Non-degree Supervisor Endorsement Program

    Program Overview

    The non-degree Supervisor Endorsement Program offered at the GSE is nationally certified by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and allows certified teachers to take coursework that leads to New Jersey Department of Education certification as a supervisor within an elementary or secondary school setting. Students who enroll in this program typically seek to advance in their current role and demonstrate the core competencies needed to be effective leaders in public and private K-12 schools or higher education institutions. Candidates commonly continue to work for local school districts, charter schools, or other educational institutions while completing the required coursework. The program curriculum includes courses focusing on curriculum development at various levels, school administration, and supervision of instruction.

    This 12-credit endorsement program is available only to individuals who hold a New Jersey Standard Instructional Certificate or Educational Services Certificate, or its out-of-state equivalent. Three years of full-time teaching experience is also required. The program is not aligned with any specific degree program, does not lead to a degree of any kind, and is usually completed at the New Brunswick campus with some online classes available. All 12 credits in the endorsement program must be completed at Rutgers University. No transfer credits will be accepted. 


    Program Goals as of 2022-2023
    (Last updated: 10/6/2022)

    Knowledge/Understanding 

    • Students will develop understandings of: 
      • how knowledge of adult and teacher development and alternative supervisory practices can help break the norm of mediocracy found in typical schools; 
      • how their own interpersonal behaviors affect individuals as well as groups of teachers; 
      • the technical skills of observing, planning, assessing, implementing, and evaluating instructional improvement; and  
      • supervisory technical tasks of direct assistance, evaluation of teaching, group development, professional development, curriculum development, and action research.  

    Communication/Community Building 

    • Students will develop understandings about:  
      • the provision of personal, ongoing contact with the individual teacher to observe and assist in classroom instruction; 
      • the gathering of teachers to make decisions on mutual instructional concerns; 
      • fostering democracy, moral action, professional learning, and inquiry in schools; 
      • engaging the larger community in a collaborative effort to improve the school and community; 
      • planning the tasks of supervision to bring together the school community’s goals and teacher needs into a single fluid entity; and 
      • the unification of individual teacher needs with organizational goals in a “cause beyond oneself” to promote powerful instruction and improved student learning.  

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) 

    • Students will develop understandings about:  
      • facilitating change by both assisting innovation and developing the capacity of the school and teachers to change with a changing environment; 
      • developing both culturally responsive teachers and culturally responsive schools to ensure equity for all; 
      • providing to teachers high-quality professional development that addresses equity and diversity and aligning classroom instruction with the culture and mission of the school; and  
      • teaching and learning in relation to marginalized economic, racial, and ethnic groups; sexual and gender minorities; and students with disabilities.  

    Research/Professional Practice 

    • Students will develop an understanding of engaging in action research, which is the systematic study by a faculty of what is happening in the classroom and school with the aid of improving learning.  
    • Students will engage in evidence/research-based best practices to inform supervisory support to teachers.  

    Assessment 

    • Students will develop an understanding about the assessment/evaluation of teaching at the individual, team, and school levels. 
    • Students will develop an understanding about curriculum development, including evaluation/assessment, revision, and modification of the content, plans, and materials of classroom instruction.  
    • Students will evaluate, identify, and use teacher evaluation models and approaches for effective evaluation of instructional practice.  

    Professional Development/Critical Self-Reflection 

    • Students will develop understandings about providing high-quality professional development to teachers in order to:  
      • improve/support the quality of student learning for all students in the teacher’s classes; 
      • expand the professional capacity of each teacher;
      • refine/increase use of technology in the classroom; and  
      • promote collaborative activities with other professionals in the school.  

    For more information about this program:

    Program Details

    Application Deadline

    Aug 15 / Dec 15 / May 15

    Entry Term(s)

    Fall / Spring / Summer

    Program Level

    Non-degree

    Program Type

    Certification

    Format

    Online

    Credits

    12

  • What You’ll Learn

    Through research-driven curriculum and guidance from expert faculty, candidates enrolled in this program will deepen their knowledge of educational administration and refine their leadership skills to promote effective teaching and in turn, students’ academic success and well-being. Coursework will focus on topics including curriculum development at various levels, school administration, and supervision of instruction. Graduates of the program will possess the ability to develop and support academically rigorous, equitable systems of curriculum, instruction, and assessment that effectively facilitate student learning and academic success.

    For more information about the courses in this program, please visit the course catalog and online schedule of classes.

  • Program Requirements

    12 Graduate Course Credits

    • 3 Credits – Curriculum and Instruction
    • 3 Credits – Supervision of Instruction
    • 6 Credits from the Following:
        • 3 Credits – Curriculum Development in the Elementary School
        • 3 Credits – Curriculum and Instruction for the Gifted
        • 3 Credits – Curriculum Development in the Secondary School
        • 3 Credits – Curriculum of Middle and Junior High School
        • 3 Credits – Administration and Supervision of Elementary and Secondary Schools

    Students are expected to maintain a “B” or better average as a non-degree student. Accepted students will have 5 years to complete the program. After completing all of the required courses in the program, students should contact the Office of Academic Services at the GSE to notify them and to secure an application for the state endorsement. GSE personnel will then forward the completed application to Trenton along with a recommendation that the certification be awarded.

    Additional Requirements for New Jersey Certification:

    To be certified as a supervisor in New Jersey, graduates of the GSE’s non-degree Supervisor Endorsement Program must also complete state mandated administrative training in the prevention of harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB). We can accept any HIB/anti-bullying training that you’ve completed through your school district.

  • Careers and Outcomes

    The non-degree Supervisor Endorsement Program at the GSE prepares candidates for supervisor certification and managing roles in New Jersey public and private K-12 schools and higher education institutions. These positions may include supervisor of instruction, but also other nontraditional school staff roles such as athletic director. Supervisor certification authorizes candidates to provide strategic guidance and ongoing direction for instructional personnel to support student success.

  • Admissions Requirements
    • Electronic copy of a New Jersey Standard Instructional Certificate or Educational Services Certificate.
    • Statement of Program Intent
    • Verification of experience from the applicant’s current or previous supervisor or HR department, on school district letterhead, certifying the completion of three years of successful, full-time employment under a New Jersey Standard Instructional Certificate
    • Graduate transcripts

    Applicants are responsible for reviewing and confirming that they meet all requirements before the application is submitted. Rutgers Graduate School of Education will not refund the application fee if an applicant is not accepted.

  • How to Apply

    Current Rutgers University Students:

    All applicants who are currently enrolled in a program at Rutgers University and wish to begin the certificate program while continuing their current program should contact the GSE Office of Student and Academic Services (OSAS) at academic.services@gse.rutgers.edu.

    Non-Rutgers University Students:

    1. Collect the materials required for admission
    2. Submit your application online at http://gradstudy.rutgers.edu/
    3. Submit supporting materials online
    4. Any supporting materials that cannot be submitted electronically should be mailed to Graduate Admissions’ New Brunswick office. Their mailing address can be found here: https://gradstudy.rutgers.edu/about/contact-us
  • Tuition

    Tuition:

    Click here for the New Brunswick Graduate tuition rates.

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