2020-2021 Graduate Catalog > Colleges/Programs by College > Nathan Weiss Graduate College > Department of Educational Leadership

Department of Educational Leadership

Dr. Steven LoCascio, Executive Director

Location: EC205-E
Contact Number: 908-737-5977
Email: locascst@kean.edu

Degrees Offered:

• Masters of Arts in Educational Administration 

• Doctor of Educational Leadership (Ed.D)

• Content Area Options: 

• Option: Principal and Supervisor (MA)

• Option: School Business Administrator (MA)

• Option: Supervisor, Principal, and School Business Administrator (MA)

*Each of the above areas also offers a Post-Master’s certification area
Post Master’s Certificate-Supervisor
Post Master’s Certificate-Digital Leadership

Additional certification requirements:
Students interested in obtaining a certification upon degree conferral or completion of a post master’s certification certificate must submit a separate application. Please visit the Office of Teacher Certification for information regarding those instructions and the NJ Department of Education for information regarding the requirements specific to the respective certification.

Program Accreditation:
This program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Admissions Requirements:
MA Requirements: (Principal-Supervisor-School Business administrator certificate)

• Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited College or University

• Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (lower GPA’s will be considered based on overall strength of application)

• New Jersey or out-of-state Standard Instructional or Educational Services Certificate

• Three years of experience under the appropriate certificate* 

*Please note that in order to receive a supervisor's certificate, a minimum of 3 years of full time teaching is required. The requirement to receive a principal's certification is 5 years of full time experience. A candidate is unable to ascertain certification without this requirement being met. This requirement is not applicable to the school business administrator certificate

• Official transcripts from all institutions attended

• Submit GRE (Graduate Record Exam) or MAT (Miller Analogies Test) scores GRE/MAT is waived for applicants who meet least one of the following criteria established by the Kean University Nathan Weiss Graduate College.

• Have earned a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university AND have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher.

• Have successfully completed a graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution. The date the Master's Degree is conferred must be prior to the application deadline.

• Two Letters of Recommendation

• Personal statement

• Professional Resume/CV

• Official TOEFL or IELTS score reports

POST MA Requirements: (Principal-Supervisor-school business administrator certificate-digital leadership)

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university

• 3.0 cumulative grade point average (lower GPA’s will be considered based on overall strength of application)

• Official transcripts from all institutions attended

• Have earned a master’s degree from an accredited college or university AND have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher.

• Have successfully completed a graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution. The date the master's degree is conferred must be prior to the application deadline.

• Three years of experience under the appropriate certificate*

* Please note that in order to receive a supervisor's certificate, a minimum of 3 years of full time teaching is required. The requirement to receive a principal's certification is 5 years of full time experience. A candidate is unable to ascertain certification without this requirement being met. This requirement does not apply to the school business administrator certificate or the digital leadership certificate).

• Two letters of recommendation

• Departmental interview may be required

• Personal statement

• Professional Resume/CV

• Official TOEFL or IELTS score reports

Doctorate (Ed.D)

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university

• Statement of purpose

• Official transcripts of all colleges or universities attended

• 3.0 minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) in last degree attained (lower GPA’s may be considered based overall strength of application)

• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) taken within 5 years of application

• Professional Resume/CV

• Substantial experience working in education or family support agencies

• Two letters of recommendation

• Letter of Endorsement from a Superintendent or Agency Director

• All applicants for the Doctorate of Education in Urban Leadership (Ed.D.) are required to submit a letter of endorsement from the Chief Administrator of their school district, charter school or community education agency that indicates they will support and mentor the candidate in the internship. For a public school, the endorsement letter should come from the Superintendent. For a charter school, the endorsement letter should come from the Director of the school or the President of the Board. For a community education agency, the endorsement letter should come from the Director of the agency.

• Official TOEFL or IELTS score reports

The Doctor of Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) requires the completion of 90 credits beyond a bachelor’s degree. Candidates who already possess a master’s degree in Educational Administration/Leadership will be eligible for full admission, meaning 36 credits of Master’s level courses will be applied towards the the Ed.D. Students with a master’s degree in a related discipline may be conditionally admitted until the prerequisites listed below, or course equivalents, are completed.
It is anticipated that candidates will enter the program with a master’s degree with work comparable to that listed below. Up to 36 graduate credits are eligible to be applied towards the doctoral program if they meet the requirements similar to the following master’s level course work at Kean.
(The program director will analyze candidates’ transcripts and decide which courses will be accepted.)
*Candidates entering the Ed.D program are not eligible for certification as principal, supervisor, or school business administrator.

Start terms:

• MA and Post MA Certificate programs can begin Every Fall, Spring or Summer
• Ed.D is a cohort based program and admits students in the Fall Semester Only

Declaration Requirements:

In order to receive a degree or complete a certificate program of the department, all students must

• Maintain a 3.0 GPA

• Submit evidence of a passing Praxis I exam and documentation of five years of experience as a teacher or school services personnel for state certification as a principal.

• Submit evidence of three years of experience as a teacher or school services personnel for state certification as a supervisor

Graduation Requirements:
Students must have a 3.0 GPA in order to graduate from all programs of the department

Program Description: 

MA-Principal/Supervisor 

The Master of Arts in Educational Administration, Principal and Supervisor option is designed to train individuals for the positions of school principal and general supervisor in the K-12 setting. Completion of the program qualifies the individual who holds a New Jersey instructional certificate or educational services certificate, and has had three years’ experience, for certification as a general supervisor, K-12, and five years’ experience for principal certification, K-12. Program completion satisfies the degree and subject matter preparation requirements for a Certificate of Eligibility as a principal. Principal certification candidates also must pass a written State required examination; obtain an offer of employment in a position requiring the principal’s endorsement; and complete a two-year mentored residency following graduation as mandated by the New Jersey Department of Education. 

Post Master’s Principal/Supervisor

The Graduate Certification Program for Principals is designed for students who possess a master’s de¬gree, have five years’ experience teaching or in educational services and wish only to receive certification as a Principal/Supervisor. *Supervisor’s certificate only requires three years of full time experience teaching or in educational services. These requirements are mandated by the New Jersey Department of Education. 

Post Master’s/Supervisor

The Graduate Certification Program for Supervisors is designed for students who possess a master’s degree, have taught three years and wish only to receive certification as a supervisor. This requirement is mandated by the New Jersey Department of Education. Students holding this credential are able to head a department or unit in the public schools of New Jersey.

MA-School Business Administrator

The Master of Arts in Educational Administration for School Business Administrators option is designed to prepare individuals for the position of School Business Administrator.
Completion of this program satisfies the degree requirements for New Jersey certification as a school business administrator, providing all other State certification requirements are met. The program offered by Kean University has been approved by the State. Under the requirements, in addition to possession of a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a recognized field of administration, a certificate of eligibility will be granted

by the State only when the candidate obtains and completes a State-approved mentorship in a local district.

Post MA-School Business Administrator 

The Educational Administration program's School Business Administrators option is designed to train individuals for the position of School Business Administrator. Completion of this program satisfies the degree requirements for the New Jersey certification as a school business administrator, providing all other State certification requirements are met. The program offered by Kean University has been approved by the State. Under the requirements, in addition to possession of a bachelor's or master's degree in a recognized field of administration, a certificate of eligibility will be granted by the State only when the candidate obtains and completes a State-approved mentorship in a local district.

MA-Combined-Principal’s, Supervisor’s, School Business Administrator

The Master of Arts in Educational Administration, Supervisor, Principal and School Business Administrator option is designed to prepare candidates for certification as principals, supervisors, and school business administrators. Students who complete this program will be eligible to receive certificates of eligibility. Full certification for principals is granted by the State after successful completion of a mentoring program and the State-approved examination. Full certification for SBA's is granted by the State after successful completion of a mentoring program. No exam or mentoring programs are required for supervisors.

This program is in compliance with the requirements of the New Jersey State Department of Education Code.
Post MA-Combined-Principal’s, Supervisor’s, School Business Administrator

The program is designed to prepare candidates for certification as principals, supervisors and school business administrators. Students who complete the program will be eligible to receive the respective Certificates of Eligibility (CE). Full certification for principals is granted by the State after successful completion of a mentoring program and the State-approved examination. Full certification for SBA's is granted by the State after successfully completion of a mentoring program. No examinations or mentoring programs are required for supervisors. This program is in compliance with the requirements of the New Jersey State Department of Education code.

Post MA-Digital Leadership

The Graduate Certificate Program for Digital Leadership is designed for students who possess a master’s degree, are interested in the field of educational leadership, and wish to receive a certificate that assures they can use digital technology to supplement their roles as leaders. Please note that this certificate leads to a University issued certificate only. 

Ed.D-Educational Leadership

The Kean University Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program is dedicated to developing the next generation of educational leaders. With a focus on K-12 administration in public and charter schools, the doctoral program prepares future administrators with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively lead school districts and educational organizations.

The curriculum, based on an innovative, interdisciplinary, professional oriented model, integrates coursework and practical experience, culminating in a full-year internship in a school district or community education agency.

The Kean Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is designed to create an advanced and diverse learning environment which supports personal and professional growth.