Education Specialist Degrees in Louisiana
Whether you’re a new teacher or a veteran teacher with decades of experience, there is always more to learn. In fact, this may be one of your favorite things about teaching. Each year brings new students, new challenges, and new opportunities to strengthen your teaching abilities.
If you are looking for meaningful ways to do more with your Louisiana teaching career, this is a great time to consider an education specialist degree. Depending on the options available near you, you may be able to expand your skill set in your current area of study or even explore new career options.
Role of Educators With an Ed.S Degree in Louisiana
The world of education is constantly changing, which makes the need for education specialists even greater. Contact education specialist programs below to find out how you can make the most of your teaching abilities.
Historically, Southern schools have struggled to keep up academically with other parts of the country, due to the rural layouts of these states. In turn, states like Louisiana have tried to even the playing field for all students. However, a recent report shows that private school performance and grades dropped after Louisiana introduced a voucher program (EdWeek, 2016). Dealing with these situations requires a comprehensive understanding of research and educational theory.
Depending on which type of specialty degree you earn, you may use your expertise to contribute directly to different bills. A recently proposed Louisiana law would require cursive writing to be taught in all public schools, an expectation that is directly relevant to reading and literacy specialists (Shreveport Times, 2016).
No matter which subject to teach or how long you have been a teacher, an educational specialist degree could help you take the next step in your career. Request information below to learn more.
Getting Your Educational Specialist Degree in Louisiana
Before you weigh the benefits of different education specialist degree Louisiana options, check out the admissions requirements for different schools. The majority require you to have a Master’s degree in education and a valid teaching license.
However, if you only have a Bachelor’s degree, you may still have options. Certain programs combine Master’s degree coursework and Ed.S coursework in an integrated program that includes 60 to 70 credits. This may restrict your choices slightly.
In addition, it’s important to have a strong history of academic success. Education specialist programs are extremely demanding, particularly if you already work full-time as a teacher. Your transcripts and test scores should demonstrate that you are up to the task of working full-time, studying, and contributing to your courses. With that in mind, remember that some schools offer online programs. This allows you a bit more freedom in terms of when and how you complete coursework, which is extremely important for working teachers.
The total amount of credits you complete is dependent on the degree you choose.
Below, find a list of some of the most popular Louisiana EdS programs:
- Language Arts
- Curriculum Studies
- Early Childhood Education
- Gifted Education
- Foreign Language Education
- Reading and Literacy
- Special Education
- Educational Leadership
Curricular requirements vary between specialties and institutions. If you go into educational leadership, you may take courses like:
- Educational Statistics
- Principles of Testing and Measurement
- Education Program Evaluation
- Perspectives on Leadership
On the other hand, a program that focuses on gifted education may include the
following classes:
- Characteristics of Gifted Individuals
- Methods of Teaching the Gifted
- Curriculum Development for the Gifted
- Educational Technology
- Social and Emotional Development of the Gifted
In any specialty program you choose, practical experience is expected. This should be clearly outlined in your curriculum. For example, in a gifted and talented program, you may work with the gifted departments at local schools, spend a certain amount of hours in a gifted and talented classroom, and shadow gifted and talented teachers. If you pursue educational leadership, you may go through a principalship, complete administrative rotations at various schools, and complete a supervised internship.
The payoff for this type of degree can be significant. Rather than spending a chunk of your time on basic educational principles and broadly applicable theories, you jump right into ideas, theories, and skills that you can use in your specific classroom. This may help you become a more competent teacher right away.
By the time you graduate, you should have a complex set of skills that can help you address the majority of challenges that come up in your career. As a result, you may be a great example for other teachers and help students learn more from you.
Working With an Education Specialist Degree in Louisiana
Upon completing your Ed.S degree and graduating, you may take the next step in your career. If you want to continue working as a classroom teacher, you generally do not have to change your certification or take any other steps. Certain specialties, including educational administration, gifted and talented, and special education, do require additional certification. You can apply for a new license through the Louisiana Department Of Education.
Throughout your time in this program, you may want to become more involved with your local education community. First, it’s helpful to have a good support network when tackling a challenging degree. Second, it puts you in a great position to become a leader with your advanced degree. Louisiana is home to a number of professional organizations, including the Louisiana Association of Educators, the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, and the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana.
You may want to do more research into your intended career path to find out how this degree can change the future of your career. Popular choices are listed below with average salary information and expected job growth between 2012 and 2022:
- School administrator: 7% expected growth; $
74,650 average salary (BLS,2016 ) - Instructional coordinator: 13% expected growth; $
51,750
average salary (BLS,2016 ) - Elementary school teacher: 14% expected growth; $
48,100 average salary (BLS,2016 )
The benefits you can enjoy with an advanced degree are numerous. On top of that, you could change the world of education for your students. Take the first step now and contact education specialist programs below.
