Education specialists supplement and enhance the work of classroom teachers by applying expertise and experience to a range of pedagogic challenges. You’ll find education specialists in the classroom (ESL teachers, special education teachers), administration (principals, district leaders), and the many industries that support instructors (curriculum designers, learning experience designers, policy advocates).
Continue reading to learn more about education specialists and how an online Master of Education from the Tulane University School of Professional Advancement can help you advance your career in this family of professions.
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What is an Education Specialist?
The term “education specialist” can refer to a specific job title, or it may refer to a broader category of jobs for educational professionals with specialized skills. Education specialists often work with teachers and administrators to develop improved teaching strategies, curricula, and assessment methods.Â
As you continue your journey in education, you may find a variety of degree names and offerings, just as you will likely find a variety of job titles that share similar responsibilities. Each person’s path will be different, and it’s essential to research what you’ll learn in a program’s curriculum more than focusing on the degree name itself. Education specialists should consider both an education specialist degree (EdS) and a Master of Education degree that offers varied concentrations in specialized fields of education.
A Closer Look: Education Specializations
Education specialists work across many different professions, including those listed below.
Special Education
Roles in special education include special education teacher (with an average annual income of just under $66,000), assistive technology specialist, curriculum specialist for special education, and special education supervisor or coordinator. Classes like Assessment and Evaluation of Students with Disabilities at Tulane University introduce students to collecting and using comprehensive assessment and evaluation data to ensure the success of students with high-incidence disabilities. Â
Teaching English Learners
English as a Second Language (ESL) is a program of techniques, methodology, and special curriculum designed to teach students English language skills. Professionals specializing in Teaching English Learners (TEL) may pursue roles that include ESL success coach, ESOL lead, ESL manager, school support coordinator for English language learners, and ESL specialist.Â
School or District Leaders
Earning a Master of Education (MEd) degree can help teachers propel their careers to new leadership roles at a school or district level. K-12 principals (average salary: $98,912) and superintendents (average salary: $145,399) oversee all operations of their organizations, including academic goals, personnel decisions, and activities.
Community or Nonprofit Leadership
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects social and community service manager employment to increase by 12% between now and 2031 (more than twice the average for the entire job market). An MEd can provide the foundation needed to manage programs and organizations that support public well-being, one of many ways an MEd applies to roles beyond formal education.
Education Policy
The education policy sector provides the venue for wide-reaching change in education and schools. Roles include education policy analysts (average salary of approximately $65,000) and educational consultants. Classes like Tulane’s Educational Leadership and Policy for Changemakers provide an overview of federal, state, and local education policy development, the influence of law and policy on schooling over time, and the role of education leaders in policy advocacy and enactment.Â
Curriculum Design
The American education system is ever-changing. With those changes, curricula and learning designs evolve to better serve students. Curriculum specialists work to ensure consistent content standards and the implementation of curricula within a program. They also devise methods to critically assess and improve curricula.
Learning Experience Design
E-learning is expanding rapidly in formal education and business training, creating demand for instructional designers. Tulane’s MEd features a concentration in learning experience design and relevant core courses that include Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for All Learners and Learning Processes Across the Lifespan.
Corporate Training & Development
The leadership, learning experience design, and equity-centered education skills gained through a Master of Education program can prepare you for roles like corporate training and development manager or Chief Learning Officer.
Become an Education Specialist: Learn More About the Tulane MEd
The innovative and flexible curriculum of the MEd at Tulane University prepares students for specialized education roles and more. Through real-world relevant courses and applied learning opportunities, the online Master of Education from the School of Professional Advancement helps future education leaders improve the equitability and inclusivity of teaching practices within their communities. Â
Find Your Specialization With Electives & Certificates
The Tulane MEd offers five core classes that contextualize the American education system and help students explore learning processes, means of assessment, and research methods. From there, students can select electives aligned with their career goals. Students may apply these electives to an additional graduate certificate in one of four areas:
- Equity-Centered Education Leadership
- Learning Experience Design
- Teaching English Learners
- Special Education
If you’re interested in learning design, classes like Game-Based Learning Technology and Design will introduce game-based learning and gamification applications from a diversified learner experience lens. Another elective option, Reimagining and Leading Equitable Education Systems for the Future, prepares leaders in the education, nonprofit, and community space to develop and communicate a vision and strategy centered on excellence and equity for all. These are just two of many classes designed to set MEd students up to thrive.
Get Expert Instruction in an Innovative Environment
The School of Professional Advancement at Tulane has roots in New Orleans 130 years deep. The faculty in the MEd program at Tulane are active in their fields of expertise and understand the need for flexibility. The online Master of Education program is designed for working professionals, which means lifelong learners don’t have to leave the workforce to invest in their dreams.Â
Take the Next Step: Apply to Tulane’s Online Master of Education Degree
The Tulane MEd provides a pathway to a more specialized or higher-level role in education. Apply to learn more about the Tulane online program, explore admissions requirements, or start your application today.