Educational Leadership Degree Programs in New Jersey

Educational leadership degree programs can help both aspiring and existing education professionals enhance or further their career possibilities. According to the United States Department of Labor, these careers are currently growing by approximately 10 percent (which is slightly faster than average for all careers) and are expected to continue this pace until about the year 2026. These positions pay quite well also: The average salary for educational administrators in 2017 was slightly over $90,000 per year according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

And for those individuals who would like to earn their degrees in New Jersey, they will be glad to know that there are many great accredited schools here that offer excellent programs in educational leadership. No matter whether prospective students wish to earn a graduate certificate, master’s degree, doctoral degree, or specialist degree, there is sure to be a school that will help them reach their career goals. Eight of these schools, along with their respective educational leadership degree programs are discussed briefly in the passages that follow.

Kean University

Nathan Weiss Graduate College

The Nathan Weiss Graduate College at Kean University offers more than two dozen graduate programs in a variety of disciplines that are popular today. Programs are led by experts in their respective fields and are designed to accommodate the needs of both part-time and full-time students. Many of the Graduate College’s programs also provide online or hybrid instruction for working professionals or other students, who for one reason or another, cannot attend on-campus courses. In addition to educational leadership, the Nathan Weiss Graduate College offers programs in such other disciplines as occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, accounting, criminal justice, exercise science, public administration, and nursing.

Ed.D. in Educational Leadership

Nathan Weiss Graduate College’s Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership degree program is designed for aspiring educational leaders who are interested in kindergarten through 12th grade administration. Through a comprehensive integration of coursework and hands-on practical experience, graduates of this program will be prepared for state certification as educational administrators. Students who would like to earn this degree will need to complete a minimum of 90 credit hours of coursework, 36 of which may be transferred from a relevant master’s degree program. Some of the courses required for this program include Public School Administration, Management of Educational Finance, School Laws and Policies, and Educational Research.

Accreditations

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Educational Leadership Constituent Council

Contact

1000 Morris Ave.
Union, NJ 07083
(908)737-5977
locascst@kean.edu
https://www.kean.edu/academics/programs/educational-leadership-edd

Monmouth University

School of Education

Monmouth University’s College of Education houses four distinct departments that offer programs in the following areas of study: curriculum and instruction, speech and language pathology, special education, and educational counseling and leadership. The college offers both undergraduate and graduate-level programs in a variety of fields including elementary and secondary teaching, early childhood education, educational leadership, educational counseling, special education, applied behavior analysis, and autism studies. The college also provides certification training in such areas as learning disabilities, English as a second language, and student assistance coordinators.

Ed.D. in Educational Leadership

The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership degree program provided by Monmouth University’s School of Education requires students to complete a total of 54 credit hours of coursework. This program can be completed in around two years and requires both on-campus and online participation. The application deadline to begin the requirements for this degree in the fall of each year is July 15. The courses in this curriculum focus on five areas of educational leadership: leadership and learning, policies and procedures, transformative leadership, research and assessments, and leadership project preparation. The leadership project courses are designed to help students prepare their dissertations, which are required for graduation.

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
The National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education

Contact

400 Cedar Ave.
W. Long Branch, New Jersey 07764
(732)263-5492
bbragen@monmouth.edu
https://www.monmouth.edu/graduate/edd/

Montclair State University

The Graduate School

Montclair State University’s Graduate School currently offers programs in nearly 100 different disciplines. Student’s who would like to enroll in Montclair State University’s Graduate School can choose to attend courses during the day, in the evening, or even on weekends. Some courses are also offered partially or fully online. For students who are interested in earning a graduate degree in the field of education, the Graduate School currently offers programs in such areas as music education, school counseling, student affairs, educational leadership, gifted and talented education, mathematics education, teacher education, and teacher development.

MA in Educational Leadership

The Graduate School’s MA in Educational Leadership degree program can be completed either on campus or fully online. Persons who are interested in this program must have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study and at least five years of experience in education. They will also need to submit a short essay pertaining to education, an updated professional resume, and two professional letters of recommendation. This is a 36 credit hour program that consists of such courses as Leadership and the Learning Organization, Ethical Leadership and Decision-Making, Leadership Skills in Communication, Using Research for School Improvement, and School and Community Relations.

Accreditations

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Educational Leadership Constituent Council

Contact

1 Normal Avenue
Montclair, New Jersey 07043
(973)655-5189
bulkley@montclair.edu
https://www.montclair.edu/graduate/programs-of-study/educational-leadership-ma/

Rider University

College of Education and Human Services

The College of Education and Human Services at Rider University offers a broad range of programs on both undergraduate and graduate degree levels. All graduate degree programs require participation in internships prior to graduation, and many programs allow online learning to accommodate working professionals. To promote supportive learning environments, classes are typically smaller than average. Current areas of study within the field of education include principal leadership, school counseling, teacher leadership, special education, early childhood teaching, educational leadership, bilingual education, and elementary education.

Doctor of Educational Leadership (Ed.D.)

Rider University’s Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership degree program is a hybrid program, which means that while most of the coursework can be completed online, students will need to complete a certain amount of work on campus as well. During this 51 credit hour program, students will examine a variety of issues pertaining to education including resource allocation, politics and governance, educational reform, educational accountability, and instructional leadership. Students are also required to participate in various e-lectures (classes that are conducted via virtual classrooms) and a two-week long residency during the month of July.

Accreditations

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
The National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education

Contact

2083 Lawrenceville Rd.
Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648
(609)895-5471
lgoduto@rider.edu
https://www.rider.edu/academics/colleges-schools/college-education-human-services/graduate-programs/leadership-programs/doctor-of-educational-leadership

Rowan University

College of Education

Rowan University’s College of Education is comprised of five departments: Educational Services and Leadership; Interdisciplinary and Inclusive Education; the Center for Access, Success, and Equity; Science, Technology, Math, Engineering, and Arts Education; and Language, Sociocultural, and Literacy Education. Withing the Department of Educational Services and Leadership, students will discover several programs leading to graduate degrees. A sample of the areas of study offered by the department include school administration, educational leadership, principal preparation, educational counseling, health professions education, and school psychology.

Ed.D. in Educational Leadership

The doctoral program in educational leadership offered by Rowan University’s College of Education can be completed either online or in a hybrid format. This program offers four areas of specialty: P-12th grades, higher education, community college, and nursing educator. To graduate from the program, students will need to complete a dissertation and three short on-campus residencies spread out over the duration of the program. This is a 60 credit hour degree that includes such required courses as Action Research in Educational Leadership, Diversity in Educational Leadership, Current Issues in Higher Education, Applied Ethics of Educational Leadership, and Changing Organizations.

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

Contact

201 Mullica Hill Rd.
Glassboro, NJ 08028
(856)256-4500
johnsona@rowan.edu
https://academics.rowan.edu/education/programs/departments/edServLead/eduleadership/edd/index.html

Seton Hall University

College of Education and Human Services

Seton Hall University’s College of Education and Human Services dates back to 1920 when the college offered just six courses in education. Today, it offers a wide array of programs in many different areas of study. Both undergraduate and graduate degrees are provided by the college in such disciplines as special education, instructional design and technology, library media specialist, education leadership, K-12 school administration, school psychology, professional counseling, marriage and family therapy, and student affairs.

Ed.D., Higher Education Leadership, Management and Policy

The Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Leadership degree program provided by Seton Hall University is a 90 credit hour program that offers two track options: college teaching, and management and administration. The program allows students to transfer up to 45 credits from a relevant master’s degree program. Before entering this program, students are required to complete a 15 credit core cluster that includes five basic courses in higher education. The professional program consists of two additional clusters: the professional cluster and the dissertation preparation cluster. Samples of the courses included in these clusters are Faculty Personnel Policies, Diversity in Higher Education, College Student Affairs, and Statistical Methods.

Ph.D., Higher Education Leadership, Management and Policy

Seton Hall University’s Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership program focuses on four important areas of educational leadership: the academic profession, administration and educational policies, organizational culture and change, and international and comparative higher education. Before entering into this program, students are required to pass a qualifying written exam. Upon passing this exam successfully, they will then need to complete a variety of graduate coursework such as Comparative Studies, Curriculum and Instruction, Finance of Higher Education, Program Evaluation, Applied Quantitative Research, and Advanced Qualitative Research.

M.A./Ed.S., Education Leadership, Catholic School Leadership

The M.A. and Ed.S. in Education Leadership degree programs offered by Seton Hall University are designed for educational professionals who would like to obtain leadership positions in Catholic schools. These are two-year programs that prepare students for state certification as principals or educational supervisors. Courses required for the M.A. and Ed.S. Education Leadership programs focus on both contemporary educational issues as well as Catholic traditions. Current coursework for this program includes Principals as Servant Leaders; Catholic Identity, Culture, and Ethos; Leadership Dynamics; and Curriculum Development and Evaluation.

Accreditations

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
The National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education
The Educational Leadership Constituent Council

Contact

400 S. Orange Avenue
South Orange, New Jersey 07079
(973)761-9668
Ed.D., Higher Education Leadership: martin.finkelstein@shu.edu
http://www.shu.edu/academics/edd-higher-education-leadership-management-policy-index.cfm
Ph.D., Higher Education Leadership: martin.finkelstein@shu.edu
http://www.shu.edu/academics/phd-higher-education-leadership-management-policy-index.cfm
M.A./Ed.S., Education Leadership: Constance.McCue@shu.edu
http://www.shu.edu/academics/ma-eds-catholic-school-leadership.cfm

The College of New Jersey

School of Education

The College of New Jersey’s School of Education has been offering top-quality programs since the year 1855. The school is split into four separate departments: educational administration and secondary education; counselor education; special education, literacy, and language; and elementary and early childhood education. The Department of Educational Administration and Secondary Education offers undergraduate, graduate, and certificate-level training in several popular areas of study including educational leadership, teacher leadership, educational supervisor, mathematics, history/social studies, economics, and English.

Educational Leadership M.Ed.

Students seeking admission to the Masters of Education in Educational Leadership program offered by the College of New Jersey must provide the school with two letters of recommendation, a short essay, and a current professional resume. They must also provide proof of teacher certification and work experience. To graduate from the program, they will be required to complete an internship as well as a minimum of 33 credit hours of coursework. Examples of some of the courses included in the program are Cultural Foundations of Education, Group Dynamics for Educational Leaders, Curriculum Theory and Practice, Advanced School Leadership, School Finance, and School Law.

Accreditations

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
The National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education

Contact

2000 Pennington Road
Ewing, New Jersey 08628
(609)771-2100
leake@tcnj.edu
https://ease.tcnj.edu/graduate/educational-leadership/

William Paterson University

College of Education

William Paterson University’s College of Education offers some of the best educational programs in New Jersey. The college provides both graduate and undergraduate degrees in a variety of disciplines including elementary education, higher education administration, school counseling, special education, educational leadership, and curriculum and learning. For students looking to earn graduate certificates, the College of Education provides certificates in such areas as bilingual education, learning disabilities, special education, reading specialist, school principal, and school library media specialist.

MEd Educational Leadership

The Master of Education in Educational Leadership degree program at William Paterson University is a hybrid program that requires both online and traditional on-campus participation. Students who would like to enroll in this program will need to sit for an admissions interview, submit two letters of recommendation, and provide the university with proof of five years of work experience in the field of education. An internship is required to graduate from the program, and students will also need to complete 39 credit hours of coursework that includes such courses as Supervision and Evaluation, School Management Functions, Curriculum Design, Educational Research, and Legal and School-Centered Issues.

Accreditations

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
The Educational Leadership Constituent Council
The National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education

Contact

300 Pompton Rd.
Wayne, NJ 07470
(973)720-3088
fanceras@wpunj.edu

According to the United Stats Bureau of Labor Statistics, educational leadership positions are expected to increase at a rate of about 10 percent for the next several years. And for people who are looking for some of the best educational leadership degree programs in New Jersey, one of the schools described above can help them to fulfill their occupational dreams.