Click here for Site Map
Jump to Main Content
Search:

Which Program and Pathway is Right for Me?

Should I earn an MA in K-12 Administration or Curriculum & Teaching?

The choice will reflect your individual background, work demands and career interests. In general, students are more successful in the K-12 masters program after several years of full time teaching and experience leading projects, teams and committees at the school level.

I have a masters degree but not in educational administration. What should I do if I want to move into leadership positions?

If you have an earned masters degree in a related area (such as teaching & curriculum, counseling, special education) you have 3 pathways to consider:

  1. Depending on the type of degree and how old it is, you may qualify for the state’s Administrator Certification with Elementary and Secondary endorsements by adding 18 credits of core EAD studies to your existing masters degree.
  2. You may earn a second masters degree (30 credits) and specialize in a particular form of school level leadership. This will also qualify you to apply for Administrator Certification with Elementary and Secondary endorsements.
  3. Or, you may decide to earn an Educational Specialist degree (30+ credits). The Ed.S degree is designed for educators preparing for advanced leadership positions in schools, districts and other agencies. Students entering the Specialist degree without a masters degree in K-12 Administration may need added coursework if they wish to qualify for Administrator Certification and Endorsements.

Please contact us to discuss and clarify your options.

Should I earn an Ed.S or a Ph.D?

The Ed.S degree is designed for educators seeking to develop knowledge, skills and technological capabilities for advanced leadership at the school and district level. The program emphasizes applied learning and inquiry, specialized studies for specific leadership positions (such as the superintendency finance, curriculum, assessment or international school development) and field-based professional development. The Ed.S degree is a requirement to earning a Central Office Endorsement from the Michigan Department of Education. The degree is earned through credit completion and a comprehensive exam process. Depending on full or part-time status most students earn the degree in 2-3 years.
The Ph.D degree is designed to develop researchers and scholar practitioners interested in leadership, reform of educational organizations and systems, educational governance, finance and policy analysis, comparative education and related fields. The program emphasizes disciplined inquiry, conceptual analysis, connections between theory and practice and the development of applied research and scholarship. The degree is earned through successful completion of coursework, qualifying exams and a doctoral thesis. Depending on full or part-time status most students earn the degree in 4-6 years.

Can I earn an Ed.S now and a Ph.D later?

Educators with an earned Ed.S degree who are accepted into the Ph.D program can transfer many of their Ed.S credits to their Ph.D program but must complete required research and specialization courses, qualifying exams and a thesis.