Education Specialist Degrees in Washington, D.C.
Building your teaching career in the fast-paced world of Washington DC has likely given you experience that cannot be gained elsewhere. Though this community makes up an extremely small part of the United States, the population density is over 100 times higher than the national average (US Census Bureau, 2016). This means that students face unique challenges that come from living in a metropolitan area, such as classroom overcrowding, urban stress factors, and competition in schools.
If you are looking for a way to change the face of education in Washington DC, an Ed.S degree may be exactly what you need. Pursuing this path may make you a more competent, confident, and efficient teaching professional.
Role of Educators With an Ed.S Degree in District of Columbia
One benefit of living in Washington DC is the wide range of high-quality colleges and universities in this area. Contact education specialist programs below to find out more about your post-graduate options.
In Washington DC, the need for strong, unflappable teachers is high. The area recently changed its teacher selection process, leading to better performance on teacher evaluations over a period of years (Brookings, 2016). With this new process, many schools are looking for teachers who are highly trained in one specific area of education, rather than those who have received a bit of training in many different areas.
Research makes it easier to find out where education needs to change. Despite new standards and regulations, data indicates no change in third grade reading scores in Washington DC in the last few years (Education Week, 2016). Getting more reading and literacy specialists into classrooms may be the key.
The world of education may continue to change regardless of what happens. With an education specialist degree, you may be in a position to direct that change in a positive direction. Request information from schools below to get started.
Getting Your Educational Specialist Degree in District of Columbia
The process of getting into advanced teacher degrees in DC is a bit different from what you experience at other degree levels. These programs are only open to Master’s-level teachers with valid teaching licenses and a set amount of classroom experience. This ensures that all students in a cohort have the same starting level of knowledge, allowing courses to move at an accelerated pace. This is essential when this degree is primarily pursued by working teachers, since you want to learn as much as possible as quickly as possible.
Credit requirements vary between specialties. For example, a degree in school psychology may take considerably longer than a degree in curriculum and instruction. On average, most Washington DC programs require about 36 credits.
Some of the specialty areas you may choose to study are listed below:
- Special Education
- Human and Organizational Learning
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Counseling
- Educational Leadership and Administration
Keep in mind that this is an extremely focused, specialized degree, rather than a general teaching or education program. That is why each area of study has its own curriculum.
Programs that focus on school administration or leadership may include courses like:
- Evidence-Based Action Research for School Improvement
- Supervision and Evaluation of Instruction
- Site-Based Leadership: K-12
- School-Community Relations
- Applied Educational Administration
- Instructional Needs Analysis
- School Law and Policy
If you choose to go into special education, you may spend your time in courses like:
- Proseminar in Special Education
- Ideas, Issues, and Practices in Special Education
- Disability and Public Policy
- Research and Trends in Special Education
- Neuroscience in Special Education
Not only does your area of study determined the courses you take, it determines the type of practical experience you get. For example, an educational administration program may require internships and rotations at local schools, giving you the chance to work in different districts and levels of education. If you choose a classroom-focused specialty, your experience may lean more toward student teaching and fieldwork.
Depending on the demands of your teaching career, you may opt for a blended or online program. Blended programs include a mix of in-person and online courses. Online programs are completed exclusively online, with the exception of fieldwork and student teaching requirements.
You are a teacher, so you already believe in the power of education and its ability to change lives. That same idea applies to your education. The skills you may develop as an education specialist can completely change your understanding of teaching, reinvigorate your passion for this field, and make you a greater asset to your school, students, and community.
Working With an Education Specialist Degree in District of Columbia
Education degrees in DC may give you the chance to expand or change your teaching credentials. The Office of the State Superintendent of Education awards school administrator licensure, as well as school service provider credentials. This may be necessary if you plan on switching career paths or changing the subject you’ll be teaching.
A number of career paths may come from an education specialist degree. You may go into administration, remain in teaching, or explore curriculum development options.
Some Washington DC options are listed below with expected job growth through 2022 and current salary statistics:
- School administrator: 7% expected growth; $86,900 average salary (O*Net, 2016)
- Instructional coordinator: 8% expected growth; $78,100 average salary (O*Net, 2016)
- Secondary school special education teacher: 6% expected growth; $59,200 average salary (O*Net, 2016)
Reaching this level of education may put you near the top of the field of teaching. Make full use of your knowledge and passion by becoming an integral part of the local teaching community. If you go into administration, consider joining a group like the DC Association of Elementary School Principals. You can also get involved in federal groups, since most are headquartered in Washington DC. The largest teaching association in the country is the National Education Association.
The landscape of education is evolving, but the need for passionate teachers is constant. Discover how you can better meet the needs of your students by reaching out to education specialist degree programs below.
