Instructional Design and Technology

Educational Specialist: Requirements

The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree is a post-master's program for professionals who seek advanced preparation to broaden their understanding of complex professional issues, strengthen their ability to conduct systematic inquiry on their practice, and provide leadership for their institutions. In this program, candidates are expected to attain 1) a broad and systematic understanding of professional education, 2) a definitive knowledge of a particular field of specialization, and 3) ability to integrate and apply theoretical concepts of education in an actual educational context. This program is designed for the accomplished, experienced practitioner with specific professional aspirations. It is not designed for those who which to pursue a research emphasis as a prelude to doctoral study.

The on-campus IDT program can prepare students for a variety of career options. Typical career paths include:

Although the IDT program provides a list of recommended courses for career options listed above, the specific courses that students take are up to the student and his or her advisor. Additional program options can be developed in consultation with your advisor.

The Ed.S. Degree in Instructional Technology includes the following general requirements:

  • Completion of a 60 credit-hour graduate program, which may include 30 credits earned at the master's degree level if approved by the student's committee.
  • Completion of 21 credits of course work from Virginia Tech after acceptance into the Ed.S. program.
  • Successful completion of a project approved by the students' advisory committee.
  • Successful completion of checklist of AECT indicators.
  • Successful completion of a final examination at the end of the course work. Typically, Instructional Design and Technology Ed.S. students choose to prepare and defend a portfolio of professional work instead of a final exam.

Master's coursework

Students may apply a maximum of 30 hours of credit earned as a Master's student toward an Education Specialist degree, depending on the area in which the degree was awarded. Check with your advisor to determine how many credit hours from your Masters can be applied to your plan of study.

  • Students with Master's degrees in Instructional Design and Technology or a closely related field can generally apply the maximum of 30 hours toward their doctoral degrees.
  • Students with Master's degrees in other areas (for example, music, English, nursing, etc.) may choose to satisfy the cognate requirement with coursework taken as a master's student; generally, up to 12 hours of unrelated coursework can be applied to the doctoral plan of study as a cognate.

Time Limit and Revalidation

  • Coursework more than 5 years old at the time of approval of Program of Study (POS) must be revalidated.
  • Coursework must be completed within 7 years after approval of POS or revalidated if preliminary examination has not yet been completed.
  • Coursework accepted and taken as a part of the master's degree need not be revalidated.

Additional restrictions on coursework earned at another university may apply. See the Graduate catalog, and check with your advisor.

Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) Degree