EdS Educational Specialist
Online or Hybrid
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Hamline’s Educational Specialist degree
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.
What will it take?
Educational Specialist program details
Start dates and application deadlines
We review applications on a rolling basis, meaning that you can apply and start your Educational Specialist degree at three separate times throughout the year. We recommend applying at least six weeks before the term you want to start begins to ensure your spot.
Educational Specialist degree format
The EdS: Administrative License track can be completed through a combination of online and hybrid courses. Online courses have synchronous meeting times. Hybrid courses include online learning, with one to three in-person sessions. These in-person sessions will be held on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The EdS: Leadership track can be completed fully online.
See the Tracks and Courses tab for descriptions of these tracks.
Time to complete your Ed Specialist program
You can complete your degree in two years (taking 6 to 8 credits per term).
Already have your 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). You will take the first course fall semester and the second course spring semester to complete the EdS in nine months.
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 administrative licensure in one of three areas—principal, superintendent, or director of special education—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)
- 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 (4 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 doesn’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 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 (4 credits)
How we help make your Ed Specialist degree affordable
Competitive tuition
When you invest in an Educational Specialist degree from Hamline, you benefit from a prestigious degree from Minnesota's first university. We work hard to ensure our tuition, accompanied by tuition discounts and other financial aid, is a worthwhile investment for all students.
Financial aid
In addition to the tuition discounts listed below, additional financial aid is also available, and many graduate students use low-interest loans to finance their education.
- Learning partnership discounts - 10% off tuition
- Service discounts - 10% off tuition
- Alumni discounts - 10% off tuition
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
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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.
EdS program news
