The Department of Educational Leadership and Professional Studies (ELPS) offers graduate study for education professionals who wish to enhance their careers with advanced degrees, certifications, and endorsements. The ELPS Department offers a variety of programs designed to meet graduate students’ personal and professional goals, which may include educational research, teaching, supervising, and providing leadership as directors, principals, librarians, or curriculum specialists at all levels of instruction: elementary, secondary, and higher education. Courses are offered on campus, online, and hybrid.
Degrees We Offer Career Outcomes Learn more about each of our programs: MA in Higher Education Administration The 30-credit master's degree in higher education administration is an advanced and in-depth study of the history, structure, organization and administration of colleges and universities in the United States. Overall concentration is on leadership. University Catalog: View requirements and course descriptions » MEd in Curriculum and Learning with concentrations in Bilingual/ESL, Early Childhood Education, School Library Media, and Teaching Children Mathematics These 33-credit master's degree programs meet the professional development needs of inquiring educators who want to develop in-depth knowledge of theories and trends, research, pedagogical approaches, and applications of educational technology for teaching in one of four areas of specialization. Some courses are offered online or in blended learning environments. Graduates in all concentrations are prepared to become classroom researchers and leaders with a commitment to equity and diversity in curriculum development and reform. Concentrations: • Bilingual/English as a Second Language: This program focuses on developing advanced practitioners in the fields of bilingual education and English for speakers of other languages. As part of the full master's degree program in education, the concentration stresses principles of inquiry, theory, professional applications, and research. • Early Childhood Education: This concentration focuses on inquiry-based learning of developmentally appropriate practice, family involvement, technology, and issues and trends in early childhood education. Students apply theoretical knowledge to action research studies conducted in a variety of early childhood settings. • School Library Media Specialist: This 33-credit online program focuses on developing the school librarian as a teacher, instructional partner, information specialist, reading advocate, and program administrator for preschool through high school grades. • Teaching Children Mathematics: This concentration is designed for teachers who teach mathematics and other subjects in grades K-5 as well as for mathematics-certified middle and high school teachers who seek to increase their pedagogical competence. Program emphasis is on the teaching, learning, and assessment of mathematics in light of current New Jersey State requirements, the NCTM Principles and Standards for School Mathematics, and the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS). University Catalog: View requirements and course descriptions: Bilingual/English as a Second Language » View requirements and course descriptions: Early Childhood Education » View requirements and course descriptions: School Library Media Specialist » View requirements and course descriptions: Teaching Children Mathematics » MEd in Educational Leadership The MEd program in educational leadership is designed for educators interested in responding to societal demands to modify the roles, responsibilities, and relationships of school leaders. This graduate program prepares individuals to move beyond reforming school organizations to transforming them for the twenty-first century. At the conclusion of their studies, graduates embrace collaborative leadership, reflective inquiry, and ethical values that support culturally responsive school leadership. This two-year, 39-credit program incorporates both weekend and summer classes utilizing face-to-face and hybrid teaching formats, as well as a two-year administrative internship experience completed on-site while candidates continue in their current job. This two-year cohort program is intended for candidates who have completed a bachelor's degree and will have completed five years of successful, full-time teaching or educational services experience by program completion. University Catalog: View requirements and course descriptions » MEd in Literacy Reading The MEd in literacy program offers two major concentrations, reading specialist and language arts. The reading specialist concentration is designed for classroom teachers and reading professionals who are interested in extending their knowledge of reading/literacy, teaching, and learning. Graduates of this program may be certified as New Jersey Reading Specialists (pre-K through adult). There are two options in the program. One is for candidates to take a combination of on-campus and online courses. The other option is for candidates to complete course work online, including 20 hours of reading practicum requirements at their respective schools. University Catalog: View requirements and course descriptions » Graduate Certificate: Principal (SCPR) The post-graduate program in educational leadership is designed for educators interested in responding to societal demands to modify the roles, responsibilities, and relationships of school leaders. This post-master's graduate program prepares individuals to move beyond reforming school organizations to transforming them for the twenty-first century. At the conclusion of their studies, graduates embrace collaborative leadership, reflective inquiry, and ethical values that support responsive school leadership. This two-year, 30-credit program incorporates both weekend and summer classes utilizing face-to-face and hybrid teaching formats, as well as a two-year administrative internship experience completed on-site while candidates continue in their current position. This two-year cohort program is intended for candidates who have completed a master's degree and will have completed five years of successful, full-time teaching or educational services experience by program completion. University Catalog: View requirements and course descriptions » Gainful employment disclosure Graduate Certificate: Associate School Library Media Specialist (NJ #2845) The MEd in literacy program offers two major concentrations, reading specialist and language arts. The reading specialist concentration is designed for classroom teachers and reading professionals who are interested in extending their knowledge of reading/literacy, teaching and learning. Graduates of this program may be certified as New Jersey Reading Specialists (Pre-K through adult). There are two options in the program. One is for candidates to take a combination of on-campus and online courses. The other option is for candidates to complete course work online, including 20 hours of reading practicum requirements at their respective schools. University Catalog: View requirements and course descriptions » View requirements and course descriptions; Alternative Route » Gainful employment disclosure Gainful employment disclosure - alternate route Graduate Certificate: School Library Media Specialist (NJ #2855) This online program prepares candidates with a master's degree in library science or another related degree to be recommended for certification as a School Library Media Specialist. This program focuses on training school librarians as teachers, instructional partners, information specialists, reading advocates, and program administrators for preschool through high school grades, leading the way in developing twenty-first century skills. For students without a teaching certificate, alternate route programs are available. University Catalog: View requirements and course descriptions » View requirements and course descriptions; Alternative Route » Gainful employment disclosure Gainful employment disclosure - alternate route Graduate Certificate: Reading Specialist (NJ #3310) This program is designed for experienced and certified teachers who hold a master's degree from an accredited institution. Upon successful completion of the curriculum, the student is eligible for New Jersey certification as a reading specialist. University Catalog: View requirements and course descriptions » Gainful employment disclosure Graduate Certificate: Middle School (5-8) Math (NJ #1102) Each of the courses uses appropriate technology to allow learners to discover knowledge dynamically and emphasizes the NCTM standards of problem solving as a means as well as a goal. Importance is placed on communication of ideas in various means, interrelatedness of math applications, as well as the special NCTM standards for a particular content. University Catalog: View requirements and course descriptions » Gainful employment disclosure Graduate Certificate: Middle School (5-8) Language Arts and Literacy (NJ #1106) This program is designed for teachers who are already certified for elementary grades K-5. The state requires 15 credits of study in the content area to teach at a middle school level. University Catalog: View requirements and course descriptions » Gainful employment disclosure Graduate Certificate: Bilingual (NJ #1480) This program is designed for certified teachers who desire an endorsement to teach in a bilingual-bicultural program. University Catalog: View requirements and course descriptions » Gainful employment disclosure - 30 week program Gainful employment disclosure - 42 week program Graduate Certificate: ESL (NJ #1475) This program is designed for certified teachers seeking an endorsement as a teacher of English as a Second Language. University Catalog: View requirements and course descriptions » Gainful employment disclosure Graduate Certificate: Supervisory (NJ #0106) This post-graduate 12-credit endorsement program prepares teachers for a variety of supervisory positions. University Catalog: View requirements and course descriptions » Gainful employment disclosure MA in Higher Education Administration The program is designed to enhance the professional and career development of current and future managers, leaders, and executives within institutions of higher education. MEd in Curriculum and Learning Bilingual/English as a Second Language Concentration: Students who are New Jersey certified teachers may also pursue, with additional requirements, an endorsement as either bilingual and /or ESL teachers. MEd in Curriculum and Learning Early Childhood Education Concentration: Students are prepared to develop innovative curricula and take leadership roles in the field of early childhood education. Some of the courses in the concentration count toward the 12-credit New Jersey Supervisory Certificate. MEd in Curriculum and Learning: School Library Media Specialist You will have the opportunity to lead the way in developing twenty-first century skills, with an option for endorsement as a School Library Media Specialist (36 credits in total). MEd in Curriculum and Learning: Teaching Children Mathematics Concentration Graduates are prepared to become grade level leaders of mathematics education in their schools. Principles of inquiry and applications for classroom research are emphasized throughout the program. Some of the courses in the concentration count toward the 12-credit New Jersey Supervisory Certificate. MEd in Educational Leadership Upon successful completion of this two-year cohort master's program, candidates receive their MEd in educational leadership, supervisory endorsement, and after successfully passing the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) Praxis exam, candidates are eligible for principal licensure by the New Jersey Department of Education. MEd in Literacy with concentrations in Reading or Language Arts The program is designed to prepare graduate students who are certified teachers to work professionally in the highly specialized field of reading and writing to P-12 students. Graduates are also qualified to work with college-level students and adults who are experiencing literacy problems. Some of the courses in the concentration count toward the 12-credit New Jersey Supervisory Certificate. Graduate Certificate: Principal (SCPR) Upon successful completion of this two-year cohort based certification program and after successfully passing the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) Praxis exam, candidates are eligible for principal licensure by the New Jersey Department of Education. Options exist for an additional 6 credits to also obtain the supervisory endorsement. Graduate Certificate: Associate School Library Media Specialist (NJ #2845) This program prepares candidates to be recommended for certification as an Associate School Library Media Specialist in all New Jersey public schools under the supervision of a certified school administrator, principal, or supervisor. Graduate Certificate: School Library Media Specialist (NJ #2855) A certification as a School Library Media Specialist will enable students to acquire an endorsement to work in all public schools in New Jersey as a school librarian. Graduate Certificate: Reading Specialist (NJ #3310) Graduates will be certified in New Jersey to be a reading/literacy coach or specialist. Some of the courses in the concentration count toward the 12-credit New Jersey Supervisory Certificate. Graduate Certificate: Middle School (5-8) Language Arts and Literacy (NJ #1106) The endorsement entitles teachers to teach language arts and literacy full-time in grades 5 through 8. Graduate Certificate: Bilingual (NJ #1480) Graduates will be eligible to teach in bilingual-bicultural programs. Graduate Certificate: ESL (NJ #1475) Graduates will be eligible to teach in ESL programs. Graduate Certificate: Supervisory (NJ #0106) This endorsement authorizes the holder to be employed as a supervisor of instruction and athletic director (for those who do not hold a principal's endorsement) as well as an assistant superintendent in charge of curriculum and/or instruction in public schools.
