COURSE CURRICULUM

The Educational Leadership Program at Fairleigh Dickinson University is a 33-credit MA designed to prepare experienced educators for administrative roles in schools and districts by developing leaders who are capable of promoting both excellence and equity in education, with a strong emphasis on closing achievement gaps and fostering culturally responsive, data-informed decision-making in diverse learning environments. The program produces graduates who are qualified educational leaders, competent in decision-making, reflective practitioners, technologically proficient, and prepared for administrative certification, while also emphasizing caring leadership and cultural responsiveness to meet the needs of diverse student populations. The degree plan is structured across four terms and integrates coursework with field-based experiences: Fall I includes Curriculum and Instruction: Theory and Practice, Supervision of Instruction, and Research-Informed School Transformation for Leaders; Spring I focuses on Leading Inclusive Schools, Data-Informed Leadership, and Leading for Equity and Excellence; Summer I continues leadership development with additional coursework in equity-focused leadership and school operations including finance, facilities, and scheduling; Fall II introduces Field-Based Internship I with a seminar and School Law; and Spring II completes Field-Based Internship II and its seminar, ensuring sustained real-world leadership practice. The program is flexible, combining asynchronous online learning with scheduled synchronous sessions and summer intensive formats to accommodate working educators. A key feature is its structured pathway to certification: students can earn the New Jersey Supervisor Certificate after completing four core courses (Curriculum and Instruction, Supervision of Instruction, Leading Inclusive Schools, and Data-Informed Leadership), provided they already hold a master’s degree and have teaching experience, while the full MA and Principal Certificate can be completed within two years. Additionally, the program supports eligibility for the New Jersey School Administrator Certificate, which requires advanced graduate study, field internships, Praxis II completion, and significant professional experience. Signature learning experiences include equity audits, master scheduling across schools, data-informed problem-solving briefs, and research-based school transformation projects, alongside a rigorous 300-hour internship that immerses candidates in authentic leadership responsibilities such as mentoring, long-term planning, and district-level coordination, ultimately preparing graduates for roles as principals, supervisors, and educational leaders at both school and system levels.