The Educational Specialist degree in Special Education provides an advanced degree in specialized areas of educational programming for children and youth with exceptionalities. The program meets the needs of post-master's degree students who wish to assume leadership roles in schools and agencies that provide special education and related services to children, youth, and adults who have disabilities.<br><br>The Ed.S. degree is designed for the accomplished, experienced practitioner with specific professional aspirations. The program is not designed for those who wish to pursue a research emphasis as a prelude to doctoral study.<br><br>Program Learning Outcomes<br><br>Graduates of the program will be able to:<br><br> Attain the background knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary to advance their ability to identify and plan evidence-based educational practices for exceptional learners.<br> Increase their proficiency with the pedagogical and decision-making skills necessary to implement evidence-based educational practices for exceptional learners.<br> Attain an appropriate level of expertise in methods of assessment relevant to providing special education to exceptional learners in schools.<br> Articulate professional positions on critical legal, policy and practice issues in special education that are grounded in logical analysis, empirical research and the ethical foundations of the field.