Ed.D. Plus New Jersey Principal/School Administrator Certification
- Degrees & Programs
- Download the program guide (includes course list and application requirements)
- Review the Ed.D. FAQ page
- Contact the Ed.D. director, Dr. Tanja Sargent
Program Overview
For more information about this program:
Program Details
Application Deadline
January 15
Entry Term(s)
Summer
Program Level
Doctoral
Program Type
Degree
Format
Hybrid
Credits
75
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What You’ll Learn
Students who complete this 75-credit program will exit having developed theoretical frameworks and critical perspectives needed to use research to both address issues, and effectively influence change in the educational communities they serve. The core courses of the Ed.D. program will explore topics including the sociocultural foundations of education, the history of educational reform, and educational leadership as it relates to communities and organizational change, amongst others. Courses required for the Educational Leadership concentration will prompt deeper inquiry into subjects such as organizational theory, leadership and social justice, and assessment, data, and analysis. Through shared exploratory learning and problem-solving exercises, students will gain common knowledge, form a supportive network of scholarly practitioners concerned with similar issues, and develop real-world, research-backed skills to address the challenges of the 21st-century educator.Furthermore, the coursework in this pathway prepares candidates for principal certification and leadership positions in New Jersey public and private K-12 schools and higher education institutions. According to the State of New Jersey Department of Education, these positions may include assistant principal, vice-principal, principal, director, or assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. Principal certification authorizes candidates to provide educational leadership and direction as it pertains to the objectives, policies, and budgets of the school systems they serve. Principal certification holders may also participate in supervising and developing school operations and education programs, evaluating school staff, and providing strategic guidance to school leaders and practitioners to promote high-quality, culturally-competent instruction.
For more information about the courses in this program, please visit the course catalog and online schedule of classes.
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Program Requirements
This program typically takes just 4-5 years to complete and requires:
- 75 Graduate Course Credits
- 6 Credits – Completed in the 1st Summer
- 6 Credits – Completed in the 1st Fall
- 6 Credits – Completed in the 1st Spring
- 6 Credits – Completed in the 2nd Summer
- 6 Credits – Completed in the 2nd Fall
- 6 Credits – Completed in the 2nd Spring
- 6 Credits – Completed in the 3rd Summer
- 4 Credits – Completed in the 3rd Fall—one course plus a 1 credit 150 hour internship
- 4 Credits – Completed in the 3rd Spring—one course plus a 1 credit 150 hour internship
- 6 Credits – Completed in the 4th Summer (Dissertation)
- 6/7 Credits – Completed in the 4th Fall (Dissertation) 6 credits of dissertation plus a 1 credit 150 hour internship if pursuing a school administrator certification
- 6 Credits – Completed in the 3rd Spring (Dissertation)
- 6 Credits – Completed in the 4th Summer (Dissertation)
- Dissertation
- The Ed.D. culminates with a yearlong dissertation experience. The dissertation requires students to identify and investigate a problem of practice systematically using current literature, and inquiry methodology. Students are to write a final report that is presented publicly that may include a conference presentation, journal article or book chapter, or presentation to a local community. Students will have the option of working on their dissertation projects individually or in groups organized around key topics of interest. Students may also choose to pursue more traditional dissertations.
- 75 Graduate Course Credits
- Faculty
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Careers and Outcomes
Graduates of the Ed.D. program who pursue the Educational Leadership concentration are prepared to be change agents in the educational communities they serve. Educators working in traditional K-12 school settings who complete the program may go on to pursue roles including school superintendent, school principal, and other leadership roles at the school, district, or state level. The program may also position graduates for advanced roles in higher education, such as professor, provost, dean, or school executive. Other opportunities exist outside traditional school settings, including nonprofit, government, and private consultant or advisory roles.
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Admissions Requirements
- Electronic copy of a New Jersey Standard Instructional Certificate.
- Verification from the applicant’s current or previous supervisor or HR department, on school district letterhead, certifying the completion of five years of successful, full-time employment under a New Jersey Instructional Certificate.
- Personal statement
- Current Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Academic writing sample
- Undergraduate and graduate transcripts
- (Optional) 1-2 letters of recommendation
Applicants must have a master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
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How to Apply
Applications are submitted online at the Graduate Admissions website: http://gradstudy.rutgers.edu/1. Click on “Create Account or Login” and follow the instructions given.2. Under “Start an application today!”, click Apply NowApplication Selection3. For “Level of Application”, select Graduate4. For “Applicant Type”, select Degree5. Continue filling out the application, following the on-screen instructions.Program of Study6. Under “Program Information”, make sure Degree is selected for “Applicant Type”7. For “Degree Type”, select Doctoral’s (e.g. PhD, EdD, DNP)For “Area of Study”, select Education9. For “Location/Instructional Method”, select New Brunswick10. For “Program Selection”, select Education – Educational Leadership (EDD) New Brunswick11. Complete the rest of the application by providing the requested information.12. Enter payment information for the non-refundable application fee.13. Submit your application.14. Once you have been admitted to the EdD in Ed Leadership program, contact the EdD K-12 Ed Leadership concentration coordinator melinda.mangin@gse.rutgers.edu and the GSE Office of Student and Academic Services (OSAS) at academic.services@gse.rutgers.edu and let them know your intention to participate in the EdD Plus Principal Certification pathway so that they can guide you through the steps to simultaneously enroll in the principal/superintendent endorsement program.
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Tuition & Financial Assistance
Tuition:
For tuition and fees information please visit the tuition landing page.
Financial Aid:
While students are encouraged to apply for federal student aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), there are a number of other merit- and need-based support options, including loans and college work-study programs within and external to Rutgers. For more information, please visit the Office of Financial Aid website.
Scholarships, Fellowships & Assistantships:
Generous GSE alumni, friends, and community members have established and continue to donate to more than one dozen fellowships and scholarships to help deserving students reach their goals. These awards are granted on the basis of academic achievement and or financial need. While these awards are competitive, interested students are encouraged to apply for consideration and submit the required materials. Students must also submit a FAFSA application to be eligible.
To review all current awards and learn more about the donors that established them, please click here.