Marketability of the EdS ED Technology Degree?

I've been teaching ESL in Asia since 1995 and I'm currently in Korea. I'm 42, tired of ESL and and halfway done with the Online Teaching and Learning MS Ed from CSU-Hayward. I like the program and want to go on, but I'm not interested in doing a PhD. I'm looking at the EdS program at Mizzou Colombia in Ed Technology. I plan on coming back to the USA at the end of this year.

http://www.coe.missouri.edu/~sislt/

If I did it, I would do it full time to get it over with quick, it's 24-30 depending on your background. I could conceivably do it in a year. My question is, how marketable is this type of degree. I'm more interested in the business or tech school end, not the public ed system--and ESL is pretty much a dead end. Can anyone give me some advice about it's marketability? Thanks!

 

IMHO and twenty-three years of experience, the EdS designation is not of much utility in the private sector. Its history is one of awarding teachers something for staying in school (earning credits to keep their licenses alive), while not going on for a doctorate. It also takes on various designs to prepare teachers in particular aspects of education.It is artificial, almost unique to education, and not really used outside primary and secondary education.

In a business or tech school, your education and experience in the intended field of teaching will weigh far more than an EdS.

Rich Douglas

 

I agree with Rich. The Ed.S. is the odd stepchild of the education field: more than a masters, yet not a doctorate. Some universities call this degree CAGS (certificate of advanced graduate study).

Getting a second masters in educational technology (my field, by the way) would serve just as well as an Ed.S. in the same subject. This is especially true in business/industry, where the Ed.S. is not well known.

There are about 200 ed tech-related masters programs in the US and several available via DL.

Tony

(who is completing an Ed.D. degree at an institution that also awards the Ed.S.--I decided not to bother)

 

On the other hand, most EdS programs aren't as lengthy as MAs, and most don't require a thesis. My Specialist's degree was six fewer hours than my Master's. So it can be a somewhat shorter, coursework-only route to an additional graduate degree.

 

Michael, can you give me some sites for looking at the employability/job market for the EdS? When I do searches, it gets the EdS degree confused with the title (many BA's there) Education Specialist. Thanks.

 

I've been curious about these degrees for some time. I've wondered about using this degree as a qualification for teaching Educational Technology. You'd get the 18 graduate hours needed for teaching and some more letters to add to your signature. I already have an MS CS, so this might have been a reasonable route for the teaching goal.

 

Jimwe,

I've looked through some of the sources I have on hand, and I haven't come up with anything. My suggestion would be to visit or telephone a library with a decent education collection and ask them that question. Sorry I couldn't have been more helpful.

Cheers,

 

On the Ed.S.

I completed a wonderful Ed.S. online from Valdosta State University in instructional technology. I was part of the first cohort group in that program. It was some of the toughest courses I ever took in college.

On the marketability.... well, it depends. You might have to explain the Ed.S. to people outside of education. But if you don't have an academic background in instructional technology this is a good way to do it.

A doctorate? I work fulltime (teach at a community college) so that ruled out working on a residential doctorate and being a lapdog for some 25-year-old Ph.D. for five to eight years. Then there is the Nova/Capella/Union/Walden/Argosy route. VERY VERY expensive. I'm 48-years-old and that fails the cost/benefit test big time. I can't justify $30k or more for a program... I don't have enough work years left to pay that back or even make a profit. Now, that will rankle many on this board who will give you all these lofty reasons to get a doctorate (I think most of them are socialists) but how does ANYBODY justify such an expensive doctorate in the field of education, for instance?

Hey, my Ed.S. is often a conversation STARTER. Many haven't heard about the degree so it gives me an in to start a discussion and talk about instructional technology and what I do. It was great for me because it gave me a bit more credibility.... I am the college faculty distance learning coordinator.

I am quite thankful for distance learning and wish it had been around twenty years ago when I started on my ill-fated doctoral quest. I hate to think any education is a waste of time, but that was for me. My residential master's degree was a wonderful experience. The school was a regional non-doctoral granting institution in the Midwest. Most students worked for a living. The professors treated us with respect. I had a very rude awakening when starting my doctoral work at a Research I institution. Yuk. The one good thing it did was make me RUN from ever wanting to teach at a university (by the way, community college teaching careers are the jewel of education... I had to work for a living to appreciate where I am now).

I liked my online Ed.S. so much I am now working on an online MBA. No parking, no commuting, no pinhead 25-year-old Ph.D.'s to contend with... it's great.

 

Interesting Perspective!

Cogent Writes:

You raise a valid point, Cogent. If one is pursuing a doctoral program and will spend $30,000, one has to ask, "What are the returns?" I will pursue doctoral studies, but not at any cost.

On the subject of the Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) "degree", a relative completed one a few years ago. What's curious is that some people refer to him as "Dr." He knows it's not a terminal degree, but most people outside of the field of education know nothing about it.

 

Ed.S. is not a doctorate

Yes, you are correct (I know you know), the Ed.S. is not a doctorate. I haven't had anybody call me "doctor" but I assure you I would correct them. I'm not a guy who likes titles (another reason so many spend the big bucks to get a doctorate). If anything they can call me "reverend" because I have one of those Universal Life Church "reverend" cards! ha ha ha.

I remain quite happy with my Ed.S. It gave me the instructional technology qualification I was looking for. And it exposed me to a really well-run online graduate program at Valdosta State University. Those profs really pushed me hard; in fact, my thesis advisor rode me in a "horse whisperer" kind of way to get the thing done.

I guess my advice is for everybody to have their eyes wide open before signing up for any degree program. I actually fell into the VSU program after writing the director about online education. He ended up inviting me to apply for the first cohort group. That had not been my intention initially. I'm glad he did! During the time I was in that program I left the Army and moved 120 miles away to a new job. How could I have done this in a traditional program? I couldn't have. Period. Viva online education!!!! And Cinco de Mayo to you.