Is the EdS Considered a Terminal Degree?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by SE Texas Prof, Apr 21, 2010.

Loading...
  1. SE Texas Prof

    SE Texas Prof Member

    All,

    I'm considering the pursuit of doctoral work in education and I've reviewed the program at Liberty. Depending upon where you read, some sites have listed the EdS as a "stepping stone" degree towards completing a EdD.

    My question is regarding the utility of earning an EdS degree. Does it suffice as fulfilling the "terminal degree" requirement needed to earn a salary boost. I'm approaching the "max" on adjunct pay unless I can find some way to incrementally raise the pay ceiling. Do colleges count this EdS as a terminal degree?


    Thanks,
     
  2. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    While an EdS is normally considered a terminal degree, if you are considering earning one so as to qualify for a particular employer's pay boost, I'd definitely ask them directly.

    -=Steve=-
     
  3. AUTiger00

    AUTiger00 New Member

    I know that public school teachers (K-12) in several states receive a pay increase with the EdS, but I don't believe it is considered a terminal degree. The degree is between a masters and a doctorate.
    I have a friend that teaches in Georgia and is doing the EdS via distance from the University of Florida. She mentioned that the credits earned in the EdS can be applied towards the EdD if she chooses to pursue that.
     
  4. major56

    major56 Active Member

    The actual significance of the Ed.S. seemingly varies by State; for example there is no such academic program currently offered by any universities in Texas. It would appear that within the Texas education industry only the three customary degree avenues are in essence relevant … the bachelor, master, and the doctorate. So my estimate would be that in Texas the Ed.S. wouldn’t be considered a terminal degree.
     
  5. mattbrent

    mattbrent Well-Known Member

    I don't know that I would consider an EdS a terminal degree. When I was looking at EdS programs, I noticed that many of them seem to be just a second masters degree. You would take the exact same classes as the people who were working on a masters, but because you already had a masters, you'd be awarded an EdS. With that in mind, that is, being virtually a masters degree, I don't think I could consider it terminal.

    There were other programs, however, which were completely different than the masters program. Those "might" be terminal, but considering you could always earn a PhD in Education or an EdD, I wouldn't consider it terminal.

    -Matt
     
  6. major56

    major56 Active Member

    A few years back I considered completing the Ed.S. online ($225.00 /credit hr.) through the NCATE accredited Wayne State College (Nebraska). The program was a 33-hour curriculum allowing up to 9-hrs. in transfer for non-residents or 15-hrs. for Nebraska State College or University completed coursework. Nevertheless, the courses for the most part would have been merely a replication of the M.Ed. curriculum, Texas principal and superintendent certification courses I’d previously completed. I determined there was little or no value for me to acquire an Ed.S.

    <<-- Wayne State College -->>
     
  7. SE Texas Prof

    SE Texas Prof Member

    I figured it was worth at least raising the question and gaining some insight. Are there any business faculty that have used the EdS in securing a permanent spot at their institution? I fully intent to pursue a EdD/DBA, but I was looking for some sort of take away if everything didn't necessarily work out.

    FYI--Can a EdD be hired to teach business courses or is that reserved for the DBA/DM/PhD crowd?
     
  8. AUTiger00

    AUTiger00 New Member


    I think it depends on what the course is. I know JDs that teach at b-schools, I've had professors in b-school who's PhDs were in statistics, quantitative psychology, organizational behavior, etc. etc. I'm not sure I've ever had a professor in business school with an Ed.D, but I have to believe that they are out there. What type of business classes do you want to teach?
     
  9. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member


    Several years ago the company that I worked for had several employees taking the Pepperdine Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership
    http://gsep.pepperdine.edu/doctorate-organizational-leadership/
    I suspect this particular Ed.D. might get you an academic position - especially combined with other pertinent degrees and work experience.
     
  10. Dave Wagner

    Dave Wagner Active Member

    The Ed.S. can often get you the doctoral pay step in some school districts. Ask your superintendent.
     
  11. AUTiger00

    AUTiger00 New Member

    I spoke with my friend doing the EdS at the Univ of Florida last night and asked her if she found the courses repetitive to her EdM (which she completed through Walden) and she said that a lot of it had been covered previously. If it gets you a bump in pay then great, but if you want a terminal degree I'd go for the PhD or EdD.
     
  12. SE Texas Prof

    SE Texas Prof Member

    I guess I did not set this particular question up the right way. My interest is using the EdS or the DM/PhD/DBA/EdD to secure a permanent position at a small state college or a private college/university with a business program. I have not interest to pursue tenure at a Tier 1 AACSB school.

    At present, I teach operations management, supply chain, quality management and project management.


    Thanks,
     
  13. AUTiger00

    AUTiger00 New Member

    In my experience, and there are people on this board with far more than me, typically when a b school hires a permanent instructor that isn't tenured track that person is hired because of his/her industry experience. I assume you have experience in the areas of operations management/supply chain/project management outside of academia as you are teaching these course. I think you would be better served focusing on PhD or DBA to further your career prospects, but your industry experience will likely take you further with state schools than any doctorate completed online (as there is a stigma with these at B&M schools, which has been discussed at length in previous threads).
     
  14. Dr.B

    Dr.B New Member

    Not quite an answer, but here's my experience.

    I hold an Ed.D. An Ed.S., at my traditional, is, essentially, an Ed.D. without dissertation. It includes all the coursework without the fun hoop-jumping that a dissertation can be. If one is aiming for an Ed.D., University of West Florida (my institution), will confer an Ed.S. after completion of coursework and upon application; then one may continue on. One can, also, just aim for an Ed.S.

    Yet higher on the totem poll, however, is a Ph.D. in education. Personally, I don't consider my Ed.D. a terminal degree because it's not the end of the educational road in the field, so to speak. So far, I've not seen any differentiation between an Ed.S. and a master's degree as to pay. I inquired when I hit that mark in my degree program and since that degree didn't have the big "D" in it, it was a no go. Too, at least one school had no idea what I was talking about. Then again, I only work for a handful of schools.

    In the end, I would guess it depends on what a given school is looking for and what they are willing to accept. Public K-12, I think, may be more sensitive to that sort of degree.
     
  15. Dr.B

    Dr.B New Member

    I have a bachelor's degree in psychology and I found some of it repetitive; particularly learning theory and aspects of developmental.

    I imagine that someone holding an Ed.M. would find it more so.
     
  16. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    But it is no offered online is it?
     
  17. Dr.B

    Dr.B New Member

    Hey,

    No, UWF does not offer the Ed.S. or Ed.D., online. I managed to complete some of the coursework in my specialization online, but the entire program at the Ed.D. level is not offered online. There were times, though, that I wish it had been....

    Basically, I was just aiming to say that, as I understand it, the totem pole works this way: Ed.S., Ed.D., Ph.D. :)
     
  18. SE Texas Prof

    SE Texas Prof Member

    This has been a very interesting thread and has cleared up a few things. My concern would be the utility of such a degree. I've seen UOP, Capella and now Walden launch EdS programs in the past year. Something has to be driving the new designation, but I'm not necessarily sure it would help me in pursuit of my particular goals.

    I will say that as I've surfed the web, I've found an abundance of bios with people teaching business courses with an EdD designation. I'm wondering if it matters what terminal degree you have as long as you simply have one.


    Thanks,
     
  19. Dr.B

    Dr.B New Member

    Granted that I'm working from the assumption that all Ed.S. programs work in a similar fashion (like M.A.s or M.Ed.s and so on do). After serious consideration, I decided to go the extra bit (well it was wayyy more than a bit, I'm tellin' ya) and do the dissertation, and aim for the Ed.D. I've noticed folks at some major institutions carrying this degree (including Harvard), so, to me, it was worth the extra work.

    At my age and in my personal situation (elderly disabled parents, daughter in college, and so on), it wasn't practical to go elsewhere for a Ph.D. in anything (my preferred degree would have been in philosophy), so I opted for the school closest to me with a degree that might prove practical, all things considered.

    I know quite a number of public school K-12 teachers that went the Ed.S. route, so I would guess that it may have more influence in that area than it might in higher education, but, then again, I'm no expert. I only speak from my own experience and those folks I know.

    Best wishes on your decision!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 25, 2010
  20. OldArmy94

    OldArmy94 New Member

    Based on a quick online search, it appears to me that the EdS is considered a terminal degree. HOWEVER, that being said, it does not have the prestige of an EdD or PhD. It probably is one of those degrees where its merits lie in getting a pay raise or meeting a particular job's qualifications.
     

Share This Page