Overview
Program Description
This program is approved by the New Jersey Department of Education to grant School Administrator Certification. The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership program is a 51 credit program. The ever changing landscape of P-20 education is creating a demand for educational leaders with a wide breadth of experience and education, especially with regard to special education. Centenary University strives to develop leaders who will successfully guide educational institutions into an uncertain future. By understanding and appreciating the multiple constituencies and stakeholders that form communities, Centenary graduates will lead in a transformational style- not just to guide in a linear fashion, but to completely envelop the larger community into their mission. Mindful of the many resources under their care and direction, Centenary leaders will embrace challenges, build positive coalitions, craft and sustain positive change and create safe and stable environments for staffs, community and public. A dissertation is required of all candidates for the degree of Ed.D. in Educational Leadership. Please refer to the Ed.D. Student Handbook for specific details.
Program Goals:
- Possess outstanding knowledge of curriculum, instruction and assessment for all students, especially those with special needs
- Cherish each and every student and employee under their care and direction as a valued person, able to learn
- Demonstrate an unsurpassed ability to identify challenges, solutions and build consensus
- Unique ability to elucidate solutions that are creative and make best use of diminishing resources
- Value human capital and resources as the primary ingredient for successful organizations
- Understand and apply the value of network knowledge, with an understanding that teaching and learning is a team effort
- Serve as an ethical and moral role model and inspiration for all constituents within the organization
- Understand larger global, economic and equity trends and demands to meet new and unprecedented conditions
Program Requirements:
- Students are required to take 51 credits and all courses that are listed.
- Students must achieve a grade of “B” or higher in each course. Students who do not achieve a “B” or higher in each course shall be dropped from the program.
- Graduate students must achieve a grade of "B" or higher in each course and must have a GPA of 3.0 in order to receive a degree. Any graduate student who receives more than one grade of “C” will be dismissed from the program. A graduate student who has received a grade of “C” must repeat the course.* No grades of “D” will be given (anything lower than a C- is an F). A grade of “F” will result in dismissal from the program.
- *If a student repeats a course in which a grade of “C” has been received, both the original grade and the repeated grade will count in the GPA. The original grade of “C” will be used to determine eligibility to stay in or to be removed from the program.
Additional Program Requirements if you hold a NJ Teaching Certification or Educational Services certificate:
- Students in the program without their principal certificate will need to apply to the state for their school administrator certificate on their own.
- In order to qualify for a Certificate of Eligibility as a School Administrator, candidates must have at least 30 credits of coursework encompassing the specialty area generally framed by the New Jersey Professional School Leader Standards.
- 150 hours of field experience
- Experience requirement in endorsement code listed below
Additional Program Requirements for candidates who currently hold a New Jersey Principal Certificate:
- Experience Requirement - SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY
(ENDORSEMENT CODE: 0101) from the New Jersey Department of Education
You must complete five years of successful educational experience in a public or nonpublic school, a public or nonpublic school district, or a regionally accredited higher educational setting in New Jersey or out-of-State. Please send in an original letter documenting 5 years of fulltime educational experience from a school official. The letter should include information about full or part-time status, specific assignment and dates of employment.
Admissions Requirements
- Master’s Degree
- Minimum cumulative Masters GPA 3.0 or better
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores
- Three professional letters of recommendation, including one from a College faculty member attesting to your ability to pursue doctoral level studies.
- Essay of no more than 750 words, describing your personal philosophy of education.
Educational Leadership: Special Education Track Curriculum Requirements-51 Credits
Required
GED-770: Candidates who DO NOT currently hold the certificate for NJ School Administrator (Standard or CE or CEAS) are required to take GED-770 School Administrator Internship.
GED-795: Candidates who currently hold the certificate for NJ School Administrator (Standard or CE or CEAS) are required to take GED-795 in lieu of GED-770 School Administrator Internship.
Candidates who DO NOT wish to pursue or are not eligible for the NJ School Administrator certification are required to take GED-795 and not GED-770.
Please note: The NJ Department of Education requires students applying for School Administrator certification have a minimum of 5 years of successful educational experience in a school district, non-public school or regionally accredited college or university.
Upon completion of all course work, but prior to successful dissertation defense, all students in the doctoral program must remain actively enrolled in the university by registering for GED-990 Dissertation Continuance.