Educational Specialist (EdS)
Lead your school to innovation and transformation. School districts are looking for leaders who will help their students succeed from day one. With Hamline’s Educational Specialist (EdS) degree, you will receive the
preparation required to implement impactful change,
build relationships, and become a culturally responsive
and effective educator-leader.
Ed Specialist degree overview
| Are courses available online or on-campus? | With our flexible format, you'll have the option of taking fully online or hybrid courses. Online courses are synchronous and held in the evenings with varied start and end times, but generally, 6–8 p.m. Hybrid courses are online with 1–3 sessions in-person on Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 or 3:30 p.m. |
| When can I start? | For both EdS-administrative licensure and EdS-leadership for equitable innovation and transformation: You can apply and begin the program any term, including summer term. |
| How long will it take? | You can complete your degree in two years (taking 6-8 credits per term). |
| How many credits is the EdSp program? | 32 credits |
| How much will it cost? | Your cost is calculated by the number of credits you take. For more information on the cost of tuition, see the School of Education and Leadership tuition page. |
| What if I already have an administrative license? | If you already have an administrative license from Hamline, you can earn your Educational Specialist degree with just two more courses (six credits). |
EdS degree options
Hamline offers two different pathways for educators holding a master's degree.
Ed Specialist - Administrative Licensure
If you are interested in pursuing an administrative licensure in one of three areas: principal, superintendent, or director of special education or already hold an administrative license, this advanced degree provides you with both administrative licensure preparation and the added credential of an EdS degree.
Courses (32 credits):
- GED 8100:Leadership and organizations (4 credits)
- GED 8101: Human relations in organizations (2 credits)
- GED 8125: School finance (2 credits)
- GED 8142: Education law and ethics (4 credits)
- GED 8145: Introduction to administrative licensure (2 credits)
- GED 8150: Initial leadership assessment (2 credits)
- One course in licensure area (4 credits)
- Field Experience I (2 credits)
- Field Experience II (2 credits)
- Field Experience III (2 credits)
- GED 8600: Equitable innovation and transformation: skills and strategies for K-12 educational leaders (4 credits)
- GED 8690: EdS Action Research Project (2 credits)
Ed Specialist - Leadership for Equitable Innovation and Transformation
Are you a practicing educator with a master’s degree who wants to explore leadership in your own practice and organization but don’t want to pursue the pathway of administrative licensure? This advanced degree is designed to provide you with leadership skills focused on equity and innovation.
Courses (32 credits):
- GED 8021: Designing effective learning environments (2 credits)
- GED 8022: Action research: practice and application (2 credits)
- GED 8024: Educating for equity and social justice (4 credits)
- GED 8100:Leadership and organizations (4 credits)
- GED 8101: Human relations in organizations (2 credits)
- GED 8142: Education law and ethics (4 credits)
- GED 8200 - Understanding learning (2 credits)
- GED 8210: Investigating contemporary and critical issues in Education (2 credits)
- GED 8220: Policy, leadership, and advocacy in education (4 credits)
- GED 8600: Equitable innovation and transformation: skills and strategies for K-12 educational leaders (4 credits)
- GED 8690:EdS Action Research Project (2 credits)
Salary and career information
School districts have started to offer pay and leadership incentives to educators who earn an Educational Specialist (EdS) degree as an advanced degree on salary schedules.
With an EdS from Hamline, you’ll be ready to lead in positions such as:
- Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA)
- Instructional coach
- Director
- Program coordinator
- Department chair
- Principal
- Superintendent
- Director of special education
Educational Specialist frequently asked questions
-
What is an EdS degree?
An EdS is a postgraduate degree unique to the field of education. For professionals who already have a master’s degree, an EdS is an effective way to reach the next level of professional advancement without having to complete a doctoral degree.
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Is an EdS degree the same as a master’s degree?
EdS is a postgraduate degree unique to the field of education. It is considered more advanced than a master’s degree but requires less coursework than a PhD or EdD.
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What is the difference between an EdS and PhD or EdD?
EdS is an advanced degree where students explore possible research fields; the EdD is a terminal degree in education with a focused research component and completed research study (dissertation). As such, the EdS requires less coursework and time than the EdD.
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Is the EdS a stackable credential?
Yes, you can get a master’s degree in education, literacy education, natural science and environmental education, teaching, or teaching English to speakers of other languages at Hamline, and then get advanced credentialing with either EdSp degree. Then, if you decide to pursue your EdD at Hamline, the EdS can be used to satisfy your elective requirements.
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I want to pursue the administrative licensure pathway. What are the specific licensure requirements?
Contact us at gradprog@hamline.edu, and we’ll be able to provide you with answers to all of your questions. You can also consult our administrative licensure page and frequently asked questions for more information.
