Get an Edge in Education with Liberty’s Online Education Specialist (Ed.S.) 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.
Working at the postgraduate level in our 100% online Ed.S. degree program, you can dive into advanced education study and research topics like learning theory, assessment, and curriculum development – all based on the best practices of the field.
With our Education Specialist degree, 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 Ed.S. 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.
While Liberty’s Ed.S. degree is offered 100% online, you have the option to complete key courses in a residential intensive format. These optional intensives are especially beneficial if you intend to pursue a Doctor of Education degree.
This can give you important hands-on experience that will be useful in your future dissertation or capstone project research. You will also develop skills for leadership roles in K-12 or higher education, which can provide increased opportunities for advancement in your career.
As a student in our online Ed.S. programs, 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 among Niche.com’s top 3 online schools in America.
We’ve frozen tuition rates for our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 8 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 Ed.S. leadership online courses can help prepare you to step into an administration role.
- The Ed.S. degree allows you to transfer in up to 27 credits to our Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree to 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 and higher education, as well as advanced curriculum development positions.
The skills and knowledge you gain from the Ed.S. 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 Post-Graduate Advising Guide for more information about individual degree track requirements.
Job Outlooks for Education Specialist (Ed.S) Graduates
Liberty’s Education Specialist degree can provide advanced training to help you augment 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 Ed.S. degree, including:
Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals
Building on your teaching experience and graduate education studies, Liberty’s Ed.S. can help prepare you for leadership in K-12 schools. With an Ed.S., you could become the principal of your current school 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 $98,490 in 2020.*
According to BLS data, the job market for grade school principals is expected to grow by 4% by 2029.*
Postsecondary Education Administrators
You can build on your practical teaching experience to prepare for management and leadership in higher education with the Ed.S. program. Universities and colleges have different administrative challenges from K-12 schools. With a specialized study of higher education, 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 $97,500 in 2020.**
The BLS also expects that there will be a 4% increase in the job market by 2029 for postsecondary education administrators.**
Postsecondary Teachers
If you want to help bring up the next generation of educators, you could take your teaching experience to the college classroom. 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 2020 was $80,790 according to the BLS. ***
The BLS also estimates that the job market for postsecondary teachers will increase 9% by 2029.***
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals (viewed online July 16, 2021). 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 July 16, 2021). 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 July 16, 2021). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
Common Questions About Ed.S. Degrees
While investigating how an Ed.S. could help you move forward with your goals, you will likely have questions about our online Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree program:
- What is an education specialist (Ed.S.) degree?
- How many years does it take for a specialist degree?
- How do you become a curriculum specialist?
- Is a specialist degree the same as a master’s?
- What is higher education administration?
What is an education specialist (Ed.S.) degree?
An Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree is a postgraduate degree that seeks to build on your education training from the master’s level. The Ed.S. is a half-step between a master’s and a doctorate. As such, the Ed.S. is designed to equip you with advanced skills that go beyond the graduate level without a doctoral dissertation.
The degree plan is streamlined and can be completed in a much faster timeframe than a doctorate. However, most Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) programs, like Liberty’s Ed.D., will accept transfer credit from Ed.S. courses. In our case, up to 27 out of 30 credit hours from the Ed.S. 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 Ed.S. 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 Ed.S. 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 will 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 K-12 materials or build effective e-learning tools for adults, Liberty’s Ed.S. can help. The Education Specialist degree can be customized to learn exactly what you need. Our Ed.S. program can help you both become an online learning specialist and develop tools and curriculum 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 Ed.S. degree rests in a half-way 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 Ed.S. can open up opportunities that you could not pursue with a master’s degree alone.
What is higher education administration?
Higher education administration online programs specialize in the discipline of management and leadership of colleges and universities. While administration of K-12 schools has it’s own unique challenges, colleges and universities often have many different concerns from grade schools.
Liberty’s Ed.S. 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. Earning your Ed.S. in Higher Education online with Liberty will help you gain the skills you need for success in education administration.
What Will You Learn in Our Online Ed.S. 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 will be able to choose educational leadership courses that can prepare you for administrative challenges in the field. With leadership principles, biblical values, public relations skills, and conflict resolution techniques, you can use our Ed.S. to prepare for nearly any education leadership role.
What professional skills will I learn through this program?
Liberty’s Ed.S. 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
Example Courses
Here are some examples of courses you can take through the Education Specialist program areas of study:
Education Specialist (Ed.S.) 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
- Educational Psychology
- Elementary Education
- Higher Education Administration
- Higher Education Administration – Student Affairs
- Middle Grades Education
- Online Teaching and Learning
- Secondary Education
- Special Education
Administration and Supervision – Educational Leadership
Liberty’s online Education Specialist in Administration and Supervision – Educational Leadership is designed to help give you the tools and the credentials you need to be a leader in your school and community.
With this degree, you can pursue licensure in school administration and supervision and demonstrate your expertise to the education community. Take the next step in your career and help create positive change 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 your teaching license in another state through reciprocity, which may or may not result in additional requirements based on your state’s Department of Education regulations.
Featured Courses
- EDAS 741 – Theories of Educational Leadership
- EDAS 742 – Educational Leadership and Public Relations
- EDAS 747 – Advanced Educational Law
- EDUC 701 – Advanced Learning Theory and Research
Download and review the Degree Completion Plan.
View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
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 educational specialist degree in curriculum and instruction can help you fill the gaps in your expertise to fit the specific needs of schools in your community.
With the general online specialist in education degree, you can select a large number of electives and create a personalized degree program that fits your passions.
Featured Courses
- EDUC 701 – Advanced Learning Theory and Research
- EDUC 750 – Survey of Educational Research
- EDUC 798 – Advanced Research and Writing
Download and review the Degree Completion Plan.
View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
Potential Career Options
- Curriculum specialist
- Instructional supervisor
- Teacher
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 Liberty’s Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership, you can select specific courses that speak to your passion for education while building on your leadership and management skills.
Featured Courses
- EDUC 745 – Organizational Analysis and Problem Solving
- EDUC 746 – Conflict Resolution
- EDUC 840 – Issues and Trends in Educational Leadership
- EDUC 848 – Culture and Educational Leadership
Download and review the Degree Completion Plan.
View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
Potential Career Options
- Curriculum specialist
- Instructional supervisor
- School administrator
- 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.
Educational Psychology
Our online Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction – Educational Psychology degree covers theories of cognitive and psychological development related 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 in school.
By combining courses in education and learning theory with courses in psychology, you can strengthen your understanding of how students learn and retain information – equipping you to meet them right where they are and lead them to success.
Featured Courses
- EDUC 701 – Advanced Learning Theory and Research
- EDUC 775 – Advanced Educational Psychology
- EDUC 776 – Motivation and Cognition in Learning
- PSYC 725 – Theories and Research in Developmental Psychology
Download and review the Degree Completion Plan.
View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
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 for elementary-level children.
You can explore research and approaches to managing student behavior with an emphasis on individual, classroom, and school-wide behavior support.
Featured Courses
- EDUC 624 – Instructional Methods for Behavior and Learning
- EDUC 730 – Issues and Trends in Learning Technologies
- EDUC 735 – Issues and Trends in Teaching and Learning
- EDUC 771 – Curriculum Theory
Download and review the Degree Completion Plan.
View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
Potential Career Options
- Elementary educator
- Gifted student instructor
- School administrator
Higher Education Administration
The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Higher Education Administration degree equips you with student affairs and general administration knowledge for college and university settings. This Ed.S. degree program also seeks to prepare you for a future transition into the Ph.D. 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 Ed.S. can help provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to advance in a variety of education careers.
Featured Courses
- EDUC 745 – Organizational Analysis & Problem Solving for Education
- EDUC 758 – Teaching the College Student
- EDUC 782 – Historical Perspectives of Higher Education
Review the Degree Completion Plan.
View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
Potential Career Options
- Educator
- Gifted student instructor
- School administrator
Higher Education Administration – Student Affairs
The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Higher Education Administration – Student Affairs is designed to prepare you for a career that focuses on identifying areas of improvement in school policy and implementing changes to maximize the experience of your students.
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, we want to partner with you as you take the next step in your career.
Featured Courses
- EDUC 759 – College and University Administration
- EDUC 785 – Current Issues and Trends in Student Affairs
- EDUC 786 – Leadership and Administration in Student Affairs
- EDUC 787 – Legal Issues and Policies in Student Affairs
Review the Degree Completion Plan.
View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
Potential Career Options
- Academic affairs specialist
- College administrator
- Student affairs officer
Our online Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction – Middle Grades Education degree will help you use advanced tools for teaching and mentoring middle school students. You can learn about curriculum development, usage, and evaluation.
You will analyze school processes and teacher interactions with middle school students and families. Your studies will give special attention to pre-adolescent physical, social, emotional, and mental development.
Featured Courses
- EDUC 601 – Professional Development in Middle Grades Education
- EDUC 602 – Young Adolescent, Schools, and Communities
- EDUC 624 – Instructional Methods for Behavior and Learning
- EDUC 676 – Middle Grades Curriculum and Methods
Download and review the Degree Completion Plan.
View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
Potential Career Options
- Gifted student instructor
- Middle school educator
- School administrator
Online Teaching and Learning
The online Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction – Online Teaching and Learning allows you to gain a variety of marketable skills that can help you stand out in education-industry applicant pools, especially if you’re looking to develop, design, or teach online courses.
Featured Courses
- EDUC 750 – Survey of Educational Research
- EDUC 772 – Online Course Design and Development*
- EDUC 773 – Teaching and Learning in the Online Environment*
- EDUC 774 – Current Issues and Trends in Online Education*
*Course guides coming soon
Download and review the Degree Completion Plan.
View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
Potential Career Options
- College administrator
- Curriculum specialist
- Online instructor
Secondary Education
The online Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction – Secondary Education degree will help you examine research and teaching approaches for high school. This program will help you teach effectively with an emphasis on individual, classroom, and school-wide behavior support.
This program will address curriculum function, development, and evaluation. You will also study a detailed overview of technology usage in the classroom.
Featured Courses
- EDUC 624 – Instructional Methods for Behavior and Learning
- EDUC 629 – Technology and Diversity
- EDUC 730 – Issues and Trends in Learning Technologies
- EDUC 771 – Curriculum Theory
Download and review the Degree Completion Plan.
View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
Potential Career Options
- Gifted student instructor
- High school educator
- School administrator
Special Education
Liberty’s online Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Curriculum and Instruction – Special Education degree provides tools to reach students who have special learning needs. The online specialist degree in special education also helps teachers meet the needs of students from differing cultures, economic backgrounds, and varying learning styles.
Through the Ed.S. in Special Education, you will explore research and teaching approaches for managing student behavior with an emphasis on individual, classroom, and school-wide behavior support. With an Education Specialist degree in special education, you will be well-equipped to help your school build fun and effective learning environments for children with special needs.
Featured Courses
- EDUC 624 – Instructional Methods for Behavior and Learning
- EDUC 701 – Advanced Learning Theory and Research
- EDUC 703 – Theories of Historical and Philosophical Foundations
- EDUC 771 – Curriculum Theory
Download and review the Degree Completion Plan.
View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
Potential Career Options
- Gifted student instructor
- School administrator
- Special needs educator
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 graduate 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)
Additional Benefits for Active Duty Law Enforcement and Other First Responders
Liberty University is committed to providing world-class education and aims to help students achieve their educational goals, in whatever way we can. The First Responder Discount helps take some of the financial burden of tuition off of the men and women who work in public service.
As Liberty University’s way of saying ‘Thank You,’ we proudly offer eligible first responders the following benefits:
- A 25% tuition discount.
- Personalized service throughout your educational journey.
- Potential stacking with other tuition benefits (Corporate Advantage Program or Military Benefits.)
For more information on eligibility and claiming this discount, please visit the First Responders Discount Page.
Admission Requirements for Our Online Ed.S. 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.
