Educational Specialist Degree

The Educational Specialist degree program (Ed.S.) in Curriculum, Teaching, and Educational Policy focuses specifically on school-based inquiry about teaching, learning, and learning to teach. It is an advanced program of study for teachers who hold a masters degree in education and have at least five years of teaching experience.

The Ed.S. program is designed for practicing K-12 teachers who want opportunities for serious, engaging study and colleagueship in a university setting. Most graduates with this degree will serve as instructional leaders and/or school-based teacher educators in their schools and districts. It is expected that most candidates will continue teaching full-time while pursuing the Ed.S. degree.

The Educational Specialist Program has multiple goals. We wish to develop a collegial corps of teacher leaders who are:

• deeply engaged with the daily challenges of teaching complex subject matter to diverse learners;
• interested in doing research in classrooms and schools, and sophisticated about the rewards and challenges that this work entails;
• prepared to work effectively with novice teachers as school-based teacher educators;
• committed to creating in their schools and districts conversations that will improve the culture and practice of teaching in mid-Michigan; and
• eager to write about practice for a broad audience and in developing the skills that would make this possible.

Developing these dispositions and skills in school-based inquiry and mentoring will enhance teachers' leadership capacities in their schools and districts.

Why should you consider this advanced graduate program?