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Online Education Specialist Degrees

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Develop Expertise for Leadership Positions at the District or State Level

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Select the Online Education Specialist Degree for Your Goals

Strengthen your teaching and leadership abilities by pursuing your Education Specialist degree online at Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM). Our faculty members can personalize the coursework to your education goals, empowering you to improve student performance as a classroom teacher or instructional leader in Alabama.

Counseling, EdS

1 year

30 credit hours

100% online

Our CACREP-accredited program includes in-depth studies of counseling and prepares you for advanced counseling practice and administration roles.

2 Concentrations Available

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Elementary Education, EdS

1.5 years

30 credit hours

100% online

Become an empowered administrator or educator who creates enriching learning environments that meet the needs of Alabama students.

3 Concentrations Available

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Instructional Leadership, EdS

1 year

30 credit hours

Online courses

Engage in practical online coursework and a residency to gain leadership skills for education administration and curriculum design roles.

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Instructional Technology, EdS

1.5 years

30 credit hours

100% online

Explore the technologies that provide immersive educational environments through online courses that align with the ISTE coaching standards.

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Special Education, EdS

1.5 years

30 credit hours

Online courses

Complete online courses and a practicum as you prepare to craft supportive experiences in classrooms that emphasize collaborative teaching.

2 Concentrations Available

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Qualify for Class AA Certification in Alabama

As a regionally accredited university, Auburn University at Montgomery prepares you to attain Class AA certification in Alabama after earning your EdS degree online. This certification demonstrates your higher-level teaching abilities and provides qualifications for leadership roles at the district and state levels.

Class AA Certification Checklist

The steps to teacher certification vary by state, so it’s essential to check the requirements for the location where you plan to teach. If you have attained Class A certification in Alabama, here are some of the requirements for moving up to the Class AA level:

  • A survey of special education course or an approved diversity course
  • Completion of a state-approved Education Specialist program with a 3.5 GPA for courses on the approved program plan
  • Practicum completion for initial certification in a special education field

To review additional certification requirements for your online Education Specialist degree, visit your program of interest.

Why Choose Auburn University at Montgomery for Your EdS Degree?

Qualify for a pay raise, grow as a teacher, develop instructional leadership expertise — you can achieve a lot by earning your Education Specialist degree online at Auburn University at Montgomery. Explore our post-graduate programs and concentrations to find the option that aligns with your goals for improving student performance in Alabama and beyond.

Raise Your Earning Potential Even Higher

Acquiring your EdS degree and Class AA certification helps you make as much as 8% more than teachers with a master’s degree.2

Thrive in Our Online Community

The expert instructors at Auburn University at Montgomery provide a collaborative community that emphasizes shared success among our EdS candidates.

Receive Dedicated Support

Auburn University at Montgomery begins empowering your success from the moment you apply, with admissions guidance and a variety of online academic and career resources.

Earn Your Degree in a Flexible Format

We designed our online post-graduate degrees for convenience, allowing you to work full time while completing courses using your laptop or mobile device.

Career Paths for EdS Graduates

Auburn University at Montgomery has prepared more than 32,000 graduates to achieve their goals in education and other career fields. Our online Education Specialist degrees position you for advancement in a variety of roles in Alabama school systems, including the following:

School Counselor

$56,510 average annual salary3

Technical Instructional Designer

$72,641 average annual salary4

Education Administrator (K-12)

$87,950 average annual salary3

Accreditations and Rankings

Auburn University at Montgomery offers online Education Specialist degrees with accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Get started to experience a nationally acclaimed education recognized by Military Friendly®,5 U.S. News & World Report,1,6and The Princeton Review.7

C A E P Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
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I S T E Accreditation

Sources

  1. U.S. News & World Report. “Auburn University at Montgomery Rankings.” Retrieved February 27, 2024, from https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/auburn-university-at-montgomery-8310/overall-rankings.
  2. Alabama State Department of Education. “FY 2024 Foundation Program, State Minimum Salary Schedule, Classroom Teachers.” Retrieved February 27, 2024, from https://www.alabamaachieves.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/LEAACCT_2023630_FY-2024-Salary-Schedule-for-Teachers_V1.0.pdf.
  3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. “May 2022 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Alabama.” Retrieved February 27, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_al.htm#13-0000.
  4. Salary.com. “Technical Instructional Designer Salary in Alabama.” Retrieved February 27, 2024, from https://www.salary.com/research/salary/recruiting/technical-instructional-designer-salary/al.
  5. Military Friendly®. “Auburn University at Montgomery.” Retrieved February 27, 2024, from https://www.militaryfriendly.com/auburn-university-at-montgomery-is-military-friendly/.
  6. U.S. News & World Report. “Auburn University–Montgomery.” Retrieved February 27, 2024, from https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/auburn-university-at-montgomery-100830.
  7. The Princeton Review. “2024 Best Colleges, Best South.” Retrieved February 27, 2024, from https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings?rankings=best-south&sort=name.