Education Specialist (EdS) in Special Education

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Credit Hours

100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Next Start Dates: January 19, 2026 | February 16, 2026 | March 23, 2026

Make an Impact in the Lives of Those with Special Needs with Liberty’s EdS in Special Education Degree

Do you feel called to work with students with special needs? Are you looking to impact their lives in a meaningful way? Conferring Liberty University’s 100% online Education Specialist (EdS) in Special Education degree can help you gain the knowledge and skills to make a significant difference in the area of special needs in education. This program is designed to equip you with the ability to communicate via various mediums, critically problem-solve, and increase information literacy through applied research. With our EdS in Special Education, you will experience a comprehensive curriculum that teaches you the tools to effectively support and empower diverse learners.

Through a combination of theory and research, you can develop a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and explore innovative strategies to promote inclusive and equitable education. Whether you’re a current educator seeking advanced training or a passionate advocate looking to start a career in special education, our program offers valuable professional growth and development opportunities.

Upon completion of your EdS in Special Education program, you can be better prepared for a variety of roles in the field of special education as well as involvement in educational research. Additionally, this degree can serve as a stepping stone toward pursuing a doctoral degree in special education or related fields, should you wish to advance your expertise further.

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No Standardized Testing for Admission
Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Top 10 Reasons to Choose Liberty

Why Choose Liberty’s EdS in Special Education Degree?

Whether you are a working professional seeking to advance your career or a busy parent juggling multiple responsibilities, our online platform allows you to access course materials, participate in discussions, and submit assignments from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. The 100% online program format offers the flexibility and convenience to seamlessly fit your studies into your busy schedule, empowering you to continue your education without disrupting your current commitments.

Partner with us and join a community of future educators and leaders who will have a lasting impact on the broader field of education for Christ. Our EdS in Special Education program reflects this commitment by providing a comprehensive curriculum that blends theoretical knowledge with practical application. You can deepen your understanding of current trends, evidence-based practices, and innovative strategies in special education through engaging coursework and interactive discussions.

By pursuing your EdS in Special Education at Liberty University, you can gain valuable insights from experienced faculty members who are experts in the field. Our dedicated professors have a wealth of real-world experience, ensuring that you receive the most relevant and up-to-date education. They will offer mentorship and support as you navigate through the challenges and opportunities in special education.

By choosing Liberty University’s EdS in Special Education degree, you are joining a community of passionate educators who are dedicated to transforming lives through inclusive education. Our program can help provide you with the tools needed to advocate for exceptional learners, create inclusive classroom environments, and make a lasting impact on your students’ educational journey.

What Will You Study in Our EdS in Special Education Degree?

Through your EdS in Special Education, you can explore special education and advocacy from a Christian perspective, delve into the historical trends that have shaped the treatment of diverse learners, and gain a deep understanding of the critical issues and current trends in special education and advocacy today.

You will explore special learning techniques across various domains, including learning and cognitive development, social-emotional development, and language acquisition. You will also gain valuable insights into different special education categories, their characteristics, and the associated supports and services provided from early childhood through postsecondary interventions.

By exploring diverse learning theories, you can better understand how individuals with exceptional needs acquire knowledge and develop their abilities. Through engaging coursework, you can learn to tailor instructional strategies and interventions to meet the unique needs of exceptional learners, fostering their academic, social, and emotional growth.

Additionally, this program emphasizes the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. You will rigorously analyze current research and literature, enabling you to evaluate best practices and evidence-based interventions in special education. Through this process, you can expand your ability to make informed decisions and advocate for inclusive practices that promote the success and well-being of exceptional students.

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Tuition & Aid

At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.

EdS and EdD Full Time	$610/Credit
EdS and EdD Part Time	$675/Credit
Military EdS and EdD	$375/Credit

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

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Admission Information for the EdS in Special Education

Admission Requirements

Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

Be in your final term and planning to start your Education Specialist degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.

Transcript Policies

Official College Transcript Policy

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.

Admissions Office Contact Information

Submit your application online or over the phone.

Start Online Application

Apply by phone: (800) 424-9595

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

Active Duty
Reserve/National Guard
Veterans/Retirees
Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
Current Department of Defense Employees

Available Benefits:

Tuition discounts – $375 per credit hour for EdS and EdD courses
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)

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

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Frequently Asked Questions for Our Online EdS – Special Education Degree

What is an EdS degree?

An Education Specialist (EdS) degree provides you with training in scholarship and research at the doctoral level. This postgraduate program offers you the benefit of taking doctoral-level courses without the time commitment of a full doctoral degree, such as a PhD or EdD. The EdS degree focuses on building practical skills with advanced expertise in a specialized area of study. Education specialists can focus on a wide range of advanced topics, such as special education, teaching technology, education administration, or higher education.

An EdS degree can help prepare you for future doctoral studies while also building the skills and knowledge you need to be more effective in the field right away. Liberty University’s EdS program is incredibly flexible, allowing graduates to potentially transfer up to 27 credit hours of their EdS studies into a full doctoral degree.

If you are looking for a way to gain advanced education skills in a highly specialized area but are not ready to commit to a full doctorate program, then Liberty’s special education EdS degree might be right for you.

Are there opportunities to continue my studies after finishing the EdS?

Even though this isn’t a PhD, does it build research skills?

Are you ready to change your future?

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*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.

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Education Specialist (EdS) in Special Education Taking Scholarship in Special Education to New Heights

Make an Impact in the Lives of Those with Special Needs with Liberty’s EdS in Special Education Degree

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Why Choose Liberty’s EdS in Special Education Degree?

What Will You Study in Our EdS in Special Education Degree?

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Admission Information for the EdS in Special Education

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Frequently Asked Questions for Our Online EdS – Special Education Degree

What is an EdS degree?

Are there opportunities to continue my studies after finishing the EdS?

Even though this isn’t a PhD, does it build research skills?

Are you ready to change your future?

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