Education Specialist Degree in Teaching and Learning
What is an Education Specialist Teaching and Learning Degree?
Grand Canyon University’s Education Specialist (EdS) in Teaching and Learning program is a post-master’s education degree which allows K-12 educators to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for developing education communities that improve student outcomes.
Offered by GCU’s College of Doctoral Studies, this accelerated, fully online EdS degree emphasizes theories and models of teaching in various educational environments, from elementary to high school.
Throughout the program, learners will:
- Examine the global politics of education and the intervention facilitated by government entities
- Study professional learning communities and theories of pedagogy
- Explore ways to train and develop the teams that learners are preparing to lead and support
- Learn to excel in teaching by studying industry trends, implementing new effective teaching strategies based on original research and applying findings to foster greater classroom success
As a private, Christian university, GCU integrates faith into each of its programs. Courses within the education specialist degree program for teaching and learning use a values-based curriculum that addresses socially responsible practices and ethical decision making within education.
Learn to Help Others Learn Better
The aim of the EdS degree online program is to give educators the skills, through research-based teaching strategies, to develop collaborative educational communities with the purpose of improving student learning and driving classroom success in K-12 environments.
Learners will make connections between past philosophies of education and current issues and emerging trends in the field, so that they develop the skills to identify and implement effective models or theories of change, innovative technologies and modern methods to enhance their learning environments.
The program focuses on the following:
- Using philosophies of teaching and learning as a foundation for improving the teaching and learning process Evaluating learning theory as it relates to mentoring, coaching, collaboration and educational tools
- Examining disruptive innovation and change associated with theories and models
- Assessing teaching and learning from a global perspective to understand the social, cultural, organizational and psychological factors that affect the classroom
- Using research methods and statistical analysis to produce original research
An EdS capstone course concludes the program, providing learners with the opportunity to apply the skills they have developed to their professional interests and goals. Throughout the class, learners develop a written project suitable for a professional portfolio.
The program offers a rigorous curriculum and takes an in-depth, analysis-based approach to every course. Unlike GCU’s doctoral education degrees, the EdS does not require learners to complete a residency or dissertation. This allows current full-time teachers may complete their program more easily without taking time away from work.
Achieve Your Career Goals and Drive Education Forward with an EDS Degree in Teaching and Learning
Graduates of the EdS in Teaching and Learning degree are prepared to move beyond traditional classroom responsibilities and drive change through the research and collaboration skills developed throughout the program.
After completing the program, educators may pursue higher-level roles at the school and district levels or higher. The knowledge and skills developed during the EdS program equips educators for advanced positions such as school administrators, counselors, consultants or a wide variety of other advanced positions in education.
The education specialist degree online allows teachers with a master’s degree who want to advance their career without enrolling in a typical doctoral program. Graduates who later decide to pursue their Doctor of Education (EdD) in Teaching and Learning are able to transfer some of the credits completed during their EdS. Speak with a GCU counselor for more information about pursuing an EdD after an EdS.
If seeking licensure or certification, applicants to the program are responsible for contacting their state department of education for licensure requirements and program approval. In addition, fingerprint/background clearance is required.
Time to Completion and Dissertation Process
To learn more about time to completion and the dissertation process at GCU, visit our doctoral page.
Core Courses
Course Description
This course introduces students to the principal elements of research and scholarly writing. Learners explore approaches to synthesizing literature and the application of the major components of APA form and style, and learn to coordinate literature searches. Furthermore, they learn how to discern principal arguments, analyze research questions, and clearly identify the key scholarly attributes to journal articles and other sources of scholarly data. This course also introduces learners to the University’s overarching values and beliefs regarding research and the responsibility scholars have in continuing a tradition of contributing to an ever-growing body of knowledge.
Course Description
The course presents a foundation of historic and philosophic ideas in teaching and learning. Learners are encouraged to consider the connections between history, philosophy, teaching, and learning as well as the influence of these concepts on the development of a personal philosophy of teaching and learning.
Course Description
The course provides a chronological overview of learning theories and their common applications. Connections between theory and philosophy of teaching and learning are explored.
Course Description
This course is designed to train learners in the conduct of a systematic literature review related to their research topic or area of interest. Emphasis is placed on creating structure for reading, analyzing, synthesizing, and organizing prior research for educational purposes.
Course Description
This course examines relations with K-12 education stakeholders, including boards, learners, parents, faculty, staff, and the community at large. Attention is given to creating and sustaining a diverse learning infrastructure through faculty and staff professional development, alumni relations, and the building of a learning community.
Course Description
This course examines the current and emerging leadership strategies and classroom practices in K-12 education. Topics are placed in the context of improved student outcomes.
Course Description
This course addresses the current mindset surrounding the notion of collaboration and proposes a paradigm shift to a mindset that redefines collaboration and integrates it with coaching and mentoring. The course includes a discussion of strategies employed by coaches/mentors to support leadership and ensure a positive organizational culture.
Course Description
This course examines multiple ethical frameworks, principles, and theories as they apply to the study and practice of leadership. Corporate social responsibility will be addressed from the perspective of ethical decision making. Prerequisite: RES-815.
Course Description
The course addresses the challenges to teaching and learning inherent in a global environment of perpetual change and frequent innovation. Connections to philosophy of teaching and learning are explored.
Course Description
This capstone course provides learners the opportunity to apply skills related to their professional interests and goals. Learners demonstrate competency through the development of a written project suitable for inclusion in a professional portfolio.
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.
* Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change.