Education Specialist Degrees in Education
Prepare to take on leadership roles.
Make a Bigger Impact in Education
If you’re ready to leverage your experience and become a leader, you’re ready to pursue an education specialist (Ed.S.) degree. Engage in your area of expertise through advanced study at the post-master’s level, and emerge with the confidence and knowledge you need to set strategic directions, lead educational initiatives and make a bigger impact.
American College of Education’s (ACE) fully online Ed.S. degrees give you the option to specialize within a specific type of education – such as early childhood, literacy, instructional technology, second language instruction and more – or take a more general approach by growing your leadership capacity. No matter which program you choose, know that you’ll be on track to earn a valuable credential in just over a year.1
Skills and Knowledge Gained
An Ed.S. degree is an advanced practitioner’s degree unique to the field of education. Educators who hold them stand out among their peers for their readiness to lead and deeper knowledge of their field.
Pursuing an Ed.S. degree can also be a great first exposure to the advanced level of scholarship a terminal degree requires. Those who complete an Ed.S. degree at ACE also enjoy the benefit of applying some coursework toward their future Ed.D. degree.
Here are some other skills and knowledge areas you gain from an education specialist program:
- Advanced theoretical foundations mapped to real-world practices
- Specialized skills for a specific role
- Practical, immediately applicable strategies
- Evidence-based decision making
- Effective initiative and program design
- Leadership skills
Education Career Alignment
Completing an education specialist degree online is a great next step for veteran classroom teachers looking to impact more students through a leadership role. Principal-level, district administration or dean positions often prefer those who hold Ed.S. degrees, sometimes even providing benefits beyond those at entry-level leadership. They can also benefit educators who want to move into instructional leadership roles, such as instructional coach, curriculum director, professional development coordinator, and director of teaching and learning.
Education Specialist Degree in Education Admission
Along with ACE’s general admission requirements, prospective Ed.S. degree students must have a minimum of a master’s degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. We may grant provisional admission for a GPA of 2.0. Find detailed admission requirements for your program of interest on the program’s page.
*Source: Student Right to Know
Education Specialist Degree in Education FAQs
What is an education specialist (Ed.S.) degree?
An Ed.S. degree is a postgraduate degree unique to the field of education. It helps educators gain specialized skills or knowledge in a particular area within education, showing their readiness for leadership roles within their field.
How is an Ed.S. degree different from an Ed.D. or Ph.D. in Education?
The biggest difference between an Ed.S. degree and an Ed.D. or Ph.D. is that the Ed.S. is not a doctoral, or terminal, degree. Ed.S. degrees take less time to complete and usually cost less than a doctorate. For more information on the differences and how to decide which degree is right for you, visit our Ed.S. vs. Ed.D. guide.
What can you do with an education specialist degree?
Ed.S. degrees prepare experienced educators for leadership positions, such as assistant principal, dean of students, instructional coach, curriculum director, district administration and more. It can also prepare you for the level of work and scholarship needed to complete a terminal degree.
How long does it take to complete an Ed.S. in education online?
Standard Ed.S. programs are typically completable in 18 to 24 months. At ACE, you can complete an Ed.S. in just over a year.1
Is an education specialist degree worth it?
For educators who need or want a post-master’s-level credential quickly to advance their career, an Ed.S. degree is worth it. Terminal degrees like Ed.D.s or Ph.D.s are more costly and require significantly more time to complete. The best thing to do is to research the education requirements or preferences of the roles you want – some don’t require a full terminal degree.
How much does an education specialist degree cost?
The cost of an Ed.S. degree has a wide range depending on the school, whether the program is online or in-person, and whether you’re paying in-state or out-of-state tuition. The common range is between $10,000-$30,000, excluding fees. Fees alone are often an additional $1,000-$3,000.2 At ACE, the total cost of an Ed.S. degree is $12,660.3 This amount includes all fees.
1This is an estimated time to completion. Actual completion time may vary depending on the number of transfer credits applied, availability of courses, satisfactory pace, multiple course requests, successful course completion, and meeting program milestones as required.
2Research.com. Accessed Jan. 2, 2026.
3This is an estimated value of the cost for tuition and fees. Amounts may vary depending on number of transfer credits applied to the selected program hours, the pace and satisfactory completion of the selected program, receipt of institutional scholarship and/or grant amounts, or adjustments to tuition or fees as described in the Catalog Right to Modify Tuition section. State sales and use tax will apply where required by law.