through studying topics like legal aspects of educational policy, higher education administration, and assessment of education programs. If you are excited about improving the experience of students, this may be the right program for you.
Review the Degree Completion Plan.
View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
Take a look at our Example Courses.
Potential Career Options
- Academic affairs specialist
- College administrator
- Student affairs officer
Transfer Policies
At Liberty, we want to help you make the most of your prior education by allowing you to transfer in previously earned college credit. That’s why you can transfer in up to 50% of your total credits for a master’s or doctoral program!
Some restrictions apply. Please visit our Transfer Policy page for more information.
