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Master of Arts in Educational Leadership (MAEL)

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Ramapo College Office of Graduate Admissions

McBride House 505 Ramapo Valley Road Mahwah, NJ 07430

Phone: (201) 684-7270
Text: (201) 800-6057
Email: graduate@ramapo.edu
Fax: (201) 684-7964

The Ramapo College Master of Arts in Educational Leadership program is specifically designed to address a critical need in this ever-changing education landscape. It is the mission of the Ramapo College Master of Arts in Educational Leadership program to provide prospective educational leaders the opportunity for professional growth and development that is effectively balanced in both theory and practice, allowing for experiential learning in authentic contexts that reflect the changing social, economic and political climate that currently shape our contemporary educational communities. In the last year, the pressure on educators to adapt virtually was immense, now more than ever, is the time for aspiring educators to become leaders in their organizations to better the education and services provided to all students.

We offer the full 36-credit MA program in a two-year and one-year accelerated cohort model, and collections of courses for supervisor, principal, and superintendent certification.

Harnessing the power of modern communication and distance learning technologies, students can effectively and comfortably complete all program requirements within a two-year sequence. Students who successfully complete all MAEL program requirements, have practiced successfully for five (5) years as a NJ teacher and pass the School Leadership Licensure Assessment (SLLA) PRAXIS are eligible for the Standard NJ Supervisor Certificate, as well as NJ Certificate of Eligibility as Principal (including Assistant Principal and Curriculum/Program Director).

Program Details

Credits: 36

Format: hybrid

Full-time/Part Time Option: PT only

Estimated cost (per credit / total):

Per credit = $894.41
36 credits total = $32,198.76
(cost details)

Duration: 2 years traditional, 1 year accelerated

Start Term: Fall, Spring, Summer

See Admissions Requirements

View Curriculum

LEARN MORE

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Director’s Message: The Need for Exemplary Educational Leaders

Dear Prospective Educational Leaders!

The skills that our students will need to thrive in our post-pandemic, 21st century global economy, are vastly different than that of the Industrial Age – an age for which our schools were built. While the research certainly justifies the need for high quality educational leadership, it comes at a time when the school principal has increasingly become one of the more challenging and stressful leadership positions in contemporary society. The challenges confronting the educational leader are most daunting. School communities are faced with unprecedented societal forces and challenges including, but not limited to:

  • a rapidly changing global economy that requires a different skills set of its laborers;
  • increased performance standards, accountability and academic expectations;
  • increased parental demands for quality education and alternative school choices;
  • a changing, more diverse and increasing student population;
  • increased incidents in school violence and demands for student safety;
  • inadequate facilities and budgetary shortfalls;
  • an overall lack of teacher quality; and
  • the exponential growth of knowledge and the ongoing emergence of new technologies.

Our Ramapo College Master of Arts in Educational Leadership program is specifically designed to address the aforementioned critical needs. To this end, the mission of our MAEL program is to provide prospective educational leaders the opportunity for professional growth and development that is effectively balanced in both theory and practice, allowing for experiential learning in authentic contexts that reflect the changing social, economic and political climate that currently shape our contemporary educational communities. The program curriculum and course offerings are uniquely designed to realize this mission.

Wishing you all the very best – Dr. Julie Good, Program Director – Teacher Education Graduate Programs

Ramapo College is passionate about higher education, and we want to share that with you. This one-year, accelerated 34-credit program is a bold approach to higher education leadership because of its comprehensive coursework that asks you to think critically about:

  • Leadership
  • Curricular planning, assessment and accountability
  • Legal affairs
  • The history of higher education and leading institutional change

Graduates of the program can enter or advance their careers in various fields of higher education including, but not limited to:

  • Student affairs
  • Academic affairs
  • Enrollment management
  • Institutional governance

The Ramapo College approach to higher education leadership is unparalleled in the field. With its advantageous and unique requirements of portfolio-building, professional growth planning, and field-based research, you can be confident that your program experiences will enrich your success in higher education administration. Get started today!

Program Details

Credits: 34

Format: hybrid

Full-time/Part Time Option: PT only

Estimated cost (per credit / total):

Per credit = $894.41
34 credits total = $30,409.94
(cost details)

Duration: 2 years traditional, 1 year accelerated

Start Term: Fall, Spring, Summer

See Admissions Requirements

View Curriculum

LEARN MORE

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Ramapo

Schedule an Advisor Session with the MAEL Program Director

Why is the Ramapo MAEL right for you?

The program is designed in a manner that is practical, flexible and accommodating to the unique needs of the practicing educational professional. Summer (May), Spring (January) and Fall (September) start options are available.

Ramapo offers this program in a very affordable and flexible manner. Payment plans, employer reimbursement cooperation, and financial aid is available. Off-site in-district cohort options are available as well.

The 1-on-1 dedication from our faculty to you while in our program is a hallmark to this degree. We are committed to your success in the program from Day 1.

Our program aims to provide students extensive opportunities to study under exemplary school leaders, those individuals who specifically demonstrate the essential behaviors, beliefs, characteristics and research-based best practices. Opportunities that will serve to be unique to the program include:

  1. Extensive field-based experiences with exemplary educational leaders who have consistently implemented research-based best practices with success.
  2. Individual and/or collaborative action research in an authentic context.
  3. Differentiated learning driven by the development and implementation of an individual Professional Growth Plan (PGP), consistent with the NJDOE-required model.
  4. Collegial discourse with fellow educators, outstanding educational leaders and researchers, and representatives of prominent educational organizations.
  5. The option for authentic international study and collaboration.
  6. The integration of technology to allow for enhanced learning and performance.

Furthermore, course objectives and desired outcomes are achieved through learning experiences that promote collegial discourse, collaborative problem solving, reflective practice, and performance-based applications that require participants to apply specific content and competencies in their professional practice.

Erick's headshot

Ramapo Spotlight - Erick Alfonso

"Ramapo College has had a monumental impact on my life. I completed my first master's degree in Educational Leadership... READ MORE >