Department of Technology Management
Specialist Degree (Ed.S)
The Specialist in Education degree (Ed.S.) with a major in workforce development and education is designed to provide graduate level preparation for persons interested in advanced study and research in professions such as human resource development, industrial education, technology education, and technical teacher education. Students will specialize in an area such as technology management, vocational administration, or in such HRD fields as management, consulting, facilitation or instructional design and technology.
The Specialist in Education degree may be used to develop specialization in an area to support a following doctoral program, or it may be considered as a terminal professional degree. Students who plan to pursue a doctoral program should check with the university where they plan to attend as to their transfer policy. Some universities will not transfer Ed.S. credit for a doctoral degree as they consider it a terminal degree.
The Ed.S. program in the College of Technology requires at least one year of specialized graduate study beyond the Master of Science degree. The program is developed on the basis of the student's academic background and professional interests. Coursework selected should support this specialization. Independent study is often part of the program as the Ed.S. candidate is expected to take responsibility for their professional development.
Research is an integral part of this degree. The Ed.S. degree may be completed under Option I: Thesis, or Option II: Problem. Option I students will defend their thesis in addition to a written examination. Option II students will take comprehensive examinations over their course of study.