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Educational Specialist

Educational Specialist

Become a Successful Leader in Education With Our Post-Master’s Education Specialist Degree Program

Help address the burgeoning need for leaders who can transform education in K–12 schools.

At South Carolina State University, our 100% online advanced professional educational specialist (Ed.S.) program is designed to equip experienced educators with advanced knowledge and skills as they pursue leadership roles as principals, superintendents, and other education specialist jobs. You’ll learn from expert, school-based administrators—many of whom have served as principals and district superintendents—as you sharpen your management skills and learn more about the latest developments in the field of education.

When you complete our education specialist degree program, you’ll be prepared to chart your own leadership career path in school districts within South Carolina and beyond.

Specialize for your career with two education specialist degree options

Our post-master’s degree education specialist program has two paths:

  • Superintendent certification track—If you’ve already completed a master’s degree and an administrative certificate, you can take 33 credit hours at SC State to gain superintendent certification.
  • Principal and superintendent certification track—If you’ve completed a master’s degree only, you can take 45 credit hours at SC State to gain principal and superintendent certification.

Method of Instruction

Education Specialist Degree Program Highlights

You might be wondering, “What is an education specialist program going to do for my career aspirations?” At SC State, we have a longstanding reputation of helping teacher leaders find success in classrooms, schools and districts, and more.
Our education specialist degree—which is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation—is 100% online and moves your career forward in a flexible way. You’ll also find that our post-master’s program offers:

Faculty with broad expertise

Our Department of Education is home to nearly 20 faculty members, and these expert educators bring unique—and expansive—experience to your studies. For example, our program director, Percy Mack, worked as a principal and superintendent for nearly 30 years. He’ll bring his wealth of experience to your classroom learning and help you to chart your own path toward education specialist jobs.

An affordable way to pursue leadership opportunities

At SC State, we are frequently ranked as one of the most affordable universities in the Palmetto State. We also offer a variety of financial aid and scholarship opportunities, which makes your education specialist program even more cost-effective.

Opportunities to put your learning into action

No matter which of our two Ed.S. concentrations you choose, you’ll be able to gain vital hands-on learning opportunities through a semester- or year-long practicum within a school near you. You’ll be better prepared to lead because of your time alongside an expert leader.

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Student-to-faculty ratio in education specialist courses
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Degree options to fit your leadership needs and interests
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Years to complete our program and pursue education specialist jobs

What Is an Education Specialist Degree Going to Do for Me Professionally?

Because SC State’s post-master’s education specialist degree is 100% online, you can move your career forward from wherever you are located. Upon completion of our program, you will be able to obtain principal and superintendent certification.

Education specialist jobs

After pursuing SC State’s program, you can take on education specialist jobs such as:

  • Assistant principal
  • Assistant superintendent
  • Post-secondary educator
  • Principal
  • Superintendent

What You Will Study in Educational Specialist Courses

When you’re considering, “What is an education specialist curriculum going to do for my future?”, know that it depends on which of our two programs you pursue. No matter which program you choose, you will take coursework in Educational Issues (Management Seminar), Methods of Educational Research, and School Building Planning, and you’ll pursue a field experience.
From there, you’ll discover a track-based curriculum that defines what is an education specialist with the following courses:

Additional principal and superintendent certification track courses

  • Advanced Learning Theories
  • Educational Planning
  • Evaluation of Programs and Personnel
  • Field Experience: Practicum and Seminar I
  • Fundamentals of Management
  • Personnel Administration
  • Principles and Procedures in Designing Curriculum
  • Public School Finance
  • School and Community Relations
  • Schools and the Law
  • Supervision and Techniques of Instruction

Additional superintendent certification track courses

  • Advanced Methods of Instruction Supervision
  • Analysis of Planning Models
  • Curriculum Implementation and Change
  • Educational Leadership
  • Optimizing Educational Operations
  • Policy Formulation and Analysis
  • School Building Planning
  • School Business Management