Colorado Technical University

What is the benefit of a Doctoral degree over a Specialist degree in Education?

I need to go back to school to obtain a specific certification for my career (Director of Special Education) and have the choice between two programs: one is a doctoral program that is costlier and more involved, but upon successful graduation I would have my certification and either an Ed.D. or a Ph.D. depending on my dissertation. The other program is shorter, less involved, less costly and upon successful graduation, I would have by certification and an Ed.S. degree. What are the long-term benefits of obtaining a Doctoral degree over a Specialist degree? I am not certain where my career path will eventually take me, and am open to teaching at a college or university in the future, but in the next couple of years, I need to ensure my certification to keep my current position. My B.S. is in Special Education, and my M.S. is in Educational Leadership. What options are out there for each of those degrees?

Public Comments

1. Get the Ph.D. Education is becoming a huge con game, designed to suck people into bad economic decisions. Until you have the Ph.D., there will always be someone out there who will demand you upgrade your credentials (to the economic benefit of the Unis). That Ed.S. certificate will only be another expense on top of the Ph.D. you will ultimately be required to obtain.