Educational Specialist (EdS)
The Educational Specialist (EdS) program is designed to prepare competent and effective leaders with a Christian worldview who will model high standards and assume a leadership role in the field of education.
Leaders in the field of education are seen as those who assume a facilitating role in accomplishing the goals and objectives of an education system. These individuals, as teachers, superintendents, principals, curriculum directors, instructional supervisors or university administrators are instrumental in accomplishing the goals that are set before them.
Liberty University's Educational Specialist degree is designed for the professional educator with a desire to achieve and a capacity to lead, teach and learn. The Educational Specialist is a thirty hour program that includes a core in educational leadership and one student-chosen cognate area.
The School of Education is certified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), and is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).
Its licensure programs are approved by both the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education and the Association of Christian Schools International.
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Exert confident leadership as well as accept responsibility in the broad field of education.
- Avoid the establishment of unjust policies and procedures and implement policies fairly and consistently.
- Facilitate unity within the organization.
- Conceptualize a broad spectrum of educational precepts, generalizations, practices, dispositions, points of view and resources.
- Demonstrate competence as a consumer of current resources.
- Implement effective change processes when needed.
- Transmit their vision.
- Respect individual needs and abilities.
- Empower co-workers.
- Demonstrate skill in critical thinking, problem solving, decision making and interpersonal skills.
Program Format
The Educational Specialist program requires the completion of 30 credit hours, including 12 hours in the student’s chosen cognate area. The program is available in multiple delivery formats.
Distance learning courses are supported through video/DVD lessons. Residential courses are offered as one or two-week intensives and weekend intensives. These courses are generally available in early January and throughout the summer.
All courses include online components and support. In order to complete the Education Specialist program, each student must attend at least three courses on campus.
