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Career and Technical Education (Ed.S.)

Education Specialist Degree

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PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Students entering the Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree program may continue further graduate studies within Career and Technical Education after satisfying all requirements leading to the Ed.S. degree.

This professional degree program prepares education leaders having a specific specialty related to Career and Technical Education. Examples of specialty areas can include:

  • Administration
  • Curriculum Development
  • Extension
  • Supervision

PREPARATION FOR THE FUTURE

Because the Ed.S. is a professional degree, it is expected that students desiring to further their graduate studies into a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program or a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program will be required to take additional courses beyond this degree.

The School of Education is renowned for preparing individuals to advance the goals of equity and social justice through education, applied research, advocacy, and research.

As an institution, Virginia Tech excels in developing knowledge through experience, discovering lasting solutions to complex problems across disciplines, and partnering to serve communities to develop and share knowledge that addresses real-world concerns.

RELEVANT, RESEARCH-BASED PROGRAM

Reimagining the future begins with practices that put educational excellence, innovation, and equity at the fore. At the Virginia Tech School of Education, you will develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to transform teaching and learning, conduct groundbreaking research, and engage with learning communities around the globe. Teacher candidates from historically underrepresented populations are especially encouraged to join and contribute to our learning community. 

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WHAT YOU'LL STUDY

The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Career and Technical Education (CTE) is a degree program consisting of 30 semester hours beyond the master’s degree. Of the minimum of 60 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree, at least 30 credits must be taken at Virginia Tech.

All courses included on the Education Specialist degree approved plan on study must be completed. The plan of study will be developed by the student and advisor and approved by the student’s three-member (minimum) advisory committee no later than the completion of 9 semesters of credit.

See the Program Requirements document for the most up to date information on this program.

Each student pursuing the Education Specialist degree in CTE must complete the course work below which may include studies from the master’s degree:

  • Research or evaluation: 6 semester hours
  • Foundations: 6 semester hours
  • Concentration: 12 semester hours
  • Cognate: 3 semester hours
  • Project: 3 semester hours

Course Descriptions

While employed in a business occupation, the student completes an In-depth study of the firm's policies, practices, and procedures. Under the supervision of the employer and a Career and Technical Education professor, focuses on various aspects of the business. Pre-requisite: Graduate Standing
Credit Hour(s): 3
Lecture Hour(s): 3
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s): 

Focus on the history and development of career and technical education with emphasis on the philosophical bases of the field. The conduct and purposes of career and technical education under different philosophical orientations are compared. An overview of the organization and administration, the relationship of career and technical education to agencies both in and outside of education, and how economic conditions have impacted career and technical education are explored. Definition and development of a personal philosophy is required.
Credit Hour(s): 3
Lecture Hour(s): 3
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture, Online Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s): 

Provides prospective career and technical education teachers with research bases, resources, and available curricula for teaching content in their respective fields. Develops the ability to plan, manage, develop, and evaluate curricula. Pre-requisite: Graduate standing in the CTE degree program.
Credit Hour(s): 3
Lecture Hour(s): 3
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s): 

Responsibilities of the career abd technical education teacher regarding work-based program standards, student guidance, school and community relations, on-the-job training, youth organization sponsorship, work-based program coordination, and program management. Pre-requisite: Graduate Standing Required
Credit Hour(s): 3
Lecture Hour(s): 3
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture, Online Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s): 

Planning CTE courses and units of instruction to include industry competencies and academic standards of learning, performance objectives, and performance assessment. Pre: Graduate standing.
Credit Hour(s): 3
Lecture Hour(s): 3

Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture, Online Lecture Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s): 

Focus on identifying the major instructional methods that are appropriate in career and technical education and identifying and resolving problems that emerge from these methods that can have a negative impact on the overall effectiveness of the teacher. Various methods to evaluate the teacher's instructional effectiveness are addressed. Graduate standing or two years of teaching experience required.
Credit Hour(s): 3
Lecture Hour(s): 3
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s): 

Integrative learning development in Career and Technical Education (CTE) through incorporation of classroom and extracurricular experiences. Strategies and best practice to ensure interdisciplinary CTE cultural relevance. Methods of facilitating teacher professional development. Student safety.
Credit Hour(s): 3
Lecture Hour(s): 3
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture, Online Lecture
Prerequisite(s): (EDCT 5614 OR EDCT 5634), EDCT 5624
Corequisite(s): 

This course explores the major social, economic, and political issues and trends expected to have continuing impacts on career and technical education and the workforce. The current status and philosophies of career and technical education are evaluated relative to these changes. Alternative directions for the future are identified and analyzed, with emphasis on proactive rather than reactive strategies for educators.
Credit Hour(s): 3
Lecture Hour(s): 3
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture, Online Lecture
Prerequisite(s): EDCT 5604 (UG) OR EDCT 5604
Corequisite(s): 

Student participation in a planned clinical experience under supervision of a university staff member in an appropriate work center. (Max 12C). Consent required.
Credit Hour(s): 1 TO 12
Lecture Hour(s): 1 TO 12
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s): 

Problem-solving clinics for experienced career and technical education practitioners who are engaged part-time in graduate study while continuing in positions of leadership. Involves systemic analysis of current educational problems and evaluation of educational practice. (Max 12C).
Credit Hour(s): 1 TO 12
Lecture Hour(s): 1 TO 12
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s): 

Selected topics in career and technical education related to curriculum development, special education, administration, research, and evaluation. (Max 6C per course)
Credit Hour(s): 1 TO 6
Lecture Hour(s): 1 TO 6
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture, Online Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s): 

Credit Hour(s): 3 

Lecture Hour(s): 3
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture Prerequisite(s): Corequisite(s): 

Credit Hour(s): 1 TO 19
Lecture Hour(s):
Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Research Prerequisite(s): Corequisite(s): 

Credit Hour(s): 1 TO 19

Lecture Hour(s): 1 TO 19

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture

Prerequisite(s): Corequisite(s): 

Credit Hour(s): 1 TO 12
Lecture Hour(s): 1 TO 12
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture, Online Lecture Prerequisite(s):

Corequisite(s): 

Credit Hour(s): 1 TO 19
Lecture Hour(s):
Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Independent Study Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s): 

Credit Hour(s): 1 TO 19

Lecture Hour(s): 1 TO 19

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture, Online

Lecture Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s): 

Credit Hour(s): 1 TO 19
Lecture Hour(s):
Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Research Prerequisite(s): Corequisite(s): 

Administrative structure of career and technical education at the local, state, and national levels, and in business and industry; leadership for administrative planning, facilities and support services management, personnel management, supervision of instruction, professional development, and assessment in career and technical education. Alternate years.
Credit Hour(s): 3
Lecture Hour(s): 3
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture, Online Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s): 

Study of the theory and application of evaluation to career and technical education. Major emphasis on the unique requirements of program, personnel and student evaluation as specified in Federal and State legislation and regulations. National and state evaluations of career and technical education are assessed.
Credit Hour(s): 3
Lecture Hour(s): 3
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture, Online Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s): 

In depth treatment of the nature of policy and the policy-making process as they pertain to the workforce and to education, especially to career and technical education. Included are significant aspects of policy development at local, state, and federal levels; examination of the basic questions that are answered by policy decisions; appropriate organizations for formulation of policy; an examination of current policy pertaining to career and technical education at state and federal levels; and procedures for establishing policy.
Credit Hour(s): 3
Lecture Hour(s): 3
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture
Prerequisite(s): EDCT 5604 (UG) OR EDCT 5604
Corequisite(s): 

Critical review, presentation, and discussion of current literature, research, and national reports in designated areas of education. (6C max. credit allowed toward program of study) Consent required.
Credit Hour(s): 1 TO 6
Lecture Hour(s): 1 TO 6
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s): 

Credit Hour(s): 1 TO 19 Lecture Hour(s): 1 TO 19 Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture Prerequisite(s): Corequisite(s): 

Credit Hour(s): 1 TO 12
Lecture Hour(s): 1 TO 12
Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture Prerequisite(s): Corequisite(s): 

Credit Hour(s): 1 TO 12
Lecture Hour(s): 1 TO 12
Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture Prerequisite(s): Corequisite(s): 

Credit Hour(s): 1 TO 19
Lecture Hour(s):
Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Research Prerequisite(s): Corequisite(s):