What Does an Education Program Specialist Do?

Education

What Does an Education Program Specialist Do?

Written by: Wilson College • Aug 13, 2025

An Education Program Specialist Sits at a Table With a Group of Young Children

Teachers have an enormous amount of responsibility, and they need support to help ensure their students get the most from their education. When the Pew Research Center surveyed public school K-12 teachers across the U.S. in 2023, it found the following:

Sixty-eight percent of teachers characterized their duties as overwhelming.
Seventy-seven percent of teachers felt their jobs were often stressful.

Fortunately, people who work as education program specialists have expertise that can help support teachers and strengthen educational programs.

Education program specialists concentrate on any of a wide variety of areas—from special education to curriculum development to student assessment—and provide services that help teachers do their jobs well, improve learning outcomes, and enhance educational programs.

Anyone who is considering enrolling in a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Special Education or a Master of Special Education program can benefit from learning about the important role that education program specialists play in education.

Working as an Education Program Specialist

Broadly speaking, education program specialists use evidence-based practices to find solutions that address challenges in K-12 schools. Their work can improve the educational experience for students, teachers, and administrators.

Education Program Specialist Concentrations

Program specialists in education typically concentrate on a particular aspect of education. For example, education program specialists can focus on:

Strengthening special education programs
Developing curricula
Using instructional technology
Supporting dual language instruction
Assessing students
Enhancing teaching methods

Duties of Education Program Specialists

The specific duties of education program specialists depend on the particular aspect of education in which they work. For example, they can be responsible for:

Assessing students’ eligibility for specialized services
Creating individualized education programs (IEPs) for students
Providing targeted services to students
Implementing initiatives to create inclusive classrooms
Providing professional development to teachers
Developing or strengthening education policies
Creating curricula and instructional strategies
Implementing technology for use in classrooms
Communicating with students’ parents and administrators regarding students’ progress

Education Program Specialist Work Environments

Education program specialists work for the following types of organizations:

Public schools
Charter schools
Private schools
Higher education institutions
Specialized education centers

How to Become an Education Program Specialist

To work as a program specialist in education, individuals need to acquire certain education and experience. The steps to become an education program specialist are outlined below.

Step 1: Earn a Relevant Bachelor’s Degree

Completing a bachelor’s degree program in a discipline such as education, early childhood education, or special education is the first step people take in working toward a career as an education program specialist. These degree programs provide individuals with a solid foundation in education and teaching.

Earning a B.A. in Special Education degree, for example, can provide an individual with expertise that is invaluable in working as a program specialist in special education. A special education program builds skills in areas such as:

Child cognitive development
Early intervention for children with disabilities
Educational psychology
Foundations of autism
Parental collaboration and communication

Step 2: Gain Teaching Experience

Working as an educator enables aspiring education program specialists to gain valuable, real-world experience in classroom instruction and interacting with students, parents, and administrators. Teaching experience gives individuals the opportunity to draw insights from working in the field and learning how students’ unique educational needs can be met.

The amount of experience individuals need to move into a role as an education program specialist depends on their employer and their area of concentration. But having at least a few years of teaching experience can help an individual build their credentials and skills.

Step 3: Consider Earning a Relevant Master’s Degree

Some employers require their education program specialists to have a master’s degree in a relevant field. Earning a master’s degree in special education , for example, provides individuals with expertise that can be particularly useful when working as a program specialist in special education. People who earn a master’s degree in special education acquire advanced expertise in areas such as:

Educating students with disabilities
Instructional methods
Behavioral supports
Classroom assessment
Educational research

Step 4: Consider Earning a Credential

Earning a certification can help aspiring education program specialists demonstrate their qualifications and show their dedication to the profession. For example, individuals can pursue:

A national board-certified teacher (NBCT) credential from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
A technology-based certification related to education, such as the Google certified educator or certified GEG (Google educator group) leader credential

Prospective education program specialists also can pursue a subject-specific certificate from their state department of education. For example, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania offers certificates in subjects such as:

Special education
Special education—hearing impaired
Special education—speech and language impaired
Special education—visually impaired
Reading specialist
Program specialist—English as a second language

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania also offers certificate endorsements in areas such as autism spectrum disorders and instructional coaching.

Salary and Job Outlook for Education Program Specialists

According to Payscale, as of June 2025, the median annual salary for education program specialists was approximately $53,500. Those in the top 10% of the salary range had a median salary of about $160,000, while individuals in the lowest 10% of the salary range had a median salary of about $42,000. Salaries can vary based on factors such as an individual’s employer, geographic location, and years of experience.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not make employment projections specifically for education program specialists, but its projections for related occupations offer an indication of the employment outlook for education program specialists. For example, the BLS projects:

Growth of 2% in positions for instructional coordinators from 2023 to 2033, with openings for 20,100 instructional coordinators expected to be available each year
Growth of 12% in positions for training and development specialists from 2023 to 2033, with openings for 42,200 training and development specialists expected to be available each year

In addition, when the National Center for Education Statistics surveyed school leaders in 2024, 34% of those who responded reported that they were understaffed in the area of special education, indicating a promising job outlook for program specialists in special education.

Enhance the Education System by Becoming an Education Program Specialist

With their specialized expertise, education program specialists have the opportunity to improve education processes and help maximize educational outcomes for students. Their services can be instrumental in strengthening approaches to education and ensuring that students’ educational journeys are successful.

Individuals who are interested in pursuing education program specialist roles in special education can explore Wilson College Online’s B.A. in Special Education program or Master of Special Education program to learn how the program can help them reach their career goals. With coursework that provides knowledge and skills in key subjects such as pedagogical approaches and inclusive classrooms, our education programs prepare students for a meaningful career in special education .

Start advancing on your career path in education today.

Recommended Readings

How to Become a Special Education Teacher

Special Education Teacher Salary and Career Overview

5 Child Care Careers With a Degree in Education

Sources:

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Certificates in Pennsylvania Types and Codes

Google for Education, Certification Looks Good on You—and Your Resume

Google for Education, Empowering Certified GEG Leaders Through Community

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, Choosing the Right Certificate

National Center for Education Statistics, “Public School Leaders Reports Suggest No Overall Change in the Number of Teaching Positions Since Last School Year”

National Science Teaching Association, Educational Specialist Job Description